DrewDown's mild 2014 build

Purpose of this build: I'm not a rock crawler, have zero interest in that. I also want my truck to look nice. I'm not ashamed of that. What I'm into is going out and taking advantage of my free time. Lake trips, road trips and lots of camping. I moved from a tent to a Pop-up camper and absolutely love it. However I don't need two beds so I have my eye on a slide in camper, specifically from 4wc. I camp to get away from people and see new places. It would be nice to not have to tow anymore. Both for the long hauls on the highway and getting places I can't drag my pop-up. My 2 year goal with this truck is to have a rig I can do some long distance camping trips in with the ability to set up camp quickly (possible a new spot every night)

How she sits now 1/11/17




Mods list:

Suspension:
Old Man Emu 885 front coils and 90021 front shocks
OME 60091 rear shocks and Toytec AAL

Lighting:
Lamin-X yellow fog light covers

Appearance:
Color matched front grill surround
Plastidipped front emblem


Plans: Stealth Ray 10 wheels
BFG K02 tires 265/75/16 (purchased waiting on wheels)
TRD Pro front grill
TRD exhaust
Stubby antennae
Off Road lights TBD
Bumpers TBD
Get rid of all the chrome, including headlights
And most importantly a 4WheelCamper slide in camper.

 

A little background on how I came to be a Tacoma owner:

I grew up camping and fishing with my dad but when I first got my drivers license I was into cars. Specifically Japanese imports. I had a few Acura Integras before ending up with a turbo MR2. Had a lot of fun tinkering but eventually I got a motor yep and that pretty much killed my interest in cars. Around that same time I started having the desire to go on my own adventures. And decided it was time for a truck.


I couldn't afford anything too fancy at the time but my moms coworker gave me a real good deal on an '02 PreRunner. She served me well and never left me stuck or stranded. But I respected the limits of the 2wd.






Eventually it was time to upgrade. I wanted newer and 4wd. As we all know Tacoma's hold their value like nothing else. So I decided it was time to purchase my first new vehicle.

I decided on a double can short bed with the Off Road package. Called a bunch of dealerships and finally found a deal I was happy with. So in September of 2013 I picked up my 2014 Tacoma brand new.

Here it is at he dealership getting prepped for me.



Being that this was my first new vehicle I wanted to enjoy it stock for a bit. Plus it helps to spend some time behind the wheel so you can really get a feel for what you like/don't like. So with those things in mind I decided to wait until I needed to new tires to do anything. This meant staying off TacomaWorld!!! You all are terrible influences (in the best way possible of course).

 

Here are a few pics of the many adventures I've had in the last 3+ years with my truck. Everything from hauling motorcycles and gun safes to road trips to the beaches of San Diego and Mexico, and a whole lot of camping in between

 

Some of the random pics from these trips

 

Now that my Rugged Fails are toast I can finally start my modding. I posted in the OME thread and Justin from @ToyTec Lifts told me to give him a call. He took care of me and had my lift on its way that very same day. Once it came I just needed a day when my friends and I could get together! @Italia234 and my FJ buddy were a huge help.




I'm trying to talk my dad into lifting his fj so I sent him this pic.




He replies with this lol




Installation was very straight forward and we took our time. Stopping to bs along the way. It took most of the afternoon. I was missing one of the bolts from the top of the strut top plate on one side, but I just reused all the factory bolts.














Flipped around and working on the rear. Shop dog supervising




Next step was to find some dirt and see how she rides. I went with my brother to some old railroad bridge he wanted to check out. It was the typical washboard dirt road followed by a few miles of sandy wash. The wash got pretty narrow at some points but was mostly a pretty wide easy drive. I'm still on my warn out Rugged Fail tires so not really trying to put the truck through its paces. Just wanted to see how it rides.


























Unedited sunset pics.
















And back home for some awesome Mexican food.



Overall I'm very happy. Can't wait for my wheels to come in. The CV angles look pretty good, no shimmy, wobble, vibrations, etc at any speed. The front doesn't dive near as much under braking and it handles the washboard roads much better than stock. I think this will suit me well.

Pre lift my hub to fender measurements were as follows:

Front Driver- 20.25" Front Passenger- 20.5"
Rear Driver- 21.75" Rear Passenger- 21.75"

Post lift it was 24" all around. But I'm sure it will settle some. Looks goofy right now with the stock wheels and tires but I'll address that soon.

 

My Toyota all weather mats came today. But after reading around and seeing @Italia234's truck I think I'm gonna return them and get the Husky Liners

 

Here is the camper I want on my same truck

 

I'm sending the floor mats back in favor of the Husky Liners. TRD Pro Grill and Exhaust are on the way. Got a few small things as well; stubby antenna and LED interior lights. Tires are sitting waiting for my @SCSPerformance wheels. Also ordered a Blue Seas fuse block and breaker in preparation for some ditch lights. I'm thinking of going with the @Pelfreybilt fuse panel mount and @RelentlessFab mounts. Any other recommendations?

Oh and can't forget the best mod yet

https://youtu.be/3aTtqiS8jWE

 

great man. Nice photos you take. Interesting to here coming from a prerunner. How much have you taken advantage of the 4x4? Or just more of a rarely used just incase thing? I asked because I recently got my prerunner and use the truck much like you. It was a great deal but now trying to decide if I want to break the bank and get a 4x4.

 

I haven't used the 4x4 to its potential hardly at all. I put it in 4 high pretty regularly but I don't even think that's necessary. The mud and snow are the times when I think I really need it. Not necessarily for camping, but just exploring. For instance today the mountains are getting dusted pretty good and I would love to go up to the pines but I don't trust my tires at the moment. My buddy joins us camping pretty often in his PreRunner. I just like the peace of mind having the 4wd.

 

A few more things got delivered

 

Don't mind the filthy garage

 

Even thought I'm talking to myself I'll keep the updates going

TRD exhaust came today as well

 

More

 

Finally the one I've been waiting for

 

By the time I got the tires on and the alignment done it was near dark. But I feel like it's a whole different truck now. So glad I waited for the wheel I really wanted.

 

I like your lift choice. I want to go that route but have to find someone that can help me install it! Cool truck too

 

Naw your not I just picked up a 2014 taco it traded my new 16 tundra in on it....I'm looking forward to following the thread for ideas