Eastern Sierra Build and Adventures

Hey folks, been wanting and working towards a Tacoma for about 10 years now and finally got myself in one.

I believe it's a Sport Package and is a 2010 4x4 DCSB.

Unsure of everything I would like to do to it but I do know I spend a lot of time diving dirt roads, camping, and a couple 4x4 treks a month. I live in the mountains and have snowy winters.

A couple things I know I'll be doing is stayin up on my wheels and tires, throwing a camper shell on it and preparing it for weekend adventures. I'd like to have some roof rack options but no sleeping plans in the bed since I am 6'3".

I'll keep this thing goin with what I do to it along with bitchin photography of my adventures in my new toy. I'd love for people to give opinions and ideas and to follow along. Also, I have quite the Instagram @greggboydston so follow along there too!

 

When going into the first major modifications... what order would you guys recommend?

1. Eventually I would at least like to level it, if not 1-3 inches. Recommendations for moderate 4 wheeling and dirt road cruising lifts? (Daily Driver)

2. I would like some decent wheels and tires, which I am still poking around for styles. (Right now on stock alloys and some fairly new Michelin LTX M/S 2's.) Recommendations for snowy winters and wheeling year round?

3. I will eventually like to go through @Pelfreybilt for some bumpers and sliders.

4. Looking for a nice camper shell that will allow for roof racks and good locks. (This doesn't really matter in the order I guess.)

I guess what I am getting at, is I plan to do all this between now and through the summer months. This will be my first truck I tackle some hefty modifications, and I am somewhat new to it being done to my personal vehicle. When it comes to lift, bumpers, and wheels, there has got to be a more desirable order to do those upgrades in. Keeping the truck from looking weird during the steps and also from any rubbing, chopping, and so on.

I appreciate your guys input!

 

Took the truck out for a spin, getting the feel for it in the mud and snow. This was clearly untouched and about 10 inches of snow in some spots. Mainly a road for side by sides.


I really enjoy these roads in the Tacoma over my previous Subaru.


Sunsets over the Easter Sierra.

 

Got out in the mud again. So much to explore around here.

 

I like where your going with the truck. I pretty much did the same thing, small lift, wheels, tires, camper shell etc. I also live and explore in the eastern sierras; you can't beat living out here. Good luck, i followed you on instagram for new ideas for exploring.

 

Thanks man! Its only been in my hands a week, so it will take a bit but I will get there. Did you do the lift and wheel upgrade all at once? I am not sure what steps and order I will go in yet... Camper shell first I think though.

 

Dont feel rushed, i had my truck for about 4 years before i did the lift and what not. I saved and did it all in one shot, ordered the tires and wheels from discount and had them delivered to Carson City. So a little bit of a drive to get them but it was worth it. My neighbor and I installed the lift in the driveway in about 3-4 hours. And I just got the camper shell from custom truck accessories in CC about 2 weeks ago, i wish i would have done this earlier on. I had bed bars and a basket prior to the shell. It was nice and it offered more space to put stuff for camping, but keeping my stuff dry and locked gives me more peace of mind now. And i just put the basket on top of the shell.

 

Sick pictures man! Followed you on Instagram too! Lookin famous compared to mine lol

 

where you located in the Sierra's? I'm always up for some winter snow wheeling but i never have anyone to go with me just in case i get hung up in some good ol sierra cement.

 

Subbed

 

Thanks buddy! I appreciate it. I've put some work in on the ol gram haha.

 

Ha! I'm in Mammoth Lakes and working for the Forest Service out of Bishop.

 

Thanks for following along!

 

Sounds like a good plan. I hope to have it set a bit sooner than that. I will have to look into that place in Carson City though for a shell.

 

More dirt road driving before the storm hit.

 

Sub'd

 

Spend time in the truck learning it's capabilities as well as developing your own offroad skill level. For now it looks as if you enjoy dirt roads and some snow wheeling. That may change as you venture into more difficult terrain or go for longer trips. Don't do any mods until you need them, (not just because they look cool and everybody else is doing them) and remember that anything you do will affect it's onroad performance also. Oftentimes one mod will require that other mods be done. If you go with 285 tires,(more expensive to purchase) you will need a 2.5-3" lift (can cause driveline vibrations, which can be fixed) and may need to do some trimming of inner wheelwell plastic and removal of mud flaps (causing chipping of rocker panels). There is also the chance of needing to replace your UCA to get your truck back to factory specs for alignment. Larger tires will negatively affect acceleration, braking and MPG's. It's all a trade-off. Addding a lift, bumpers, swingouts, skids, sliders, and roof racks all add weight and change the handling characteristics of the truck. I hear many on here complain of their truck's performance after they have made the abovementioned mods, somewhat confusing to me. Build a truck for what YOU NEED and not what others do.
Be Thankful for where you live and the opportunities it provides. John Muir said "Going to the mountains is going home", I tend to agree with him.

 

Great pics, you live in the mecca of offroading which happens to be my families favorite part of the state. First off take your time and do your research on the lifts. Your budget will dictate the direction you head such as the cheaper ones Bilstein/OME lifts or the coilover route Icon/King/Fox. My plan was the same as yours with the shell and installing a moderate lift on my DD. I bought a shell first and learned quickly that the rear leafs were not sufficient and had to go. My camper shell dealer put a cab high shell on for me to try out before I bought and as soon as I climbed in a knocked my head on the roof (I'm 6'4"). That made me go with a higher style shell with thule rack. I then read and read for months about the lifts and saw a lot of people going the cheaper route with lifts at first then moving up to coilovers after a years or so of being frustrated with the pogo stick effect. This influenced me and I went with Icons from the start put dakars in the rear. The truck rides great both on and off road now I am very happy. If you happen to come to a quick decision on your lift or other accessories now is the time to buy with all of the deals going on for the holiday. Feel free to pm me any time and I can share what I have learned.

 

I agree with this. With how much off roading you seem to do why cut it short and not go with a nice setup? I love how my Icons drive on-road however in hindsight I think I would have gone with Kings because they have a much smoother feeling off road and are just frankly more proven in the off-roading world than Icon.

 

There are so many opinions out there on icon vs king vs fox that I still don't know which one is better Unless of course you drive like you're in a trophy truck then one might be able to point out the real differences. They ride great for me and their reputation going back to Donahoe Racing is right there with the other brands. I got a ridiculous deal on a new front and rear set that i couldn't pass up. The only complaints that I've read about Icons riding rough is when folks crank them way up to get 3+ inches of lift. I tend to drive slow offroad anyway so i probably wouldn't notice the differences between the brands. I also prefer having the piece of mind that I have a working DD vehicle come Monday morning.