2015 TRD Offroad Mid- Travel build

Hey guys, I have been a TW viewer / reader for years and always dreamed of doing a Mid-travel setup on my 1st gen 2000 model I drove for 10 years, unfortunately it never happened. Here's what it looked like when I sold it w/260k December 2014, I loved this truck but it was time for a change.

Here's its replacement, bone stock right after I bought it.
I can't leave anything stock for long so the small / inexpensive mods basically started immediately with following:

• removed mud flaps
• painted badging flat black (used rutoleum professional)
• painted grill magnetic grey to match paint (used duplicolor color match and clear coat)
• painted rear bumper flat black (used rutoleum professional)
• 15% tint all around
• Sportsman seat covers
• Husky contour floor mats front / rear

I knew from the start this truck was going to get the Mid-travel treatment, so after almost a year of research and saving I finally choose Icon as the best option for my needs.
Specifically I'll be running the following setup:

• Total Chaos UCA's
• Icon 2.5 front coils w/RR and CDC valve
• Icon 2.5 Rear shocks w/CDC valve
• Icon AAL

I'll also be adding FN Wheels BFD 18" wrapped in BFG KO2's 285/65/18.

It's better than Christmas everyday a new part shows up, but as many of you know there is 3-4 week lead time with Icon and with SEMA right around the corner I'm being told to expect delay's. Just waiting on the rear shocks, it'll be worth it! Here are a few pictures from this years mods and preview of whats to come!





Here's my truck currently


Now on to the exciting stuff!


Hopefully the rear shocks come in soon, I'm waiting until I have everything so I can install all at once. I keep you guys posted over the next few weeks and definitely report back once I get everything installed. Thank you to all of you on Tacoma World I have learned a lot from everyone over the years!

Nico

 

Nice !!

 

Grille came out nice!!
That's the Duplicolor rattle can with clear coat, over the chrome?

 

At The Helm, thanks I love to paint. Your correct rattle can duplicolor and diplicolor clear, one can of each is plenty. It doesn't lay down quite that smooth out of the can so I also wet sanded mine with 1500 or 2000 grit. Here are a few pics during the process.

 

That looks great so far!

I've been considering the same options for the suspension. Where did you order them from?

Edit: And why order separate rather than their Stage 3/4 pack?

 

Thanks!

I ordered from Findlay Toyota in NV, I dealt with Robert Guerra. It's been a great experience so far, Robert is honest and knowledgeable not to mention their prices are very competitive.

I wanted the CDC valve option front and rear w/AAL that comes with their stage 6 kit according to the Icon website. The only thing ordered separate was my UCA's because I wanted Total Chaos, from what I've read TC's always seem to have the best reviews for overall build quality, durability and performance. Doing this let me get exactly what I wanted while paying less than the Stage 6 kit.

 

Looks good. Missing your 1st gen yet? I know I am. That grill came out very nice, way better then mine lol!

 

Yeah I missed it for the first few months, but I'm over it now lol. This 2nd gen is so much more refined, it has some big shoes to fill. Thanks man it's all about the prep and wet sanding to get that smooth finish!

 

Congrats...Keep us posted. Truck is going to look awesome.

 

Rear shocks finally came in, truck is going into surgery on Sunday! Getting pretty stoked

 

Well here she is! Its safe to say I've had a perpetual smile on my face since Sunday. Installation was a breeze, took me and 2 buddies about 6 hours. So far I have driven about 5 miles off-road and 75 miles on the street. The Icons completely soak up the bumps off-road and take corners on the street a 10 times better than stock. All I can say is I am 100% stoked with this setup! What do you guys think?

 

Nice truck!

 

Looking good! Keep us updated!
sub'd

 

Did you sand the chrome before painting? Also, did you use a primer?

BTW, sweet truck. Looks great.

 

Yes, sanded and primed with Rustoleum plastic primer.

 

If you don't mind me asking id love to know a little more about the suspension/wheel/tire setup on you're first gen and how you liked it. Just trying to dial mine in and anything helps!

 

Suspension was pretty basic on my 1st gen. Spacer lift up front 1" block in the rear with skyjacker shocks all around. A lot of people talk crap about this type of setup but I ran it for almost 10 years with no problems. That being said, if you can afford coil overs, UCAs, rear spring packs and new rear shocks they are well worth the money. For tires I ran 33x10.5r16 and 32x11.5r16 both on stock wheels. The wheels and tire in the picture are American Racing "Chambers" 16x9 with Kuhmo road venture AT 305/70r16.

 

Thanks Jeff, it's my baby. I did not do the CMC. My 285's barely rub in reverse at full lock, but do not rub at all during everyday driving. For the type of driving I do I think a few more turns on the coil overs and a small hammer and I won't rub at all.

 

Here's the latest project I've been working on, a from scratch 2015 satoshi. So far I am very please with how it's turning out. Hope to have it ready to install this weekend!

 

Finished and installed the satoshi after work today, super stoked with how it turned out.