Built2Ride ‘17 TRD Pro Tacoma Build

I have to say front suspension wise you can’t beat king. I gave my (mid travel) suspension hell and it never failed me once. Shit my whole king setup work flawless and would go that route again if I had a Tacoma again.

 

Care to elaborate on why? I'm questioning whether it's because the day-to-day driving tends to be stiffer with the digressive shocks.

 

Also @Built2Ride I'm sure you've seen this, but definitely worth keeping an eye on: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sos-concepts-2018-black-friday-sale.577366/

 

That’s the exact reason I’m not a huge fan of digressive. They are stiffer in the early travel/slower speeds, and loosen up as speed increases. That’s great for Baja racing, but not my cup of tea on my daily. Other folks love that for their daily though.

I personally loved the stock OR supension. Only reason I swapped to the Pro was due to Toyota blowing out the old stock at a stupid low price. I figured I’d jump on it as it provided a slight lift, and was still an OEM product for while my truck was still new/under warranty.

 

When it comes to armor (if you can afford it) I'd go aluminum as it keeps the weight down. However for skids I'd go steel as it's better protection. If you ever wheel at AOP you'll be happy you got steel even on the easy trails AOP can be tough. Rear bumper I'd go high clearance because it really does help.

Suspension: I'd go MT up front (pick you color shocks) and get a nice set of UCA's, not sure if LCA's really help on 2nd gens As for the rear I'd get BAMF's shock relocate and get matching rear shocks as well as a nice set of custom leaf packs

Edit: take my comments with a grain of salt as I wheel a 1st gen and they are super different. I typically only hangout/wheel with 2nd gens so I know a decent amount but other's know more than me but I'll help where I can

 

Yeahhhhhh over time I've come to realize that, too. I love my 6112 kit, I've never been anything but super impressed by the performance. BUT day to day the potholes, manhole lids, road dips, etc. do beat you up a bit. It's kind of wild how good these things are offroad and over major bumps, but a Corolla is smoother over small road imperfections, haha.

 

Yup.
I’ll be going progressive whenever I upgrade this current set (King, Fox, ADS[i think theirs are??]).

That was my plan from day one with this truck.....but then the 2nd gen Pro Kit went on sale for $600 so

 

Hey Josh, you mentioned you suggested MT (mid travel) upfront. Any thoughts on spring weight if I run an SOS bumper Aluminum front bumper with a winch.
Trying to keep this Pro still rolling like a pro with a progressive rate, which is why I am looking at King, Fox and Icons.
Thanks for your input brutha,
JB

Edit: also you mentioned LCA and 2nd gens. But mine is a 3rd gen, so was that a Typo or directed at someone else on the thread?

 

JB,
Don’t quote me on this, but I think Icons are digressive. I could be wrong on that though.

 

Man, I though they were progressive.
I will most definitely have to make sure, however the Fox shocks on my new runner are super plush!!! Can’t say enough about them.

 

I’d run #650 springs if you go aluminum skids and front bumper.

 

I will be most definitely taking advantage of this. I decided to go ahead and order a front bumper and sliders for my Tundra and 4runner as well. Merry Xmas to me!!
@Acerwin - What’s your address, so I can come and give you money. I prefer cash deals. Someone posted it, but who knows where it is.

 

@Built2Ride icons are a digressive shock. As I posted earlier. Above are your choices for progressive shocks. All three are solid choices.

 

Here’s some reading material for ya...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sive-piston-valving-article-and-video.506764/

 

970 State Rd S-30-289, Laurens, SC 29360

 

Good advice from @BYJOSHCOOK on skids. I highly recommend going steel on skids. I went with all aluminum in the beginning thinking I was doing good by cutting weight. In the end I’ve already replaced the transfer and transmission skids, after beating them up pretty badly(one was beyond saving).
For bumpers I have not had any issues or regrets going with aluminum in the front. I have taken some good hits, lower down with nothing but paint damage.

Really looking for the progress of this thread @Built2Ride

 

Looks like you are already having a ton of fun building that thing out! And thanks for checking out my build.


I'll throw my 2 cents in here on your suspension. I'm definitely a fan of going Deaver (@HeadStrong Off-Road took care of me), and I'm betting you'd want AT LEAST the U402 stage 3 (700lbs + constant). You might even want to call and ask if some additional leaves might be easy to add later, or if you should have a custom pack made from the getgo.

What really caught my eye on your post was that you plan on having a 25-30 gallon water tank in place of your current spare. That's 200 to 240 pounds of water weight BEHIND your rear axle. Not including the weight of the tank and plumbing. I already have to be careful with trailer tongue weight (and I don't even have a HC Rear bumper/swingouts yet). I'm definitely going to be adding a heavy bumper/winch to the front of the truck when adding any rear armor to help keep the nose down. The heaviest springs in the world won't help if too much weight is behind that rear axle, your front end will be light and want to wander. Now, I do realize your trailer (pictured) probably doesn't have the same tongue weight as my carhauler, but any weight behind that axle can really add up.

I know they aren't the cheapest, but Front Runner has some decent looking water tanks you might be able to install in the bed, towards the cab. At least there they'd be over/in front of the axle. Will be less likely to freeze if they are in the bed, as well (once you have the Habitat installed).

O... and while I'm thinking of it, do you plan to keep the Decked system in place once you install a Habitat?

 

Thanks for chiming in, I respect your opinions for sure as your already weighted down.
I appreciate your thoughts on the rear suspension, and I have been told that I should check out a #650 spring for the fronts, as I will be running an Aluminum front bumper with winch.
I really enjoyed going they your build posts as well.
Yes the water tanks will most likely have to move, even though my trailer weight is crazy balanced. You would be amazed, well I am. I noticed on some of your threads already talking about the water placement (with freezing and disturbing the weight) good call brutha.
The Decked system will stay in place, it’s brand new and I have been enjoying it very much.

 

Yeah, i totally forgot to mention heavier front springs. I plan on having those added to my Icons once I bite the bullet on bumpers/winch. I'll be the first to admit about not knowing anything on shocks though. Luckily I have friends that do, and now we have TW for even more input.

As for the Decked, I was just curious. I've seen them in some of the trucks with Wedge campers at a rally, just seems to be a tight fit getting in and outta the truck bed. I will say though, it'll be a huge help getting onto the Habitat bed. I'm 5'6" and can not easily get up there without putting a foot on my fridge, and my wife... not a chance without a foot on something. We bought two 18" folding stools, one to easily step onto tailgate, another to get into the Habitat bed.

So when do you order your Habitat??

 

@Acerwin
Hey brutha, I just sent this email to Eddy, but wanted to touch base with you as well on this. Reason being is that I plan on rolling to my mtn house this week above Asheville and I would like to stop by to place a large order for my three trucks I am working on.

“Eddy,

Thanks for being so responsive and concise with your thoughts.
So here is my next question for you. I would like to come up to the shop and order the armor for my 17’ Tacoma, ‘18 Runner and my ‘12 Tundra.

I live in Atlanta, and have a place above Asheville I stay in half the month. So coming you way is no issue for me.

I would like to come up and place an order with you to take advantage of the sale coming up (if it’s not already happening). I am someone that prefers to shop local and I pay in cash.

Is there a time that makes sense that I could make my way up to your shop. This won’t take a long time, as I know what I want.
Joshua Branam AMG / Owner”