mouse007's build (2014 DCSB 4x4 Taco)

***Most Recent Picture***





Hello,

My name is Mauricio Cano "aka" Mouse007 and this is my build thread. First a picture of me, in case you see me on the streets of Miami, Florida you can tell me.... "man, your trucks, the hot fire". LOL...!!!



My Rig is a 2014Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 TRD Off-Road. It’s optioned with Entune Navigation, TRD Off-Road & Toyota tow package for TRD Off-Road. Insert cheesy coment... or better yet, cheesy picture hahahaah..!!!




I bought the truck in March 2014. I didn’t get to snap a picture the day I bought it, as it was raining really bad.
So this is the best picture I have in stock form, the day I picked up the BFG KM2's.



My friends say I have an extreme case of O.C.D. so of course I have a 3 ring binder with all my notes, bills, invoice, repairs and so on.




I didn’t waste any time moding her, 1st was a Bestop Super Top I bought at a local 4x4 store in Pompano Beach, Florida. called Morris 4x4 Glen the owner is a good friend from back in the day. He gave me an awesome deal on the top. The mat I bought from a Tacoma World member "Robo02cop" Thanks brother...!!! The O.E. rubber floor mats a Tacoma World member "hellsbay" gave me for free99...!! Thank you brother..!!








Next was suspension. I wanted a lift that was friendly on the wallet but also delivered good on/off road handling and performance. I drive 90% on the road, well really on the high way. I would say 10% Off-Road is work & play. This lead me to go with Old Man Emu, honestly it’s an awesome suspension system/kit out the box.



I’m a bit picky when it comes to modifications, I feel they should resolve a problem/need more than just for looks. So I started to piece my kit with the bulk using Old Man Emu.

I’m currently running 886 Heavy Springs up front & Dakar Heavy Leafs in the rear. (I believe that means they have a “+” signs on each not sure…?). Out with the old...!! LMAO...!! at 2,000 or so miles really isn't that old.



I looked into running other shocks but after much R&D realized that this setup runs best with Old Man Emu Nitro Sport Shocks. SO, got all 4 Nitro Sport shocks.

Next was the UCA, I know you don’t need UCA with this kit, but I wanted to put them in as I think it gives you better adjustability when setting up the alignment plus they look amazing and work great. Here's a picture the day I got the lift done. The front O.E mud flaps were also trimmed about 4" or so.





So I’m running Cambrug UCA that re-use O.E. Ball Joints, I figured that with low miles on them it was the best bang for the buck. Maybe down the road I’ll buy the spherical upgrade.

I also installed extended Stainless Steel Break lines Front & Rear as well as Toyotec U-Bolt flip kit and OME Carrier bearing drop kit (may take this off, not sure).

I’m currently not running any bump stops as I don’t know whichones I want. Up front I have the OEM sway bar spacer, I’m contemplating removing my front sway bar altogether (not sure if this will make the truck wonder on the highway..?).
This is a picture I took the day she was going under the knife.



Tires, I LOVE the Tall & Skinny look (Can't you tell from my face) on most Toyota’s I think it goes with the lines and heritage/tradition of Toyota 4WD’s. this statement may just be me B.S'ing...!!! LOL..!! do to the fact I like Tall & Skinny tires.



So I’m currently running BF Goodrich KM2 size 255/85 R16.
I haven’t hit the dirt with them yet mostly on road use for right now.
I'll report back when she hits the trails...!!!



I haven’t run a true M/T in a long time, my last rig (Land Cruiser FZJ-80) had A/T’s.
I’m not sure how I feel about them, it’s a love & hate relationship as of right now.

I LOVE the fact that they are almost 34” tall and that they look the part.
I HATE their road manners, they don’t want to balance (I've tried like 3 shops) so they shake a bit at 69-72 MPH obviously loud on the road as they are an M/T so I have to live with that.

I think I may go back to an A/T maybe Toyo MT55 or Copper ST in the same size 255/85 R16. Not sure, maybe a BF Goodrich A/T K/O but can’t get this size. (FTML…!!!) why isn't it offered in this size...?!?!?!?!?! Proud father picture...!!! This was the day I picked her up form the shop who did the lift.





Next was the ARB Bull Bar / bumper I had bought this when I bought the OME kit.

But man this thing had me back and forth I hated the fact that I needed to cut the O.E. bumper cover and that it stuck out farther than on the 2005-2011 Tacoma’s.

At one point I had it up for sale and was going to get the older style bar and make it fit. But….

One glorious Sunday morning (5:00 am) I was feeding my son (he’s 3 months old) and I started to read the instructions, that led to saying....

“F@#K it I’m puttingthis bad boy on”

So finished feeding the boy, told the wife Mi vida, Gabriel “Future F1 World Champion” is taking a nap in his crib.
I’ll be in the garage instating the bull bar.

She laughed and said WOW...!!! you finally made up your mind hahaha ok babe, be safe. So on to the install, it’s pretty straight forward only problem I had was holding the bar up to drill the bolts that lock it to the frame of the truck.
Later that week I took it to the shop and had them drill these in as well as hook up ARB fog lights/blinkers.









I think it came out amazing…!!!

It really suits the truck, plus its only 7” farther out than the stock bumper not much if you think aboutit.
These truck are like French bulldogs in my eye’s so the extra 7” don’t killthe lines, if anything they make them better IMHO.

Here's the most resent picture with the ARB Fog lights/blinkers hooked up and the sliders welded up. That Killer 4Runner is owned by my buddy Jonathan he owns a local shop here in Miami, Florida called Auto Bruder 4WD Store. If you ever in the area stop by, its crazy almost like a miniature Wal-Mart filled with 4wd parts & accessories mostly geared to Toyota witch is a plus..!!




Next was the rock Sliders bought them form Tacoma World member "bwamukubwa" he gave me an awesome deal, thank you brother. they are manufactured by Avid Off-Road and have a nice kick out at the rear plus they are weld on "RRR Hard Core ROCK EATER STYLE. LMAO...!!! Only picture I have right now. I'll do a nice photo shoot later on.






I also, got from another Tacoma World member "bullaculla" the rear trailer harness relocation bracket. This thing is super bad ass, love it. Thank you brother...!!



Recently I found this old "TEQ" grill badge I bought from a member on expedition portal "woytovich" back in the day. I wanted to run it on my FZJ-80 but never got around to installing it. Here's a picture, not sure if I love it trying it out as it just fits in the honeycomb gill of the Taco's without damaging it.




I got the parts to do the rear differential breather mod, I'll try and tackle this, this weekend may also put in the bed extender I got when I bought the truck. Sales guy gave it to me as I was his bonus customer for the month.

In the far far far future plans are rear tire carrier/bumper roof rack, lights winch and who know I think your never done moding any car/truck. Thanks for checking out my thread...!!

 

I think you get the award for most mods at the least mileage on the truck haha.

but its coming together well buddy, you heading out to the hump on the 4th??
would definitely like to see that thing out there.

 

LOL..!!! Not really Nicko most of the parts I had been saving for a long time. Also this isn't time accurate, I just did it by steps.

Man, the 4th is going to be hard. But I'm going to try. I'll keep you posted.

 

No i know you saved the parts up but its funny cuz your motors not even
Broken in completely and you already got a decent rig set up already.

You think its possible your motor is getting stressed way too soon
With all that weight onboard. With the motor not being broken in yet
And all

 

Broken in, it sure is she's at 3,700 miles right now. The only things that got done early mileage wise was the lift & tires and the bestop.

I'd say the lift is right about the same wight as the O.E. suspension. I'm also taking into account the SS lines, u-bolt flip kit will even the weight out. The tires may be 10lbs more of unsprung weight all around. All the other mods were recently done like 200-300 miles ago.

FYI: I just notice I wrote 1,400 miles it was actually closer to 3,000 miles. I went back and checked my notes, she got an oil change at 1,400 miles and it didn't have any mods at that time.

 

Ahhhh ok that makes more sense.
Enjoying the father life yet lol

 

Oh man, it's not easy... But wouldn't change it for the world. Just starting to get the hang of things.

 

Yea man its definitly rewarding.
It will all get easier as they get older.
But now im just waiting for the next one haha

 

Yes, enjoy the father life because they grow quick...seems just yesterday my daughter was in the garage goofing around with tools, now she is a mom of two girls with a boy on the way.

As for those tires, I got the set from your cousin I believe it was when he was building his Jeep. I mounted and balanced those tires myself. It takes some extra care and time, but they should come around, it will take some serious amounts of weights.

Did they do a static balance with stick on weights, or dynamic with weights inside and outside. Mine are dynamic balanced, and though loud when rolling and crap for mileage, they don't shake.

Truck looks good.

BTW, if your son is an up and coming F1 racer, you best start setting aside the money for some Karts and more for tires.

All the best.

PK

 

PK what's up brother, thanks for the words of wisdom. I'm with you 100% they grow up extra fast. LOL..!! My nephew is 1 and man I feel he was born yesterday. Crazy...

As for the KM2's honestly I've tried everything. the last shop spent like 2 hours on them. they did stick on & dynamic weights still have a light shake. This was prob the best shop tho. he removed each tire and rotated it, marked them you name it. It looks like the 2 rears have high spots. Will see, maybe they'll even out..

LMAO...!!! I really would love for him to be a race car driver, but its very expensive so that may not be possible. Who knows maybe I'll win the lotto one day, will be a father & son team..!!

 

Thanks for the Shout Out Mouse!!! Truck is looking good!!!

 

Looks awesome with the lift and bumper. What size tires are you running? Would like to get a look at a pic straight on from the side. How do the Dakars ride without anything in the rear?

 

Off to an awesome start! Congrats on the baby boy!

 

Good to hear from you Mauricio. Your Taco build looks great! I am happy to have helped in a small way. Enjoy your truck and your baby. Life will happen but you can never regain time not spent with your family.

 

Thanks...!! I'm running 255/85 R16. I'll see if I can take a few picture for you.

The Dakar's run a bit bouncy without weight, its not horrible but I think with a better shock the rear can be smoother. I will tell you this, they can hold up weight like a champ..!!

 

Thank you brother...!!!

 

Thanks...!!

 

Went out for a nice walk on Sunday with my wife and son. Of course I had to snap a pic in front of the Taco with my son...!!

 

So, after a lot of reading and a few P.M.'s I decide to remove my sway-bar. Honestly, its hands down one of my favorite modifications. The Taco feels 100% smother and obviously more flexible up front.

Running the 866 OME's and the 10ply side walls help keep the Taco nice and stable in the highway.

Here are a few pictures.