Mid Atlantic TACO build

I will be filling this thread shortly with my 1996 SR5. If ya got any questions on how I got some of these jobs done or want more pics on the process post it on here and I will do what I can and share what I have learned. Each build is a bit different due to age and how the truck was kept.

 

Waiting ...

 

Ok ...... So what I had.....

1996 Tacoma SR5 V6 3.4L 4x4.

Bought new in Texas with only 9 miles on it in Dec. 1996. All stock from Toyota.

In 2007 I add a leaf spring helper to aid with added weight of a camper as this was and still is my daily driver.

I have had 2 recalls on the head gasket done and a new clutch, timing belt, master brake cylinder done.
Had to put another rear axel on due to a tooth or some thing dropping in the rear diff. and causing bad issues.

 

The first thing I tackled was the 20 year old suspension. I went with the OME heavy duty shocks and springs with the Dakkar heavy duty leaf springs for the rear with upgraded bushings. All from ARB. They suggested removing a few of the leafs from the stack. Due to my camper remaining on my taco I choose to leave them all in. I would suggest to ANY one that it is waaaay worth getting the front coil overs built up and ready for install. Also the rear leafs take a lot of compression to get center pin in place. I had to drive over a curb to get it to drop in. Pretty straight forward however no instructions or pics for this mod. No rear brake valve adjustment needed.


Stock rear leafs and shock on top vs. new OME and Dakkar Leaf below.

Trim line on right rear leaf spring so exhaust will not get pinched.

How much was needed to be trimmed.

Leaf spring now clears exhaust when truck is unloaded.

 

Next up was easy. Put on Bushwacker 2 n 1/2 fender flares like what came on later model tacos. Not too crazy!! Primed and sprayed them with spray on truck bed liner from Wally mart.

 

Now for the next trick. New tires and rims..... I got a set of FJ 17' SEMA rims. Lots of home work on the tires but I could not be happier with what I found and at a great price. Treadwright 265/75/17 ATs. They are bead to bead remolds and awesome. I might attempt the mud crawlers next time. A more aggressive tread!!

 

Another straight forward easy job was the rear bumper. I just went in with another stock OEM bumper black powder coat however. Getting rid of the chrome. Again prepped the under and back side with spray on undercoat and outside with spray on bed liner. Replaced plate lights as well.

 

With the rear bumper done it was time to move to the front bumper. I did a lot of looking and figured for the buck the ARB deluxe bull bar was best for me. White tail dear and a adult Roo are about the same in weight. I'm glad I've not met with either yet at 60+ mph but there have been plenty seen on the road side over the 247K I have put on this taco in the last 20 years. This was another straight forward install pretty much considering all the threads I read on it and issues folks had. The one issue I had came from an accident many years ago when I removed a Ford probe off the road. The right rail still has a twist to it but was workable.

Before

Ready for painting wench just dry fitted.

Old Bumper removed.

Top deck painted. Inside coated with undercoating.

Left frame extension, right bracket on. Did not have to cut any thing off the frame had to use the original bolts from stock cross member.

Dry fitted with out wench installed.


These two cut out are for the wench cable guide springs as I went with a 12,000 lbs. Badland wench and not a Waren 9000 lbs.

All bolted in just need to finish wiring turn signals.

After....... BAMF Adornments are next to come.

 

nice build, what are the specs of your pop up camper? What kind is it etc.

 

Thanks man........

The camper is a 2007 Eagle Four Wheel Camper, Www.fourwh.com . I've had it since new picked it up in Cali personally. Totally for sale too. They do not make this model any longer it was replaced by the Fleet. What specs were ya looking for??

 

So I have had to now replace the two front axels. While doing so I have swapped both front and rear differential fluid as well as transmission fluid for Royal Purple

$30 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 The transfer case is being a bit of an issue and I will post that later. I'm headed to the Overland Expo and have run out of time for now. This will be a good shake down run on a few of my mods.

 

These came in the mail the other day too. So I will have a lot of projects and posts to come.

Custome grill materials are all in.

Main LED lights are in. Got a few more to get then I will run all the wiring at once. Need to figure out my switch box too.

 

where are you located? and what are you looking to get for the camper ?

 

Nice. I'm getting a 1998 Tacoma from a buddy around tax time. I can't wait to do this to it

 

Located on the east coast. But we can work some thing out if you are serious about buying it. I'd go $12.5K for it. I can get ya a few pics. I was just out at the Overland Expo East with it on the four wheel booth. Folks were looking at it and impressed how well it has held up. As it has not been garaged and has no leaks at all.

 

Well just dropped the Benjamin's on these sliders. The only descent bolt on's I could find of my Taco. I will update when the arrive.

 

I like those rims. Very nice.

 

Thanks man !!! They are Toyota rims brand new found them on eBay. If you are interested look them up under Toyota FJ SEMA rims.

 

Ok they have arrived and now I need to find me a welder.

 

Nice build. I see your into tris, do you travel out of this for races?