SCRunner12's 06 Tundra DC TRD 4x4 Build (Moby)

Figured I'd start a build thread for my new Tundra although it is going to be a very slow build. A little background, I've been driving Toyota's all my life and have had a 87 4runner, 99 SC'd Tacoma, 99 Corolla, 95 4runner and 00 4runner. My 4runner was my most extensive build as it was armored, supercharged and mid traveled. Spent 4 years building it up, but it was becoming too built to be my DD and as my family is growing I needed more space. We have an SUV already as my wives DD, so a truck would fit the bill. It had to be a double cab for my daughter and a 05-06 so I could get the VVTI. My wife demanded leather and it couldn't be red, so that narrowed my options a lot. So I was on the search for Limited as it would suffice all needs.

I ended up randomly finding a truck on autotrader about 6 hours south of me. It was perfect IMO and well worth the trip. So that day I bought a greyhound ticket at 12:30 AM and got on the bus all night to meet the seller. It was a long trip (13 hours), but the minute I saw the truck I knew I was in love. It was perfect and from pick up to me driving away took 30 min total. The 6 hour drive home was so comfortable and I couldn't ask for a better truck.

Now that I have my truck I have some plans, but they will be slow to happen. This will be a family hauler and camping/snow vehicle. Maximum comfort is what I'm going for, not off road capability, so no bumpers or crazy suspension mods. BTW, first thing I thought when I saw the truck was Moby Dick, the white whale, so thus the name Moby.

Day I bought it.




Specs:
2006 Tundra, Double Cab, TRD, Limited, 4x4
ARE Camper Shell
Front Bilstein 5100
Method Mesh 17x8.5
Nitto Terra Grappler 285/70/17

Mods to be done:
Light Racing UCA's (Most likely)
Rear AAL
Rear 5100's
@mattgecko LED Bed Lights
BAMF Sliders
TRS D2S Retrofit
Double Din/Nav Stereo (TBD)

That's about all, it runs great, so why mess with that?

I did take it out for it's first camping trip for my brother-in-law's bachelor party. Truck handled great at altitude and was perfect to sleep in. Winds got to about 50 mph that night, but I didn't notice a thing in the bed. Slept like a baby.

Home sweet home


Yes that is the red headed step child Tacoma in front of my truck.

 

Excited to see where this goes!

 

Awesome! I see you driving thru down town SC a lot, the rig looks great! Got inspired to get my methods from watching you drive by from my work. Cant wait to see where it goes.

 

Haha thanks, I'm sure I've seen your rig around town as well. Where do you work? Glad I could inspire you, I'll be either changing up the look of my methods or picking up some SCS wheels eventually, but I think my plan might look sweet with the methods.

 

I work for Thieves clothing and headquarters is in the basement of Berdels a lot on the corner of walnut and Pacific. I think the methods will look sweet with those sliders your planning on and stuff. Tundies are great trucks.

 

Oh yeah, I'm always driving down by there for some reason or another. Right now I'm just trying to pay it off and survive this holiday season haha. I will be picking up some rear 5100's this weekend and hopefully an AAL soon as the rear is getting pretty low compared to the 5100's up front. This will mostly be a comfort build as I won't be wheeling it besides fire roads and camping.

 

Lookin good man, this truck will suit you very well I think. They are awesome camping rigs. The adding size can be a negative on those tight trails but 90% of the time I'm happier with this truck than all my other builds. I'm actually working on a prototype rear shackle flip kit with a guy so iv your ever needing more rear lift in the future this may be a great options. Fully laser cut and CAD designed too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Doesn't look like it needs anything. Nice purchase. Seems like a lot of us are starting to get out of our very built rigs, myself included!

 

Yeah I noticed how big it was when I took it out on some fire roads. Definitely get some pinstripes and added a nice dent in the rear bumper. I do need some more lift....

Btw your tundra build is amazing. As always tastefully done and very capable.

That's what I liked most about it. I need to get an AAL for the back as it is sagging under the shell and I've got the Cali bro lean going. Other than that it will be comfort and convenience mods. Really want to get a fridge to mount in the bed for road trips and camping.

You're selling the 5th gen? What are you going with? I will be getting back into wheeling, but life is crazy right now and I felt bad never taking the 4Runner out. I need a dedicated wheeler and my wife agrees so once we have more space to park a project I'll be on the look for one.

 

Damn congrats man looks good!

 

This one is on the list....

 

Wish I had more, but sadly this is going to be a slow build. I did get some Lund front mats on Amazon for 1/2 price. I'm stoked as they fit great and were cheap. Also got a set of AAL to help lift the back end up and get rid of this bro lean. With my shell and the 5100's up front the back end is sagging a bit, so the AAL will give me some extra height, especially when loaded.

I also have been messing around with my wheels as they aren't my favorite. Eventually I'll get some @SCSPerformance wheels, but until I can afford them, I have been messing with my Methods. I never liked the 24 bolts as they stick out a ton and there are so freaking many. So this last weekend I decided to try out some copper plasti-dip and removing the bolts. Only got one wheel done, but I really liked it. I went to install it and unfortunately rubbed some of the dip off (with the copper you have to use light coats to achieve a dark bronze that I want). Ended up removing all the dip and all the bolts on the wheels. I will be painting the bolts black, but only once this rain stops.

 

Still haven't had a chance to install the AAL and real bilsteins but I did get some 1" wheel spacers. Didn't really need them but got them at a great price and I never liked how little BS the methods have. Put them on last night and I love the look so much better. Puts the tires right at the edge of the fenders. I also removed all the bolts and center caps on my wheels. Like the look better but I really need a set of SCS wheels.

 

Ended up picking up some Lund mats for the front. Very happy with the fit of them and they look great.

Also I finally installed my wheelers aal. I've never messed with leafs before so it was a learning experience. First side took me an hour figuring it all out, but the other side only took 1/2 hour. Super happy with the final result and it really helped with the sag. I also got one 5100 on but ran out of time last weekend. Hoping to get the other on this weekend.



I also removed all the bolts and center caps off my Methods as they bothered me. Just not my style and I liked the look better without them, but it still bothered me having the holes. So I finally pulled the trigger on some @SCSPerformance dark matte bronze Stealth 6. I've wanted these for a long time and can't wait for them to arrive. They will be here Monday but I might wait till President Day weekend to pick up some 255 Cooper ST Maxx.

(I know this is a Tacoma, but I haven't seen a Tundra with the bronze stealth 6.)

 

So let's see the new wheels!

 

Well this update is long overdue. The truck has been driving amazing and I still love it every time I drive it. Been working on a couple creature comforts and finally got some new wheels.

I contacted Vin at @SCSPerformance when his last shipment got in and picked up a set of Stealth 6 in Matte Dark Bronze. I've always had black rims and wanted to change things up. With white you really can't go wrong and I liked that the bronze looked two different colors depending on the light. I have to say I freaking love these rims and they look so good.





I also picked up a set of flush mount LED lights to install as reverse lights. I've had a hard time seeing out the back with the shell on and needed some more light. Found some lights on Amazon with great reviews and only $26 so was sold. I was a bit hesitant about cutting into my rear bumper but noticed someone had hit the bumper and caused a small dent right where I would cut so that made the decision a lot easier. I know nothing about wiring but @MJonAgs32 was kind enough to help me/teach me how to wire the lights. They turned out awesome and I can see so well now. Need to wire up an in cab switch still but this works for now.




No lights


Let there be light


Today I used some white plasti dip to white the lights out so they blend in better. Turned out pretty good.




Other than that I'm going to be adding some LED strips in the bed soon and rebuilding some Donahoe coilovers for up front.

 

Well I finally caved and bought a set of 34's. Been wanting a larger tire since I lifted the rear and my 285/70/17's just looked a bit small for my taste. Ended up picking up a set of 285/75/17 Falken WildPeak A/T3W. They are a new tire and a great mix of street and off road. I saw them in person recently andknew they were my next tire. With a 50k mileage warranty and 30 moneyback guarantee I can't go wrong. Hopefully will have them on Wednesday of next week and give my review.


Also I picked up a 43" single row light bar for behind the bumper. Got the idea from @jberry813 and always like the idea. Only cost me $60 through eBay and will fit nicely.

Lastly, going to get a set of Donahoes that are in need of a rebuild. Got the rebuild parts and just waiting on the coilovers to arrive.

After that I will probably take a break for a while, although I may try a headlight retrofit if I can find an extra set of headlights.

 

Thanks I appreciate it. It is set up pretty damn well right now and I'm happy with how it rides. I have been tempted to try the cheap uniball UCA's on eBay otherwise it will be a bit till those are added. Who knows though, I'm getting a raise this month....

 

New tires! Thought you weren't going ham on this thing

 

Yeah that wasn't going to happen...haha. I kind of decided I want to get the truck how I liked it before my daughter is born this July and we buy a house this spring/summer. I won't have any time after that, so I'm pushing for it to be set by then and I can focus my attention elsewhere.