2003 DCSB Build Brainstorming

This here is Ruby, my 2003 DCSB.

I've been kicking around for a while about what exactly I want to do with her just yet. I'm looking into buying a 2018 some time around this time next year, or into early 2019, but in the meantime, she's still my daily driver. My commute consists of around 40 miles round trip, around 30 of which are highway miles, so I'd prefer to not do anything too extreme just yet. (Alas, my long-travel dreams are dashed yet again!)

I've got a lot of ideas floating around upstairs, and I'm not 100% sure what I'm wanting to do just yet until I buy a new DD. For now, the objective is to maintain the ability to be a mostly-low-profile DD, but still be a badass, capable wheeling/overland-esqe rig. Care to pick my brains?

In no particular order:

• Rock sliders (Thinking of All-Pro or Trail Gear)
• Plate bumpers (Front and rear, still debating brands, but thinking ARB for the front)
• OME Lift, heavy-duty leafs (Need halp on this one)
• Aftermarket armor to replace factory TRD skids
• LEDs everywhere
• Dual-battery
• On-board air
• Winch
• CB/HAM radio setup (Porque no los dos?)
• Improved hoses and lines (braided steel rad hoses, brake lines, etc)
• Stretch goal: auxiliary fuel tank
• Obligatory supercharger bullet on wishlist

As for this stuff, I'm thinking either of doing this stuff or putting together an overland-esqe trailer:

• Bed rack (Either the KB Voodoo universal-fit one, or if I'm crazy enough, something of my own fabrication)
• Roof-top tent

And lastly, the stretch goals for once I have a DD and this one turns into the dedicated stop-at-nothing wheeler:

• Long-travel suspension
• Snorkel
• Supercharger
• Line-X or comparable spray for vehicle body
• Even more LEDs

Now, after that wall of text, what are your thoughts?

 

Sounds like a pretty solid plan.

OME Dakars with the add a leaf are solid leaf packs.

Just one thing...

For me I like the idea of having a daily driver that's totally different than my truck. For me that's a motorcycle. I'd rather not have another truck. I wanted something that's quick, nimble good on the mgs and living in CA can lane split.

 

I absolutely concur. Thus not wanting to do anything too extreme with it until I have another vehicle to use as a DD, be it a new Tacoma or something else entirely. I like the concept of using a motorcycle as a DD, but having ridden a bike for a few months, it's just not for me.

That aside, I appreciate the input on the lift!

 

Oh...dual battery...I have a dual battery system in the stock location. I'm fairly certain it's bent my main support thinger so my driver headlight points at the sky. In hind sight I would have put it in the bed or somewhere other than where it is.

For sliders BAMF are super good.

Aux fuel tank...YES! DO IT! I have one. It's amazing.

 

Pretty on point for what we've talked about (OP and I are friends and grew up together). Saw something to go with the "lights everywhere" point:

SUNPIE 4 Pods RGBW Rock Lights Aluminium Metal Underglow Light Kit App RF Voice Mode Music Mode Multicolor Wheel Well Lights for Off Road Trucks SUV ATV UTV Trailer Boats

LEDs in the wheel wells.

Are you counting gear to be carried in the wishlist? I'm sure some overlanders and preppers would be thrilled to throw in with that discussion. Truck guns, permanent SHTF ruck, tools, etc.

I do think once you've thought on it you should have it in particular order, of importance or utility or maybe cost. Just makes planning simpler since these will be altogether like purchasing a new vehicle. Food for thought.

 

I'll get around to gear once I start loading her up with gear. As it stands, I've got the factory tools for a spare change, and a basic survival kit with a survival blanket, baby first aid kid, and one of those LifeStraws, but aside from that, I need to gear up.

Now on the note of an ordered wishlist, I'm going to save that for once I put together a real build thread. Stay tuned, boys and girls.

 

Are you familiar with Ronny Dahl and Andrew St Pierre White (4xOverland) on you tube?

They both have excellant advice on builds.

 

I have been looking to their rigs for inspiration, but I'm honestly leaning more towards building a trailer (EVENTUALLY) for my RTT and camping gear storage. The way I look at it, it allows me to unhitch the trailer, leave it at camp and go wheeling with the truck without having to pack up all my stuff. For now though, I'm more than happy to sleep in the bed on my platform.

 

Excellant idea. And you can leave it at home all packed up for the next trip.

 

I also like the idea of an overland type trailer but Damn! they are expensive. I'm not sure if our 3.4's will like the extra weight much off road. So far the bed tent setup is kind of wining out for me.

 

Honestly, I've towed quite a lot of weight with this truck before, close to 2000 pounds off-road without too much fuss. She does struggle a bit on inclines while towing that much weight, but that kind of thing is to be expected. Once I have a new DD, I'd like to save my pocket change and put a supercharger on this one for all of the extra horses. One day.

 

Rofl yes, I too dream of a super charger! I've seen some nice builds using them and the motor seems very capable of handling it. I'm not sure what is being said of the automatic handling the extra power. I would expect it to be just fine though.

 

My dad and I have hauled up our old trailer, plus 2 quads, extra fuel and water, and multiple stocked coolers, plus the rest of our camping gear (we counted around 1850-1950 pounds) up the mountains from Phoenix to Flagstaff (close to a 3000-foot climb over 100ish miles) on multiple occasions. Like I said, she struggles a bit during the worst of it, needing to hang in the right lane with O/D off, and only going about 45-50 MPH, but it gets us there! It really just comes down to making sure you're keeping up with all the preventative maintenance on the motor and drivetrain. But yes, superchargers.

 

My lightweight setup