That CATERPILLAR guy's SR build

Start off by saying this is the first Tacoma I've owned and love it so far. And this is the first forum I've been a part of, so this will be my first build thread also. Just a little something for me to keep track of everything I've done to it so far and we'll be doing to it along the way. It's been a slow build and will continue to be. Hopefully it'll show some love to the SRs that a base truck can still be pretty bad ass when given the time and effort. I'll keep updating the OP as I go the best I can, enjoy my slow build!

Day I brought it home, 2017 SR 2.7L 4x4 5 speed, as basic as you can get, just the way I like from the dealer, less fancy shit to break later down the road.



First few mod I did 265/75/16 Pathfinder A/Ts (discount tire brand of the hankook Dynapros), caliraised ditch brackets and sideshooter lights.

And the raptor lights, thanks to @Casper66 for the inspiration from his second gen.



First trip with the truck to Gorges state park with an awesome group of people, hooked and can't wait to get on more trips and get more experince.





Snow Day!!



Now time for the lift ome 888 coils, Bilsten 5100s up front with Light racing upper control arms. Block in the back for now with toytec shocks until dakars. Will be ordered shortly though I hope. And thank you to @remgu2000 for the hookup on the bed bars, those are painted black now also.



And some fog lights finally, went with some amber led pods.

 

1st sub

 

Save your pennies! The best mod I did with my 4cyl was the LCE header and AFE drop in dry filter. I also removed the secondary filter. I did this after adding the heavy assed tires. I made a run to Greensboro with everything on the motor still stock and then a couple more after installing the header and filter and they really made a difference. The header is a direct bolt in to your stock exhaust

 

Great start on your build btw!

 

Nice! I look forward to your build.

 

Nice start! How level is it with your current suspension? Looks pretty level from the pics. What size block in the back? I'm thinking about the same lift on my SR.

 

Thank you! And It squats a little in the back to be honest, the longer you look at it, the more you notice it. I would suggest at least an 1.5" block in the back or 2" if you're going with blocks in the rear. I'm hoping I'll be able to order some Dakars soon and pull the block out

 

Okay thank you, that helps me alot! About how long have you had the suspension on? I'm wondering if it's settled yet.

 

Right around two months, I haven't taken any measurements, but I haven't noticed that much settling, at least not enough for me to notice lol

 

Little Uwharrie run this weekend with the girlfriend. Mostly played around on the gravel roads and did one run on Wolf's den.

 

Sliders ordered, new leaf springs next

 

Nice build! I’m just up the road from you in a concord and our trucks look pretty similar! I have a 2018 SR....is yours a manual trans??? I wanted manual bad but was told it was not available with the 2.7 in 2018.

 

Yep, mines a 5 speed! But it's a 2017 though. I got really lucky with finiding it, I went to look at a used 2nd gen and found this on the lot for the same exact price, and it was exactly what I wanted when I was looking at the 3rd gens. And if you're on facebook, look up, Queen City off road Toyotas, they do a meet about every month, would be nice to meet and see you're truck as well!

 

Does the rack make me an official overlander now gonna use it to run the full size spair for wheeling/camping trips so I don't loose bed space

 

I wonder if my dealership was lying when they said you can’t get a manual trans on the 4cyl SR in 2018....

 

I don’t believe so, didn’t Toyota stop the manuals in 4-cyl trucks in 2018. So last year for a manual trans 4-cyl is 2017.

I love the SR trucks, everything I need and am willing to pay for. Just wish they would put a power sliding rear window in the DCs. Maybe by 2020...

 

I have a 2017 SR and I agree, the truck has everything I need for what I use it for and the price was right. I’ve never been big on having a lot of extras in my vehicles, just more things to break in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing where you go with it.

 

Oh and they need to let you select the Utility Package with the V6 also!

 

Any rub with the stock wheels and the lift when off-roading?