Atlastrekker's 04 Taco build and trips

I've owned this truck since August 2017 and thought I would start a build thread to post the progress and also the trips that I take with it. The truck has 175k now and still runs really good.

Current picture as of December 2018



Here is a current picture as on January 2018


The truck is a 2004 extended cab 4x4 with the V6 and a 5 speed.


Here is what I have done since I bought it:

King coil over shocks up front
All-pro upper a-arms
Replaced all ball joints and steering components


Icom ID-880h 2m/440 radio
Antenna mount at tail gate


Camper shell- not using any more
ARB front bumper
Warn XD9000 winch, new motor and synthetic winch rope

Hilux snorkel
OME rear leaf springs
255-85-16 Cooper ST/MAXX tires
ARB single air compressor


I will also post some pics and video from past and future trips here as well.

Thanks for looking!

 

A couple of videos with the truck

 

The day that I installed the bumper and winch

The taco by Clay Collins, on Flickr

 

Random action shots

Big tree accross the road by Clay Collins, on Flickr

old yard 1 by Clay Collins, on Flickr

 

Random photo's of mine that I like

end of cabo by Clay Collins, on Flickr

eagle lake by Clay Collins, on Flickr

aspens by Clay Collins, on Flickr

Blood Moon by Clay Collins, on Flickr

Spenceville Sunset by Clay Collins, on Flickr

 

Pictures from the FLIR

IR_0044 by Clay Collins, on Flickr

IR_0030 by Clay Collins, on Flickr

IR_0049 by Clay Collins, on Flickr

 

Sick truck.




But I'm biased haha

 

Yeah, they aren't exactly unique, BUT they are pretty good at what they do! Is yours in pretty good shape still?

 

It was till I bought it haha.

But in all seriousness, ya it' in really good shape. Girl that owned it before me got it as an 18th birthday present. Only owner other than me. I bought it 3 years ago. She would only sell it to me if I promised not to take it offroad Oh the lies I tell......

Anyway, maintained by her and now me. Full synthetics, plus LOTS of new OEM parts. Too much to list. But I've put my mark on her for sure. TONS of pinstriping. One fender flare has a hole. Need to replace. Otherwise perfect haha

 

Nice, man. She will never know anyways!

 

Well she left a CD in the player. One day I'm gonna return it. Then she will see that "carnage" and lack of mint shape

 

Was it a good one at least?

My first Toyota ever had a Hank Williams Jr tape stuck in it when I bought it. I listened to that thing a million times. A few years later I saw the guy I bought it off of and he asked if I ever got it out. I smiled and said "nope".

 

Nah, some 2000s white chick music. Don't know how else to explain it. I really only listen to country and some 80s 90s rock. Which is weird cause it's not my generation of music. But since I can't stand modern pop.......expect Tswift. Not sure why I'm addicted to that sh*t

 

Because it's good? But that IS my generation of music so I am biased.

Oddly enough the radio in this truck sucks really bad. I cant get any kind of radio stations with it. I thought maybe the antenna was busted, but it's not. I need to replace all of it. I wish I had a Hank Williams Jr. greatest hits CD to leave in there, now that I think about it.

 

I bought a JVC single din. Has Bluetooth so I can play songs from my phone. Works great since the radio stations around here suck. Only two of them (pop. of 40k where I work) i live 20 miles from there. Reception is patchy. But then you are limited to songs. Sometimes I'll use tunein radio from my phone, but that chews up data.

 

I had to change out my O2 sensor the other day. Luckily it wasn't hard to get out at all.

It's also getting close to time for new tires, and I am a bit undecided which way to go. I am thinking about going up to 285/75/16's and buying some Falken Wildpeak AT's, but the Cooper ST/Maxx tires in 255/85/16 are still pretty tempting.

 

Think about regear if you offroad

 

I have been thinking about it, along with an ARB up front. Playing in the rocks the other day made me realize how fast this thing goes in 1st gear. Are 4.88's generally thought to be the way to go with 33" tires on these?

 

For us 5spds you will hear alot of people suggesting 4.56s. That's because the R150F is geared lower than the A340E automatic. They suggest 4.88s for the autos. When doing the math, check tiresize.com. find the percent difference from stock and then multiply current differential gear ratio accordingly. I think you have 4.10s. I did and the math works out to 4.34 or something.


However, 4.88s are amazing. It ups the rpms so cruising speeds are more in the torque curve. But the power is nice and it's great offroad. If I did it again I would still do 4.88s. It took a bit getting used to the rpms. You just have to drive slower. As in, the speed limit haha. Also my truck keeps getting heavier and heavier. Swingout bumper and 1/4" skids are next. Also plan on aux fuel cause of the tiny 18 gal stock tank.

Sorry for being long winded. Let me know if you have questions

Edit I have 4.88s despite TW recommendations to the contrary.

 

That's cool man. There's plenty of room for long winds in here!

I agree, 4.88's are probably going to be best. I've read a few posts now and those that have the 4.88's all like them. The truck before this was a 4runner with a 22re running 33's. I went from the stock 4.10's to 4.88's on that one and it made a huge difference, similar to what you are talking about, lower top speed, but way better on the mountain roads where I live.

You have an ARB locker in the front axle, right? Yay or Nea? Would you do it again?