2009 Regular Cab Build & BS

I haven't had a vehicle I could work on and make my own for a while. I have also never been one to take a lot of pictures of the progress, so I'm making this build thread to keep track of the changes. I'm also hoping to get input from others as I move forward with my plans to build a daily driver that I can drive on the beach locally and take up north for camping adventures. My dream is to work my way up to a roof top tent and drive from RI to CA camping along the way.

I have been working on cars for my whole life. I am in no way a mechanic. But the work has become easier over the years now that there are forums for enthusiasts for every type of vehicle. I thank you in advance for your well thought out threads and advice!



My new Tacoma showing off a new grill.

 

First Mod; glove box organizer and billet AC knobs. No, my steering wheel is not upside down. Wish I could figure out how to fix the shifter apron. I'll figure it out.

 

Found a forum member selling wheels and tires after only a couple days as a member. What a great guy and of course he had an amazing Tacoma! Thank you @surfandturf for a great deal on five (!) rims and five (!) sweet tires.

A few things; these new wheels and tires are really light. I didn't weigh them, but they felt like they weighed half as much. I took off the stock steel wheels with 245/75/16 and replaced them with "I'm not sure what wheels" and hankook dynapro atm 265/75/16. Occasionally when I pull into the driveway sharply I hear a quick rub, I'll be more careful. I love the new setup. It drives even better than before. The change in wheel circumference changed the gearing so the vehicle is easier to shift and drive. I hope this is an omen of future mods.


URD Short Throw Shifter on the way.
Victory side bed MOLLE & Accessory Storage Panel are on the way.

 

How many miles? I've got a 2010 RC 5-lug (2WD non-prerunner) with almost 105K!

 

I convinced @docloco to let me in on buy #18 for a Rear Seat MOLLE Panel. I'm pretty sure he said about 12 weeks until they ship out. So far I have removed the plastic trim and deleted the seatbelt. I'm going to get out my grinder and delete the jack mount as well some day this week because next week a lot of good things will be happening. Taking seats, carpet and interior trim out of the truck. Putting sound deadening on the entire interior. Installing a Pioneer AVIC-W6500NEX head unit, Pioneer TS-Z65C speaker/tweeter, Rockford Fosgate Punch P300X2 amplifier and a

$350 Rockford Fosgate PS-8 Punch Single 8" Amplified Loaded Enclosure Subwoofer

Rockford Fosgate PS-8 subwoofer. New headlights, Morimoto XB foglights with factory switch. The new head will be able to run the stock stern video camera.
Anyway, a couple of shots for posterity and comparison.


With seatbelt and jack mount.

Without the seatbelt... probably going to cut out the jack stand on Wednesday or Thursday... We'll see.

 

At this point, she has 63,000 miles. Meticulously maintained. The frame is in really good shape and she has some kind of new shocks and coils. A really clean truck. Thank you for asking.

 

You need to add a killer sound system!

 

Look up at post #5, I'm sure you will be pleased.

 

How did yours come with a backup camera? Or did you get an OEM one and install it? I have an aftermarket one above my license plate.

 

I'm not really sure how it happened. The backup camera is in the tailgate handle... maybe you have one and don't know it? The video wire goes all the way up the truck and disappears behind the console. There is also wiring for the fog lights tucked up in the bumper. so

I didn't realize I had a backup camera until I started looking to see where I would put one, because I definitely want one. Here is a picture of it in the handle.

 

All 2009-2015 2nd Gen Tacos with the SR5 trim and above came with backup cameras. All 2009-newer base models had the the prewire, but not the backup camera. Regular cab 2nd Gen Tacos with the SR5 trim are about as common as a 1995.5-1997 1st Gen of any body configuration without frame rust, so most did not have the backup camera. Mine was prewired, but did not have it. My neighbor installed an aftermarket Clarion camera above the license plate. 2009-2012 Tacos with the factory backup camera had it in the rearview mirror. I prefer the larger in-dash version. I have an aftermarket Pioneer head unit with this setup...

 

In my efforts to get a tent up on top of the rig, I will also have to do something about my suspension. I'm guessing I'd like to be able to support and drive around with over 1000 lb in the back. If they are designed for over 1300 lb capacity, I'm not sure how much I would have to change the rear suspension. I don't really need a lift back there, I just want a relatively comfortable ride with nothing in the back or with rack and tent and gear. Yes, I have read a lot of threads on the forum and I am doing my best to study and understand, but I still don't. Right now my truck sits like this (as measured from the center of the hub):
DF. 19.25
DR. 22.5
PF. 19.5
PR. 22.25.
I'm not sure I want or need to lift the rear, but I would like to lift the front 1 - 1 1/2", so bring her up to 21" in the front. I'm pretty sure I could use some rear shocks pretty soon, they don't look great.

The front shocks and coils are pretty much brand new. I have no idea what they are, I am assuming stock. I also have no idea on the rear, but again I'm assuming stock. Here is what I see behind the wheel.

 

Another item on my list are rock sliders... I have been unable to find any links or suggestions about sliders for a regular cab on the forum. Most of the links I did find were outdated and didn't go anywhere. That being said, I want to get sliders and have them welded on my Tacoma.

 

Looks awesome

 

Weld on Kitsap should run about $300+ shipping and installation. Mobtown in the closest shop, bruteforce does great work. Those are my front and rear bumpers

 

https://www.bruteforcefab.com/rock-sliders.html

http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/05-15-tacoma-100-frame-bolt-on-sliders/

These are the ones I have found. Will probably go with brute force because I can drive there to pick them up.

Truck looks great btw. I almost pulled the trigger on a white one. Would prefer that to black.

Also https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ga-sos-offroad-fab-regular-cab-sliders-450.628242/ you might be able to have other members bring this up to you but it is a bit far.

 

Those sliders look really great, but Georgia is a little far for me to travel for sliders... I also like the idea of welding the sliders onto the frame.

I've been looking at the brute force weld on removable regular cab sliders for $295, but again, the shipping from CA will probably be more than the sliders. We'll see. I've got a lot planned for the next week or so already, I'll let my head spin for a while about what to do next for a bit.

I really like the white too. A lot of vehicles rust out around here because of bad weather, I looked around for a truck for over six months until I found what I was looking for. I finally got lucky. I'm sure there are plenty of rust free vehicles to choose from in San Jose!

 

Stereo installed. Sub and amp under the seat. Stereo sounds awesome.

 

Looks clean! Weird to have Apple Carplay on a head unit with DivX logo.

And those wheels are Konig Countersteer Offroad 16x8. At 18 lb each, they are the lightest wheels for Tacomas short of $3000 Volk Racing forged wheels.

 

Installed headlights and fog lights... Headlights were more of a PIA than the fogs. Wiring for fogs just sitting there waiting to be installed.

Toyota factory fog light switch, same as the other end of the fog lights. I bought the switch and clip from Toyota, it plugged right in and the oem switch looks great.