n0rth's Tacoma build

2009 Tacoma SR5
125K miles
132K 2/27/17



Engine:2TR-FE (4banger)
URD MK3 Supercharger
Doug Thorley header w/Jardine cat-back
AFE Pro Dry filter
Safari snorkel

Trans/Transfer:
5 speed manual transmission
RST Twin stick FJ transfer case
Marlin Crawler Tacobox 4.7 gears

Axles/gears/lockers:
ECGS built diffs
4.88 Nitro Gears
Front/rear ARB lockers
CVJ CV Joints

Wheels & Tires:
36x12.5r16 Super Swamper TSL radial (35.8x9.8 mounted)
TRD Bronze FJ wheels (7.5" wide -20MM offset)
1.25" Spidertrax spacers front
1" Bora spacers rear

Armor/recovery:
CBI Diamond plate front bumper
CBI Diamond plate rear bumper w/ swingout
CBI Bolt on Sliders
ATO skids extended for crawlbox
Warn M8000 winch
Dominion Offroad synthetic line
Warn recovery bag w/ extra misc. gear
48" hilift jack

Suspension/lift:
*1" 4crawler body lift
Front
ORI 8" Struts
BAMF Top hats
Total Chaos UCA's
Timbren Bump stops
Rear
ATO Shackle Flip
All-Pro Expo rear springs/flip kit
BAMF Rear shock relocation kit
King 2.0 Smoothies 12"
Timbren Bump stops

Body/Exterior/Dents/Interior
Satoshi by Homertaco
Cut/Raptor lined Toyota fender flares 2" removed by Lolo
Softopper Tan
Dents courtesy of a hailstorm in MT...
Interior lots of my dog Norton's hair...

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZYJSxROLRg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPHm0eZ_GBA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u4X9pn9e-M

Pictures of the truck from Operation Moab 2012.







And the story of how it got there below.

This is my 2009 Tacoma Access cab SR5 2.7L 4wd. I purchased the truck new in Sept. 2008 in Fairbanks AK. Originally my plan was to just put better tires on it and call it good and get my 1972 Toyota FJ40 out of storage in New Mexico and focus on it again. That isn't how it worked out.....





I put a set of 245/75R16 studs that I got from a buddy for hauling his snow machine and rolled those through the winter in the spring I replaced them with a set of 235/85R16 BFG commercial traction for the summer on the stock suspension.





I then ended up taking a detail to work in Montana for the summer. I drove the truck down planning to pick up a lift and some new tires. What I didn't plan on was a hailstorm that came through one afternoon and hammered the truck.







So after the hailstorm I contacted insurance and got estimates replaced the windshield and then decided on putting the insurance check towards the principal on the loan and not repairing the dents. I then made a trip to the Denver area to ride bikes and get parts. I contacted toytec and ordered OME shocks N140S fronts N182 rears 886 coils and a top load spacer to get a full 3" and toytec add-a-leaf for the rear and picked it up. I did not have access to a shop or tools and had it installed at High Country 4x4 they do good work. Then a stop by 4 wheel parts to pick up some 255/85R16 BFG KM2's. A before shot and some after shots.






So I'll end this post here and work on it some more later seems more like a story than a build at this point.

 

I got stuck in a hailstorm the first week that I had my truck. I had to rush to get in under the loading dock/ awning at the Home Depot. I didn't get hit as hard as you did, but damn, I was pissed. Great looking ride btw.

 

sweet truck man, nice and clean, 3 inch lift is the best looking on tacomas. IMHO

 

So I made it back to Alaska from Montana in mid Sept. 2009 and the first snow hit in October. I knew that BFG KM2'S were going to suck in northern winter road conditions so I put together a winter set up some 255/85R16 Cooper Discoverer ST's with studs on a set of TRD off-road wheels that I picked up in Talkeetna AK on craigslist and rattle canned them black.




After we got some thawing and then more snow I took the tires back in and had the center blocks siped for additional traction. Don't get me wrong the traction was good with studs but siping made them even better.




So in late December I figured it was time to head south for awhile and needed to make bed space so we cut the ears for the spare tire holder to fit a 255/85R16 in there. A little cutting, grinding and some paint and it fit. I had to kick it into place between the spring perches and rails for the trailer hitch to clear the rear diff.







So with bed space reclaimed I loaded up the truck, put in a call to get a tan softopper as a Xmas present for myself and left AK to pick up the topper and see my family and friends in New Mexico. Some pics of the topper in NM. I have to say that Softopper has great customer service and an out standing product.





My kick ass spray painted rims and tire set up are no match for 28" of snow and a ditch, a little shoveling and rocking got me out though.



Thanks for the replies and checking out my truck.

 

Looks good, keep up the good work.

 

Looks great man.

 

Very nice truck! Love the color!

 

In April of 2010 I decided it was time to look at gears, I settled on 4:88's and ARB lockers front and rear set up by ECGS (East coast gear supply). ARB was running a promo for two lockers they would throw in a large compressor and accessories kit. Chase at ECGS is awesome and the core exchange program is the way to go. The install was pretty simple and there are some great write ups on TTORA that I used for the install.



Some pics of the compressor and switches





I stopped by the Toyota dealer to get some parts and asked the parts guy about Bronze TRD off-road wheels that everyone on the web had said were on back order, turns out they had a set sitting in the backso I had to pick them up. I didn't like the aluminum rings so I rattle canned them black.





This was my fix for the TPMS light since the sensors would not fit from my steel wheels in the new wheels. While we had the dash apart to wire the switches for the lockers I pulled the gauge cluster apart and cut a ARB sticker to fit over the TPMS light rather than black tape.



And some pics from when you have your girl spot for you on a new trail. (I'll take credit for the rock rash on the wheel)





Replaced the tail light and ordered some Camburg Ball-joint UCA's. I like that they don't squeak and are way cheaper than uni ball style.



So here are a few of the truck as it sits currently.

 

nice build nOrth, you ever make it back to alaska ?

 

omg haha i love her haha

 

Thanks for the compliments, I moved from Fairbanks to Idaho a few months ago new job couldn't pass it up. If I ever have the chance to go back I will but it may awhile till that happens.

 

You're the one who said she needed a build thread....

 

Some wheeling pics my dog Norton and new plates not really build stuff but I really dig these photos. Build stuff that is coming up sliders are ready and bumpers are under construction, on order Budbuilt skids and parts piled in garage currently Warn M8000 winch, U-bolt flip w/ Timbren bump stops and OME Dakar rear springs. Plan will be to throw the new parts on with the bumpers, sliders and skids to support the extra weight.







Birthday sticker

 

So I was able to get some work done with the help of some friends and after hours shop time. We cut and plated the front body mounts and added some 1.25 Spidertrax wheel spacers to all four corners.





We put on a set OME Dakar leafs with an All-Pro U-bolt flip with Timbren bumpstops, new brake lines and a carrier bearing drop kit.





Then this morning a brown truck stopped by and dropped these off....



315/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MTR Kevlars so the plan will be to set up the spare TRD rim I have and start test fitting next week.

 

put them on!!!

 

I was able to get one of the Goodyear kevlars in a 315/75R16 mounted and did some test fitting on the front, it is going need a lot more trimming. Here are some pics









I think it is going to look pretty good when I get it all together. I am headed to CBI tomorrow to pick up a set of sliders and the front bumper, they still have some work to finish on the rear bumper but it shouldn't be to far out.

 

Every mod is worthy. I can't wait to see it with the bumpers.

What made you decide to go up to a 35?

 

I can't wait to see it with the bumpers either we did something a little different with them, I'll post some pics tomorrow Steve described them as medieval looking.

I figured I would go with 35's now cause it was gonna end up with them eventually so might as well get it out of way can't go any bigger unless I go SAS which I am starting to research but have no idea if it will ever happen. The drive trains are pretty tough on these trucks so I figured max out the potential I think it has. Currently no one is producing 5:29 gears for the 05+ or I would have a set but until then I am planning on swapping in a FJ transfer w/ twin sticks and a crawl box with 4:70's in it. So I figured 35's would push me to get it done sooner than later.

 

Oh yeah! I like the way you think. For some inspiration, motivation, and some info looky here
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/23170-building-beast.html

I'm curious how these bumpers are going to look. I've got some coming from cbi that are being shipped now so I'm curious how your "medieval" ones compare.

 

That's funny, Wyatt is who I have been talking with on the FJ case and crawlbox.
http://rocksolidtoys.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28&page=6

My bumpers are the ones that CBI is building out of floor plate. They weren't to sure about it at first but said they turned out pretty wicked. Brant will be there tomorrow working on his rear bumper so he'll get to see them before me. CBI makes quality stuff you are really going to like your bumpers.