Desertjunkie760's 2011 Not So Basic but Never a Bad Bitch Build Thread

Purchased this stock 2011 TRD Sport in January of 2016 with 71,XXX. Didn't know too much about these trucks as this was my first and I previously had a Ranger. Never been a import fan, but nobody has a comparable truck in this size with comparable equipment, so I went for it.



My journey started a little rough with the build. I bought my Tacoma with a salvage title. I felt like I got a good deal and no regrets. I saw the wrecked pictures and put the truck on the lift. No frame damage to be concerned with so why not? The first official "mod" I did was putting the Billy 5100s in the front at 1.75 and got it level. Took it to the local alignment shop where the guy told me that basically, he couldn't get the passenger side into spec, but could get it close. Something about the frame tabs being broken off and the shims not giving all of the movement.

After having the Bilsteins on for a few weeks, I got in on the new release SCS Ray 10 group buy and bought some 275/70/17 Cooper Discovers AT3s to go under it. As I was having breakfast with pops one morning, I realized that I had a TONE of camber in the passenger side of the truck. Really noticeable from a distance. I delayed the wheel/tire install to have it looked at. I took it to a recommended shop that works regularly with wrecked vehicles and suspension. He put it up for measurements. Apparently, the passenger side steering knuckle is bent, creating an unfavorable amount of camber.

Driver's side




Passenger's side




So I had a truck that is half in alignment, with more camber than I originally started. After inspection, we find that the lower control arm bushing is bent on the passenger rear. (of course.) I had a local body shop bend the LCA mounting bracket forward. This helped the caster a bit and swapped the LCAs out with no change. Additionally, I got ahold of some stock length Total Chaos UCAs and threw them on for good measure. The alignment shop was able to get everything in spec other than the camber. (Only a few degrees negative which is livable.) Maybe if I go to 2.5 coils the extra lift will help out a little?

This forum helps me learn something every day, but also makes me open my wallet more than expected. I have had the pleasure of meeting great people and a solid local group of friends! So far, progress is being made, but we can easily get too caught up in our trucks and forget the reason we bought/build them... To explore the world around us. This year alone has had a great start as we have made a few good trips with more to come.

This build thread will be nothing special (pretty basic) other than the standard pics and BS. I wanted to have a place to organize my progress and log the trips/adventures that we have taken. I hope to catch some followers interests and keep the progress organized as we go! If anyone wants to hit the trails, hit me up!

Phase II: Fox 2.5" Ext travel; Dakar CS047R; Bilstein 5125s; Pro Comp MT2s


Bilsteins at 2.5"
(First trip on the @Pelfreybilt sliders a week after install. Id say they hold the weight well.)








Bilsteins set at 1.75" I opted to start the pre load at the 1.75" mark as I didn't want any rake and thought it would be level. Truck wasn't quite level and it still have me the "stinkbug" look that I despise.





Stock: I had a friend look at the truck since it is a "salvage" with repairs. Didn't see anything alarming so we made the deal. This was the day the inspection was done.


TRIPS AS OF TODAY
Shelter Valley Trip
Big Bear 2016
Overland West 2017
Sedona- Broken Arrow Trail 2017
Carrol Canyon- Diff Explosion
Joshua Tree Chili Cook off 2017
San Gorgonio TW meet- Big Bear, Gold Mt. Trail / Videos
Carrol Canyon-Bronco Peak / Videos
Diablo Drop Off/ Canyon Sin Nombre
Pinyon Mt. Trail/ "The Squeeze Video
White Mt./2N06X->Holcomb



DRIVETRAIN
-Nitro 4:56 gears Front/Rear
-ARB RD129/Carrol Canyon Recovery


WHEELS AND TIRES
-SCS 17" RAY10s in Matte Grey
-285/70/17 Pro Comp MT2s

FRONT SUSPENSION
-Fox 2.5" Ext. Travel Coils
-Eibach 14x650 Springs
-Dirt King Heim UCAs
-Total Chaos Spindle Gussets w/ sway bar mounts
-Total Chaos Cam Tabs

REAR SUSPENSION
-Shock relocation hoops! Continues to page 24
-Fox 2.5x12" w/ DSC
-Dakar CS047R
-Archive Garage Hammer Hangers
-All Pro U-bolt Flip Kit
-Timbren Bump Stops
-Headstrong OffRoad 4"+ Ext. brake lines

Armor
-Pelfreybilt Hybrid Front Bumper
-Pelfreybilt bolt on sliders
-Pelfreybilt Standard Rear Bumper
-BAMF LCA skids
-All Pro IFS Skid

Electrical/Lighting
-Bussman Fuse Block (10 Fuses/5 Relays)
-60A Circuit Breaker
-Self-made Fuse Block Bracket
-CaliRaised Ditch Lights; Flood/Spot Combo
-ARB CKMA12
-12V "Always On" Mod
-ARB Illuminated Switches (continues on post #171)
-ABS Delete Mod

RTT and Mounting Solution
-Relentless Tall bed bars w/ hi lift and quick mount options
-Technitop tent? (have minimal information on this thing, all I know is it works great and was cheap!)

MISC. AD ONS
-ARB Tire Inflation Kit (T-fitting and air connector for tire inflation.)
-Cab Mount Chop
-PrinSu Designs CabRac
-TredPro Recovery Boards
-Ram Mont by @Lostsheep
-Bedside Reinforcements @At The Helm
-Energy Suspension 9.4101G (radiator support bushings)
-Energy Suspension 8.4109G (cab mount bushings)
-Exhaust Re-Route

Good Reads
Basic theory on suspension travel
All the suspension info a man needs. (Bring at least a 6pack.)
Shackle Flip
More suspension travel
Debate on Chevy 63s. (Few pages long)
How to Build a Fuse Block
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/shock-valving.547024/#post-17738092


Wanted Mods (these are the next things on the list in order by priority.)
-More off road time. (life happens, but I will get more dirt pics soon!)
-Diff breather re-route mod
-Dirty 5s
-Front Locker


Products/Jobs under consideration
-Core support replacement
12-15 Facelift
-52503-04900 FILLER FR BUMPER LH 1 25.78
52502-04900 FILLER FR BUMPER RH 1 25.78
52531-04010 RETAINER, BUMPER FIL 2 8.17
52125-04020 EXTENSION, FR BUMPER 1 24.42
52126-04020 EXTENSION, FR BUMPER 1 24.42
52521-04050 RETAINER, FR BUMPER 1 34.37
53273-04030 BRACKET, FR BUMPER A 1 22.86
53274-04030 BRACKET, FR BUMPER A 1 22.86
53510-04040 LOCK ASSY, HOOD 1 36.33
53209-04020 BRACE SUB-ASSY, HOOD 1 25.94
90084-54011 CUSHION, HOOD 2 .89
90959-01136 HOOD CLAMP 3 5.33

$10 53271-0B010 53271-12060 for Toyota 4Runner Corolla Echo Highlander MR2 Spyder Prius Tacoma Tercel Lexus GX460 GX470 RX300 RX330 RX350 RX400h 1993-2014

53271-0B010 BRACKET, HEADLAMP 2 7.99

Questions/Discussion:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/core-support-is-tearing-itself-apart.564190/#post-18512306

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-tacoma-front-end-conversion-rg11.293318/

 

Going to get my SCS and 275/70s mounted.

 

Nice build. Looks like I got the reverse colors on my truck. My truck is a silver streak mica 1E7 and I got the SCS Ray 10s in gunmetal.

 

Thanks! It's pretty basic right now but I'm very excited about it. It's amazing how little parts keep adding up.

How do you like the Ray10s?

 

They're awesome. It's not as common like Fuel wheels so people definitely give me a second look when I'm driving. A friend of mine who has a had a few SCS wheels said the lug nuts should be torqued to about 90 ft pounds. Anything more may lead to stress cracks once you star wheeling hard on them.

 

Your truck looks sweet with those SCS wheels! Any rubbing with the 275s?

 

Great choice on The Ray10 Matte Gray with that MGM, the truck looks greatMy Ray10 should ship in a couple weeks

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll check mine for sure. I went with SCS so that I don't have another set of Methods that you can pick up from the local ORW. I really enjoy the unique look.

 

Thanks! I did have a little rub on the passenger side at first but I had the CMC mod done to give some room. My truck had been in a wreck though, so clearance was an issue on that same side. I haven't wheeled them yet so I don't know how much travel clearance I have.

 

Nice truck I wanted to get the Ray10's in brushed copper or bronze, but my boyfriend insisted on the matte grey.

 

My PrinSu if here and I borrowed a friend to throw it on the other day! Didn't take any pics of it on the truck yet, but I'm planning a trail ride this weekend so Ill hopefully get some actions pics for you guys soon!



The daily help...

 

Did a Big Bear trip today and had a great time! Didn't get to hit any trails today as it was only the girlfriend and I in my truck but we still managed to have a good time cruising around. It's unbelievable how many people go up the mountain unprepared and with inpropper vehicles.

I don't really know how well the truck would have taken too rough of a trail in the snow. Lockers are definitely one of the next big mods.

 

nice truck. your rear end should be 8 inch lsd. with 3.73:1 ratio.

 

So awesome!! I'm going up this next weekend! I'm stoked all this snow came. Truck looks great man!

 

Thanks! This is where I get confused. I thought all of the non-elocker Rear ends of this year were 8.4"? Also, by LSD do you mean the Auto LSD that comes up when traction control is turned off or a mechanical system?

Thanks, have a great trip up here and be safe. Truck worked like a dream but there are some interesting characters. Congrats on your anniversary as well!

 

I think toyota stopped using the 8.4 in the 90s, but I could be wrong. if you have traction control then it is auto lsd

 

The TRD sport and SR5 (non E locker) is an 8.4" and the TRD Offroad (E locker) is an 8" rear end

Thanks man! Will do. Interesting characters everywhere for sure hahaha. Thank you very much. Been a great 5 years of marriage and plan on keeping it that way haha

 

A few more pics of my Bear trip.

Cheers!

 

Here is a photo dump of a trip the trip the girlfriend and I took earlier this month. Friend of mine brought out his Bronco to play.

We originally intended to go into the truck trails of Shelter Valley. Unfortunately his fat ass truck wouldn't fit between "the squeeze" so we ended up climbing the mountain and coming out onto Banner Grade. Still a great trip!

 

And a moment of appreciation to @Dessertjunkie858 for the awesome pictures!