Zachs outdoor lifestyle Build

How it is today




This is going to be a slow build up. Toyota replaced my frame under the safety recall Aug 2015 and then i decided i was going to keep this truck and now have a brand new frame to build up from. So there will be lots to come but here are the things i have already done.

2005 Tacoma TRD Sport Dbl Cab
V6

Armour:
- custom aluminum front bumper weighs in at 45lbs. (Lots of CBI influence)
- skids and sliders to come soon...
Lighting:
- lightforce 240 blitz
- Amazon ditch lights on home made brackets
- bed lighting
- under hood lights
- interior, licence plate, side marker led’s swapped
Suspension:
- OME with 885
- Light Racing UCA’s
- Firestone airbags (removing soon and replacing with u bolt flip with bumpstops)
-sway bar removed
Interior:
- TRD seat covers
- AUX into stock stereo adapter
-Center console lid quickfist flashlight mount
- behind rear seat (passenger) quickfist axe mount
Engine:
-JBA long tube headers
Keeping engine as stock as possible for longevity
Misc:
-ECGS bushing
-bed rack
-Tauneu cover (roll up)
-ARB RTT
Tires:
255/75R17
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T
Stock sport rims (summer)
265/75/R16
Duratracs
Pro comp steelies (winter)

The day i bought it Sept 2013

First thing i did was take the tauneu cover off and get a rack and roll up taunau cover.

I drove it like this for a couple years tell toyota decided to do a frame recall for me. I had lots of rust rate where my upper CAT's were rate beside the frame. Took a punch and hammer rate threw the frame on both sides.

So this means lots of new parts
-frame
-leaf springs
-front struts
-coil springs
-Revtech spacer lift
-LCA's
-Brake lines
-JBA headers
-lots of bolts/ gaskets-
-and probably some more

all put back together

I got the truck back and as soon as i drove it it pulled me all over the road, was quite unhappy. Than did my homework and found out that with a lift over 2" i can not get to proper alignment specs. Wish they would have told me that! At this point i was regretting my choice on suspension but i just carried on and ordered Spc UCA's (which I also regret and now want TC) I May get new suspension one day, something proper and awesome but this will work for now.

somewhere around here i did the foglight anytime mod

 

Stock Rear Bumper Rebuild:

So i had some rust forming on the underside of my rear bumper. I decided to hold off for now on building a plate bumper and just re use the stock bumper and add some toe points.

i used 3/4 x 2'' Steel for my toe points. They are about 8" long and they pump threw the bumper and bolt to the same bracket that holds the bumper and hitch. I just had to buy bolts 3/4 longer.

getting primed

rock guard

better plastidip the D shackles army green

finished bumper and installed


Rear Bed sides lower rust fix:

As I had my bumper off i decided this is a good time to fix the rust on my lower rear bed sides. Steps i took were Grind off paint and rust, Clean well with lacquer thinner, Rust fighting primer, rock guard, colour match paint, clear coat.


Front Bumper Squash Blocks Build (fix creaking over small bumps/curbs)

The crimps on the front bumper squash block studs were loose and when i went over curbs my frame would flex enough to have some movement and make a really lout creek/tick type sound that got amplified by the aluminum cross member. Terrible sound, i thought my truck was falling apart. So i came up with this fix. I made new blocks from steel. I know they are not crash tested, but i am not too worried because everyone who puts on aftermarket bumpers takes these squash blocks out anyways.

also well i had the bumper off i decided to plastidip the lower valance.

 

Sweet rig!

 

Nice truck, I like what you did with that stock rear bumper.

 

Thanks! It has been pretty fun. Lots to come. slowly. Getting new tires this week.

 

Thanks man! I was planing to make a plate bumper sometime but came up with this idea and really like it. It will probably stay for a while

 

It's always a slow one lol.
You're never done adding something to your car.
And this site doesn't help

 

Bed Lighting Install:

This is my favourite mod so far!I found these 3/4" flush mount round LED's. They are actually clear marker lights. I took my time with these and did it right. I made the wiring harnesses just in my living room watching TV with the fam. It is all solder'ed together. I put 4 lights along each side spaced evenly and yes i agree the one's in the cubby's are the coolest.

 

Did some maintenance today. Serpentine Belt. No more squeaky belt in cold mornings. Yay! zap strapped the old one and put under rear seat. Never know... On a much more exciting note, Yesterday i ordered my tires and wheel spacers. I went with 255/75/17 (32.1") to put on my stock sport wheels. Judge me all you want but i really like the look of the skinny's with a slightly wider stance. I ordered 1" spacers.

 

New Shoes

I got the new tires today. Very exciting. I did the opposite of what the internet told me to do (wide fat and awesome) and wet with a narrow size that i have seen on a couple expedition builds i really like. I got Nitto Trail Grapplers at the 255/75R17. I think they look great and i am very happy with them on the truck. This is a 32" tire which required zero trimming.

 

Update on the tires:

I have some bad hwy vibe. I had some before with old stock tires but with these ones it is worse. I want to go get them re balanced to double check. I have quite a bit of vibes when i break too. Could be a few different things. I will start by getting the tires re balanced. I could also get my breaks machined because they may be warped. If this dose not fix it i have also looked into the front clamshell bushing fix by east coast gear supply that replaces the needle bearing. My drivers side axle has quite a bit of play in it where it enters the diff. So if i check/do all these steps i should find and fix the vibration. Right? open to opinions/ first things to check.

Edit:
So I got my tires re balanced today and to double check they were useing the right balancing cone. And they are much much better. The vibrations are 80% gone. Hardly any steering wheel vibe. Think it is the best it's going to get with m/t's and spacers. I am happy.

 

dude sick truck !!!

 

Thanks man! I like it a lot.

 

Sub'd. Nice build. I like your ideas.

 

Found a big puddle today. I could not resist...


Warning: High speed through dirty water wrecks idler bearings.
I was very shocked that my idlers started making there death wine a couple days after I drove threw this puddle. But I guess it is very common because of the high pressure mud water and the factory non sealed bearings. They were probably already on there way out. I replaced all 3 of them with gates idlers and sound is perfect again. Hopefully my tensioner idler stays good for a while. Although I was told it is an easy swap with the tensioner idler with the same part number as the lower but reverse thread. Regret. Got a sweet video tho. Totally worth it

 

https://youtu.be/pm4mPBbmlrE

 

Nice build! How's that tonnea cover work with your dakine tailgate pad? I was just going to roll mine up come Mountain bike/ shuttle season

 

It's a nice tight fit! Although, I can not close the tonneau cover with the tail gate up. I half to close the tonneau cover first than close the tail gate. It took a little bit of adjusting to make it all work together with my rack as well. But all is tight and 97% waterproof. I would trust it to keep my valuables dry. If I remember correctly I had to make sure I had about a 3/8 to 1/2" gap between the tonneau cover and the tail gate before the tail gate pad went on. Hope this helps.

 

Dang, that's one pro of the dakine pad. I have the new raceface one but it has foam blocks to keep bikes from shifting mounted on the top. Hmmmm oh well. Again, nice build!!!! Can't wait to see more!

 

Thanks man. If you really wanted I am sure you could mod your race face pad. If you know anyone who can run a sewing needle. Lol