Pigpen's Working Man's Build

I've wanted a Toyota truck most of my life, I finally bought one in February 2012. It's a 2012 Access Cab Base Model V6 4X4 with the 6 speed manual transmission. I thought it was a great truck (true) and thought it looked great (also true). Then I found TW. Since you're reading this, you understand.

One of my first mods was to remove the rear seats and create storage and a bed for my dog









I know my truck is messy. It's always like that. I actually use it.

I didn't take pictures of it early on. It was just a tool to be used and a toy to be enjoyed. Originally I found a white Raider topper on CL, but after a year I found a guy with a white Taco and black LEER and we traded. For those wondering, that's an avalanche in the background.



Then I added Firestone Ride Rite airbags so I could tow my camper without the sag you already see in the pic above - there's nothing heavy in the bed in that pic, just the topper.

I had also found some offset wheels I liked (temporarily)



All was right with the world. I could tow, haul weight in it and it looked good. I put a Yakima rack on top for stuff like my bike and canoe. When hauling a canoe (especially on rough FSRs at not so prudent speeds) make sure the full length of the boat is supported. Otherwise you get "dimples" - yes there's a matching one on the other side.



I built a sleeping frame and storage area in the back to maximize the utility of the bed.









When the weather is nice during archery season, sometimes I don't bother with the camper



Of course I had to lift it. 5100s at 1.75" setting up front and airbags at 35 psi to level - stock 2+1 leaf pack in rear. Tires are 265/70/16 (they look so tiny now)



I already had a winch, so I added a CBI Offroad hidden front hitch and wired the truck for front and rear winch use.



When not in use, the winch power is shut off with this switch that came with the Warn rear quick connect kit.



I added tracks and a rack to the LEER for properly carrying my canoe (pic is out of chronological order - 33s came later)



With all the extra weight and the hard rebound of the inflated airbags, my stock shocks didn't last long. I replaced them with OME N182s



Here's what lives under my sleeping platform year round.



I started driving more challenging areas and had some dings in the stock "skid plate", so I bought IFS and mid skids from Tyler and Satin Pelfrey



My friend had some tires I wanted, but I didn't think I could make them work. I decided to commit to them - 255/85/16 and they worked just fine!



They rubbed the stock mud flaps pretty good when turned and stuffed, but those flaps didn't last long. I quickly switched to these

$36 PLASTICOLOR 000543R01 Black Off Road Scene Easy Fit Mud Guard 11" - Set of 2

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Road-Scene-Easy-Guard/dp/B0002NIJS0/ref=pd_sim_263_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=317WRCY2TJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR222%2C320_&psc=1&refRID=9EGPK7NH49WWY1Z44PGZ



Then I bought this stuff for taking full advantage of my 33s



This is just an initial install pic - I cleaned up the obvious issues.





I painted the stock steelies black



I ripped off a fender flare wheeling and broke most of the tabs off it.



I liked the look enough that I decided to run with it.



I converted a cargo tray into a bike carrier



A boy and his truck



Packed for action



I lifted my 1958 Siesta vintage camper so it would stop dragging ass while being towed to the really good spots.



After putting a dent in my rocker panel that was almost big enough to interfere with operation of the passenger door, I decided it was time for sliders. Pelfreybilt bolt on with kickout and fill plates





The pinch weld on the bottom of the cab was hitting the sliders.



I decided to replace the body mount bushings. That solved it!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/body-mount-bushing-install-now-with-pictures.432885/



I added TRD Pro headlights



and Depo tail lights



I decided a hand throttle would be a nice addition for keeping RPMs up while winching. I use it to winch trees over for my tree service, as well as off road applications.



I got tired of my suspension setup. It was functional, but I had outgrown it. I added Dakar leaf springs and Bilstein B110 shocks.

My 33s are looking small now



Pic above is with 5100s @1.75 + 1/4" spacer = 23" center of hub to fender (don't forget my body lift)

Pic below is without spacer = 22.25 center of hub to fender



Rear is 25" center of hub to fender.

I have new to me LCAs with good bushings to put in, along with brand new OEM mounting/ alignment hardware. I also have LR UCAs, new 5100s and top plates, and 885x coils that need to go in before a road trip at the end of this month.

Here are pics with the goodies above installed. The 885s gave me exactly the same lift as my 5100s at the 1.75" setting. Now both sides of the front sit at 23" center of hub to fender. Rear is still 25".



More pics to come...

 

She doesn't get washed often, but she cleans up nice!



I made the tracks in, now following them out.



Two hard-working trucks



One of my favorite camping spots.



Same spot, different day



My copilot



Fall colors at the beach in NW Montana



I miss that little Freightliner, what a work horse!



My home for 5 years... I love that place.



Cruising in sub zero temps. It was a cold hunting/ camping trip, but at least we saw elk.



West border of Glacier NP



My wheeling buddy and good friend



Gotta air down even on 35s, especially with open diffs



Stuck way past where we left the Jeep buried



Your Jeep is stuck way back there, so shovel me out and run my winch!





Pic in the driveway on the farm



Spring pic with the barn finished



Spring pic with the barn mostly empty



All prettied up







If you look just off my driver side headlight, there's a helicopter in the distance dropping water on a forest fire - an unusual photo op.



The view I wake up to at the previously mentioned camping spot



Gettin' dirty - I like 'em a little dirty.



Glacier NP



Out for a winter drive - Hungry Horse Reservoir



Early season snow driving - light, fluffy "hero snow"







Out for a drive










Late season snow wheeling. 15 psi and crawling. The snow is well over frame deep here.







Late season slush





Beargrass flowers - they're lilies



At work building a forestry access trail



Just out for another local drive

 

My first bear (2014)



That's him after tanning - beer for size reference



This is my winter office - snowboarding instructor



My buddy's '03 Tundra and a great day in the woods (2014)



Last year's bear (2015), my second bear.



My archery buck from 2013



2015 buck



I saw 3 mountain goats up here, but nothing I had a tag for.



A casual day at the office...



Little Taco vs. big poplar - gotta love the winch



Nothing says Montana like a bike with a gun rack.



This guy tried to drive with ski boots on.

 

If I didn't know better I'd guess those are Asolo Snowpine boots.

Said it before but just dig what you're doing with your truck. Not flashy, just works.

 

Thanks a bunch for the compliment! Those are the Danner equivalent of the Asolo Snowpines (Edit: They are Snowpines, I'm an idiot).

 

Looking good buddy! Subd!

 

Finally added comments to pages 2 and 3

 

Here's a great thread if you want to get more from your 5100s.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-you-are-not-using-all-the-suspension.400276/

Thanks for doing the leg work on this @nd4spdbh .

 

Subd for picssssssss

 

2 am, just got home. Pics to come.

 

Teaser

 

7 days on the lower Salmon River in Idaho. Not a bad way to kill a week.

 

Bad ass man!!!!

 

Get that lift on?

 

Sure did brother

 

Man I live in the wrong part of the state.

 

The little blue cooler on the front of my boat has just enough space for 3 cases of beer - with enough room to squeeze in a few small plastic bottles of booze.

 

Those are some great pics!

 

Mad respect man!!!!​