PcBuilder's 2018 Tacoma Build

That's super helpful- thank you. Instead of doing the cmc and going 285's I think I'm gonna take a page from your book of patience and drive the truck a lot more, up-level my skills (I'm sure the truck is far more capable than I am at the moment) and shoot for 35's in a year or 2. That'll give me time to save up for regear, cab relocate, etc. You went 5.29's and that's what you'd recommend for 35's? How is that whole setup on the highway?
I've also been looking at heading toward the Gila National forest as on the way we could spend a little time in Greer and Alpine, basically the white mountains and eastern AZ, which we've never visited. Not sure we even need to go all the way to NM as Arizona has so much cool stuff to explore.. but those pics you posted are enticing. Putting a trip together for the first week of November- wonder if the weather will hold for us...

 

Good plan in my opinion. I've only had one time where the stock tires truly kept me from getting up a trail. I haven't had to deal with many places where I wasn't able to bypass the bad stuff. The 5.29's and 35's are pretty good on the highway if you don't mind the MPG hit (~3mpg) and really amazing off road. Definitely easier to stay in the torque range off road with 5.29's/35's than when it was completely stock.

Gila is nice, but just that forest by itself is huge. You could spend days exploring that area. I would almost make it a separate trip if you really wanted to explore the Gila. I'm sure Eastern AZ has plenty to explore in itself. Another place I've wanted to check out for sure!

 

Met up with an old buddy of mine that I haven't seen in a long time on some trails that I haven't been on in over 7 years. Was nice to get out and just do a little wheeling for a change.

 

Some amazing photos that my friend Colin, owner of the FJ, got from yesterday.

 

Finally got around to routing the compressor and front locker switch into the cab. Was originally planning to have a 4x4 Spod by now. But since there was an obstacle last weekend that I could have used the front locker on but was too lazy to open the hood just to engage it, I figure it’s time to actually put it in a usable location... Haha

I didn’t mind the compressor switch being under the hood since I have to open the hood to get to the coupler anyways. But when I wired and plumbed the air locker I didn't feel like routing the switches at the time.

Also remembered that a friend of mine gave me an extra Cali Raised switch panel a couple years back. It was designed for narrow OEM style switches, so I had to trim a bit of the panel and trim the top and bottom of the switch faces to fit in between the dash surround.

Didn’t turn out bad considering it didn’t cost me a dime.

 

So... what's the plan for the rear? Leafsprings, shocks...?

 

Well, currently below is what I plan to get. Hopefully will be ordering things in January. Between the new tires and having to get the GFC shipped due to the ‘rona, I need to wait just a bit to feel somewhat responsible with my spending

- Deaver U402 stage 3 leaf springs (700-1000lbs)
- Archive Garage Hammer Hangers w/3.6” shackles & cross brace
- Archive Garage Shock Relocation Towers
- Archive Garage U-bolt Flip Kit w/kick out for my ADS air bumps
- ADS 2.5x14” smooth body shocks w/resies and clickers

 

No I get it, this stuff adds up quickly...

 

Not much of an update, but the truck is no longer registered in Nevada. No inspections for me

 

Haha! How many states do you live in?
Remembered I wanted to ask you what you were doing with your spare..

 

Well, we currently live in New Mexico but I’m a Texas resident. But, before we lived in Nevada and it was easier for me to register the Tacoma in Nevada where I bought it through the dealership rather than register it in Texas myself where I wouldn’t get a temp plate. At one point I was a Texas resident, living in Nevada, with a Missouri plate on my motorcycle

Right now the spare just sits in the front of the bed. Good excuse to get a rear swingout bumper. But I did just see a pic on Instagram where a fab shop built a custom spare tire mount that would fit a 35-37” tire in the factory location without sticking down any more than a factory spare.

 

That thing is crazy- wheel studs to hold it- wonder if that'd be practical, trying to climb under there to get it?

 

Yeah, it would be a total pain to actually use it.

 

Did some hiking and a little exploring today. Drove up to Monjeau Lookout, but they already had the gate closed for the Winter season



_DSC0004 (2) by Brent Prater, on Flickr
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_DSC0038 (2) by Brent Prater, on Flickr

 

Did some more exploring this afternoon. Scouted a few camp sites for future use. And yes, I popped the tent for the gram...


_DSC0002 (4) by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0011 (4) by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0014 (4) by Brent Prater, on Flickr
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_DSC0058 by Brent Prater, on Flickr

 

Relocated my air compressor coupler today. Wish I would have done this sooner. Only $5 in parts and no more having to open the hood and getting asked if I’m okay every time somebody drives by

 

that's brilliant- and why I watch this thread.

 

Thanks! Still haven’t used it since it’s been relocated, but hopefully I’ll get out this weekend.

 

Finally made my Archive Garage order, waiting to hear back from ADS on my shock order, and waiting on a possible discount code to order the Deavers. Hopefully things don't take forever and I can get it thrown together in February or March.

 

That's the combo I went with (I haven't had a chance to install the hangers yet). It rides so much better than the factory OR suspension, and I replaced mine with only about 4K miles on it, so it was not clapped out by any means. I think you'll be very happy on and off road.