TruKnight's Autobot Build

2010 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Access Cab SWB

I never cared for trucks, and knew nothing about toyotas, but found myself randomly surfing around one day on the internet after having just one too many car problems, wondering what else might be out there that I might like instead. I dismissed all of the huge trucks I saw, I did not want to drive a barge so I tried to narrow my search to find something smaller, and also reliable, yet nice looking too. say that sounds kind of like a toyota, lets see what they have on their website: and then I saw the promo picture for the 2010 tacoma (see post #2). I stopped dead in my tracks, like many others have experienced over the years, the small japanese truck hit the mark and I was sold, I wanted one, and I must have it...

Around this same time, I found TW, and it was downhill from there. At first I only wanted to do some simple mods, but I lurked and browsed more threads within 2 years I had lifted it and within 5 I had overhauled the interior and front end as well as other stuff, and may still add things if I see something cool someone has done I can shamelessly copy- um I mean, add to my build.

I have to say tho, even after all these years im still pleased and blessed to drive it and its one of the best decisions I have made, and by extension to be in this community.

current: 12-25-23



2-2-19

FRONT SUSPENSION
> OME 90000 NitroCharger Sport Front Shocks
> OME 885 Coils - no top plate spacer
> light racing uca
> swaybar relocate

REAR SUSPENSION
> OME N182 Nitro Charger Rear Shocks
> OME CS047 Dakar Leaf Spring Set
> OME FK29 Driveline Carrier Bearing Drop

WHEELS & TIRES
> FJ Sport Rims
> LT 285/70R17 BFG AT T/A KO2

EXTERIOR MODS
> swap to 12-15 style front end + signal mirrors
> uws toolbox
> oem Running Boards
> tailgate debadge and added graphics (+hoseclamp antitheft)
> oem trd pro headlights
> oem trd pro grill
> 22 cal radio antenna
> oem bed mat, cargo net & bed divider x2
> rhino rack vortex roof rack
> trd battery bar
> oem black chrome exhaust tip
> barricade bullbar w/ skid plate & 20" dual row led lightbar
> black toyota lettering and graphics on the tailgate
> runnin4tacos black emblem covers on doors
> oem toyota hitch cap
> black metal license plate frame
> oem metal trd pro tailgate badges
> trd pro bedside decals
> diode dynamics sae fog lights
> smoked amber 'raptor' drl lightbar behind grill
> alpharex luxx black taillights
> vanguard bravo roll bar
> trd radiator cap
> trd oil cap
> morimoto xb led license plate lights
> a/c drip mod kit from tw member vorra65

INTERIOR MODS
> swap to 12-15 style steering wheel, black center console, ac vent surround, radio bezel, clock and a/c controls, door window controls, cluster faceplate, oem black carpet.
> pioneer 4000nex stereo
> wet okole front and rear seat covers & armrest cover
> oem trd pro floormats
> solid aluminum shift knob, matte black
> Door armrest mod w/ wet okole neoprene material
> 3M carbon fiber wrap on window controls and overhead console.
> interior light leds
> salex console organizer
> rear window security bar
> 20% tint
> painted white stripe on the engine cover (+5 hp)
> alcantara wrap on steering wheel
> metallic blue vinyl wrap accent + gunmetal grey painted toyota tailgate emblem
> vleds footwell blue led lighting kit
> led light bar switch x2
> atj design climate knobs in black w/ blue accents
> raingler ceiling net

FUTURE MODS
> ???

also my truck finally has a theme song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHTiEn72SOA

many pics below:

10-31-18


10-5-17


5-18-15 Autobot Transformation Complete!





1-17-15 PAID OFF! YAY!!


6-9-14:


Just after lift was complete:



9-28-12 Lift Complete! It took 3 months from planning to end, but today its finally done!

Special thanks to Bret (BulletToothTony) and Mr OZ-T for taking the time to answer my questions and help steer me in the right directions.

 

This is the pic that started it all, I knew when I saw it that this was what I wanted:


Mabye two-ish weeks later, I came home with Tacomus Prime:




A week or so after that, I got my first paint scratch (fixed later with oem paint pen)


My first mod was a couple months later, with the addition of a uws toolbox:




I also got these trd off road mats at about the same time:


Almost a year goes by, as I lurk on tw, minding my own business when I get bitten by the mod bug again, and I pull the trigger on a set of wet okoles, a new shift knob and a console organizer:







Around this time I also give him an overdue wash, wax and detail:


Then, while saving up for my lift kit, I decided it was past time to get the windows tinted. It was also the 110+ days that helped seal the deal:





The tint came out better than I expexted it to, and matches the stock tint really well from inside and outside:




Painted my engine cover, one of the more useless mods I know, but I like it:


Added OEM Running Boards:

 

Parts:



Installed lift w/ dad in about 7 hours. I think everything went together ok, the uca bolts were a pain as advertised, and the dakars required some maneuvering and I watched out for the abs data lines as best I could. Will be rechecking all the bolts and things in a week and then in a month to make sure everything is all tight.

Only driven him home so far, but may have a 20 mph vibe, nothing jarring, prolly a medium one. will be installing carrier bearing drop kit next week when it comes in and mabye it will go away.

Anyhow, heres a pic with the stock 265's on still:


LIFT INSTALL PICS: (from multiple angles)

The lignting was perfect this morning, so I took abunch of em.

 

Looks great!!!! You are doing a fine job on her.... I just picked up a 2008 Super White TRD Sport Access Cab... Really like your shifter.. Where can i get one? Dealer? On Line?
Thank you

>Gman

 

Nice truck! Great start. Looking forward to seeing where you go next.

 

Great start & good choices.
When you get your lift I suggest you try it without the sway bar rather than relocate it.
885s gave my 4Banger 3" up front and will probably get you around 2.75". I never had a problem with sway bar or relocated it. I was trying to find a way to disconnect it for off road & keep it out of the way and couldn't find one so I removed it and figured I could reinstall it if I didn't like the way it handled on road. It's still off.
Have you priced Hover Conversion & Mr Fusion install? It's out of my price range.

 

Thanks for the comments guys!

Gman, I got mine from ebay, if you search for "trd shift knob" you should find one, but lots of other places carry them too. They are also labeled "sicon accessory" sometimes too. Id say its a 0.1/10 on the mod difficulty scale.

Ive been debating on whether to keep the sway bar or ditch it. Most on here say to ditch it, and im not a reckless driver by any means, but it seems a small price to pay incase I ever did need it in unforseen cirumstances.

My next mod, after the lift, will prolly be the armrest mod w/ swb neoprene material (same as seat covers) Ill have until 2015 to save up to install the hover conversion and mr fusion tho!

"when this tacoma hits 88 mph your gonna see some serious stuff"

 

Glad I could add to your build! I think it will look good with those OEM Running Boards!

 

So did you ever get your lift installed? Want to see some pics of it...

 

not yet, have minor problem, details here ( http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-springs-arent-assembled-correctly-they.htmlv)

atm I have sitting here my new uca's, rear shocks, spidertrax, ubolts and 1 front coil assembly.

wating for the new coil and dakars (were on backorder) to arrive sometime this week. Then I need to apply some ez-slide to the leaves and put em back together. Then I have to find a tire shop, order the tires and have them put on - and that after whichever weekend dad has free for us to install everything.

short answer: prolly 1 month from now ill have pics to share, I hope

 

bump for lift install, info in 3rd post from the top.

expect many more pics on sat I hope ! =D

 

looks great man!!!!

 

*BUMP* Lift complete! Pics up top!

 

nice clean build...good work

 

Very nice!! Well done! Planning makes perfect!

 

Nice taco man.

 

Thanks for the comments guys!

visually theres no difference between my prerunner and a 4x4, just no front differential or rear locker. alot of 4x4 guys run this same setup I think.

 

Looks good tru glad it turned out for you

 

Very nice build think it looks great!! Hope to follow those mod's soon as well...

 

Looks good. Awesome job.