000Doodie000 - 15 DCSB - TRD - OR - Build Thread

I think modifying the Taco is a sickness...

First Pic I have (after wheels and fold-a-cover, it came with spacers,blocks and a nerf bar). I guess you can say she was just about to graduate from mall-crawling to some real off-road use:

• Armor
  • Mobtown
    • IFS with reinforcement ribs (Aluminum) - Painted black
    • TC Skid (Aluminum) - Painted black
    • Transmission Skid with reinforcement ribs (Aluminum) - Painted black
  • RCI
    • Rear Diff Skid (Steel) - (Black PC)
    • A-Arm Skids (Aluminum) -Painted black
    • Aluminum gas tank skid (painted black)
    • Sliders with fill plates (Black PC)
  • Relentless
    • Singray Lo-pro bumper

• Suspension
  • (Sold) Icon Stage 3 suspension (2.5' lift)
    • Icon Tubular Uniball UCAs + cover caps
    • 2.5 IFP Extended Travel Coil-overs + Neoprene Coil-Over wraps
    • 2.0 Aluminum Rear Shocks w/ Res
    • Multi-Leaf Progressive Add A Leaf
  • (New) Dobinson's MRA adjustable setup for heavy load.
    • Black Coil Springs (just could not do the turquoise)
    • 2.1/4" Lift Selected the following:
      • 110-240LBS Front Coils (C59-352) (considered the MRA59-A220 but didn't want to end up pushing 3")
      • MRA59-A221 Front adjustable Struts
      • 213MM SEAT HEIGHT (Stock Seat Hight)
      • SC59-001 DOBINSONS STRUT TOP PLATES
      • BS59-560 DOBINSONS ADJUSTABLE FRONT BUMP-STOP KIT
      • MRA59-A940 Rear Shocks
      • L59-111-R DOBINSONS 2.1" LIFT 600LB CONSTANT LOAD HD
      • PB59-110K Bushing kit bundle
      • Greaseable Bolts for leaf bushings
    • SPC UPPER CONTROL ARMS (Considered the JBAs and almost went with Red Coils but the deal on SPC was too good)
    • Timbren Flipkit with new U-bolts and bumpstops
    • I'm had a BMC (Body Mount Chop) along with the install (no more rubbing!)

• Wheels and tires
  • 17" Tacoma sport wheels (5)
    • 285 70 R 17 Blizzak Snowtires (Wider for better ice traction in winter. ) Spare is an off brand winter traction tire from LesSchwab
  • 17" TRD RockWarriors in a 5 tire rotation
    • 255/80 R 17 Cooper ST Maxx
  • (Sold) -
    • 17 "ProComp Alloy 36 Helldorado Wheels (Sold)
    • 285 70 R 17 ProComp XTREME A/T M+S tires (extra set 15k miles on them) - currently not in use (Sold)
• Recovery
  • $1,821 WARN 87310 Electric 12V 9.5xp-s Series Winch with Synthetic Rope: 3/8" Diameter x 100' Length, 4.75 Ton (9500 lb) Pulling Capacity
    Warn 9.5xp-s
    • $97 WARN 62132 Power Interrupt Kit with Battery Lead, Hardware, Solenoid, Switch and Wiring
      power interrupt kit
    • Mictuning internal switch on / off (great safety feature)

• Communications
  • HAM Radio
    • $124 AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/Uhf Two Way Radio
      AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/Uhf Two Way Amateur Radio
  • Radio Antennas
    • $25 TRAM 140MHz-170MHz + 430MHz-470MHz Dual Band NMO Antenna (1181)
      Tram 140MHz-170MHz + 430MHz-470MHz Dual Band NMO Antenna
    • $15 Youmei Dual Band NMO Antenna Small Cannon Style Antenna UHF/VHF 400-470/136-174MHz 50W for Car Mobile Radio
      Youmei Dual Band NMO Antenna Small Cannon Style Antenna UHF/VHF 400-470/136-174MHz 50W for Car Radio
    • Diamond K400S-NMO Lip mount, 2-axis adjustable Antenna Vehicle Mount
  • WeBoost 471254
  • CB:
    • $44 Uniden PRO505XL 40-Channel CB Radio. Pro-Series, Compact Design. Public Address (PA) Function. Instant Emergency Channel 9, External Speaker Jack, Large Easy to Read Display. - Black
      Uniden PRO505XL 40-Channel CB Radio. Pro-Series, Compact Design. Public Address (PA) Function. Instant Emergency Channel 9, External Speaker Jack, Large Easy to Read Display. - Black
  • CB Antenna
    • Firestik Fire-Flex Cable Assembly W/Low-Profile Fire-Ring and Stud (1) (will require you to solder the end, but makes it really nice to run it through the floor grommet.)
    • Firestik SS-3H Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Antenna Spring
    • $28 FireStik FL3-B Three Foot Firefly Antenna with Tuneable Tip (Black)
      FireStik FL3-B Three Foot FireFly Antenna With Tuneable Tip (Black)
    • $41 Cali Raised LED Bed Accessory Mount Fits 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma (Passenger Side)
      Antenna/LED Pod Mount (Passenger Side) Fits 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma
  • GMRS
    • Radio: Midland MXT275 MICROMOBILE GMRS 2-Way Radio with NOAA Combo
      
    • Antenna:
      $50 Midland® MXTA25 3DB MicroMobile® Compatible Gain Ghost Antenna – 3.5” Tall with 1.5” Base Diameter – Low Profile GMRS NMO Connection
      Midland 3 dB Gain Ghost Antenna with NMO Connection

• Lights and Electrical
  • Off-grid Engineering - Dual battery trays for Redarc system. (Both batteries are Northstar AGM batteries)
    
  • sPOD 6 switch Source and Dual Led Switches with PowerTrays sPod Source Power Tray
  • Upgraded wires / Custom battery cables from Power Trays
  • Meso Customs LED Map lights and Ultimate Dome Light
  • Meso Customs sPOD special/custom overhead switch panel mount for sPOD kit.
  • BAMF Illusive Elements Light mount (behind the grille)
  • KC Hilights 10" Light-bar (white) with optional Amber and Black light shields.
  • KC Hilights Cyclone (white) with switch under the hood.
  • KC Hilights Cyclone (white) as dome lights in the cap,with switch under the in the bed.
    
  • PIAA RF 18" Light-bar (white) - [behind the grille]
  • Caliraised ditch lights and mounts.
  • Extra USB Ports
    • YONHAN Quick Charge 3.0 Dual USB Car Charger with Switch, Waterproof 36W 12V USB Outlet Fast Charger Power Outlet for Marine Boat Motorcycle Truck Golf Cart
    • $20 Cllena Dual USB Port Charger Socket Quick Charge 3.0 & 2.4A for Toyota
      Cllena Dual USB Port Charger Socket Quick Charge 3.0 & 2.4A for Toyota
    • Cllena 2.1A USB Charger Socket Power Adapter + Voltmeter Tester 1.9ft Wiring and Fuse (Blue LED-2)
      Cllena 2.1A USB Charger Socket Power Adapter + Voltmeter Tester 1.9ft Wiring and Fuse (Blue LED-2)
  • Dometic Refrigerator CFX 50
  • Cascadia Solar VSS System
  • Relay setup for switches in the rear with battery monitor.

• Other Misc.
• • ARE MGM topper (folding front window with slider, Windoor (on driver side only), carpeted.
    • ARE Aluminum Box (with locking lid)
    • Custom Drawer System
    • ARB
      $791 ARB RF945 Cargo Drawer Roller Floor 37.20in Length x 19.88in Width x 5.51in Height
      Roller Drawer & Fridge Slide
  • Front Runner Roof Rack on the Topper
  • Rhino Rack antenna mount
  • YotaShop Extended diffbreather kit
  • Goodridge Stainless Steel ExtendedBrake lines (rear only)
    
  • Swaybar relocation kit and DiffDrop Kit.
    
  • ATH Bedside Reinforcements
  • $210 Gentex GENK20A Auto Dimming Mirror W/compass Temperature
    Gentex 177 Auto-dimming mirror with compass and external temp
  • AC control switch nobs.
  • Steadfast Auto Antenna (13 inch) soft-flex titanium
  • Kidde FA110 Multi-purpose Fire Extinguisher with Mounting Bracket
  • EZDown Tailgate shock
  • RedLine Quick Lift PLUS hood shocks
  • Ballsoutoffroad custom ram mounts (out of business, but you may be able to pick up a set here if there were any left from the GB)
  • Center console organizer and Grid-It Lid Organizer
  • TRD Pro Grille
  • BPF Tacoma Cooling Panel
    
  • BAMF Behind the grille light mounts
  • Cascadia 4x4 "Lite Mount" - Winch Fairlead Light Mounting Bracket
  • $94 Pop & Lock PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma
    Pop-n-lock Locking tailgate latch.
  • Ram Mounts for HT Radio and
    $36 RAM Mounts X-Grip Universal Phone Holder with Ball RAM-HOL-UN7BU with B Size 1" Ball
    Phone. (I started with The HT Radio mount and ended up using parts from it the
    $30 National Products RAM-B-111B 6 1/4" X 2" Ram Marine Universal Base with Ball
    RAM mount and some good velcro for the dual holder)
  • Locking bed side Rotopax mounts and a 4 Gallon gas (with regular or vented caps
  • Exhaust Re-Route (wrapped) and it has a custom aluminum sheet to keep heat away from anything critical.
  • Warrior Product High lift jack mounts (no rattle!)

I guess I was a little lazy in that I did not post as I went. So I'll stack it in now and post as I build. I will also throw in some pics of my different journeys from time to time.

Other than the original nerf bars that I put on, I have kept all original parts this way If I ever sell it the new owner can remove anything or return it to stock.


Pretty close to how she sits today. (pre-topper rack)

 

I didn't really have a plan when I started. I just saw the GB deals on TW and went to town... (I don't recommend this approach).

If I had it to do over I would have started a little differently. The major thing is I would have started with a plan in mind. Then I would have found a local group or some friends and started trying some different terrain, trails, and outings. Then adjust the plan. (have a plan)

I do also recommend finding someone who knows what they are doing when you go, its always nice to learn from someone elses' experiences.
There are a ton of good websites that can get you started learning along with TW.
(TTORA, IH8MUD, and tons of local Club sites [check your local listings )

For me personally:

• I really am not super into crawling or mudding, but I don't mind it occasionally.
• I just like to get out and get away from people, do a little camping, etc. So I would have done more reading and planning based on that with some changes and build as you go.
• I also enjoy the occasional off-road trip with a local Colorado LC group and a few miscellaneous friends and folks I have met that like to get out and go.
• Couple of places I have been in the last year for example:
  • https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/389-mosquito-pass (https://traildamage.com/trails/mosquito_pass/)
  • https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/254-china-wall (https://traildamage.com/trails/china_wall/)
    
  • https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/373-metberry-gulch (https://traildamage.com/trails/metberry_gulch/)

Some Trail sites I use:

• https://traildamage.com/
• https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails

There are others too.. these were just top of mind, link some more if you have them.

First Adds...

• Mobtown
  • IFS with reinforcement ribs (Aluminum) - Painted black
  • TC Skid (Aluminum) - Painted black
  • Transmission Skid with reinforcement ribs (Aluminum) - Painted black

 

Next came ...

• RCI
  • Rear Diff Skid (Steel) - (Black PC)
  • A-Arm Skids (Aluminum) -Painted black

Then a bunch of other small stuff.. (I could spend a little while saving for the next big purchase)

• • ATH Bedside Reinforcements
  • $210 Gentex GENK20A Auto Dimming Mirror W/compass Temperature
    Gentex 177 Auto-dimming mirror with compass and external temp
  • Led lights (map, mirror, overhead, backup and license plate)
  • AC control switch nobs.
  • Steadfast Auto Antenna (13 inch) soft-flex titanium
  • Kidde FA110 Multi-purpose Fire Extinguisher with Mounting Bracket
  • EZDown Tailgate shock
  • RedLine Quick Lift PLUS hood shocks
  • Center console organizer and Grid-It Lid Organizer
  • Locking bed side Rotopax mounts and a 4 Gallon gas (with regular or vented caps
  • bedside shovel and axe mounts (Aluminum - Black Paint)
  • RCI HI-Lift Mounts (Steel w/black PC)
  • BPF Tacoma Cooling Panel

Rather than link all the photos here is a DropBox Link, if you are interested.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qkbkcsp8o630iyo/AABeMbHhTwWx9rf_ZlGZrSlNa?dl=0

 

Then came the sliders, which if I had it to do over, would have done them first then right after the skids.

• RCI
  • Aluminum gas tank skid (painted black)
  • Sliders with fill plates (Black PC)

I don't yet have a pic of the aluminum skid yet. Guess I'm slacking.

 

The most recent update has been my suspension.
Some sites I used to help get me started on what to do:

• http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old/index.php?article=137
• (some tire basics that is also useful) http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

What I chose:

• Icon Stage 3 suspension (started at 2.75' lift, changed to 2.5)
  • Icon Tubular Uniball UCAs + cover caps
  • 2.5 IFP Extended Travel Coil-overs + Neoprene Coil-Over wraps
  • 2.0 Aluminum Rear Shocks w/ Res
  • Multi-Leaf Progressive Add A Leaf
  • Stainless Steel Extended Brake lines installed on the rear and front, just because.

Suspension: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/suspension-15-off-road.475550/#post-14412545 (lots of pics)
Great TW Resource: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-stage-4-install-detailed-instructions.196192/


I added the after pic below, but you can take a peek at the suspension thread (linked above) if you want to see photos of the steps.


Before ...



... After...

 

Up Next will be a slimline bumper from Relentless (already ordered)

(teaser pic below. not mine.. but I will soon have one like it.)




Arrived today!!! (April 31) Should be installing in the next few weeks once I'm back from a business trip.

 

Decided to go with the

$1,821 WARN 87310 Electric 12V 9.5xp-s Series Winch with Synthetic Rope: 3/8" Diameter x 100' Length, 4.75 Ton (9500 lb) Pulling Capacity

Warn 9.5XP-s (got it used <barely> so it didn't have to pay full price and I'm a happy camper now!)

 

One last thing I have in the works, not sure if anyone has seen this before...



...

But I am working with with Tony over at KORE on the current GB he is running.

 

Last weekend I added a new TRD Pro Grille.

 

This weekend had a buddy come over and we took apart the front and put it back together. He did most of the wiring ant it is perfect right down to the marine wrapped connectors.

Below are some shots of the process.

 

Latest shot of how it looks today...

 

Someone PM'd and asked if I had any pics related to travels I have done. I did start posting them on Google+ and normally put a few up on Instagram if folks are interested.
Instagram: @1000.Taco.0001
Google+ : (defunct)

 

Ok.. .Got the new wheels on (finally).
I have decided to start posting some pictures of my off-road trips so there is more to see than just build stuff. This also might give some context to why I am choosing the parts I do. Anyway for those of you checking the thread here we go....

 

Tincup Pass: https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/480-tincup-pass-co

This was a great run. We took old Tincup for the extra challenge and came down it from San Isbel side. We did end up going around the really gnarly part because my buddy didn't have sliders and I frankly didn't feel like riding the sliders down. :/

Here are some shots of the trip and some beauty shots of the Taco. ***If the photos end up too big or too much to load let me know and Ill shrink them down in the future.***

 

Few more... (these are at the top before heading back down toward Gunnison.)

 

Now for the photos on the trail....


We had heard it was a challenging trail to run.. ...so we walked down the first bit to check it out.


(it didn't look too bad, then we arrived here)



Yes, we went around. This was the "out", still required a spotter to be sure you picked the right path.



There was a nice lake at the bottom. If you keep your eyes open you will also find some wild raspberries (yum)

 

And.. lastly.. the end of the trail...

 

Pano for the end of the day..

 

Do you by chance have a link to the Relentless Slimline Bumper? I looked on their website but I am not seeing it.

I've been looking for a hidden winch setup. What made you decide to go with this bumper?

 

Nevermind, I saw another post saying that they must be contacted about this winch mount.

Good looking truck tho. Thanks.