Grey

After picking up a new Tacoma. I decided to document this build, hopefully give people ideas and learn some new things along the way. First off, started with a set of TRD pro fog lights, (haven’t had time to install) will do here in the next week. Few small things to start, like weather tech floor mats, and ordered a set of coverkings seat covers this week. A little protection never hurts.

 

Reach down between the grille and the radiator with a small stubby phillips. Unplug the old and remove one screw. Right arm down in for the passenger's side, left arm for the driver's. Very simple install.

 

Is it only just one screw? I haven’t watched any videos on it yet or looked into it. That makes life alittle easy yeah

 

It is. On the new ones two tabs stab into slots and only one on the other side gets the screw is that holds it in.

 

So, it’s been a few days since updated. Thank to work and a vacation. So, had little time this week to do much. Leaving back out for work tomorrow. Was able to do do a few things though.


Windows are official matched, a must for sure. Also picked up a set of weather tech floor mats.

I also managed to snag a set of TRD Pro fog lights. Don’t plan on doing a full bumper so figured this would be a good route.

So, after all this I picked up a SDHQ swith panel for the switch pros.

After all, that small little pocket made no sense. Nothing fitted in there, but I feel like this will be the perfect start for a build. Now from here all I need to do is some simple hook ups for accessories instead of full running wires. First complaint isn’t with SDHQ is with he switchpor. SDHQ has perfect instructions on how to hook up, the switch pro didn’t really give much info on how to install. So I got the wire ran from the switch board into the engine bay, just don’t have the main unit mounted because I don’t know where to mount. I ran out of time before I head out, Atleast I’ll have two weeks to come up with something before work.

 

Well, if this isn’t the most dad mod out there. Upon a small truck I realized I have no room for things. Toolbox, other assorted junk. Picked up a betterbuilt 61.5 narrow box from Walmart. Only real narrow 13” wide box I could find that was black. Well, 5 minutes time it is installed and looks great. The 13” was the way to go and I’m happy about that.

 

Well, upon getting the dad box. I needed to mount my bikes. I didn’t like th hitch mount so I did my own. Some fork mounts from a bike shop. A adaptor for my thru axle and done. I reenforced the brackets with some bigger washers. Seems to hold very well.

 

So needed a pointless mod. Just something to look at lol decided to paint my toe hook.

 

nice truck man, the "dad box" ... i've had a toolbox on my trucks since i was 16 i miss the steel ones best investment a 16 year old boy can make, had some fun on the them and kept my beer cold during the party times in life.. great idea for the bike rack too and i'm jealous of those fogs

 

Thank you. Yeah, guess it isn’t much of a dad box. I’ve had one on every truck now. Think it’s almost needed to have any kind of carrying space on the Tacoma’s.

 

So, as y’all know the rear diff breather is in a horrible spot. Well this off week it was on of the mods I wanted to tackle. Found a thread on the parts, off to Amazon and about 20 mins of time my breather is up and in a better location.

 

All work and no play isn’t fun. Was able to get out and ride the St Tammany Trace. A good way to end the ride is at Abita Springs brewery. so on hold for mods, waiting on Rago Off-road to finish up their ARB compressor/switch pro mount. So waiting on that to finish up the switch pros install. Been pricing around lifts, but with a house hunting coming up really got to limit myself. If anyone got some ideas on other mods or things to do please let me know.

 

Been a while since I’ve posted, had some projects around the house I’ve been working on. Got around to it today to do the cubby box lock mod. Turned out great, used a 7/8 lock instead of the 5/8 little more bending of the metal latch to get a snug fit. Will probably end up change out one day.

Did just one lock on the driver side, makes it easier to open I figured. Also got to do a HID kit for the headlights. Since swapping to the Pro fogs the difference in color was kind of annoying. A car audio shop had some 6k temp in stock, so just picked them up and installed.

Overall the truck is coming along. Was able to finally hook up the final wires for the Switch-Pros, the Slee off-road compressor mount came in. Just ordered the ARB twin compressor, and now waiting for all that fun to get on-board air going. I know I know, the lift kit. Well, it’s on the side right now, but will come hopefully before thanksgiving.

 

Got my Atomicmonkey fire extinguisher mount in. Figured I’d get it’s fitted up, simple design for real cheap. Uses two hooks that the head rest goes through. Love the quality and made in America.

Don’t mind the mess, just finished installing the SDHQ mount for the switch pros. Finally finished wiring it all up, now for accessories. Had some yellow tint for head lights laying around, used two layers on the TRD pro fogs. Think I’m liking the look, warming crappy photo.

 

Went ahead and mounted the Slee off-road arb compressor mount. Was about the simplest thing I’ve ever done. When I get home next time I’m gonna mount and wire in the OBA so just a quick fit for now.

 

Well Tacoma world. Got the ARB dual compressor in, haven’t got it wired up. Getting a quote from a local shop, gonna get their help on a tank and hooking up a few quick connects. So just stand by onnfinished photos.

 

I finally finished the OBA system. As you know I used a ARB twin compressor mounted on the Slee off-road bracket. I plumbed in a 1 gallon Viair tank which I mounted on the cubby in the bed. It’s a thick plastic and is holding it very well. I used some washers to help on the surface area of the bolts holding it. I just went to the local hardware store and found some 1/4 NPT fittings that I used, and got some high temp hose. Used field repair fittings for the hose, since the ARB unit only goes up to 100psi before shutting off it works like a charm. About 40 bucks in material from them saved me hundreds in ARB brand fittings and hoses. Maybe one day, I’ll come back with ARB brand stuff, but for now this works no leaks and holds pressure great.

 

damn thats a good setup man, great job... just for informational purposes what made you go next to the fog light?.... one more question i see a lot of guys add a 1 gal tank to their system, is that so you don't have to continuously wait for the pump to reload with air, thus making the whole process quicker?

 

I went there because I wanted a connection that was quick and easy to get too. I also figured that come time for a bumper, it’s already there and alittle extra slack in the line I’ll be able to mount on to it when that time comes.

 

well that certainly makes sense, i have no future plans for a full bumper, maybe slimline down the road for me... mod look useful and well thought out man keep it up, always looking for innovation and inspiration