Michigan Overland Build

Hey, guys I just sold my 1996 Tacoma and am starting a build on this 2006. I loved my 96 and put lots of work into it including a full 2000 facelift and vinyl wrap, but spending weekends in it wheeling with the wife and 2 dogs was getting uncomfortable. Someone made me an offer I could not refuse for a 96 with 346k on it, so I opted to get into a newer truck with some creature comforts and a bit more space.

Here is my 1996 I just sold




I picked up this 2006 for a good deal its a little rough but i have vision


The first thing I did was sell the camper shell, I know a lot of people love them but it's not my style I will be replacing it with Relentless Off-Road Fabrication Crossbars and rooftop tent eventually


being in Michigan with all the salt I was worried about the frame but luckily the frame looks like its savable so the first thing I did was pull the bed and get to to work with the needle scaler


(Doing this sucks BTW)


Well worth it everything sealed up with Bedliner

 

I loved the wrap on my old truck it holds up seriously well to tree branch scrapes so this one gets the same treatment. I used to work a wrap shop for a few years it's a skill I'm happy I picked up saves me some $$$

The color is Moss Green Metallic



Not to bad for a night's work!

 

Parts are starting to roll in!



Parts list so far (I happen to be the manager of a high-performance shop so I get a good hookup on most stuff)

-35'' Patagonia M/T
-16x8 Procomp street locks
-AllPro body mount relations, coil gusset, and knuckle gussets
-Wheels Super bumps and rear extended brake lines
-3'' rough country lift (for now until I can get some more funds for coil-overs and Mid travel parts )
-A must have Wether Tech mats
-Rough country seat covers for a 3rd gen(they fit great BTW)
-4X innovations Rock sliders
-ARB snorkel kit
-CB radio and parts
-AllPro Bed stiffeners
-1.25 wheel spacers
-Relentless fab crossbars

 

I'm certain the interior of this truck was never cleaned like ever, this is after 4 hrs of scrubbing!


The rough country 3rd gen seat covers

 

I was able to get the bed wrapped, fenders cut and bed lined most of the underside and silver parts


Rear lift installed and bed set back on the truck, this thing is looking big I'm very excited!

 

Allpro coil gussets
Allpro Body mount relocation
Wheelers super bumps
JBA upper control arms



Cleaned up the frame and welded in coil gussets





Front fender trimmed 3in time to start wrapping it







Made a bracket for the CB antenna I won't be using the stock antenna I upgraded to apple car play already!

 

Hit a roadblock on the build I discovered my alignment bushing seized in the control arm, I have a trip planned for this weekend.
I ordered new OEM parts from the dealer and Whiteline control arm bushings going to have to bust some ass to get this truck on the trail by Friday!



On a positive note, my Relentless Fab cross bars showed up early, going to blast some bed liner on them. I am very impressed with the quality and fitment.

 

Nice man! Looks great!

 

How long has that taken you?

 

I'm about 5 weeks into the build so far just nights and weekends when I can make it out to the garage. Batting Michigan rust and broken bolts is the wost part. I clean and grind everything the bed line it to seal it up.

 

After a long nights work, I was able to get the truck together enough to take it out with my group and do some exploring.









My buddies sick long travel 4Runner

 

My exhaust fell apart during the wheeling trip so I whipped up a new one these are stupid easy to build, sounds great just a little more exhaust tone and no drone!

 

Relentless Fab Bed rack painted and installed, also added a new stock rear bumper, painted both with Bedliner I really like the finish comes out.



I'm planning on doing a 2013 facelift on the truck that's why I haven't wrapped the front with an aftermarket front bumper. We have a big Drummond island trip coming up so I need to get a winch on, so I built my own hidden winch mount it was super easy I used a jeep winch mounting plate and some steel to make it. I just spray bombed the silver parts I'm sick of looking at them.

 

Nice build! I’m also from Michigan

 

Finally got around to start installing my 4x Innovations Rock sliders only got the passenger side done so far





Hit them with some bed liner



Got my ARB awning and high lift installed

 

got my bed rack setup done!



Installed a ARB Snorkle


Some cool fall shots

 

Got to go out with the boys and do some wheeling this weekend!



I got stuck





We have a rule in our group if you get stuck and need a winch you have to shotgun a beer!



This thing is stupid cool


Some fun!

 

All Pro Offrod Spindle Gussets Installed


Had them powdercoated


All new ball joints, tie rods, and brakes




Finally got around to getting my CB radio mounted had to do some cutting but very happy with the results!

 

Be sure to check the boxed in frame area behind the wheel next to the cat converter.. this is where the main rust occurs and why there was a TSB.

 

I like your groups’ style! Also awesome build, cool you’re getting it together so fast!