Matic "2002". 1 owner, SR5, TRD, 3RZ, DC Prerunner to 4x4 conversion..

I thought I would go ahead and start my build page, and my story.

I have somewhat of a rare truck from what I understand.

"2002" Toyota Tacoma
It has the TRD Off road kit, SR5 Package, Doublecab in Black Sand Pearl.
And.....it's the 2.7 litre 4 cyl.

Recently I lived less than 1/16 of a mile from work. 90% of the miles on this truck are the many 1200 mile trips back home to indiana, round trip.

I bought it the day after they delivered it to the dealership here in greenville,sc. It was 2 days before Christmas and I was due to be home in indiana the next day. I had an "89" jimmy with the 4.3 and 4x4 that I bought from my grandmother that had 42,xxx original miles. The Jimmy blew both front brake lines as I was backing out of the parking lot to head to indiana. I had no other choice but to go to the dealership.
I made pretty good money and at 34 yrs old I had never, ever had a new vehicle.
There she sat at 22k and change. And inside on the dealer floor was some type of special edition Walker Evans Tundra in a deep red or brown. I cant even remember. at $35k.
This Tacoma was driven it's entire life on the street. Never off road....until now.
So.... Here I am with the same truck. My very first Brand new truck which has never been modded before this past year or so and I am getting the itch to do even more. I have kept her as a daily driver and bone stock with 73,XXX on the clock now.
The only thing being done to her prior to this year was 1 new set of shoes, (dunlop A/T's) and a set of MB drive rims with a full size spare and rubber for it.
I am very, very proud of it and I still get compliments.
Most of my other hobbies....Guitar, fishing, hunting, camping, motorcycling, females, bfvn and other online gaming are on hold for a bit and I wanted to treat my truck to some special things. So let the modding.


Vehicle.
2002 Tacoma, SR5, doublecab, TRD, 2.7 3rz.
PreRunner.

Performance.
Deck plate mod.
Flowmaster 40 dumped at the rear axle.

Front suspension.
Ome 881 coils.
Ome nitrocharger shocks.
Total chaos UCA.

Rear suspension.
Ome dakkar + extra leaf.
Ome nitrocharger shocks.
1979-1985 trail gear chromo axles.

Rims/Shoes.
MB Vdrive 16×8.5
Bf goodrich at/ta 285/75/16.

Armour.
All pro tube bumper and winch mount.
All pro front skid.
All pro mid skid.

Misc other.
Arb safari snorkle.
Wilco prerunner tiregate.
Kc slimlights.
Warn m8000 winch.
Custom braided 85ft synth line.
Custom braided 50 ft extension.
Prolink splicer series thimble.
80 ft of steel cable for backup/with thimbles/shackles.
Shackles f/r.
Are hard shell.
Softopper soft shell.
Multiple size straps, tree savers.
Mv50 air compressor.
60" highlift + mounts on front bumper.
1200 watt inverter.
2x maxtrax recovery boards.

 

3in lift w/ MB V drive rims. First mods. Dunlop AT's

 

This was the day I drove her off Toyota of Greenville lot. DEC 23. 2001

And how it looks today. 9/11/18

 

Some goodies for the rear and recovery stuff.

 

Powertrax No-slip Locker.
Took me about 8 hrs to install this last weekend. Hand tools. no air/no impact.

 

Just ordered an All-pro tube bumper for the front!!! 7 days shipping. whew. good Lord.

 

powertrax No slip

Do you have any lessons learned/pointers on this install?

I like your truck, the black with the chrome is good looking and I don't normally like chrome, but it looks good with the black

 

Sure.
The Powerstrax no slip is farely simple to install. It's a full locker so whenever acceleration is applied....it's locked.Balls up, both wheels get traction.

Use plenty of pb blaster or other lubricants/breakers for stubborn bolts.
Have a vice, impacts and air handy.
It took me a lil over 8 hrs to do it the first time with very little mehanical ability. I think I could do it at what the local 4x4 shops charge. 3 hrs.

Take your time. Be thorough.

 

Thanks, I have the powertrax no slip on my list of Mods I want to do

 

I can honestly tell you this. I have climbed more hills, been thru more mud. adventured into more places. Looked and climbed rocks, ruts, gravel, whatever more times since I have installed this Powertrax than in the almost 11 yrs I have owned this truck.

 

Nice build. I'm with you in that I'll never get rid of my truck either. my wife is the original owner, only had it a few months before we met. I've said before, I'm gonna drive it until the wheels fall off and then I'll just out the wheels back on and keep going.

 

Ordered my all pro tube front bumper yesterday. Should be here next sat. Can't wait!!!!!

 

siiiccckkk. i like your truck

 

Thank you sir. Gonna sell these rims and tires for something beafier that will help when I'm of the pavement.

Going with 2 fog and 2 driving lights on the all pro bumper and gonna try to get the all pro rear tube bumper sometime in sept.
Winch in oct and I should be close to being done.

 

4 bang hers for the win. im gonna try to lift my 5 lugger via total chaos 5 lug mid travel. and fit some 265/75/16 duratracs on some konig countersteers(pced black) on my truck.

 

Bumper came in. Spent yesterday puttin it on.

 

Next on the list are new Duratrax or bfg KO's and black rims. I'll keep the set I have on it now for trips back and forth to indiana.

 

Looks Good Man!!

 

dude. that bumpers hella sexy!