DeMello Off-Road 2016 build

This build hit a little closer to home than other builds for us, we started our business with building Tacoma sliders and bumpers so this one had a little more meaning for us. We also like a good challenge on making things "look" better. It's no secret that the front of the 2016 Tacoma turned a lot of people off and away. So we set out to turn this "butherface" into something we could all live with. We hope you like it.

This is round one of our build, we are going to be doing a rear bumper soon and finishing off the bed cage system.

The point of this build is to show off our production pieces but also show casing some of our custom fab for those that want a very unique look all their own. We also wanted to get back to our roots and do more runs and more events this coming year. So any runs no matter how big or how small let us know we will add them to our calender's and do our best to be there.

FalkenTire asked us out this past weekend to do a little photoshoot of their new tires so you will see this truck in a magazine add soon. Maybe more.

Here are some of the shots I grabbed while in Big Bear.



One of the first things we wanted to do was tone down that huge from grill. It looked like a Gillet razor on the front of the truck. So we took apart the grill, sanded it lightly and sprayed the ring and Toyota symbol with gloss black and the rest of the grill in flat black. DB customs is working on a custom grill for us now but this will do till then.

We are also very excited that Baja designs wanted to be apart of this build, their lights and build quality are impressive to say the least and we have many many more to come!




This is a rough version of the new front bumper, things we are considering is removing the DO all together or moving it to the lower section but smaller. We will extend the lower section down anther 1in or what ever will fit to give the bottom portion less of an angle.

That is a bud built skid shown with it.



Of course we are running Icon's suspension on this rig but we are also sporting a set of Icon wheels that we may bead lock. What do you think of the wheels?



I wanted to get back to fabbing especially on this build. So I worked after work last week to come up with this little bed rack system that fully bolts in. It won't always have two tires in it, we made it so you can put a dirt bike on one side or gas cans. We are also looking at adding a roof rack that comes off this like a chase rack. We have a bunch of idea's with this and it's my little pet project so any options would you like to see on it?


We always run Icon suspension because in our opinion it's frankly the best. (feel free to argue) one of our favorite systems is their CDC systems which allow you to run a firmness setting 1-10. I can't say enough good things about this set up.







This is the first round of the build thread.

We also have more baja design lights coming
DBcustoms grill insert
S-pod
pro jack
and many many more things we can't wait to show off.

 

Nice work! That front bumper balances out the front end quite nicely. Good call going with the half hoop instead of a full hoop.

 

amazing!

 

Best looking 2016 bumper! Great work

 

We agree, aesthetics are very important to us. (did I spell that right?)..haha

 

close aesthetics

 

Good to see what a bumper can do to even out the front. Looks nice.

 

Bumper's the best one I've seen yet. Matches the truck lines nicely without getting too visually heavy. Wheels are way too flashy/busy for my taste, but I also don't roll a promotional vehicle, so there's that. Nice work so far, looking forward to seeing where this ends up.

 

@RNJNKE

 

Good work!

 

I much prefer the round bezel (and yellow lens) of the BD fog lights over the competition's. I know they're not DOT approved but have you tried running them on the street without blinding oncoming traffic? Having fogs that I can run on the highway is very important for me. Any insight is appreciated, Demello Offroad.
@Baja Designs

 

We really like these lights and love the yellow lenses! We don't get fog that often but when we do it's nice to cut through it. Plus with the other LED bar up front there isn't much need for all those.

 

You guys always have the best looking bumpers IMO.

 

Bumper looks great Jason... we should plan to drag this one through the Rubicon this year. You pick the event and I'll join you.

 

I absolutely love the look of the bumper. Not a huge fan of the new Icon wheels though... They seem a bit ostentatious. What size are the tires? Any rubbing?

 

Love the truck, Jason! Great work as usual!

 

Looks incredible! Very nice work and you may have a future buyer here!

 

I don't like those ICON wheels but that bumper

 

Truck looks great guys. I have been following the build on instagram and especially like what you did with the tire carrier.

 

I know, I wish Falken would already release them or at least the specs on them. I'm about ready to pull the trigger on new tires and these would be a good option based on reviews but there's not specs on them anywhere or pricing!