DueNorth's Build

Since wheelin season was in full swing again i didn't really want to be setting up tents in the bush so why not sleep on a platform in the box?





This platform combined with a 3" self inflating mattress was perfect for a great night sleep!

I had a friend make a cover of sorts for me as well. I'm really impressed with how it turned out and how well it works, even in the rain. I usually bring a 10x10 gazebo with me which really makes this a great setup for off the beaten path. I still need to take in the bottom since it sags a bit but really not an issue.

 

Since i put the cap on the truck i lost the use of my CB (because my antenna was mounted out back) and decided to go on a wheelin trip without it. Never again! I hate not having comms and talkin shit with the guys on the trail so i did some research and really liked RelentlessFab's hood hinge antenna mount. Since i didn't want a magnet hanging off the roof, getting knocked off on the trail and having to take it off just to go in and out of the garage, this turned out to be a super slick way of mounting my whip.



Since i didn't have to cut into factory wires to do this, i figured what the hell, i love the look of the foglight on w/ running lights on MOD.

 

Great build! Happy new year from Hawaii!

 

The way i remember it, i was starting to get restless and was needing a road trip and storing/moving a full size 33" spare tire was getting awfully annoying. I kinda knew this would happen and i should have done it right from the start so i placed a call again to ATO. Kevin had no issues installing a spare tire carrier for me after the fact.

So Moab was looking like a great possibility that year but at the same time i was really wanting ARB air lockers and a regear to 4.56's. I had to go with the latter, it made more sense. I can enjoy Moab the next year fully locked just that much more.

Since ECGS and ATO really aren't that far from each other i figured why not get this done all done in one shot.

Pic taken in PA on my way down


Dropped the bumper off to let Kevin work his magic...




Here's some pics of the tire carrier and gas tank skid from ATO.





Had the gas tank skid and rear bumper/tire carrier powder coated so i wouldn't have to worry about rust down the road.



Got the

$338 ARB CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

ARB CKMA12 air compressor mounted on the pass. wheel well



and the switches mounted in the sunglass holder



I was not all that impressed with how ECGS left my wiring. I'm surprised they couldn't take the extra minute or so and run the wiring AROUND the fuse box?



After it was all said and done, this was an EPIC road trip and one i'll never forget and enjoy for years to come. Singlehandly the best mod i've done to my truck to date.

 

Since then i made sure i ran split loom over all air lines underneath the truck. ECGS could have done that to but maybe i'm just picky?

Since i went from stock 3.73 gears to 4.56's i instantly noticed how far my speedo was out. It was out over 10 km/hr, enough to make it a PITA to figure how fast you were going at any moment. So i decided to go with a Hypertech Speedo calibrator. This required taking the dash apart and getting behind the ODO to install a inline plug of theirs. Wasn't to difficult as i've had my truck apart a few times now for other mods.






I upgraded my whip to something a little more flexible and made it easier to drive into the garage with...





Also got a center console organizer...

before


after


and had to replace the last remaining chrome on my truck...



before


after

 

Thanks! I'd have a much happier new year if i was somewhere hot like Hawaii right now! Have a great new year as well.

 

Got my BAMF LCA skid plates mounted on the truck too... Finally done with the armor.





Backing into parking spots with a spare tire gate was getting very annoying to say the least so i had to come up with a rear camera to help me out. (my stock oem one was covered). I really wanted to keep the OEM one in place just incase i ever decided to remove my tire gate. I found an extra OEM camera and harness for simple plug and play and set it up like this.....

I'm not very happy with this but it'll get me through the winter till i can figure out how to permanently mount it. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

Just last month i sold my KM2's (for $50 less than i paid for them originally) and bought 5 brand new 285/70/17 Goodyear Duratracs to use as my daily tires. These things are awesome. I sold my last ones (32's) to my neighbour to put on his Taco and i'm hoping that'll spark an interest into offroading. I don't mind being a bad influence. lol







And here's my buddy's 2012 Tacoma he just bought this past summer. I sold him the stock powder coated rims and 265/70/17 GoodYear Duratracs.

 

Well 2 days and 10+ hours later i finally have a somewhat decent build thread. I'm sure i forgot stuff and i probably could have been more thorough in places but i'll tidy it up as i go along now. I just wanted to get a good base started....

I'm going to add some videos to the first page and take a break now. lol Have a great new years everyone and thanks for stopping by and looking.

 

This was a great read!

I love the truck and what you've done to it. It's quite an expensive hobby

hopefully i'll be able to get into it a bit when monies present themselves

 

Thanks Cam!

Well 3 years later and the truck is finally "close" to being done. *sigh
or maybe not ever

Now that i got my build thread relatively done, its time to start reading everyone elses. I'll start with yours next!

For some reason i never really got into reading build threads but now my curiosity has exploded. Its like rediscovering TW for the first time again!

 

lol just kidding, I can't quit looking at this thread!

 

Haha, I should have mentioned if anyone is operating under a dial up internet connection, my build thread might not be good thing to look at.

 

mine isnt as good as yours...

I spent hours and hours reading build threads when i first joined, just kept feeding my modding hunger until i started spending money

 

Cam, wanna know what I was driving around at 18? Certainly not no badass Tacoma like yours! I was driving a 91 Mercury Topaz, you'll probably have to google image it to get a really good idea lol. Oh it also came complete with the faded clear coat that was really popular on ford cars back in the day.

Some of these build threads are huge tho! lol Started reading Nofords08's build thread and that sucker is over a 100 pages long! :-o

 

Build looks awesome.... some of those pics look familiar


about time

 

I noticed that too Kim!

 

Thanks Kim, definitely took me long enough. I'm glad I don't have to bug you anymore for help tho!

 

Well got myself stuck pretty good in a snow pile and was using my lockers when all of a sudden the toggle switch for my rear locker broke on me... Called ARB and got a new one coming now.

 

Also had some difficulties getting the truck outta 4wd. All the lights would go out and as soon as i'd take off i could really feel the driveline binding on me. Spent 20 mins messing with it and she finally popped into 2wd. Went to the dealer and talked to the mechanic and he recommended cleaning the connections but i think possibly one of the actuators is on the fritz. I'll find out more on Monday when i take the truck back in.