BigMacMcCoy's Cajun Blackened Build & BS

I've been told by a few people lately that I need a build thread, and I've finally gotten around to doing it! I don't take many pictures, but others do. Hopefully they will find their way here!

I'm Braedon. I've also gone by Big Mac. People have always preferred Big Mac or just Mac and I couldn't care less. I'm from Louisiana, but I went to college up in Boston and I haven't left yet! then moved down to Nashville in Fall of 2018. My whole life story is pretty complicated, so only ask if you've got time.

I bought this truck in 2016. It is a 2010 Access Cab SR5 V6 Automatic with 43k miles. Here is what it looked like when it came my way:



And now (October 2019):


Scroll down for a list of upgrades and then a picture updates!

 

Upgrades list:

Drivetrain:
4.88s from ECGS
LockRight mechanical rear locker

Armor:
Pelfreybilt Hybrid Front Bumper
Coastal Offroad High Clearance Rear Bumper
SOS Concepts sliders with kickouts and filler plates
SOS Concepts IFS Skid
SOS Concepts Mid Skid
BAMF LCA Skids

Suspension:

Fox 2" with remote resis and clickers
Dakar HD leaf pack

Wheels/Tires:

35/12.50/17 BFGoodrich KM3s on Hutchinson Rock Monster 17s

Exterior:

ToyWerx Raptor style grille
Dobinson Snorkel
No badges
Scooped hood off a 2008 TRD Sport
N-Fab light bar
Hustler 8' whip antenna mounted by tailgate

Interior:

Access Cab Seat delete
MOLLE Panel rear trim panel replacement
Mirror riser
Cobra 29 LX CB

Audio:

Pioneer AVH-X3700BHS
Alpine MRV-1200 amplifier
Two Pioneer TS-SWX2502 10" subwoofers

Electrical:

Dual Northstar AGM Group 35 Batteries
OffGrid4x4 Dual Battery system
Blue Sea ML-ACR
Switch Pros with an Iggy mount plate
American Auto Horns A C D F Cadillac Horns
Four KC Pro Sport HID Floods (Two on roof, two on front)
Four KC Pro Sport HID Spots (Two on roof, two on front)
Two KC Flex dual flood lights (As fog lights)
Two KC Flex single flood lights (As ditch lights)

Future Plans:

T-Case Skid (SOS Concepts)
Toolbox
Wilco Tiregate Tailgate or other Spare Tire Mount
Gas can mounts
More recovery equipment (traction boards, winch accessories)
Front Locker (Maybe mechanical...)
Tube doors
Solar Panel setup
Flatbed/Tube Bed
SAS with tons and 40s.

 

Early 2016 to late 2017 (when I created this thread):

Immediately I knew I needed to upgrade the radio and add the amp and subs that I had in my Rav4. This:
became this:

I just used a kit with pre-cut wires, which ended up biting me in the ass later on...

Obviously these things are too big for those tiny seats, and sitting behind me is impossible, so:


My first New England Winter in the truck was approaching, so I installed some BFGoodrich KO2s in 265/75/16 on the truck.


Living in an apartment in the city means the truck doesn't see much work, but I also have used it to help people move a few times.


As I got big into TW I knew I'd want lots of lights, but I didn't want to strain or run down my battery, so I installed a dual battery system with a battery in the bed:


It's got a Blue Sea ML-ACR, and a Blue Sea Fuse Block so all my additions run off the battery in the bed. This way I'll never have to worry about not being able to start my truck, no matter how many accessories I add!

Now having two 12" subs in a ported enclosure right behind your seat is a good recipe for hearing loss. They didn't last long! I downsized to a 10" sub that is the same height as the AC cubbies. I plan on getting another one for the other side eventually.

Then came one of my favorite mods so far. Another TW member was getting rid of his N-Fab light bar with 4 KC 100w Daylighters on it and I just had to have it!

Another friend needed help moving:

Next up was the first thing I bought over TW and PayPal, a MrImYo mirror riser! Works beautifully so that my tall ass can see out of the truck.

Last thing I did before winter hit was add some weight in the back (180lbs) for traction.

Last year I didn't need it much, thankfully.

In early 2017 the first thing on my list was to get and install a lift. Thanks to HeadStrong OffRoad I got Bilstein 5100s with OME 885s and an AAL in the rear. It gave me about 2.5 - 2.75 inches and leveled me right out!

Next up was some cosmetic changes, starting with a new grille. I'd been on the waitlist for a ToyWerx for months, but I got a good deal on a spare grille and some mesh so I cut mine up and did it myself.



I jumped on another GB and got DocLoco's AC MOLLE Panel, which I really love:

Eventually my ToyWerx grille came in, and it was a much nicer upgrade!

Around then a member nearby wanted to get rid of some wheels and tires. The wheels were steelies painted black, so I scooped those up and gave them a couple extra coats. I kept the silver center cap for some contrast.


I also got rid of these pieces of chrome


And I missed a beautiful picture since I was focusing on the road:

Now this is when my truck earned it "blackened" nickname. That amp kit I installed had the fuse about a foot away from the battery. It was run down behind the driver side wheel and up into the cab through a grommet. The zip ties holding the cable away from the cat had weakened from the heat, and it gave way in the parking lot one day. The plastic fuse holder came to rest against the cat and melted and caught fire. Luckily I had an extinguisher and I was able to get it under control.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/almost-burned-down-my-truck-this-morning.516349/

Truck is fine now! No other damage thankfully.

Just recently my buddy and I installed a Pelfreybilt Hybrid bumper, which I absolutely love. I wired in a pair of KC Flex duals (spread) into the stock fog light harness and angled them down quite a ways. They are great!


And just in time or the holliday season:


I heard from another TW member that he no longer wanted his hood scoop, and I surely did! So at the TW Toys for Tots meetup and run we swapped! Easy as pie and the colors match perfectly.


And then we went and got some badass pics:

And I got it a little dirty!

Not long after I finally hit 60k

 

@Coop68

Finally did it!

 

Very nice truck!​

 

Thanks bae <3 <3

 

@tacobell007

 

​

 

I witnessed the hood swap with my own two eyes.

 

He's been a part of this as well! Giving me some ideas...

 

I'm glad you got a pic! It was over so quick I never got a chance!

 

Let's not get this thread locked up.....mkay.

 

Some people who have sold me things/traded things:

@docloco
@HomerTaco
@Taylor@KC HiLiTES
@replica9000
@TacoMurda
@Pelfreybilt
@MikeyMcFly

Just in case you want to see how your things are being used!

 

Actually a very fun movie to watch if you don't care about the plot! Or you're lonely...

 

Glad to see you like the MOLLE panel and it’s working out for you.

 

Hell yea!

 

One of my favorite purchases so far! Thanks!

I figured I'd catch up!

 

I need to catch mine up...