The Wanderer - My Build and (mis)Adventures.

Pretty big mod here. I drilled a hole in the windsheild washer reservoir to allow air to escape and more fluid in the container. It's under the cap, so it stays protected. Adds about 2 cups of fluid.

 

Most expensive mod, so far. Bilstien's, OME 888, Dakar Heavy springs in the back. And I love it. These trucks should come like this, especially at the TRD level. I didn't get before pics, but I gained about 2.5 upfront, and about 3.5 in the back. Loaded with the tent and rack, and some offroad gear, it's about 3.25." Plenty of room for add ons as far as capacity. But now I'm thinking about gears...

Special thanks to @ilubtimmyhos for a good deal on the SPC UCA's and the install. Part of the great group on NoVA members here.

The truck had lost the factory rake as the rear springs were flattened out. I thougth about taking it up with the dealership, but I knew this was coming so I avoided the hastle.



Malloy Toyota did the alignment. Purchased here, service department is first rate. The only complaint I had was around an oil change and some mess left under the truck. Next change was discounted, they washed the undercarriage and the truck. Customer service, in my opinion, is just as important, if not more so, as what happens on the sales floor.


Forgot the most important pic. First excursion off road after the lift.

 

Thanks to @virginiamarine for a great deal on the Actiontracks. These will go on the roof rack, once I can get that installed.

 

Another little mod to make things easier when heading off road. Since I don't have dedicated tools for it, I'm always grabbing stuff and hoping I don't forget something. Harbor Freight "Pelican" case, and about an hour in the garage. So far, so good. I can access the bottom layer from the top layer. Once I'm sure this is it, and I don't add anything else, I'll use to double sided tape to lock the foam down. Also looking at options for the lid.

 

Hey Tiny... where did you get the full size molle panel? Really like this mod with all the extra room behind the rear seat! Never enough space with the current insert back there. Cheers

 

It was a group by that is no longer due to an issue with the manufacturer.

 

You can try @docloco to see if he found a new supplier. I know he was going to look.

 

Let's be honest, that push bar looks like a total joke. Take it off.

 

The group buys are continuing. Here’s the link.

 

It's in the plans. Looking at a hybrid with the tall center hoop from SOS or Relentless Fab. I like the baja look. I hope to order it in a week or two. $$. Like I said when I put it on, it was a quick purchase and not fully researched.

 

Great! I'll put the link in the post with the mod.

 

Sold some stuff. Bought some stuff. The KB Voodoo rack is gone and the tonneau cover is back on. Why?

Ordered an "Endeavor" Series bedrack, blemished, from Rago Fabrications. It should ship by the end of March. When it gets here, sand prime, paint, install. This is a 12" rack instead of the 18" I had. I wanted the lower profile and reduced drag as this is my daily driver for at least another year. (Commuter car when the student loan is paid off!) I also ordered the awning mounts which will allow me to keep the awning up high enough for me to walk under. Paint plan is flat black, unless I can get that "hammered " paint to actually look like it does in the pictures. I may do the bolts in inferno to add a little color on the back. And the Putco brake light will go back on.

This one will take entirely too long to get here: Relentless Fabrications Summit bumper with the full center hoop! I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I really like the retro look of the baja bar and the full grill protection should I be unfortunate enough to cross paths with another deer. This and some baja style wheels will give it the look I want. Again, this will take entirely too long to arrive!

https://www.relentlessfabrication.com/collections/toyota/products/2016-tacoma-summit-front-bumper



Before this gets here, sound insulation in the roof and run the wires for the electrical project coming up: Ford upfitter switches (6 switch) in the over head console for the lights, winch control to probably a Blue Sea relay under the hood. Time will tell.

 

Small but functional mod today. Added the OEM tie downs to the front of the bed. The original plan was to mount on the floor next to the drain holes, but they put the gas tank in the way. Ugh. Instead, mounted low on the bed side, and accessed the bolt plate through the wheel well. My wife and better half assisted with the tightening the bolts while I held the plates in place, as my arms are just a little too short!

 

A couple more small things before the big stuff arrives.

Hood struts:


Quick fists. Put these in before the last big snow to hold the shovel (till I get a smaller one) as it was made clear I would have to go into work that day. Nice to have a truck that does better in the snow than some of the plows I saw! (I didn't need the shovel.)

 

ROOF RACK IS FINALLY DONE! I made a mistake with this and did some damage. Since I was painting anyway, I decided to make it unique and did the tribute to the Marines at Iwo Jima 75 years ago. My wife made a stencil which I laid over the Inferno paint and painted over. Then removed the stencil, and it came out better than we thought it might in the details. (This was taken before I sold the bed rack. It was the first opportunity I had for a good picutre and to get the truck cleaned!)

Edit: Spelling, because phone keyboards are too small!

 

1345mn whats that? nice RIG

 

More projects before the big stuff arrives.

Skid plate. It will be painted. Gas tank skid (OEM) was part of the deal. Undecided on installing as I'm not quite sure what protection that offers. Traction mat mounts for the roof, and Taco Garage DMM. And a larger project, headliner insulation. It's a little bit noisy.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it.

And the plate isn't a good (or bad) story, is just a random number from the state. I usually block it out, but have forgotten so many times it probably doesn't matter any more.

 

oh figured it was a unit or some shit.

 

I also have a kb bedrack, that I paint EVERY year. I was considering bedlining it as well. Could you share a close up picture and what liner you used? Thanks!