Once Red, Now Voodoo ACLB Build, Photography, and Trip Reports

I don't have a lot to build so this thread won't be too exciting but I'll probably post trip photos, mods as they happen, mini reviews on gear. I'm a self employed photographer so you can probably expect photography gear talk too (for what it's worth I shoot Pentax full frame).

My truck is a 2016 Barcelona Red TRD off road access cab built late 2015. I've had some small hiccups with the transmission but nothing egregious and it's comfortable in gear select mode or simply using ECT. I feel like the transmission has learned since using ECT more often and in drive it drives a lot better than it has in the past. Maybe I'm imagining things.

Currently the truck is sitting on 265/75R16 General Grabber Arctic LT and will be until the end of April as per BC highway laws and has 255/85R16 Cooper ST Maxx for the summers. I've recently acquired my Cap-It Bulldog HR colour matched canopy with a solid front window and standard sliding screened windows.

 

My Cap-It Bulldog HR arrived in November after an extremely long wait. I'd ordered it back in July and was quoted 4-6 weeks despite Covid-19's presence in BC. I'm sure they could've quoted me longer to be safe but these days you never know what's going to happen. It has a solid front window and standard sliding screen windows on the sides. The tall windows are fixed.

Measurements in inches as follows:
Door clearance: 42.5
Back end height (inside): 47
Bump by cab (inside): 43
Back window height: 19

Needs some extra weather sealing (rubber strip) on the door but that's easy to fix and it will need a good deal of silicon sealing where the bedsides meet the front of the box - this was expected.

 

Nice truck. I have the same feeling about my SL Blizzaks coming from the 255 Coopers in the summer. I'm going to go with the Hakka LT3 next time because they're D load range.

 

I considered LT3s because I knew Nokians are fantastic but decided to give the Generals a try. If I recall correctly 4WDABC members get a discount on Generals if you live near a shop that's a corporate sustaining member (which I am not as it stands) so I figured if I liked them this round I could always travel to get another set discounted down the road when it's time for some new winters.

 

A simple frame for my bed platform. I've been going back and fourth trying to decide how to do this all the while being too dizzy and nauseous to move due to migraines and vertigo for the past few months.

Next step is a reinforced plywood platform (as myself and two dogs are pushing 340 pounds) and some hinges. I plan to cut down a double wide foam mattress I have in the spare room to the correct size to accomodate the length of the bed less some space to act as a device platform. I also have two bins with hinged lids that will fit side by side underneath for storage be it food, cooking supplies, clothes etc.

 

Well, it was red but I put a deposit down for a new Voodoo Blue TRD off road access cab that should arrive in May. TSS saves on insurance costs - 10% in BC with autonomous braking and collision sensors. I'm also excited for LED head lights, power seats, and of course Voodoo Blue.

I'll be having my canopy either Rhino Lined or wrapped black but I'm thinking a wrap will be the better option for me. I also have a set of old aluminum wheels that I'll be having sandblasted and powder coated clear. They're stored in the shed currently but I'll take some photos in the next few days and post them here.

Still waiting on a lift option. I'm thinking likely just the basic Old Man Emu suspension kit so if I ever decide on BP-51s I can save my springs. Will definitely be purchasing HD Dakars as the back end is getting pretty hefty with my bed platform, canopy, camping equipment.

Edit: Did not realize LED headlights would be excluded from Canadian makes but it does make sense with all of the ice and snow we get up here for 6 months a year.

 

On a non-truck note I finally purchased my 70-200mm f2.8 lens and god damn, it's a big one. It's over four pounds by itself and I can definitely feel the difference in my camera bag. I'll need a new camera bag at some point as well - the Lowepro ProTactic 450AW has treated me very well but it's one heavy bag. I want something light than can accommodate at least my Pentax K1, 24-70 and possibly 70-200 as I pack my camera on backpacking trips (the bag will act as extra padding inside my proper hiking pack).

 

I haven't taken out the 70-200 for any reason yet due to a hospitalization two days after it arriving at our local camera shop. However prior to all the medical stuff I was able to take a short walk to watch the fog ebb and flow above town. The skies we get here can be truly amazing.

 

These are my new to me aluminum wheels. I did a quick once over when I bought the set for $200 and found no cracks. They'll need to be sandblasted to get the corrosion off and I want either a gunmetal or silver powder coat PLUS I'll have to buy a new set of TPMS. I won't be worrying about this for at least another month and a half as winter tires are required between October 1st and April 31st.

They were used on a Tacoma but the seller didn't know backspacing or offset. Backspacing will be fine and offset looks pretty close to 0. I love the old school look.

 

New truck's due date is between May 12th and 16th. I'm excited for some of the QOL upgrades. I'll post photos here if I remember. I'll also be having my red canopy wrapped black with a possible topographic decal in grey, or grey wrap darker grey decal. Not too sure yet.

 

New truck arrived about a week ago. Small details have changed and I'm enjoying the upgrades. Auto headlights is standard and they can't be turned off manually, infotainment system is much nicer albeit significantly slower. Seats feel like they have a stiffer foam in the bolsters and of course the driver's power seat is amazing.

Transmission updates are a saving grace. The truck drives beautifully in plain ol' drive mode but as expected still feels like a dog with 60lb 33" tires. I keep it in S4 going up hills but stay in drive around town.

As stated I've put my 255/85R16 Cooper ST Maxx on and I'm excited to take it to some trails this summer and see what I can find around my health authority. Currently in BC all travel outside your health authorities is banned however Northern and Interior are connected so I have 3/4 of the province at my fingertips.

 

Congrats on the new truck, one of my favorite colors...really pops!!

 

Thanks! They did great on Voodoo Blue here and with the FJ, I haven't been a fan of a Toyota blue since Indigo Ink and the even rarer FJs.

 

Did some mild backroading, starting point about 100km west of town. Took a FSR about 75km down to a series of lakes, enjoyed the fall colours, and found a lot of great little offshoot trails that bring you down some fireguards that I'll consider once I have self-recovery gear under my belt. A lot of the trails look like they bring you quite far into the bush, and some seem to bring you to unnamed lakes/ponds which sounds right up my alley.

The last photo is just a glimpse at one of our fire centre's biggest fires of 2021. Bad year for fires but hopefully we see some healthy new growth soon.

 

Bit the bullet and ordered Greenlane Offroad bed stiffeners. Figured a heavy cap and heavy camping (me, I am the heaviest item, plus two dogs at 55lb each) means I'm due to try to not implode my bed sides and composite liner.

Run time is about 3-4 weeks which isn't too bad, probably be camping season around then. Hopefully I don't ship up north before then but I guess I can have them shipped to the new place.