Build Log on a College Student's Budget

Hello, I'm making this thread mostly to document my first ever build.

This is Glenda, a basically stock 2006 Double Cab Short Bed TRD Pro with 202,432 miles.
I say mostly stock because the only mods that have been done up to this point was to install Bilstein 5100's on all 4 corners, but the were set to stock height. This truck has been in the family since day 1. My dad drove her as a daily driver for about 10 years until it was given to me to learn how to drive, then to my sister, then back to me when I went off to college in Oregon. My goal is to build a very reliable, but still off road capable overlander. This will be a slow build log, but I can't wait to see what she turns into.


**Side Note** If you think I'm about to do something dumb let me know, and what you would do instead.

 

Whelp, first install was one I've been excited for for a while. I replaced the stock coils with Old Man Emu 2885 Coils on the front. I saw just below 3" of lift from these coils surprisingly, but only about 2" from stock height. The truck hauled a camper trailer above the tow capacity across the US and back twice so the stock coils were just beaten to exhaustion.

I've had some vibes for about a year, but with he install of these coils, it got worse. I went ahead and also installed the Old Man Emu Carrier Bearing Drop Kit and that definitely cleared some up but still more than I want/ think is good.

Here's what she's looking like now:

So next step, because the back is only sitting about .5" higher than the front, and I do carry semi-heavy loads I need some more rake. I'm gonna throw on 1" rear lift block and a 3 degree axle shim which should hopefully clear up the vibes and get the truck looking perfect for the new tires coming soon.