Damage Inc's Build

Hi All,

Finally got around to some more substantial modifications so I thought the time was right to start my own build thread.

I bought my 2016 DCLB MGM TRD Sport in mid-November.
Yup it's dirty. Sorry best pic I could find...

It gets used as my daily driver to/from work, hauling dirt bikes on the weekend and occasionally towing a 6x12 cargo trailer full of camping and dirt bike/dirt bike gear.

Now with the lift and soon to be bought new tires, I hope to get back to some light duty 4 wheeling and exploring. A few years ago I used to play around with a couple of highly modified Suzuki Samurais. The last one being am '87 LWB, SPOA, Locked fr/r, 1.6L 16v, exterior caged one sitting on 33" Swampers. Oh how I miss that rig...

After buying the Tacoma and trying to sponge up as much info as I could (mainly from this site) I started in on some mods that fit what I would call 'basic' needs. LOL.

Current list of mods include:

• Bakflip G2 hard bed cover
• Dirt bike head board rack
• DIY tailgate remote lock
• LED revers lights
• Toyota bed mat
• Bed mat security bolt
• Platidip emblems
• Ironman Foam Cell lift

Future plans are:

• Cruisin Off Road sliders with kick-outs and fill plates (in fabrication)
• Larger tires (after alignment) and check for fitment (really hoping I can fit 275/70-17)
• Wheels (after a save up a few more bucks)
• Front and rear bumpers (after I save up even more $, or smash up the stock ones on the trail)
• Dip the grill until TRD Pro Grill is available

Anyways... just finished the lift today and I am super stoked about how it turned out.
Details to follow in posts below.

 

Dirt bike Rack

 

Lift Page

Much like the rest of you, I started researching my lifts even before I bought the truck. Heck some of you even bought the lift before getting your truck so maybe I am still somewhat sane…

Starting with a long list of really great lifts (by reading all of your accounts) offered from what again seem to be a large list of great brands and product vendors. Based on my needs “wants” and other factors I had narrowed it down to three options:

1. 5100 + coils + AAL
2. EMO + Dakars
3. Ironman complete lift.

My extensive research, or ‘obsession’ as my wife calls it, lead me to install a complete Ironman Lift with Foam Cell struts and shocks. There was not much info out there on Ironman lifts (compared to other brands) and even less (like nothing) on putting this lift into a 2016.

This is where the most crucial piece to my lift puzzle materialized and that was Jason from Cruisin Off Road coming into the picture. Cruisin Off Road http://www.cruisinoffroad.com/ has been putting this lift into 2nd Gens for a while with great success but hadn’t yet put one into a 3rd gen. After discussing with his distributor who had some experience with the lift in a 3rd Gen, both he and I were convinced that this was going to meet my needs. Figuring out all the 2nd Gen to 3rd Gen differences we were expecting a 2” front lift and 1 ½” rear lift.

Yup, we got 2” up front and 1 5/8” in the rear. Perfect for what I was looking for. At current height I have 2 ¼” of droop at the front wheel so not a “long travel” set up but should be adequate.



Install and initial product quality:

Easier than I thought. Have done a fair amount of custom fabrication on the old Samurais but I will admit that these coils sprung front ends had me a bit scared… All the parts in the kit were finished well and Jason took care of assembling the struts with a heavy duty, floor mounter spring compressor. A big factor for me was wrenching on suspension fasteners that were only 12000 KM old. How nice it was to crack most of the nuts and then be able spin them off and on with only my fingers. LOL.

On road impression:

The Foam Cell struts and shocks, in conjunction with the new Ironman regular weight coils and leaf springs are providing a firmer and more responsive ride. Yes I feel the bumps more but my TRD Sport, IMHO, was a bit ‘mushy’ on the street. Highway and city driving feel great.

Off road impression:

As soon as I try it out I will update…

Load carrying and towing impression:

As soon as I try it out I will update but the claimed +400 lbs capacity of the rear leaves, it should be great.

Long term impression:

Hey! It’s only been 200 KMs… I’ll get back to you.

 

Now I am looking for some help.
What is the max tire size I can put on the stock rims without rubbing? 275/70-17?
Only have about 5/8 to 3/4" space between stock tire and UCA. Will I need a spacer to up size the tire on the stock rim?

 

I received some input from a few TW members (I do love this forum) RE: Spidertrax 1.25" spacers + 275/70-17 + stock TRD wheels =

Both spacers and BFG KO2s ordered and should be here tomorrow.

 

Fuel economy update:
0.5 L/100 KM (0.85 MPG) loss from 2" lift with stock tires/wheels and air dam installed. Based on 4 days of my average daily work commute of 75 KMs (46.6 miles) 50/50 mix city/hwy.

New tires will go on this weekend or early next week. Will likely loose the air dam at the same time. Getting mentally prepared for the next fuel economy hit. So far its has been offset by my big old shit eating grin when I look at my truck with the just the lift so far.

Happy Canada Day

 

Installed the Spidertrax 1.25" spacers today. Pretty pleased as I think it looks so much better with the wider stance. Hope to get tires in the next few days.

 

Say hommie the whip is looking clean

 

Thanks... I think? Is that a compliment or does it mean I need to take the truck offroad and get it dirty?

 

Finally got time to get in and pick up the new tires. 275/70-17 BFG KO2s.
Had to ditch the front mud flaps due to minor rubbing.
Tried to heat and mold the stock mud flaps but couldn't get enough clearance.
Sliders with fill plates on the way should give enough protection.
If not then I will chop up the stock mud flaps or check out the Rokblokz.
Old vs. New

 

Nice build. It's been a couple of weeks now since the tires went on, what's your driving impression of the combination suspension and K02s? Have you had a chance to take it off road?

 

Thanks Greg.

On road the lift and tires are great. Super stable and responsive both highway and city. I think I lost another 0.5 L/100 KM with the tire on my combined city/why commute. Thats would make it a total lost of 1 L/100KM (lift + tires). Of course a bit more noise than the stock tires but I just turn the radio volume up another notch...

Off road has been limited to forest service road with smallish pothole and washboard. Does well on those. Have a trip coming up soon to the 100 Mile House area that is 4x4 access only. Old deactivated logging roads with big mud puddles (truck sized) and rutted hill climbs, so I will report back on the set up then.

Cruisin Offroad rock sliders are going on today. Super stoked for these.

 

@Pittrider
FYI, Jason has a couple more of these Ironman kits in stock I believe... Once he has to restock pricing will likely go up (best to contact him directly to talk $)

If you want come take a look at my truck for a test drive we could arrange that.

-Ian

 

I haven't had a chance to get on any forestry roads yet this year. Typically do a few in the spring and fall to get to fishing lakes here and there. If I'm feeling really adventurous I go up to Williams Lake, but most of the time either Little Fort to 100 Mile House or Merritt area. There are good fishing lakes about 45 minutes out of W.L. on some roads. Roads aren't too radical, but it helps to keep it in 4WD. I was saying to the wife last night that I want to do the run on the Morris Valley Rd to Pemberton soon. You could probably get through with no problem in a 2 WD, but I've never gone that route before (at least not the full distance) and it would be a fun day drive.

I'd like to get these stock tires off, just haven't decided on what I want.

 

Thanks for the offer! Going to leave the suspension as-is for now. Way too many other projects on the go. Plus the wife wants a new kitchen and if she caught me spending on a suspension, I would be suspended from the roof. LOL

 

LOL. My folks have a place on Horse Lake.

I hear you. The Minister of Finance in our house has "suggested strongly" me the same thing... Ease up on truck spending.

The BFG KO2s by all reports are great. Too early for me to give a real opinion. My other tire choice was going to be a Nitto Terra Grappler G2. Better on road but higher $.

 

Stopped by Cruisin Offroad today to get my new DCLB with fill plates Rock Sliders. They were just back from the powdercoaters of their first run of 2016 Rock Sliders. I am very happy with how they turned out and how the look on the truck.
Here is a link to his Slider page:
http://www.cruisinoffroad.com/sliders-tacoma.html#top
A great source for us Canucks and anyone in the PNW looking to exploit our CAN Dollar.

Here are some pics of the installed unit:
Side pics
Kickout
Underside

 

How was the trip to 100 mile? I might do the same build as you, original eh?

 

Trip went great. Roads were quite muddy with that classic Cariboo "gumbo" but the tires hooked up great. Not a lot of articulation required so no real test of any rock crawling and articulation. Highway was comfortable. Forest access roads with washboard and including cattle guards was good also.

Cheers,
Ian

 

hey buddy, nice truck. I am looking at those sliders as well but wondering about which angle to get. How do you like yours and what angle are they? Cheers