iK0NiK's 2015 TRD OR "Mostly Modest" Build

iK0Nik's 2015 TRDOR 4WD
"Mostly Modest"
Build Thread


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A small intro/backstory for starters. Feel free to skip this if you want to get to the good stuff:

My first vehicle was a 1987 Toyota Single-Cab 4WD pickup handed down to me from my dad who was the original owner. I inherited it at ~150k miles and drove it until the ~250k mile mark before handing it back to him once I'd graduated college. From 2011 to 2015 I drove a 2WD Ford Escape Hybrid and every single day of driving it I wanted a Tacoma.

After years and years of longing, finally on July 20 of 2015 I brought home a bit of a mistake: a 2015 V6 SR5 PreRunner. Needless to say I hadn't done my research and thus began my second timeline of longing for a 4WD Tacoma. So after only 2 months of my Tacoma ownership, on September 28, 2015 I lucked up and traded the PreRunner in for a 2015 TRDOR 4WD. And thus began the real journey...

Now on to the good stuff!!

The goal of this build is to construct a Tacoma that's more capable off road than in its stock form, while still being perfectly suitable for its main purpose as a daily driver. As a result of this decision I'm limiting myself to mostly modest upgrades, hence the build name. I'll be choosing ad-ons such as AT tires, sub 3" lift, and bolt-on armor as opposed to cab mount chops, heavy mud tires, and weld-on accessories. The end result will hopefully be a truck that looks and performs better than stock while still being a pleasure to drive.

As she sits today (Nov 2019):

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Current Completed Mod List (no particular order):

Interior:

• Front Windows Tinted ~25%
• AVS Door Sill Protectors - [
  $41 Auto Ventshade [AVS] Stepshield | Black, 4 pc | 91021 | Fits 2005 - 2015 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab
  Order Link]
• Huskyliner X-Act Contour Floormats - [Order Link] [Photo]
• Yaesu Ftm-100DR Ham Radio - [Install Report]
• Wet Okole Seat Covers, F&R, Charcoal/Black [Install Report]

Exterior:

• SOS Concepts Bolt-On Sliders [Install Report]
• Prinsu DCSB CabRac w/40" Cutout [Install Report]
• CaliRaised LED 42" Single-Row Light Bar [Product Link]
• AuxBeam Side-Shooter LED Ditch Lights [
  $43 Auxbeam 4" Side Shooter LED Pods 19W 2Pcs LED Light Bar Off Road Light Pods with 19pcs * 1w Led Chips Spot Flood Combom Beam (Pack of 2)
  Order Link]
• LED Pod Reverse Lights [
  $16 YITAMOTOR 4" LED Light Bar 2PC18W Square LED Work Light Spot Pod Light Driving Light Fog Light Offroad Light Waterproof for Jeeps Truck Golf Cart Boat 4WD ATV SUV 12V 24V 2 Year Warranty
  Order Link]
• TRD OEM Skid Plate [
  $233 Front Skid Plate
  Order Link]
• 16" SCS SR8 Matte Gunmetal Wheels [Product Link]
• Husky Front Mud Flaps [
  $49 Husky Liners - Front Mud Guards | 2005 - 2015 Toyota Tacoma w/ OEM Fender Flares & Mud Guards, Front Set - Black, 2 Pc | 56931
  Order Link]

Suspension:

• Front: Bilstein 6112's @ #3 Clip /2" Lift Setting [Install Report]
• Rear: Bilstein 5160's w/Remote Resi [Install Report]
• Rear: OME Dakar EL095R Leaf Pack [Install Report]
• Tires: Goodyear DuraTrac, Load "C" 265/75/R16

Mods:

• Plastidip All Badges [Link to Mod]
• Rear Differential Breather Mod [Link to Mod w/Photos]
• Secondary Air Injection Filter Swap [Install Report]

Camping:

• CVT Mt. Shasta Standard RTT (Earth Tone Green)
• AllPro Aluminum Bed Rack

Misc:

• Plano 42" All Weather Case (On Prinsu)
• XBull Gen3 Olive Traction Boards (On Prinsu)
• Quick Fist Bed Rail Mounts
• BEST Mod: Paid her off 4/15/20. Title in hand 5/1/20.

Planned/Future Mod List (Subject to change at any time ):

• More Armor
• Suspension: Adjust 6112's to #4, JBA Control Arms (maybe)

So, that's it so far! This thread will be a constant work in progress. It's just as much for discussions and input as it is for criticism and BS. So feel free to chime in at any time!

 

The transformation of the "Mostly Modest" build:


Purchase Night, September 28, 2015: Didn't make it home from the dealership until well after dark.




Swapover Day, September 29, 2015: Dealer agreed to swap my wheels and step bars over from the PreRunner and give the truck a quick detail.




First Photo Shoot, October 17, 2015: Made it out to one of my favorite places to ride in order to get a few new shots in the sand.




TRD Skid Plate Installed, November 19, 2015: Decided to add a TRD Skid Plate to protect the lower valence from underbrush and give the IFS a tiny bit more protection.




Camping Trip, April 24, 2016: Only real full shot I have after the badges had been dipped and breather mod done. Not that you can tell much about either from this shot. Still a great camping trip!




Bilstein 6112 Install, June 11, 2016: The first real trophy shot after the lift was installed and the springs had settled.




Hankook Dynapro ATm Install, October 28, 2016: Upgraded to 265/75/16's and got rid of the original Rugged Trails.




Ft. Benning Trail Ride, October 28, 2017: Last trail run before the SOS Sliders went on.




SOS Slider Install + Camping Trip, April 21, 2018: First real outing since the SOS Slider install. Another awesome trip up to the north GA mountains.




CVT Mount Shasta + Prinsu, November 3, 2018: First time mounting the CVT Mount Shasta RTT with the AllPro Bed Bars and Prinsu CabRac with CaliRaised 42" LED bar.




OME Dakar EL095R Leaf Pack Install, June 15, 2019: Finally got some much needed rake back after getting rid of the wimpy stock rear leaf springs.





Goodyear Duratrac + Plano Case & Traction Boards, Nov 6, 2019: In getting prepared for an upcoming trip, I added a Plano 42" weatherproof case for the recovery gear, Xbull Gen 3 traction boards, and swapped out the worn Hankooks for the DuraTracs.


The build continues...

 

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3

 

4?

 

It's all yours.

I was just using those posts as placeholders for different things.

 

hahaha thanks! Moar pics pls!

 

Will a "flexing" poser shot suffice for now?

Also, big update. I ordered the 6112's last night! $570 out the door. Cannot wait to get those bad boys in and get them installed. Also snagged a 3/8" spacer from Wheeler's for the driver's side lean.

Plan right now is to install them at setting #3 which should be + 2" of lift. I've got the TSB rear springs, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they won't give me too much bro lean until I get the rear suspension squared away.


AND DELIVERED!!!!!!!!!!

 

Bilstein 6112's have been installed! Here's my fresh out of the garage post-installation report copied from the big 6112 thread. I'll provide a more thorough performance review once I get a few miles and a trail or two under my belt.

______________________________________________________________________

Finally, happy to say I can give a post-installation report! (6112's installed at 12,700 on the ODO)

For the most part, the install went exactly as expected. I followed the numerous videos and tips posted throughout this site and used the "no spring compressor" method and let the tuck and lower control arm do the work for me. I didn't have any issues with disassembly, and didn't have any issues with re-compressing the new coilover with the weight of the vehicle. The total install time was around 5-6 hours, but this was my first time and I went slow and meticulous. On re-assembly every single bolt was re-torqued to spec, then marked so that I can keep track if any bolt tries to back out. Can I also take time to say F^#K that damn swaybar!!! That thing gave me so much trouble trying to re-bolt it to the frame that I almost left the booger off. Also in reference to the cam bolts, 2 of the 4 required slight re-adjustment, but I did re-torque them at full droop, not sitting on the ground. Truck has no issues with pull or incorrect tracking right now.



So with all of that said, I assembled the 6112's on the #3 (middle) notch hoping for 2" of lift. When everything was said and done, the first time the truck was lowered to tires on the ground I had an insane 4" of lift in the front. One loop through the yard settled it down to 3" of lift. I did a +2 mile loop around the block and it's dropped down to about 2.5" of lift right now, very similar to @HB Taco .

Stock Measurements: 20" Hub to Fender / 35" Ground to Fender
Post Measurements: 22.5" Hub to Fender / 37.5" Ground to Fender (#3 setting with 3/8" driver side spacer)
Rear Measurements: 21.5" Hub to Fender / 36.5" Ground to Fender

The following photos are right before and immediately after installation. I am nose high, but knew I would be until I take care of the rear suspension. If the suspension settles down into the 1.75" to 2" range as so many other guys have reported, it'll look even better in a couple days.

BEFORE:



AFTER: Measured at approx. 2.5" of lift. Expect this to settle within the next few days.







As for the ride... LOVE it. I've only put about 4 miles on it to give it a test drive, but the ride seems to be as smooth as silk. I'm coming from stock TRD-OR suspension that had 12,000 miles on it. So far my wife nor I don't notice any uncomfortable stiffness, everything is an improvement across the board. Big bumps are MUCH smoother, small bumps are felt a little less in the seat. My only real performance test was hitting a really rough railroad crossing near the house. In every vehicle I've driven, if you crossed it over about 10MPH it'd rattle your teeth out. With the 6112's I was able to cross the tracks at 35MPH and didn't even feel them. Smooth as butter. It surprised the hell out of my wife and I.

I'll report back in a couple of days when I'm able to hit the apartment complex's speed bumps a few times and see how it really compares to the old suspension. But so far I'm very happy and it is a noticeable improvement over the stock TRD-OR suspension.

 

Alright, quick update.

After feeling the incredible dampening ability of the 6112's when compared to the stock TRD-OR Bilstein struts, I've decided to go ahead and replace the rear struts with Bilstein 5160's with remote reservoirs.

Keeping with the trend of "ballin' on a budget" I've ordered the driver's side 5160 which should be delivered today. I was able to snag it brand new for $130 which is a ridiculous deal considering these sell for $400+ as a pair online. I have not ordered the passenger's side 5160 yet, as I'm hoping my patience will pay off and I'll be able to find one at a similar price very soon.

As of right now the total cost of my suspension upgrades is as follows:

• 6112's: $570
• 3/8" Spacer: $12
• Install: Free (done myself)
• Driver's Side 5160: $130

TOTAL TO DATE: $712

Just for comparison's sake, you can currently purchase the TRD Baja Suspension Kit for $1,480.00. By the time all has been said and done, I'll have the Bilstein equivalent of that set up for almost 1/2 the cost.

Everything's going very well right now. Still loving the 6112's. I still intend to to a big write up on them once I get a few more wheeling trips under my belt.

 

Got the 5160 in. As with the 6112's they're a lot beefier in person than they look in the pictures.



If that passenger's side shock doesn't go on sale by this Thursday, I'm going to end up ordering it anyway so that I can get these things installed this weekend. The suspense is killing me just staring at this lone box in the corner.

 

After much delay, I finally got the passenger's side 5160 ordered and got the rear shocks installed this weekend. (5160's installed with 16,025 on the ODO)

The install wasn't too bad. The removal of the stock TRD Bilsteins was the easiest part. Installation of the lower shock mount of the 5160 took a little bit of elbow grease (and actual grease for that matter). The lower shock mount on the axle is tight, and the 5160's have beefy rubber bushings on them. Once the lower shock was bolted on, everything else was fairly smooth sailing. The mounting of the reservoir brackets also was a bit time consuming, but was made much simpler with an extra set of hands.

Overall I'd say the entire process could easily be done in about an hour and a half.



As with the 6112's I'd like to get a few miles and a trail run or two on these before I give any detailed reports. First impressions lead me to feel like these shocks keep the rear planted a bit better over sharp bumps. I don't get the skiddish hop over speed bumps like I did with the stock shocks. Also, I've noticed that the standard railroad crossings are now just a gentle rumble under the truck instead of the jolting shakiness you'd typically get. I'll update with more impressions once I've been able to get a few hundred miles on these.



Annndddd just a quick update on overall costs for the suspension upgrades:

• 6112's: $570
• 3/8" Spacer: $12
• Install: Free (done myself)
• Driver's Side 5160: $130
• Passenger's Side 5160: $165

TOTAL TO DATE: $877

That's $603 cheaper than the TRD Baja factory suspension set up and $283 cheaper than the Headstrong performance Bilstein bundle just for comparison's sake.

 

hows the ride now with the 5160? im looking to do 5100/887 or 6112 in the front and 5160/Icon AAL in the rear for a nice even look. just wondering what your opinion on them is?

 

I like them so far. I've got about 150 road miles on them and they seem to keep the tires on the pavement better than the stock TRDOR Bilsteins did. They soak up railroad crossings better too.

Overall I'm incredibly impressed with the whole setup. The 6112's were a huge upgrade over the stock suspension and the 5160's look to be as well.

I was in the same position you were in, and opted for the 6112/5160 combo because the cost difference wasn't that much higher and you get a much better strut than the 5100's.

 

Post Installation Report: Hankook Dynapro ATm's (Installed at 18,950mi on the ODO)


So I snagged a set of these in size 265/75/16 in the recent Discount Tire Direct eBay sale. Total cost with shipping was $412 after their $100 discount. I placed the order on 10/25 and received the tires on 10/27. Super quick for free shipping!

I had the tires mounted and balanced at PTAP in Columbus, GA. They had absolutely no trouble mounting or balancing them, and installed them flawlessly with no damage to my SR8 rims.

First impressions are extremely positive. I'm upgrading from the 265/70/16 BFG Rugged Trails that come stock on the Tacomas. The Dynapro's feel slightly more glued to the pavement than the half worn BFGs. At 35psi on all 4 corners, the ride is just as smooth as the BFGs and the tires emit the ever so quietest of hums that's barely noticeable. I have not yet performed a chalk test, but intend to do so this week. They look so much better to me than the BFGs, which is always a plus.

On-road driving manners seem to be just as good if not better than the BFGs. Handling and cornering is great. I do notice that I've slightly increased my tire size simply because there was a very small amount of "pep" on quick acceleration that's not quite as aggressive as the smaller size. In an equal trade off, I do notice my speedometer appears to be correct now and I'm running at around 100 RPM less @ 65mph. I suspect I'll actually see an increase in gas mileage, but time will tell.

As of right now I've put around 100 miles on these and am noting but happy. It hasn't rained in Columbus for nearly 2 months so I cannot currently comment on wet weather performance. Also it'll be a couple of weeks before I can hit a trail to test them in the dirt. I'll be sure to update when I do.

 

The more i read about the 6112's and the 5160 rear shocks the more i feel like i jumped on the OME bandwagon too soon.

 

Tons of people run the OME setup so they're definitely nothing to feel buyer's remorse about. What kept me from going the OME route was the number of reports of "front end knocking" when the shocks would top out going over potholes or speed bumps. Regardless you just can't beat OME's package for the price, especially if you got the Dakars with it.

 

real quick. did you keep your splash guard when you put your trd skid on? i have one but its not on because i cant get the stupid splash guard to line up with the trd skid. the body shop that did my repairs put it on with out it but i took it off because i knew the splash guard was supposed to be on.

 

Yep it's still on there. I didn't take anything off to install the TRD skid.