Blue Tacoma build

Picked up my new Tacoma a couple months ago and wanted to start a thread to document my build as I upgrade with plans to use the truck as a daily-driver, adventure rig and support vehicle for other car and bike hobbies/projects.

Before making any modifications I always like to have a baseline, so I drove it completely stock for 5000 miles this winter to identify any weaknesses and plan out my mods. I drove in stop and go city traffic (unfortunately much of the time), snow storms, explored OHV areas and even entered a RallyX competition (and placed mid-pack behind a bunch of WRXs!). The verdict? The stock TRD OR is pretty damn capable and of course ultra-reliable as-is. Honestly it was about 90% there stock and I probably would have been pretty happy with it that way.

But, I plan to keep this truck for a long time and want to really maximize my enjoyment of it (my last Tacoma I drove for about 8 years nearly stock and regret not making some upgrades). For the same reasons I want to focus on using high-quality parts that I can rely on, without completely breaking the bank/getting into Raptor $ by the time I'm done.

My goals:
A. Protect the truck (for my intended use)
B. Improve the truck (for my intended use) with the following priorities:
1. Safety/reliability
2. Capability
3. Comfort
4. Looks

So, I read a bunch of threads, talked to friends, called a few companies and made some new friends and came up with a list.

-The Truck-
2019 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD Off-Road 4x4
Model: 7544A
Interior Color: Graphite w/Gun Metal
Exterior Color: Calvary Blue

Optional Equipment:
Technology Package (Rear Parking Assist Sonar, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA))
All-Weather Flr Liner/Door Sill Protector
Black Emblem Overlay
D - Rings
Mudguards
Tailgate Emblem


-Mod List-

Protection:
CarPro CQUARTZ ceramic coating, paint
3M™ Crystalline tint 40%, front windows
PPF Headlights, radar cover/grille garnish
Mobtown Offroad Tailgate Reinforcement Plate
RCI Bolt-On Rock Sliders
Bartact Seat Covers, Full Coyote
WeatherTech FloorLiner 4412991-448722
Covercraft UVS100 Sun Shade
TOYOTA OEM Bed Mat Accessory

$189 PT580-35050-SB Bed Mat for Short Bed Tacoma Models Black, 59 1/2" L X 52 1/2" W X 3/8" H

PT580-35050-SB

Electrical/Lighting:

$659 Switch-Pros SP-9100 8-Switch Panel Power System With Concealed Mounting Hardware

Switch-Pros SP-9100 8-Switch Panel Power System
Custom mount for Switch-Pros switch panel
XenonDepot XT-H11 HID Kit Xtreme HID w/ Philips 4300K bulb
TOYOTA OEM TRD PRO Taillights
JDM ASTAR 1260 Lumens Extremely Bright 7443 7444 Red Brake LED Bulb
deAuto LED 15-Chip Reverse LEDs 194/921 Wedge
Phillips 194 Ultinon LED Bulb: White (2-pack) license plate
RIGID Midnight Edition SR-Series Pro light bar 930214BLK
RAGO Fabrication hidden bumper bracket for RIGID light bar
RIGID Rock Lights Kit 6-Pack, RED 400263
RIGID A-Series area light high-power, RED 480103, under hood light
RIGID A-Series area light low-power, RED 480043, glove box light
MESO Customs Ultimate Dome light: Red
MESO Customs Ultimate Map lights: Red
Custom aux/accessory harness to rear of truck

Safety/Recovery:
Odyssey Batteries 35-PC1400T
MAXTRAX MKII, Safety Orange
ARB Front recovery hook
ARB 12V Twin Compressor

$584 CKMTA12 '12V' On-Board Twin High Performance Air Compressor, Ideal for Air Lockers Locking Differentials, Tire Inflator, Air Horn, Air Tools and Pneumatic Tools.

CKMTA12
ARB Forged 1 Gal air tank
ARB Air Compressor Hose Kit 171302
Hi-Lift 48" X-treme Jack XT-485PC
Hi-Lift Handle Keeper HK-B
Hi-Lift 48" Jack Protector JP-350
Krazy Beaver Shovel
Bubba Rope soft shackles (2)
Bubba Rope recovery rope
RollerCam Overland Kit assorted cam straps
3M™ Reflective Hi-Vis Waterproof Stickers, door reflectors

Audio/Visual:
Hertz HSK 165.4 Component Speakers, front
Noico 50mil sound deadening mat, front doors
Anytime Backup Camera Full Kit (rear camera anytime, add front camera)
CCD 180-degree camera (front)

Wheels & Tires:
TOYOTA OEM 4Runner TRD PRO (SEMA) Wheels

$1,025 PTR2035110BK Genuine Toyota 4Runner TRD PRO Matte Black Wheels PTR20-35110-BK (Fits: 4Runner - Tacoma - FJ Cruiser) (4)

PTR2035110BK (5)
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A® K02 11450 LT255/75R17/C/111/108S (5)
McGard Chrome Wheel Locks M12x1.5 21156

Suspension:
TOYOTA OEM FOX Tacoma TRD PRO take-off suspension

Design/Other:
TOYOTA OEM TRD PRO Grille Insert (MY18+): PT228-35180
TOYOTA OEM TRD PRO TSS Grille Garnish:

$350 53141-35060 Genuine OEM

53141-35060
TOYOTA OEM Bed Header Rail

$56 PT278-35100-BH Truck Bed Header Rail

PT278-35100-BH
TOYOTA OEM TRD PRO Shift Knob

$98 PTR5735170 Toyota PTR57-35170

PTR5735170
CBoy808 WeatherTech TRD Off-Road Stickers


Then I ordered all the parts, prepped a few things, loaded everything up and tried to see how much I could get done in 12 hours...

 

Holly cow you really went all in! Looking forward to seeing how your build goes. Taking it slow and steady myself but looking at upgraded suspension next. Interested how they TRD Pro set up is or if it would be better to go with a full fox or king set up.

 

Anxious to know how the grill install went. Please give us some updates! Can't wait to see it!

 

WE WANT MORE

 

You started so strong, what happened? WE WANT MORE!!!

 

Just got the Exact truck, stoked to see what you do with it.

 

Any updates OP???

 

did you tryout the LT255/75R17 tires before adding the suspension upgrade? Wondering if you had rubbing etc.

 

Hey SmileyGuy, I did - spoiler alert, I didn't get anywhere near everything I'd hoped to get done all at once. So I ended up driving around with stock suspension and new wheels/tires for a couple weeks. Definitely rubbed (plastic only) when turning just going in and out of driveways. Even after the suspension, I didn't get too much of a lift and still had rubbing on the plastic - I heated and reshaped it a bit, pushing it out of the way, quickly cooling with cold water and its tight but no longer rubs. Changing the wheels changed the swept area too which I think made it rub a little more than it would have with stock offset. Overall though I absolutely love this tire size - next time I might keep the same proportions but step down to a 16" wheel. At 16-18 psi in rocks it would be nice to have a little more sidewall but its been fine. As much as I'd like to go taller, I wouldn't without re-gearing.

 

Coming soon hopefully...have a ton of updates !

 

I purchased a set of 2020 pro style 17x8" with (+15 offset) wheels from central Canada and waiting for them to arrive. I hoped you had no problem with the stock suspension and the 32" KO2's. I have been looking for the right tires for these rims and I want to stay with stock suspension. I plan to use a LT255/75R17, C load skinny or the regular LT265/70R17 plus size. Was your rubbing only on the outside are of the tire or inside as well? The offset may have been the issue where you were so close to clearing. Wish there was an app that had the hub and wheel well pocket parameters in it and you could input different rims/tire sizes and lift values.



2020 Pro Style 17x8.0" +15 Offset Matt Black or Matt Gunmetal $199.75 CDN


A good price when the US dollar is high!

https://wheelsco.ca/products/trdto?variant=31845550784597

 

Those wheels look sweet! I think I was rubbing both, but considering the PRO suspension only gave me maybe an inch or so lift I’m sure after a little massaging of the plastics it’ll work just fine.

 

How exciting it must be to have a truck full of upgrades to install! I had my RCI sliders sitting inside my door way for 2 weeks before it was warm enough outside to install them. I found an offset calculator for the wheels and tire setup changes. Here is a picture showing your 4Runner wheel and tire setup change from "will it fit .com" for your build page...