Bigmooze's Build

Mileage on 14-May-2012: ~137,500 km.

I thought I would share my truck after all the time I spent playing with it...

The truck is a 2009 SR5 access cab 4x4. I bought it in December 2008. I wasn't pleased with the stock Dunlop AT-20 tires, so I swapped them out for Firestone Destination AT's of the same size:



I was working at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant from November to May, and one trip in heavy snowfall without fog lights drove my desire to fit some...



Even in clear weather at night, the fog lights work winders to illuminate the sides of the road for extra visibility. Well worth the time and money in my opinion.

Next up was a CB radio. I went with a Cobra 75 WX/ST from Right Channel Radios. Antenna was mounted to the front bed-rail:



Soon after the CB radio install, I was given a used Delta toolbox. That meant having to relocate the CB antenna. I used to front-most side of the toolbox to fasten the antenna:



I spend as much time as I can outside, in all weathers. For that reason, I bought some Weathertech floor mats. They provide great protection for the carpet against mud, snow, salt, sand... and everything else that my boots pick up. I highly recommend them. I also bought some AVS sill protectors to save the door sills as much as possible from the elements.



To help with the installation of aftermarket electronics, I wired up a 6-circuit fuse panel from Blue Sea Systems. With my CB radio, the fog lights, reverse lights and off-road light (see below), I wasn't happy with the number of spare circuits, so I upgraded to a 12-circuit unit:



The CB radio. I mounted the microphone holder on the storage tray below the 4x4 control. The iPod cable from my PA15-TOY also lives there:



GPS (mount on left is for my Garmin Oregon 450 hand-held) and Sirius satellite radio:



These reverse lights are awesome. They help a great deal when backing out of long driveways and hooking up to my trailers. I have them connected to a rocker switch in the cab:






On-board air - very useful for airing up bicycle and ATV tires:



I installed Bilstein 5100s on all for corners with Eibach springs (with 0.85" lift) up front and a 1.5" AAL in the rear. I also upgraded my tires to BFG A/T TA's, sizing up from 245-wide to 265-wide. I prefer the look of the wider tires, and their more aggressive tread pattern. My truck fell victim to the front-end growling experienced by many others, so I dropped the suspension back down to stock height (where it sits today). I kept the 5100s for their nicer ride.



Looking to improve the look (and light output) of the front end, I included some Warn driving lights (W650D's) and fog lights (W650F's) are halogen. These are wirelessly controlled from keyfobs mounted in the cab. They're mounted on an N-Fab light bar.






The most recent additions are two bicycle fork mounts. I mounted them on top of my toolbox, ready for camping season. That'll save laying the bikes down in the bed. I also ddded the Hi-Lift jack for emergencies that require a winch, and for use with the Hi-Lift Jack Mate for tire changes on the truck/trailer. Only tried the Jack Mate out so far but it works extremely well.



I love the truck so far. It takes me everywhere I want to go, hauls what I need it to and, in my opinion, looks pretty unique with the Canadian flag and my stickers. Today it sits with about 137,000 km and still runs like the day I bought it.

 

Looking good ! How is the light output with those warn lights? I was looking at those lights at a shop last year and was turned off by the price.

 

Thanks! I have nothing to compare the lights to except the stock headlights and my fog lights, but I can tell you that the centre two (W650D's) are very narrow. They do light up the road/trail beyond the stock headlights, but seem "drowned out" when the high-beams are on at the same time. As for the fogs, they just light up more to the side at very close range.

 

Just noticed your rod holder, that is cool

 

It's a great thing to have. Suction cup scheme, which is very sturdy. Certainly saves the rods flying around in the bed, or having to break the rods down between drives

 

Finally got some interior/exterior pics to show my build - see original post.