LonGasTaco Build

I'm bout to get this thing built up in here!

 

First official mod...
AVS hood protector and window thingies.
Simple install. Anyone can do it!

 

Keep it up!

 

Next up was some new rubber...
1 size larger. 265/75r16
Zero rubbing during rigorous mall parking adventures.
I'm kinda old s'kool, so yes...WLO!

 

Needed to poosh the tires out to fill those big ole hollow wheel wells...
Sooo...Spidertrax 1.5" spacers were in order.
My extensive trips back and forth to HEB revealed some front mudflap scrubbing at 1/2 turn.
I don't love mudflaps anyway.
Before and after pics for your enjoyment.
I believe 1.5" is perfect for my setup.
...and who wouldn't love an extra 1.5"?

 

Been hauling this thing around in the back floor board of my Landcruiser, and thought it was time to have a proper place for it. (Even though I can't do much, but winch, with it...yet!)
And yes, I was wondering if it would be above the bed, sooo...as you can see in the last pic...just the tip.
Also, this HiLift mount is really fantastic! I've used many over the years, and made my own, but this unit is nice.

 

While I was installing the wheel spacers, I took the opportunity to pull the fender liners loose and install the Diode Dynamics amber fog lights.
Pretty sweet...now I'm just praying for fog!!

 

I dig everything here, long bed, spidertrax, ambers. Top notch sir!

 

Today's antics...
Icon 3 leaf add-a-leaf and Bilstein 5100s.
Gained 1.25" driver and 1" passenger to level it out. Apparently, my driver sag was coming from the rear springs because the front is now level.

Tomorrow, the front!

 

LOnggggggggggggggggggggggggggg boi.

I like.

 

Subbed, nice start to a good build!

 

Thanks, guys!
Got a couple more packages in the mail currently.
Just received this today, unfortunately it may still be weeks before I see the SSO bumper I ordered...sooo, into the storage room it goes.

 

Finished off the front this morning.
Overall I got an average of 1" rear and 2.125" front which puts the truck @ +.375" average in the rear, which is exactly what I hoped for.
With the plans for the rear and the bumper/winch on the front , it should sit right nice!

No pics of the process as y'all know what it looks like.

 

How does that ride with the AAL/5100's? Also how heavy of a front spring did you go for?

 

The Icon rear AAL actually seemed to improve the ride.
I re-used the stock front coils with the Bilsteins set to the highest setting.
I much prefer the ride quality now over stock. Truck doesn't lean near as much in turns.
I guess the combination of the suspension and stiffer wall (10 ply) tires took a lot of the "car" feel out of it.
I've always been a truck guy, so love it now. If you prefer a more "squishy" ride, you won't like it.

I built a 2008 Taco a few years ago and the one thing I knew that needed immediate attention was the rear suspension.
Toyota has been letting us down for years in that department. Literally!
You can't haul much in a stock Taco without riding on the bump stops.
Didn't want to do the whole leaf pack thing, so thought I'd try this setup.

 

I feel that. I added a shell, sleeping platform, and some tools and all of a sudden it feels like I'm riding in a Grand Marquis when I go over speed tables and dips in the road.

Do you think doing just the rear Icon 3 AAL w/ 5100s without touching the front would lean the truck much? I have quite a bit of weight that will always be hauling (450-500lbs) Also what are you looking at for gas mileage difference with those tires? This a great build by the way. I have an identical cement 2020 version of your truck and I am about to go on a two month road trip in it. Trying to come up with a fast and dirty solution to accommodate the extra load as well as get new tires.

 

As far a mileage, seems like I lost about 1.5-2 mpg. Not too bad.
If I was always hauling 4-500lbs around, I would go with a complete progressive leaf pack like OME or similar.
With the rear AAL and no fronts, the truck sat up like an old school hot rod when empty. I believe 4-500 constant load would be too much for my setup.

 

Diamondback tonneau cover installed today...

 

Looking good so far!! Excited to follow your build! Welcome to TW!