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CAISOB 2012 Tacoma Overland Build

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Builds (2005-2015)' started by LMarshall73, Aug 20, 2017.

  1. Aug 20, 2017 at 12:41 PM
    #1
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    First thing you may be asking (and you'd be right to do so) is what the hell is CAISOB? Well, it's an acronym I coined a long time ago, and it describes me to a "T": Cheap And Impatient SOB. I am cheap. I am impatient, and, according to my ex-wife, I am an SOB. What it boils down to is this: there are hundreds upon hundreds of functional yet expensive farkles to be found for the Tacoma, yet there are also many, many DIY projects (or simply lower priced options) that can yield the same results without the significant expense.

    As I build my truck, I am gearing for the most bang for the buck. This doesn't mean always going with the cheapest option, and, at times, I have and will continue to splurge on high dollar items as I see fit. Ultimately, I am a creature that prefers function over form, though I do believe the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. This is the third vehicle I've owned that is getting the overland (aka EAF) treatment, as such, I am utilizing lessons learned and equipment & gear accumulated from those previous builds.

    To get things started, I'll share a couple of pictures from my previous overland ventures.

    First, my H2.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Factory installed 35's (swapped the BFG AT's for BFG MT's), electronic locking center and rear diff, what more could you ask for as a basic platform to build from? I bought and built the H2 in 2010 when gas was just hitting $2 a gallon. Unfortunately, less than a year later, it was upwards of $5 a gallon where I was living, so it had to go. I traded it for a Subaru Forester that I subsequently kitted out:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    After moving back to Florida, the Subaru was coming due for it's 100k service, and I was hearing a few more clicks and clunks than I could afford to fix at the time, so I traded it for another vehicle that was cheap yet fun to drive, a Fiat 500.
    [​IMG]
    Laugh all you want, but those things are a blast to drive! After a couple years in that, I started to get the itch for another 4 wheel drive vehicle, which brings us to my 2012 Toyota Tacoma.

    I don't have pictures of when I first got it, or even the pictures I took after I first installed the lift, so I'll start with how it sits today:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Modifications
    Suspension

    Bilstein 5100s - Installed
    OME 885 Springs - Installed
    SD Truck Springs AAL - Installed
    UCAs - Future Upgrade

    Tires
    Falken Wildpeak AT3W 275/70-18
    Maxxis Bighorn 315/75-16

    Exterior - Functional
    eBay HiLux Snorkel - Installed
    Rear Diff Breather relocation - Installed
    eBay Side Steps - Installed - Sold
    Sliders (4x Innovations) - Installed
    Bed Rack (AllPro) - Installed (bought from Tacomaworld member)
    Skid Plates (SOS)- Installed
    Plate Rear Bumper with tire carrier (SOS) - Installed
    RTT - Smittybilt Overlander (bought from Tacomaworld member)
    LCA Skids (4x Innovations)- Installed


    Exterior - Aesthetic

    Mesh Grill (Customcargrills.com) - Installed


    Lighting/Electrical

    30" Light bar in lower valance opening - Replaced with N-Fab light bar mount and 3x 12" eBay light bars
    Ditch Lights - Installed
    Rock Lights - Installed
    Camp Lights - Installed
    Auxiliary Relay/Fuse Block - Installed
    Dual Battery/Group 31 Battery tray - Future Upgrade

    Recovery
    48" Hi-Lift - Mounted
    Speedmaster Traction Boards (x4) - Mounted
    Wyeth Scott More Power Puller Hand Winch (3 Ton w/ Amsteel Blue line, capable of 6 Ton pulls) - Purchased
    Snatch Blocks & Shackles - Purchased
    BulletProof front recovery point - Installed
    Receiver shackle for rear - Installed (kept under rear seat)
    Hidden Winch Mount (Pelfreybilt) - Installed
    Smittybilt XRC 9500 - Installed

    Navigation - Software
    Gaia Maps - Installed
    Hema Maps - Future Upgrade

    Navigation - Hardware
    RCA 10" tablet - Installed
    Globosat ST-359 Blue Tooth GPS Puck - Installed
    BirdDawg Industries Tech Deck HD - Installed
    Ram Tablet mount - Installed

    Communications
    Midland 75-822 - Installed
    Cobra WX NW ST - Installed
    Nite Ize Steelie magnetic mount for CB (passenger side)- Installed
    Nite Ize Steelie magnetic mount for CB (driver side) - Installed
    UHF/VHF Radio - BTECH UV-25X2 - Installed, using for scanning functions pending license/exam
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2018
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    #1
    Manfred likes this.
  2. Aug 21, 2017 at 3:40 PM
    #2
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    One of my original intentions was to utilize a roof rack for traction boards. I like the idea of having 2 on each side of the vehicle for ease of access. Most of the roof racks I was looking at were either crazy expensive or had a significant lead time (cheap and impatient, remember?). I found a thread here where members made roof racks out of Unistrut, and that is the route I planned to take. I got the materials gathered up and built the roof rack, but I could never settle on a mounting solution that I was happy with.

    I had been kicking around the idea of having a RTT mounted on either a bed rack or bed bars, but my last few camping trips I've used my hammock, and I have a couple of ground tents that I can use if I'm not camping solo. That led me to decide to just use bed bars to mount the traction boards. I decided to disassemble the unistrut roof rack and repurpose the components for the bed rack and a tray to hold a storage bin or two. I re-cut and bedlined the pieces yesterday, then assembled everything today. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I am considering one change. Since I had cut down the original unistrut already, I had to cut it down further and use mending plates to make it long enough to span the width of the bed. I may replace the spliced pieces with full lengths of the 1 5/8" unistrut, but that might be overkill since this won't be carrying a significant amount of weight.
     
  3. Aug 26, 2017 at 2:28 PM
    #3
    k9cop

    k9cop if your not the lead dog, the view never changes

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    CST 3.5" spindles, King 2.5 rr ,All Pro Expo's, Ext. Billy 5100's rear, Ext rear All Pro brake lines, LR UCA's, debadged, Cobra 29,2ft firestick, satoshi by jim, ARB front bumper, Smittybuilt xrc8 winch, wethatecs, bhlm also by jimbob, belgium malinois and German Shepherd in bed
    Good start:popcorn:
     
  4. Sep 10, 2017 at 1:36 PM
    #4
    TacoTRD78

    TacoTRD78 Well-Known Member

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  5. Sep 18, 2017 at 5:15 AM
    #5
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks to Irma, I had no internet for the past week (excluding periodic data availability from what appears to be a single cell tower in Orlando). Since I work from home when I'm not travelling, and rely exclusively on internet for work, last week was essentially a paid "vacation". With fresh ideas based on my evacuation for the storm and a bit of spare time at my disposal, I tackled some of my envisioned changes and finally installed some other bits and pieces I've accumulated.

    Bed Rack - Prior to the hurricane, I purchased and installed a pair of 36" Plano cases to hold recovery gear (one holds a recovery strap as well as tree savers, snatch blocks, shackles, etc. while the other holds recovery tools including Hi-Lift handle and base, bow saw, axe, machete, and a tarp). I had mounted the traction boards on top of those cases, and the Hi-Lift and shovel mounted outboard. One issue I found with this configuration is that the shovel and Hi-Lift interfered with ease of access to the cases. Another was how high everything sat which impacted rear visibility. I removed the Hi-Lift and shovel and moved the cases further outboard, over the bedsides. This seemed to solve the issues I had.

    Next, I wanted a way to secure my fuel cans. The primary reason for this is my truck spends more time parked at the airport than at my house, and I had to change my flight to get in before Irma made landfall. This made filling up with fuel a priority, and a bit of a scramble. That being said, I have a Pop & Lock tailgate lock, so I was looking at a way to secure my fuel cans in a way that they would only be accessible when the tailgate is down. I explored several avenues, and decided to add a cross bar that prevents the cans from being lifted up and braces to eliminate side to side and front to back movement. My first mock-up kept two crossbars on top of the bedsides with two additional crossbars hanging down from the side rails to secure the fuel cans and to also mount the Hi-Lift and a D-Handle shovel across the back of the bed. Then I remembered I also have a pair of Scepter water cans I need to mount as well. :frusty: I ended up with all crossbars hanging down from the side rails. I used unistrut components throughout, and now have the ability to secure my fuel cans and water cans (water cans behind the cab, fuel cans by the tailgate). I had also settled on HDX 12 gallon heavy duty bins from Home Depot in lieu of the ever elusive Front Runner Wolf Pack storage bins. The height of the crossbars provides just enough clearance for the bins to slide under.

    [​IMG]

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Electrical - I've had my light bar mounted for a while, but was holding off on wiring until I installed an auxiliary fuse/relay block. I also had accumulated the switches I would need for future modifications. I finally tackled that project Sunday after installing ditch lights on Saturday. I had originally picked up a fuse/relay block combo similar to the Bussman that is so popular, but at a fraction of the price. The biggest downside I found was the need for additional buss bars (and where to mount them). I ended up scrapping that idea and instead grabbed and old 6 circuit Blue Sea fuse block that has been sitting in my spare parts bin (it was originally going to be used for some projects that never came to fruition for both the H2 and the Foz). I fashioned a mounting plate out of an 8" x 16" aluminum push plate for a commercial door that I had lying around.

    [​IMG]

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    Last edited: Sep 24, 2017
  6. Sep 18, 2017 at 2:04 PM
    #6
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So, I was going to take some pictures today, but apparently "20% chance of rain" is meteorological speak for "constant 8+ hour downpour". I'm traveling for work the rest of the week, so pictures will have to wait until Saturday...
     
  7. Sep 24, 2017 at 1:40 PM
    #7
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Pics added above
     
  8. Sep 24, 2017 at 3:52 PM
    #8
    TacoTRD78

    TacoTRD78 Well-Known Member

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    4X Innovations Sliders Tech deck Bilstein 5100's OME 885 CB radio install Rear diff breather mod After market front bumper lights Redline hood struts Shorty antenna door seal protectors Glove box/ Center console motion light Trailer harness plug relocation mod/Edit SOS HC rear bumper Ditch mount Lights with CBI brackets morimoto fog lights
    Nice build Im digging it man keep
    up good work:thumbsup:
     
  9. Oct 8, 2017 at 4:16 PM
    #9
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bed Rack Version 3.0
    I really wasn't super stoked having the crossbars hang down from the bed tracks. I know that there are a handful of bed bars that depend on the tracks for mounting, but it had me feeling kind of, meh. I made a quick trip to Lowes to grab some of the 1 5/8" superstrut (supposedly rated at 600lb across a 6' span, IIRC). I picked up 2 10' lengths and cut them both down to 5'. This is long enough to sit on top of the bedsides. I'll say that I'm still not 100% happy with the mounting as there was a little sag along the top of the bed rail. I may end up with some metal bed rail caps in the near future.

    Once I got the cross bars set in place, I started sorting out how to secure my gas cans. With the rails nice and low, they were held in place by the superstrut. They also stuck just far enough into the bed to interfere with my choice of cargo boxes. On my H2 and Forester, I had mounted my cans using the MFC racks from BajaRack. When I sold the Foz, the bases for both racks were still mounted to the roof rack, so I've had the top part of both mounts in a spare parts bin for a few years. I decided to split one of the brackets and secure it to the superstrut. Worked like a charm! Now both cans sit upright facing in towards the bed and the tailgate secures them nice and snug.

    Enough yammering. Now for the pictures!

    [​IMG]

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    The step stool keeps everything near the tailgate nice and snug. I wasn't completely thrilled with the fitment of the water cans, so I tried some WaterBricks.

    [​IMG]
    The above configuration kept the cooler a little more snug, but I couldn't put the step stool back in the way I wanted. :(

    [​IMG]
    This configuration seemed to work the best, plus it gave me a place to mount the case with my tire kit (plug kit, Vaiar compressor, and ARB deflator). It was time for the happy dance. :bananadance:

    [​IMG]
    In the front portion of the bed, I have 2 - 17 gallon HDX Storage bins from Home Depot. Behind those, are a pair of 12 gallon HDX bins. Down the middle is a Kamp-Rite Double Tent Cot.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Above is half of the BajaRack MFC bracket.

    All in all (aside form the bed rail caps) I'm pretty pleased with this configuration.
     
    TacoTRD78 likes this.
  10. Oct 13, 2017 at 6:12 PM
    #10
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY Well-Known Member

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  11. Oct 26, 2017 at 10:00 AM
    #11
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Finally got around to installing the mesh grill. I attempted to move my lightbar up behind the grill using the supplied feet, but it wouldn't fit properly. I'm going to work on fabbing a mount this weekend. I've been wanting to pull out the old Harbor Freight metal burner and give it a little use. This seems like the perfect opportunity. If it goes well, I may start laying out plans to build my own HC rear bumper and swingout tire carrier/jerry can mount...

    [​IMG]

    This past weekend was the Florida Tacomas Camp 'N Ride at Citrus WMA. Right before I left, I installed a Hitch Haul Cargo Carrier from Walmart as a basket. I mounted it using some extra 9/16" unistrut that was left over from upgrading my crossbars. I ran one piece along each edge, then the other two pieces I had under the basket for support. It greatly expanded my carrying capacity as well as giving a decent viewing platform to stand on.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2017
    TacoTRD78 likes this.
  12. Oct 26, 2017 at 6:40 PM
    #12
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY Well-Known Member

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  13. Dec 20, 2017 at 11:43 AM
    #13
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It's been a while since my last update, but I've been continuously working on the truck.

    I replaced the Goodyear Adventure AT's (275/65-18) with Falken Wildpeak AT3W's (275/70-18). This required some trimming to the inner fender liner and the rear of the front fender flares.

    Next, I revised the bed rack (again). I busted out the Harbor Freight Mig (aka spatter gun) and burned some pieces of unistrut together. I also added some LED cubes on the rear corners of the bed to help when setting up camp after dark. They also come in handy for adding a little more light when backing up at night. The bedrack has bars running front to back to hold my shovel, axe, and Hi-Lift. I also picked up an OutSunny awning from Amazon and got that mounted up today.

    I ordered a set of 4x Innovations weld-on sliders that were mounted by @Timbo89 after the Florida Tacomas Tamlando meet this past weekend. I painted them on Monday. If I had it to do over again, I would have painted them before mounting. Each slider is wearing one full can of primer, a can of Rust-Oleum bedliner, and 1.5 cans of Rust-Oleum Industrial gloss black.

    I ordered a Pelfreybilt hidden winch mount to hold the Smittybilt XRC 9500 winch I picked up. That should be here Friday and (hopefully) installed this weekend.

    I also ordered a high clearance bumper with swingout tire carrier and dual jerry can holder from SOS. I'm expecting that to be ready sometime in January or early February.

    Now to the pictures!
    [​IMG]

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    Timbo's Customs likes this.
  14. Dec 20, 2017 at 11:55 AM
    #14
    TacoTRD78

    TacoTRD78 Well-Known Member

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    Looking good Lee:fistbump:
     
  15. Dec 20, 2017 at 12:02 PM
    #15
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks John! It's getting there.

    I've started thinking about building a pressurized water tank out of PVC. I've seen a couple of examples that I really like. It would make good use of the space above the wheel wells in the bed...
     
  16. Dec 20, 2017 at 12:18 PM
    #16
    TacoTRD78

    TacoTRD78 Well-Known Member

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    There is always the option of a electronic pump wired to the battery @Trident904 did the mod and it turned out pretty good. I believe it produces 1 gpm.
     
    LMarshall73[OP] likes this.
  17. Dec 20, 2017 at 12:25 PM
    #17
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's an option as well, but keeping with the "Cheap and impatient" theme, a schrader valve is cheaper and easier (I've already got a compressor). :thumbsup:
     
    TacoTRD78[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Dec 24, 2017 at 6:37 AM
    #18
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I got started on my rock light install yesterday afternoon. I apologize for the potato pics. I was too lazy to dig out the good camera.

    [​IMG]

    Front to back:
    In front of front tire:
    [​IMG]

    Behind front tire:
    [​IMG]

    In front of rear tire:
    [​IMG]

    Behind rear tire:
    [​IMG]

    I need to finish wiring this morning, and I have a few other things on the agenda as well.
     
  19. Dec 24, 2017 at 5:23 PM
    #19
    LMarshall73

    LMarshall73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, I had a productive day. Had to leave a couple more projects on the back burner, but I'm happy with my progress.

    Here are the rock lights lit up at night. I may make some adjustments, but, for the most part, I'm happy with them.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I also installed the Pelfreybilt hidden winch mount, Smittybilt XRC 9500 winch with Factor 55 Flat Link, and N-Fab light bar mount.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Dec 27, 2017 at 11:17 PM
    #20
    Echodawg

    Echodawg Well-Known Member

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    Stuff and Things!
    Which rock lights are those? I've been meaning to get mine wired up but busy with other stuff.
     

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