"El Guapo" - MooseKnuckle's TRDOR DCLB quicksand build

Recent Photo


All - I've gotten a lot of help from fellow TW'ers throughout the purchase/build process of my 2017 TRD OR - and referring to other's build threads has been a big part of that. So...

Here's a shot of the truck as it looked when delivered on December 2nd 2017. Purchased from Street Toyota in Amarillo, TX for $40,473.89 out the door. Picked up immediately after dropping off my '13 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI as part of the settlement/buyback program.

 

First step off the lot was installing a set of Clazzio's. Even though the TRD OR's factory fabric isn't that bad, I've never been a fan of cloth seats as I'm often hopping into the vehicle after a workout and always carrying kiddos/animals....gotta be able to wipe them clean and not have them start smelling funky. Like everyone else with Clazzio's, I've been super-impressed by their fit and quality - they also do a military discount.

Note: the heated seats still work just fine with the Clazzio's installed...it takes a longer to feel the heat, but still get hot enough that I rarely use anything more than the "two-bar" setting after they initially warm up.

 

Next step was installing the OEM roof rack. Obviously there are no shortage of rack options for the Taco, but I liked the look of the OEM ones with the stowable rails and wanted to use the factory mount points. I already have a lot of Thule bike/snowsport/watersport racks that will go right onto these rails that I wanted to keep using. I'd be hesitant using them for larger kayaks, etc, but for most of the stuff I haul I think they'll be fine.

These racks were quoted around ~$600 by the dealer (including install) and I paid ~$300 for them from Amazon Prime.

$353 Toyota Genuine PT278-35140 Roof Rack

https://smile.amazon.com/Genuine-To...d=1482632019&sr=8-4&keywords=tacoma+roof+rack

 

Next add was a front skid plate from RCI Metalworks. I have a tendency to run over things and the OEM skid plates weren't going to cut it. Super easy install.

http://www.rcimetalworks.com/2016-Tacoma-Front-Skid-Plate-TACO-16-01.htm

 

Next add was a toolbox and the OEM bed mat. This is the UWS-TBS-63-LP-BLK which was ordered from Amazon. Even though I've got a long bed, you still need to get a beveled box to make it fit between the wheel wells and the cab. Note that UWS does make these boxes both in gloss and matte finishes (the "BLK" at the end denotes gloss.) I've heard from other purchasers that both finishes tend to chip after a while, so I plan on getting it stripped and Line-X'd at some point. Also plan on installing some kind of different weather seal around the inside of the box lid as I've already had some snow/water leaking in...otherwise it's a bulletproof box that will easily fit some milk crates (my personal choice for organizing my junk inside the box.)

Also - huge tip, if you're getting ANY box, do yourself a favor and just throw away the POS J-hooks that ship with most boxes as attachment hardware. Instead get a set of Dee Zee DZ979904 tool box tie-downs....for $10 they're a no-brainer and clip right into the OEM bed rails.

$688 UWS TBS-63-A-LP-BLK Black Single Lid Low Profile Aluminum Toolbox with Beveled Insulated Lid

https://smile.amazon.com/UWS-TBS-63..._3?ie=UTF8&qid=1482633293&sr=8-3&keywords=uws

$19 Dee Zee DZ97904 Premium Tool Box Tie Downs

https://smile.amazon.com/Dee-Zee-DZ...d=1482633493&sr=8-1&keywords=dee+zee+tool+box

Toyota Bed Mat

https://smile.amazon.com/Genuine-To...qid=1482633634&sr=8-2&keywords=tacoma+bed+mat

 

Added a set of tailgate letters from BD Trims....ordered through Amazon.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01889X1Y6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I'm a scanner junkie, so I also added a Tram 1199 thru-glass antenna. Certainly not the best antenna, but I didn't want to drill anything and the aerial is screw-on/off for easy removal. Works well enough for public safety/air band monitoring and digital channels still come in great.

$34 Tram 1199 25 MHz to 1300 MHz Scanner Glass-Mount Antenna with RG58/U Cable and BNC Connector

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DN1L6K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Perhaps the most important addition yet...

 

Next add was a set of BFG 275/70/17 KO2s, TRD pro wheels, and an Icon Stage 2 suspension kit.

Following install, hub to fender distance was 21.5 inches in the front, and 23 in the rear. No rubbing except when the suspension is at full stroke in turns. Plan to crank coilovers up a bit when my spanner wrench arrives.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Tire - 275/70R17 121R

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ROTJ254/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$1,244 2010-2023 Toyota 4 Runner Aluminum Wheels PTR20-35110-BK

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OBT0R5E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop...ta-tacoma-0-275-suspension-system-stage2.html

 

Not super happy about quality control my installers did on removing some of the metal to make the Icons fit in the rear....but they were nice guys (gave me a miltary discount) and it's nothing I can't clean up myself.

 

Next major add was a Slimline bumper from Southern Style Offroad (http://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/2016-tacoma-slimline-hybrid-bumper/?v=7516fd43adaa) as well as a Zeon 10-S winch and Rigid SR-20 LED light bar.

Winch:

$1,339 Warn 89611 ZEON 10-S Winch with Synthetic Rope - 10000 lb. Capacity

https://smile.amazon.com/Warn-89611...qid=1483029227&sr=8-1&keywords=warn+zeon+10-s

Light bar:

Rigid Industries 92031 SR-Series White 20" Spot/Flood Combo LED Light Bar

https://smile.amazon.com/Rigid-Indu...F8&qid=1483029251&sr=8-1&keywords=rigid+sr-20

In addition to the included instructions, I used @toyomaniac71's method described here (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-sso-slimline-bumper.434910/page-21) and cut the bumper while still installed on the truck. I used a Dremel 8220 cordless rotary tool and a set of ripsaw blades I found on Amazon here:

$8 SE 5-Piece High-Speed Steel Saw Blades Set - SS45HS

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J9MOU0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There were some poor reviews of those blades (specifically the included mandrels) but I didn't have any issue - went through the plastic bumper like a hot knife through butter. I also used a face shield (highly recommended.)

This is the Dremel I used...no cord, no problem:

Dremel 8220-1/28 12-Volt Max Cordless Rotary Tool Kit- Engraver, Sander, and Polisher- Perfect for Cutting, Wood Carving, Engraving, Polishing, and Detail Sanding- 1 Attachment & 28 Accessories

https://smile.amazon.com/Dremel-822...F8&qid=1483029329&sr=1-1&keywords=dremel+8220

I selected the Zeon 10-S over the Smittybilt x20 because I wanted a 10k one with synthetic line and I've always been a fan of Warn products. However, this proved to be a little problematic because it's a tighter fit. Were I doing this all over again I might lean more towards the Smittybilt...I think it's probably every bit as good a product (for ~$500 cheaper) and also includes a wireless remote...and would fit out-of-the box.

Also - make sure you properly aim the light bar to your liking with the bumper hung before re-installing everything...it's almost impossible to get to when it's all buttoned up.

Some shots after everything was removed, prior to install.



This is all the junk that gets pulled off:


In order to fit the Zeon-10 without relocating the solenoid, you have to remove the horizontal brace from the bottom of the hood latch/atf cooler mount. Got a lot of help from @Kennedyusmc who prototyped this particular install. The part I'm holding in my hand below is what has to be removed before reinstalling the hood latch assembly.


When done, the lower grille mount rests just on top of the solenoid. I simply added some hook velcro as padding to prevent chafing.


During the install, since I already had the grille off, I took the time to plasti-dip it.


Finished product:



Following install, the hub to fender distance dropped by about a half and inch (and has hence caused a small amount of rubbing when the suspension strokes during hard turns.) I plan to fix that by cranking the coilovers back up.

 

Next bit of work was wiring the SR-20 light bar I installed within the SSO bumper. I used the battery mount to attach the relay. Big tip during this, when running the wires into the cab through the firewall, it's easiest to just go between the rubber grommet and the firewall (e.g., to the side of the grommet) rather than to go through the grommet with all the other wires. That being said, if you go this route, even though the firewall hole is mostly rounded, make sure to add some additional protection on the wires or the firewall so the sharp edge on the side towards the engine bay doesn't eventually chafe through them from vibration. After running this way for about a week, I finally did it right and cut an additional hole in the grommet and re-ran the wires through it.

I used the Mictuning switch found here (

$17 MICTUNING Backlit Led Light Bar Symbol Push Button with Wiring Kit On-off Switch Replacement for Toyota (White, Surface Size 1.54 x 0.83"es) - M0810-T-LLBW

https://smile.amazon.com/MICTUNING-...d=1482885705&sr=8-1&keywords=mictuning+toyota) and used a set of crimp-on connectors to attach it to the harness provided by Rigid. I did not wire the switch to light up/dim with the rest of the panel, since I really didn't want to have to remove/reinstall the dashboard kickplate in order to do the necessary splicing. Hence, my switch only illuminates when the light bar is on....which is fine with me.

 

Next add was the OEM door sill protectors, alongside the color matched insert decals on the strip and glove box from @rrentrop . His eBay store is here (http://stores.ebay.com/tacomavinyldecals) and he provides a nice set of instructions when you order a set...USE THEM. I don't think I could have successfully gotten the letters in place without using the "wet application" method he describes.

 

I love the truck! lt's looking great.

 

Thanks! It's certainly not that different from a lot of other Quicksand builds here on TW, but I'm getting a lot of looks out in the wild!

 

Great job!!! Looks very reminiscent of my build. Clazzio seat covers the light switch the lopro bumper. We have similar tastes well done. I did however have to get the relocation kit for my warn platinum winch but didnt have to do any modifications on the inside because of it. Love your rig!!!

 

Where did you end up relocating it? I've still got one in the mail that I ordered before I figured out how to make it fit.

 

Inside the engine bay on the passenger side. There is a nice open area and if you drill out the holes on the relocation bracket a little larger it will fit two of the bolts coming up through the fender perfectly. It does sit at a tilt but works.

 

Very nice build. Wishing I would have waited on a 2017 just for the power rear window

 

Very nice build. Can't believe they hacked up your rear shock mounts like that. I would have been livid.