GreyGoblin's Magnetic Grey 2014 Regular Cab 4x4 Build

I'm creating this as a space to put all my ideas and eventually post photos of my slow progress. I am new to Toyota as a brand and to trucks as a vehicle. I've come from Subaru WRX and BMW E28's.

As of yet, I do not have my truck. Sad, I know. My truck is far South and I am far North. I am awaiting word from the shipping company as to when they will pick it up. I did some research last night and discovered it would be cheaper for me to fly down there and drive it back up, which I am considering, strongly at the moment.

My truck is a 2014 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4x4 in Magnetic Grey with a five speed manual transmission. One previous owner who put 43000 miles on it. As far as I know this truck is in excellent condition, one rust spot and a couple small dents, which is amazing. I aim to keep it that way especially up here where they salt the hell out of the roads. Fluid film is in my future. The only modification that I can tell was performed is the installation of different wheel and tire size. The previous owner did so in a fashion that precluded the need for adjusting the speedometer.

At the moment I suppose, I can post the photos that I have.







I've been looking through the forum at various regular cab builds. It appears we are a minority, which I like. Can't have too many regular cabs running around otherwise they lose the unique allure that comes with their austerity. I've managed to find a highly inspiring build, mostly because the choices made on that truck reflect the ideas I have about a preparedness build. I don't mean in the apocalypse type way, merely in the "oh shit, there's a downed tree in the middle of the road, what am I going to do?" DEFINITELY NOT GO AROUND. "good thing I have a winch or chainsaw or..." you can see where I'm going with this.

I intend to take the same modification approach I did with my Honda Ruckus. A purposeful, utility oriented yet aesthetically pleasing build. You can see that build at the following link: http://totalruckus.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=95111


That's it for now. Getting back to work, which I get paid to do.


Getting the Taco

The shipping company I was using took too long. I ended up flying down to Florida, hanging out with my dad for a bit and driving the Taco back up to my house. It was a long, roughly 1200 mile journey, with various stops for food, fuel and fun along the way it took me a little over 24 hours. On the way up I saw many things:

1. Exploded tires and associated shrapnel, at least 50
1.5. A guy with a dually towing a massive camping trailer had a tire blow right as I was passing him. Very loud. The guy was totally stoic. No swerve or panic. He just looked in the mirror and coolly slowed and pulled over.
2. Dead animals and associated parts, at least 25, 1 deer in 1200 miles, pretty surprising
3. Something on fire in the grassy median and a pile of cops standing around and looking. No Fire or EMS on site. I wonder what it was.
4. In Florida and Georgia, two cars off the road in perfect road conditions, crashed into the fencing in the median. Presumably loss of vehicle control due to distraction (texting most likely)
5. In South Carolina, South of the Border. An apparently Mexican themed park and rest stop.
6. Can't remember where but PhilipMoris cigarette factory/headquarters, I think it was Jersey.
7. Starting in Massachusetts and in Vermont about 7 cars off the road in various states of destruction. Mostly SUVs operated by owners who overestimated the capabilities of their vehicles and compact cars like civics.(snow storm related)

While I was in Florida I found a dead sea turtle and brought the skull home for my wife. I also went to visit the biggest tree, non Sequoia, I have seen in my life. It's called Treaty Oak. This was basically Totoro's tree.


A few things I noticed about the truck on the long drive up.

1. There is a strange and as of now, undefined and intermittent sound emanating from the front passenger side of the vehicle. I noticed the noise only at highway speeds, although I have not determined it to be speed dependent. The sound occurs in short .5 to 1 second bursts. At one point I heard the sound for approximately 2 seconds. It sounds like a medium pitch rubbing noise. Imagine the rumble strips on the side of the road. Imagine them smaller and more closely spaced. The resulting increase in pitch is what I believe I heard.

2. Seems that the truck was on the hairy edge of side to side sway on the highway. Almost like I was driving in a constant crosswind, which for a good portion of the ride, I was. I just want to be sure it was a crosswind stability problem and not something else.

3. The bench seat is not as uncomfortable as I was led to believe based on comments throughout the forum. It definitely helped when I had to take a nap.

4. Intermittent wipers are a must. The poor choice of Toyota to equip this vehicle with a HI and LOW wiper system has definitely caused me to make the "intermittent upgrade" a top priority.

5. Mileage suffered significantly with use of HIGH grade petrol. Also I found it impossible to locate a source of Ethanol Free, which I believe may have an effect on MPG.

A few of the mods I'd like to be making soon:

MX4 Bakflip Tonneau Cover
Pop and lock tailgate handle with codeable tech
Seat covers
Intermittent wiper upgrade
rear view mirror upgrade
Relentless offroad quickfists mounts, for my shovel (not going to work with Tonneau, must find alternate solution)
LED interior lighting
shift knob replacement (group buy in progress) and shift boot repair


Here she is at home.


vb

 

Welcome to TW, good luck with your truck

 

such a sweet little truck. this thing's going to be awesome!

 

UPDATE: So I was using Uship to have my vehicle moved from point A to point B. After waiting patiently for the estimated 5 business days to have my vehicle picked up, I still was not contacted. I called the shipping company and cancelled my arrangement with them. In lieu of leaving my fate to the whims of a business who couldn't give a rat's ass when my vehicle gets delivered, I bought a plane ticket and will drive the truck back home. In the mean time I've been planning all the details of my build.

 

I have a Ruckus as well. I use it hiking to get other trailhead from where I parked the truck.

 

Sweet truck very clean. I like the color

 

YEAH!!! I love the Honda Ruckus. I really don't want to sell it but where I live in Vermont, there's really no use for it. Dirt roads, no where to travel to see anything for miles and miles. Also I rode a ton in Groton, CT where it was paved city roads, awesome hills, and a huge Ruckus club. The last group ride we went on was about 45 deep. We went to Devil's Hopyard and that was a great time. Seems like where I live is going to necessitate a motorcycle. I rode the Ruck around town here an everybody looked at me like I had a dick growing out of my forehead.

 

subbed for RC!

 

I agree but when I park it at the trail head for days or weeks no one messes with it. when I would leave my motorcycle the front tire was stolen mirrors stolen gas tank drained. I have done a lot of dirt roads on it going to trail heads. I looking for a 250 dual sport because the roads in NY are highway and not due able on the ruckus

 

I have to solve the mystery of the truck instability. The truck seems the sway while driving and is constantly requiring correction to stay on course. When I hit bumps on my dirt roads the truck seems to swerve in a way that intuitively doesn't feel right. I mean, I'll hit some bumps or potholes and the truck feels like it swerves out of control to the left or right, requiring considerable steering correction and an "oh shit". It doesn't seem to maintain course and simply absorb the differences in terrain. As far as I know the truck is stock other than the wheels and tires. I need to get under there and start looking around to see whats amiss.

 

So I ordered some goodies for my truck.



I picked up an MX4 bakflip tonneau cover and a color matched pop and lock tailgate handle with codeable technology. The installation for the tailgate handle was fairly straightforward and easy with the included instructions. The instructions were very clear and concise and the photos really helped to figure everything out. I suppose the only way they could make the directions any better would be to use color photos.

Here's the truck with the new tail gate handle installed.



BEFORE


AFTER



Then I headed over to @gugman place to use his garage to Fluid Film my truck the proper way. Big shout out to Bob for the help and hospitality. Couldn't have done it without you. My truck is now ready for the salt, mud, sand and water that the spring thaw brings.



The camera on my phone is broken so I had to take the following shots with the "selfie" camera. It just wanted to get some before shots of the under carriage before the Fluid Film. I'm hoping to take photos of the under carriage every year to show how Fluid Film holds up.













After the Fluid Film was applied I installed my tonneau. My wife has the pictures. Once she sends them to me I'll post those.

 

Bakflip MX4 Tonneau Hard Cover

I finally got some photos of my truck with the cover installed. I'm really liking it so far. The look is perfect, it's low profile enough that you can't really see it like some other covers. It helps to maintain that true blue pickup look. I also really like that this cover is made from sturdy aluminum, especially in Vermont, where the snow load can really build up. This will keep my bed dry and snow free. Installation was relatively easy. I watched the video on the Bakflip website, specifically for the Tacoma. I read the included instructions, forgot about it for a day and then did the install. It went well, I'd recommend ensuring you install the two buckles on the front panel BEFORE you install the cover. Otherwise, you'll have to uninstall the cover like I did.

When I drive around town or on the highway, I haven't noticed any problems with the cover moving, flapping, making noise or anything negative. It seems solid and so far has been a breeze to operate. The MX4 plus my lockable tailgate mean that my bed is truly secure. No one is getting in through an aluminum cover or through the locked gate. So my tailgate is theft protected as well as the stuff in my bed.

 

pictures are not working

 

Are reg cabs that rare, that you couldn't find one closer?

Yea, seems like OP is using Google and requires log-in. Too bad OP didn't just use TW attachments.

 

They are rare here. As far as what I wanted. Also the vast majority of trucks here are rusty and over priced.

As far as the pictures not working. How do I fix it?

 

I'm not sure, but Google asks for a login. When I log on, I still cannot gain access. Appears the pics maybe are marked private?

 

I tried searching TW for how to properly post photos. I couldn't find anything.

 

Sub'd

 

I only usually attach one image to a post, so this is new to me also.

But it appears you have a TW Gallery (https://www.tacomaworld.com/media) where you can upload pics, and reference them in your posts.

Hopefully someone can chime in with more help.

 

hey
how are you doing? hope all is well
how is the cover?
having a meet up today at a brewery in Hinesburg. check out the Vermonters thread if interested