What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Nice bedslide! I got a well used one from a friend who bought a truck that already had it. He didn't want it so I offered to haul it off and cut a new deck to fit the taco and cut the side rails and painted everything. They're a totally worthwhile mod for anyone with a low rack or a camper shell.

 

Tailgate custom made by Ghostship. Tire carrier and foldiwn table.

 

It’s 4 3/4” from bottom of truck bed to top of cargo deck.

that’s awesome, and glad to hear you like the mod, I haven’t gotten the opportunity to actually use it, but I’m enjoying the thought of not having to crawl under the canopy to snag something from a cooler or readjust everything to snag a tool.

what’d you end up using to re-deck yours with?

 

I bought some 5/8" plywood, I didn't think it would need to be any thicker than that because the side walls add a lot of strength as well.

 

I ran 2.25" backspacing. You generally need to be less than 3" to be totally rub free.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking. Thanks.

Fuck, I really don't want to run 2 inch spacers, but it looks like that's what I'm about to do. That would leave me at 2.75 inch backspace overall.

 

that small capacitor on the OEM tweeter is part of the tweeter crossover, I believe it’s for the high frequencies

 

You could also just deal with the frame rub. I know folks that do that and just be conscious of your slightly more limited turning.
I wouldn't wanna go to a 2.75in bs either. That puts you at an absolutely massive scrub radius.

 

I have a total of 3.25" (OEM 4.5" + 1.25" spacers) and I rub the frame but only at full lock. FWIW the rubbing at full lock I have never felt stopped me from being able to attempt any obstacle. I ran 2" for one trip and that same trip the rear wheel bearing went/axle seal started to leak. Not sure if they were shitty spacers or coincidence but it made me feel like it was to much spacer putting the pressure too far outside the axle vs doing it the right way with proper wheel back spacing. I'd give the 3.5" a shot before you slap the 2's on.

 

I got some track from US Cargo Control. Just the standard L-track. I'm happy with the track and anchors I've used, with a few caveats.

Their screw countersinking is a different angle than what you'll find at a regular hardware store. I guess the angle they use is common in the airline industry (I don't remember where I read that--somewhere on the internet), but it means you'll want to spring for the pricey hardware. Unfortunately, the pricey hardware comes with generic (non-locking) nuts and small washers. I upgraded to fender washers and nylock nuts from the hardware store for peace of mind.

I found that their pricing can vary between their website and their Amazon store, and that some of their combo kits are significantly than buying the same parts individually. Shop around. Be careful about mixing brands, though--the track and anchors aren't standardized, so not all brands are compatible. Look for YouTube videos testing different combinations.

 

Most people don't read the thread in its entirety.

 

Def try out the 3 before going to 2, but keep in mind that will also change where you have to cut on your fenders & flares I'd imagine. And possibly affect the shape and size of your tub job.

I ran into the same thing thing with the L-track I installed in my bed.
Although I don't think it's the end of the world if the countersink isn't exactly the same and off by just a little bit. As long as it's not taller and sticking up into the track

 

I think, the way I'll approach this is using a wheel/tire off my wife's Silverado. Her tires are just about an inch taller than these, and about an inch wider. Her wheels are 4.5 inch back space and I have a set of 1.5 spacers that I can use for mock up.

That way I'll be using a bigger tire and more backspace, to figure out what I need to cut. I'll also have the bumpstops all the way removed.

I think that should give me all the clearance I'd possibly need. Obviously the frame could still present a problem at full lock and stuff, but at this point I'll probably deal with it.

If it makes crazy noises on the trail, I'll tell the wife it's the truck saying it wants long travel.

 

This x2.

I'm running 35x12.50s with 4.0" backspacing.

Let er rub the frame, you'll be better off in every other way with less backspacing. Plus you don't look stupid with tires sticking way out. #stance

 

This explains why Frank's steering wheel has so little influence on directional control.

 

I installed this

$44 Universal Baja Inca Saddle Mexican Blanket Mini Truck Seat Cover

"Mini Truck" Seat and steering wheel cover to try and mitigate the heat from the sun on the vinyl. It's really not a bad fit. It'll get much better with a steam. The cover doesn't match the bench seat behind the shifter, but that's my only complaint. Maybe the universe is telling me the makeshift cupholder I kept there (which was just a big cup that wedged in pretty well) needed a revamp.


EDIT: it looks like you can get a cover from this company that'll be correct, I just got item #80003 instead of #80004. Their website is csdashcovers.com, but I couldn't find what I was looking for there or on Amazon.

 

Speaking of 35s, did some further testing of them, along with the new Northwest Fab ecocrawler this weekend.

 

I looked at it, does that count?

 

I wan to be there...

 

Thank you for the detailed reply, I appreciate it. US Cargo was one of the brands I was considering along with MAC. Glad you mentioned the fasteners being a different angle, I’d already decided I’d skip on over to the hardware store for some cheaper stuff—you saved me.

Have you found one particular style of anchor to be superior or more useful than others? I noticed US Cargo has a lot of flavors when it comes to them.