Sweds oh so not special Taco build

So I decided to document my truck throughout the different phases of its life. I don't really have a specific requirement like an dedicated overland build or rock crawler but I guess just an all capable truck thats better than what stock would be capable of.

Day I brought it home from the dealership. 2014 AC TRD OR



Current mods (or enhancements)
Toyota side steps
Weather tech hood and side window deflectors
Tonneau cover (forgot the brand)
Rear Diff breather mod
Derped Badges
ICON Suspension
OME Dakars
All Pro ubolt flip kit with Timbrens bumpstops
US Offroad winch bumper w/ warn M8000-S
Mobtown tailgate reinforcement
Toyota PRO wheels
Cooper AT3 275/70/17



Parts SHIPPED!:
Black interior parts (steering wheel, shifter bezel, & radio surround bezel)

Big thanks to John and Barbara from TRD parts 4 U, Dan from Wheelers, Brad from US Offroad, and Jordan form Titus-Will Toyota. Outstanding customer service.

Pictures to Follow once I get a chance. Stay Tuned.

 

Been a while. Between finding time to actually do work on the truck and moving once again, I'm finally able to share some of the progress I made to my truck.

First up some ICON suspension




Nice to have friends who have a lift in their garage


Coilovers and UCA installed


OME Dakars installed

 

Rear shocks. Hole waiting to be drilled. The frame proved much tougher than expected to drill through


All finished! Took pretty much the entire day to install. I gained about 3 inches in the front and 3.5 in the rear. It has settled down a bit since. Right now its roughly about 2.5 in the rear and 2.25 in the front.


Next mod I did was add some support for the tailgate. Went with Mobtown's reinforcement plate. Got the cap as a bonus for getting the ribbed version. Can't complain about that.




I added some additional stripping to prevent metal to metal with the plate and tailgate plus helps to seal against any debris and moisture (who knows if thats true or not but I figured it can't hurt any)

 

Added the red TRD logo on the back


Got some time over the weekend to install US OffRoad's winch bumper since I received my winch from the delivery man.





Bumper all off


Since the bumper was off, it was much easier to put in the energy suspension radiator bushings. used the stock jack to help give me space to install the top spacer.


Cut the factory recovery loop

 

As i was waiting for the paint to dry before proceeding to install the bumper, i decided to go ahead and change out the front differential oil. I had already did the transfer case and rear diff about a week prior. I tired to do it then but couldn't get the drain screw to come loose. This time I used some liquid wrench to help get it out.

The oil was a grayish soup.


Got the bumper all mounted up.


Used the mounting braces from relentless fabrication to give the front end a little more strength should i need it during a pull.


Next up is installing the winch


Routed the wires just behind and across the crossmember ( I'm guessing to what that is)




Up next to the radiator

 

And up to the battery




And it works! Spooled the line up


Had to cut a little bit of the IFS plate in order for it to fit. The left side (if directly facing the front of the truck looking back) slid in fine on the tab. The right now so much. Nothing a 4'' cutting disk can't solve.


Everything back together.

 

Still deciding on what size tires I'm gonna get. I'm leaning toward 275/70/17 in load C. Waiting on funds to make the purchase along with new rims.

 

Got some new shoes.