trlfrk's Rocky Mountain Build ('16 silver OR DCSB)

Current state pics:

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Current state:

• ToyTec Boss Performance lift (2.5 coilovers, SPC UCAs, diff drop kit, 2.0 remote rears & Toytec progressive AAL). Removed. For sale
• Toytec Boss 2.5 Front Aluma Series Remote Reservoir Coilovers
• Toytec 2.0 Aluma Series IFP Rear Shocks & OME Leaf Packs
  
• Timbren Active Off Road Bump Stops & U-Bolt Flip Kit
• Toyo Open Country MT 2285/75 R16
• InSain Fabrication Front Bumper (aluminum)
• RCI Rear Bumper (Steel) with aux lights & hidden hitch
• Warn VR10 Winch
  
• Spidertrax 1.25" hub-centric wheel spacers
• Full Skids (RCI)
• RCI Sliders (powdercoat)
• RCI Custom Bed Rack
• Tepui Autana XL Siberian Camo
• Baja Designs 30" Light Bar in Front Bumper
• Baja Designs Squadron Sport Combo Fog Replacement Lights
• K&N CAI
• MBRP 3" Cat Back Exhaust
• Extang Solid Fold 2.0
• Factory bed mat

Future state adds:

• 5.29's
• Optima Yellow Top
• ARB Linx or SPOD

I first want to thank all you TW peeps for inspiration and learning I've gained from browsing this forum (a lot).

After selling my xterra (which I loved, but it was getting old) I just knew I needed another 4 door SUV and it was either a JK or a taco. After driving both it was simple choice for me. I bought a "16 Tacoma ORDCSB slightly used with 5k miles.

Fall '16 trips while stock: webster pass, peak 10/breck, lead king basin:

Honestly didn't started out with a "build" in mind, but I have always known there was a great aftermarket for Tacomas, and I think it took 5 minutes til I decided a few "new parts" were in order.

I've had my eye on the new Tacoma since Expedition Overland got theirs--definitely inspired by their trips & rigs. Denver Auto Show:

Historically, I've always just used my backpacking gear as car camping gear, just throwing it in the truck, sleeping on the ground, etc. But with a wife and two little ones now, the wife and I agreed that upgrading certain "camping essentials" would make longer trips more frequent and more comfortable.

I'll also note here that this truck is my wife's daily driver. She's home most days, so we felt free to build what we wanted for the trail, and not just compromise to accommodate comfortable daily driving. Minivan? Heck no--my wife loves her truck

First up was new protection:

I signed up for an all pro group buy, not yet realizing that RCI is in my backyard. Canceled the all pro and went with RCI. I picked up locally, saved on shipping, and really like their work. Quick Tip: Double check that you have all needed hardware before beginning your install!!! Quick Tip: Its worth getting an exhaust re-route from a muffler shop and gaining the extra ground clearance. As you'll see in my pics, I did NOT re-route the exhaust, so the mid skid has a 1 inch bracket that lowers it to accommodate the stock exhaust-- looks terrible! I'll be switching this out as soon as I can re-route the exhaust.


Next were lift and tires:

Really wanted the OME BP-51's, but with another local vendor in ToyTec, a solid product, good reviews and a lower price point, ToyTec was the choice. If I had chosen to install the lift myself, I might've spent the difference on the BP-51's, but I honestly was too intimidated to install my own lift. I have (or had access to) most required tools, but just not the patience. Story of my life. I absolutely love the ride the toytec lift provides!

I've had BFG AT KO's on my last two trucks going back years. I loved them, but we wanted something more aggressive this time. We chose the Toyo open country MT's. They are surprisingly quiet on the road, and I've read (mostly) about pretty good tread life. Haven't gotten them in the dirt yet, because…. RUBBING. Hate.

RSG here in Denver installed the lift and tires…. And the spidertrax 1.25" spacers. The spacers helped clear the new SPC UCA's but the treads on these Toyo's are pretty tall…I've got a body mount chop scheduled for next week, but I'm actually thinking (from what I can see), it's more about the plastic fender rubbing than the cab mount. We'll see… A little unhappy about having to cut. Quick tip: Make sure you can fit your new 33" spare under the truck still! Mine is so close to the frame rails and the exhaust, I ended up wrapping the exhaust right there with motorcycle exhaust tape to keep it from melting the tire.

Bed Rack:


Went ahead and got the bed rack from RCI as well-- I think it's the best looking one I've seen. In a stroke of luck, I managed to secure RCI's first aluminum bed rack. Super light! I love my tonneau, and the bed rack and RTT will only be mounted to the truck 5 or 6 weeks per year. Quick tip: If you're mounting your bed rack and RTT permanently, I think a full cage type bed rack, which attaches to the floor of the truck bed is wiser…. I have seen the walls of the truck bed damaged by a nice looking rack carrying too much weight for too long…

On to Sliders:

RCI again. Love the look of the square main tube and the 20 degree upward tilt. The powdercoat looks awesome-- which I know won't last… Not sure there's a perfect option for painting sliders-- I spent considerable time reading up on various strategies and this seemed best for my use/situation. They do sit very close to the pinch seams on the bottom of the body; I think I may drill the extra hole in the frame to give maximum support from the bottom of the frame rail.

I'm waiting for a new lift in the garage similar to this one,


and then the RTT goes on the bed rack:

Went with the Tepui Autana XL, which should provide ample room for me, the wife and two (very small) kids.


I'm not very original, so I'll be mounting maxtrax and rotopax once the bed rack is fully installed. Then I'll be able to be expedition ready with everything staying on the bed rack, which will hang from the garage most of the year.


If you've read this far-- thanks! Feel free to ask questions. I'll continue to post new pics as new "parts" are added. Next step is either bumpers, winch or gears. As it turns out I've got a front left clam shell bearing going out (weird-- only 10k miles on truck… RSG told me the dealers won't warranty it as they'll say its caused by the lift….not cheap to fix, so may have them re-gear while they’ve got it all opened up.

Please hit me up if you "stay the trail" and would like to meet up for day trips etc. I'm a Colorado native, I love quick weekend trips on the front range (or further)…

 

Looks great! I'm in CR too so I will probably see you around!

 

Thanks! Let me know if you'd ever want to get out for a local ride. Kinda have to drive a ways for anything good, but, anyway.

 

Lakewood checking in! Would love to meet and ride sometime as I am new to the truck world and eager to build and learn!

 

Awesome build man! I've got a SSM OR as well and RCI rack / CVT tent so we'll be almost be twins. Going with more local BAMF sliders hopefully next few weeks, still haven't decided on skids. Subd!

 

Nice build man! Any issues with the diff drop and RCI skids? I have the same skids in aluminum and am planning out my lift pretty soon, looking to relocate the exhaust as well...

 

thanks! No issues. all skids went right on.

 

Thanks! I just prefer local to save on shipping and too see where my stuff gets made. Not everyone has the plethora of local fabs, like Denver does.

I'll get pics of tent mounted real soon. My bed rack is a hybrid of long bed and sorry bed parts to better accommodate my XL tent... Excited to see how it turns out...

 

Nice build! Im located in Denver. Just ordered skids and sliders from RCI as well!

 

Great looking build!

 

Thanks! Absolutely. Its just about time for trails to start drying out. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

 

Thanks! Just excited to get out on the dirt soon, you know?

... and really dreading trimming my fenders... |:

 

How do you like your boss setup? Ive been doing lots of debating on what lift i'd like to run and this is a top contender. How many miles do you have on them? What are they like on and off road? Any complaints or anything youd recommends for someone else looking at these? RSG also recommended these to me when i went in to see them

 

500 miles total- so pretty new.

Nothing off road yet, because my 285 toyo MTs are rubbing pretty good at flex/full lock. That is being remedied today (literally). I'll be on the dirt tomorrow or this weekend no doubt.

Stiffer on road. Little to no nose dive and body roll, which I love. I've hit a few bumps pretty hard and it seems like it'll eat bumps pretty well... I'll provide better insight once I get it off road.

As for lift choices, one big reason I chose toytec, is that they're local. Nothing like driving to see a vendor if I ever have issues (i don't expect to have any issues). Same reason I chose RCI sliders/skids/bedrack.

I think that the OME BP-51 was my ultimate choice, but would have been 1300 more and I had other plans for that $$. I think OME has a longer history and probably spends much more on R&D than toytec. and their technology may indeed be better. But this is my wife's daily driver, which means it sits in the garage, makes grocery runs, and then goes overlanding 5 weeks per year. BP-51's just seemed overkill.

Toytec opened a new showroom, you mgiht go talk to them about what you're trying to accomplish-- I would think they'd give you pretty good advice-- they can set you up with other brands if you end up going that route...

 

Beautiful Truck and Great Build! Which Toytec Lift is that? It looks taller than 2" for sure. The tires look great as well. When you lifted, did you get the vibrations from the needle bearing problem in the front end or are you one of the lucky ones that didn't have to get the ECGS bushing?

 

Thanks! It's performed so well so far. Toytes boss 2.5 performance here. No bushing needed as you speak of. And no vibrations, thankfully! Keeping it from rubbing was difficult. I trimmed a little fender and had the body mount chop done as well.

 

After a full week in flagstaff and Sedona for the overland expo, we were able to test out everything. The toytec lift is awesome-- eats up the bumps, feels firm on the road, and plenty of flex. The bed rack, skids, sliders, and the rooftop tent all work perfectly. My wife loves how comfy and warm we stayed in the tepui autana XL.

 

added 2nd lift in the garage to hold the bed rack/rooftop tent (whanginf from bottom and camping gear on top. Still contemplating how I'll anchor the bedrack/RTT to the bottom of the lift... ideas??

 

Nice looking build - I waffle between this one and the Bilstein Kit. You may sway me toward the Toytec Boss. What Garage lift do you have for the garage? I just got the CVT Mt Rainier and am looking at getting a lift that can support around 165-175 lbs. Thanks!

 

I'll check on the name/manufacturer the next time I'm up there. Local neighborhood handyman dude put a flyer on my door advertising these for sale/install. I hesitated til I ran out of garage floor space and then bought the first one... It's been holding 200 lbs of stuff for 2 years now. Goes up and down with a hand crank or by attaching a drill to the attachment that hangs down to 7" height or so.

The things I like about the toytec setup I have versus the OME/Bilstein kit is that these coilovers are fully rebuild-able as well as adjustable.