Budley Build - Happy to be back

Very short history, third Tacoma, wife and I just sold our loaded JKU Rubicon and picked up this 2004 Double Cab. We spend most of our time exploring the desert SW and camping solo. Rubicon was super capable but too small. The rooftop tent was getting to be so difficult to get closed and get its cover back on that it was deterring us from camping. Can't have that. We stripped all the goodies off the Jeep and everything possible is going on the Tacoma. What couldn't reuse, we sold. This is the truck the day we picked it up.

 

We managed to immediately find a used Habitat for sale on CL in New Mexico. Even better, the owner offered to meet us at AT in Prescott, a 1-1/2hr drive from our home. We called AT, made the arrangements and within a week the Habitat was ours.

 

Before I forget, the name "Budley" comes from one of my wife's dogs she had as a child. He would go camping with the family when she was growing up. It seemed fitting. Anyway, with the added weight of the Habitat and other gear to come, some suspension work was in order. We chose to go with tried and proven and ordered up an OME heavy duty kit. I elected to include the full length AAL and I'm glad I did. The kit went on without a hitch and I did use the suggested trim packer on the drivers side front strut when assembling it.

 

I've since mounted our 50qt ARB fridge and AT Combo slide from the JK in the left rear corner of the bed. I also mounted the Storage Drawer from our JK in the bed. While it's handy for storage and keeping things within secure, it's just not an efficient use of space. I'll get a pic and add it but it'll be changing. The real point here is that it's already apparent that we need to add a set of airbags to the mix next, Daystar cups will be included in that endeavor. I do miss the articulation of the Wrangler and I'm not giving any up.

 

Another project tackled was replacing the incorrect battery and nonexistent mount that came in the truck, along with modifying and installing the dual battery setup from the JK. A quick call to Genesis to confirm the new wiring orientation (excellent customer service, highly recommended) and I was in business. I did have to lengthen the cable for the G-screen. I stole the Artec battery mount and starting battery from my FJ40 project. I've since fabbed up a brace from the mount to the core support and now it's rock solid. I'll have to grab a pic.
Accessory wiring to batteries is temporary. I'll be rewiring the whole Habitat when we have time.

 

Okay that's just about caught up. The truck had about 245k miles on it and while it looks to have been taken care of I didn't know when the timing belt had been done. This last weekend I replaced the timing belt, water pump, all belts & tensioner pulleys, etc. to include the AC tensioner pulley as it had a small amount of play. I've still got a loud whine at startup that goes away when it gets warm. I suspect the power steering pump and an to rebuild it myself in the future.
With the other new mods we needed an upgrade in the braking deptartment. After some research I did the Tundra brake upgrade with Brembo Rotors and pads and reman calipers. I reused the stock brake lines and fittings. Following advice on this board I drilled the fittings and hit them with a reamer and bam, perfect fit with zero leaks. Thank you TW! I can't recommend this upgrade enough. The difference is night and day. Keep in mind our truck runs around with an extra 500lbs in the back at all times. It was downright scary before the new brakes.
I'll admit that the added rotating mass of our new tires and wheels probably don't help matters either but you have to pay to play. We've been very happy with the setup so far.