Cable's Daily/Light Off Road Build

This is my first truck, and after just two months of driving this thing, I have to say I absolutely love it! Hit the trails a few times with it stock, but I think I'm ready to step into modifications and upgrades for the truck! I'll be updating this thread as a record of my build and progress. I'll try to catalog all installation of all parts.

I'm going to be working in a phased approach. Phase 1 is an entry-level approach that covers the basics and baseline parts and pieces that may be carried into later phases.

The Base:
2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4
Double Cab, Short Bed
Quicksand

Purchase Date: 8/22/16

As it sits right now:

Current Mods:
Interior:
LED Map Lights (T10): http://amzn.to/2dLKOCp
LED Dome Light (Tight fit, but works): http://amzn.to/2e2VrUu
WeatherTech Floor Liners (Complete set): http://amzn.to/2epAXBX
RAM Mount (surface adhesive mounted to dash): http://amzn.to/2eeCMV0
Dash cam (StreetGuardian SG9665GC): http://amzn.to/2erelCC
Dash cam hardwire kit (tapped into interior fuse box): http://amzn.to/2e4WHsH
Add-a-Fuse for hard wire (Tapped into Outlet 1 12v Cig. Lighter slot): http://amzn.to/2dYRrTL

Exterior:
Black 4" Tall American flag on both passenger and driver side front doors.
White 4" tall American flag on rear window
Plasti-Dipped Grill Chrome delete

Phase 1:
On Order:
Interior:
@salex Center Console Trays: http://amzn.to/2eNqZi6
Genuine Toyota Door Sill Protectors: http://amzn.to/2e4XDNt
3-Switch panel face plate: http://www.shapeways.com/product/CHMNWZF8H/tacoma-narrow-switch-plate-for-16-tacoma

Electronics/Lighting:
Toyota Style Push Toggle Switch for LED Light Bar(s): http://amzn.to/2dYQZVl
Toyota Style Push Toggle Switch for Ditch Lights: http://amzn.to/2eNwAFe
Toyota Style Push Toggle Switch for Electronic Horn/Factory Horn: http://amzn.to/2eeGfCF
Rough Country Double row 30" LED Light Bar: http://www.roughcountry.com/30-inch-led-light-bar-70930bl.html
Rough Country 2" LED Lights: http://www.roughcountry.com/2-inch-led-square-lights-70903bl.html
Waterproof Relay/Fuse box: OPT7 LED Headlights H11: http://amzn.to/2dYQQBe
OPT7 LED Running Lights for Fogs: http://amzn.to/2dxVWoK
Carson HA-150 Electronic Air Horn Amplifier: http://www.covertlights.com/carson-ha-horn/
Abrams 100W Siren/PA Speaker (for horn): http://amzn.to/2dYSSkV

Exterior/Protection:
Avid Off Road Front Bumper Guard (w/Fog Hoops, Light bar tabs, bare finish): http://www.avidoffroad.com/cart/ind...ont-bumper-guard/2016-front-bumper-guard.html
Avid Off Road weld-on Rock Sliders (No top plates, no kickout, bare finish): http://www.avidoffroad.com/cart/ind...ers/2012-2014-toyota-tacoma-sliders-3704.html
CBI Offroad Ditch Light Brackets: http://www.cbioffroadfab.com/products/3rd-gen-toyota-tacoma/3rd-gen-tacoma-ditch-light-brackets/

To Get:
Performance:
Suspension Lift Kit - Thinking of the ARB OME Nitro Kit with 887 Springs

Exterior:
Tonneau Cover - Soft Tri-fold.

Phase 2:
These are wish list items that I may or may not need/want
Baja Roof Rack: http://www.bajarack.com/?id=racks_list_inside&idRack=38
Rough Country Light Bar to mount to roof rack.
New black 16" Wheels (TRD maybe)
275 70 R16 BF Goodrich KO2 Tires
Front & Rear metal bumpers
Decent winch
Appropriate suspension tweaks to support additional weight

 

Have you seen any more photos of the Avid Front Bumper Guard?

 

Not anything besides what's been posted in the Avid Bumper Guard thread in the vendor section. I'll be posting some of mine when I get it in and have it mounted.

 

It's really nice that you are using hyperlinks for all the goodies you are installing. I've been researching what I want to do to my Taco and getting information lined up is challenging at times. Limited by time constraints, you really made finding more information easy as clicking through. I can't wait to see your (never truly) finished truck.

 

Beautiful truck, Sub'd

 

Hey you get the rough country black series led bar yet? Been eye balling it..

 

Thanks, I always find it helpful when people posts links, so I wanted to do the same. Plus, if anyone asks me where I got this or that, I have a list to go off of!

Thanks, Phase 1 is pretty much done, I need to update this thread!

I sure have! The pod lights were disappointing, but the bar is plenty bright!

 

Awesome ya decided to stay away from the pods for now..I ended up going with a Kodiak brand black led bar and am plenty happy with it as well. The black looks so much better than the chrome optics.

 

First major update. Haven't remembered to post an update because I've been wheeling the heck out of the truck. I'll add notes to each line item.

Phase 1:

Interior:
@salex Center Console Trays: http://amzn.to/2eNqZi6
Status: Installed - Awesome product, I'm able to throw business cards, spare cash, wallet, sunglasses and misc doodads in there and have easy access to it. Very good buy.

Genuine Toyota Door Sill Protectors: http://amzn.to/2e4XDNt
Status: Installed - I originally saw scuffs and scrapes on my door sills, between my passengers and dog, there was some noticeable scuffing. These definitely help, and they were easy to stick on, and pretty cheap.

3-Switch panel face plate: http://www.shapeways.com/product/CHMNWZF8H/tacoma-narrow-switch-plate-for-16-tacoma
Status: Installed - I currently have two switches in there, one for the light bar, and one for the pod lights. This works great, and has an OEM look.

Electronics/Lighting:
Toyota Style Push Toggle Switch for LED Light Bar(s): http://amzn.to/2dYQZVl
Status: Installed - No problems here, wired to instrument lights so that they are illuminated when interior instrument lights are on. A bit sticky at first, but wore itself in after use.

Toyota Style Push Toggle Switch for Ditch Lights: http://amzn.to/2eNwAFe
Status: Installed - No problems here, wired to instrument lights so that they are illuminated when interior instrument lights are on.

Toyota Style Push Toggle Switch for Electronic Horn/Factory Horn: http://amzn.to/2eeGfCF
Status: Removed/Returned - I decided to reserve the switch slot for something else and wired my horn directly without a toggle to turn it on/off.

Rough Country Double row 30" LED Light Bar: http://www.roughcountry.com/30-inch-led-light-bar-70930bl.html
Status: Installed - Required some light trimming of the side mounting points as my light bar tabs on the push bar were very tight. Super bright light!

Rough Country 2" LED Lights: http://www.roughcountry.com/2-inch-led-square-lights-70903bl.html
Status: Installed - Not as impressive as the light bar, these help a little, but are not very bright or have much throw. I'd go with a different option next time around.

Waterproof Relay/Fuse box: Status: Installed - This part made my electrical situation much simpler. Attached to a sheet of thick kydex I cut and formed to sit next to the factory fuse box. Highly recommended if you don't want to shell out the hundreds for a SPod-like setup.

OPT7 LED Headlights H11: http://amzn.to/2dYQQBe
Status: Removed/Returned - These worked fine, but when messing with the fogs, I discovered that the mictuning (http://amzn.to/2oAZBcC) ones were just as bright and half the cost. 6+ months of rain, snow, mud and dirt, no problems at all.

OPT7 LED Running Lights for Fogs: http://amzn.to/2dxVWoK
Status: Removed/Returned - These sucked for this application, get these instead: http://amzn.to/2oAZBcC

Carson HA-150 Electronic Air Horn Amplifier: http://www.covertlights.com/carson-ha-horn/
Status: Installed - Not sure if the speakers or the amp is underpowered, but my horn system is not as loud as I liked. About the same as factory, but with a more officious sound.

Abrams 100W Siren/PA Speaker (for horn): http://amzn.to/2dYSSkV
Status: Installed - See above

Exterior/Protection:
Avid Off Road Front Bumper Guard (w/Fog Hoops, Light bar tabs, bare finish): http://www.avidoffroad.com/cart/ind...ont-bumper-guard/2016-front-bumper-guard.html
Status: Installed - Took a while to get these since they were made to order, but this thing has saved my truck from scratches, and allows for mounting a light bar. I wouldn't use it as a recovery point because of noticeable flex, but as a guard for minor bumps and dings, it's great.

Avid Off Road weld-on Rock Sliders (No top plates, no kickout, bare finish): http://www.avidoffroad.com/cart/ind...ers/2012-2014-toyota-tacoma-sliders-3704.html
Status: Installed - Nothing special, basic weld-on sliders. Hefty and well made. Thick tubing, my welder was happy with that. Only thing is they were hard to paint after welding them on.

CBI Offroad Ditch Light Brackets: http://www.cbioffroadfab.com/products/3rd-gen-toyota-tacoma/3rd-gen-tacoma-ditch-light-brackets/
Status: Installed - No problems, simple install, they work as intended.

Performance:
Suspension Lift Kit - Thinking of the ARB OME Nitro Kit with 887 Springs
Status: Installed - Ended up getting the 888 springs with this kit from Lowrangeoffroad.com. Got a pretty good price, just over $1,000. Had to wait a few weeks as they drop-shipped from ARB directly. I went with the heavier springs since I do intend on getting a full metal bumper and winch at one point. They were a little more difficult to compress and install as a result, but I managed to get them in.

Exterior:
Tonneau Cover - Soft Tri-fold.
Status: Installed - Ended up getting a Rough Country one for $230. Nothing special, just needed something quick and cheap. I'm in a group buy for a BAKflip G2 to replace this.

Next items:
BAKflip G2 Aluminum tri-fold cover (Group buy pending)
DIY Automatic Tailgate Lock
DIY Bed lighting
Bed Mat of some sort

Truck as it sits currently:

 

Build Update:

Phase 2 came a little early due to tires wearing down at 24k miles.

Phase 2:

Exterior Upgrades:
Bakflip G2 Tri-Fold Cover
Status: Installed
DIY Automatic Tailgate Lock
Status: Installed
VTX Wheels Rogue in 16x8 (Black)
Status: Installed

Performance:
Falken Wildpeak ATW3 in 285/75R16 (33" tires)
Status: Installed
King OEM Performance Shocks (Front coilovers and rear shocks) w/Reservoirs, non-adjustable dampening
Status: Installed


NOTE: The VTX Rogues are slightly larger than 16" on the outside rim diameter. The drop-center is also not cut as deep as some wheels. The Wildpeak AT3Ws have a very stiff sidewall and does not flex a whole lot. The combination of the slightly larger outside rim diameter and stiffer sidewalls made for a tougher installation. I had one shop flat out refuse to mount them due to liability reasons. The other shop needed 2-3 guys to get the first one on, then they found their groove and was mounting the rest with no issues.