RAFANOMENON

Hey TacomaWorld,

I've been a long-time lurker of the forums and have gathered inspiration and ideas from all of you. I've always been a fan of trucks and SUVs, and in 2013 I was finally able to get the truck I've always wanted: A Tacoma. I settled on a magnetic gray double cab long bed. My cousin works at a local dealership in parts so I was able to get this for a steal. It was their shop truck that had 10k on it so in my mind it was brand new.

Here's the day that I first got it (October 2013):


Fast forward to now (February 2016):


My list of updates:

Lift and wheels:

• Toytec Ultimate Lift Kit (Bilstein 5100 and AAL)
• Light Racing UCAs
• SCS Stealth 6 17" x 8.5"
• Nitto Trail Grappler 285/70/17

Outside:

• Plasti-dipped badges
• OEM roof rack
• Tyger tri-fold tonneau cover
• Tinted front windows to match back and rear
• LED license plate bulbs

Inside:

• FH Group black/gray seat covers
• LED dome and reading lights
• Sony MEX-GS610BT head unit
• iPad Mini 4 Side Slider
• Steering wheel control integration (PAC SWI-RC)
• Custom 2 x 10" subwoofer box
• 2 x Boston Acoustic G110
• Remote Bass knob
• Phoenix Gold SX400.1 monoblock amplifier

More pics!







I'm always one to drive my vehicles like they're meant to be driven. I just got the lift and tires on earlier this week and plan on taking it on some trails in Washington, and pretty much whenever I can get up to the mountains on the weekends to snowboard.

Lots more I want to do to this truck, and now that my wedding and honeymoon have been paid off, it's time to dump all my funds and time into the truck. That's how it works, right?

 

Looks like a really clean rig.

 

Thanks! Won't be clean for long haha

 

Very nice truck- my twin haha! I have same bed cover.

 

Turns out the rubbing was a little more annoying than I had thought... After cutting more of the splash guard and plastic fender flares, it's still catching when at 90% to full lock on both sides. Going to be cutting more this week, bending in the pinch weld and chopping off some of the cab mount. Time to break out the welder I guess...

Note: If someone tells you that you can fit 285's "no problem," ask that person to define "problem"

 

Dude that is so funny you mentioned this!! I just got back from 4 wheel parts for same issue. They installed leveling kit and tires (258's) and had alignment done last weekend and started to rub when pulling into drive ways etc. They trimmed my fenders which took care of about 99% but than noticed a little rub this weekend. Took back yesterday and they told me they could cut more of the fender but i opted not to since its not as bad as it was.

I have same tire size- and I recall asking if i was going to rub- ofcourse sales rep gonna say anything to make sale. The service manger very good and told me his sales staff should do better job about giving out more accurate info. I know I should have done more research before installing kit/tires

 

Since the new tires were rubbing, I decided that last weekend would be the time to do the cab mount chop. I ordered the CNC cut 12g steel plates from Bay Area Metal Fabrication to make the process a little faster and more symmetrical.

I started by lifting the front of the truck and getting it onto jack stands. Harbor Freight’s 3-ton low profile floor jack did the trick and I used 6 ton jack stands for a more sturdy base.



After getting the wheels off, it was straight to cutting. I traced the plate and went through one cutting wheel nice and slowly. A few more passes with the flap wheel got the lines pretty straight, and prepped the area for welding with minimal gaps to fill.









The first side I took the advice of others on the forum and did 1" stitch welds, giving the parts time to cool. I checked the cab mount rubber periodically to make sure it wasn't getting too hot, which it wasn't at all. The second side was done in more 3" stitch welds, so that went a hell of a lot faster.



I ended up taking a little more plastic off while I was under there, and also bent over the low corner of the pinch weld. Couple coats of flat-black Rustoleum primer/enamel to protect the bare metal from the elements. Same was done for the other side and that's all she wrote! No more rubbing