Alaskan Adventure Build

Current: 29 Mar 24



How i got it:



Long story short, i bought my first Tacoma in 2010 (2010 DCSB prerunner) and it served me incredibly well right up until i came down with orders to Alaska after graduating flight school..


I knew immediately my 2 wheel drive prerunner was not going to be the answer for life in Fairbanks. So, after talking to my pops about the what i should get instead he offered to trade me 1 for 1 his 06 AC Off Road because he was in southern AZ and could scrape by without 4x4. I most definitely got the better end of the deal… Thanks again, Dad

Needless to say this truck will forever hold a special place for me, it brought me to Alaska and has been a rock solid reliable travel companion ever since. It’s Never let me down, from -55F to more snow than any truck should endure.



It really wasn’t until about a year ago, after having owned it for 7 years and doing nothing but basic maintenance i decided it might be time to start a build.
I went out and bought a “big boy” truck.. first little one was on the way and Access cabs are about as useful for car seats as a Harley lol


The Ram hauls my water, heating oil, and pulls the camper, but will
never replace the Tacoma.
(yes, my house needs water hauled to it LOL) #alaskalife

i guess this is where the fun begins.. I’ve been an avid fly fisher since i was a little squirt, and one thing Alaska does do better than anywhere else is fish.. So i figured, let’s build a dream Alaskan hunting and fishing truck.

 

First thing you’re gonna need in Fairbanks is a good set of Moose lights.. It’s dark 24 hours a day in December and not much brighter until about march. So, keeping with the “style” of 2006 i went with 4 KC Daylighters. Mostly because my Dad had a pair on his 93 xtra cab growing up and they bring back fond memories of the smiley faces.



Paired them with an NFab light bar mount that bolted straight to the bumper support through the grill.

 

Tossed Bilstein 5100 all the way around with an Icon 1.5 AAL on to fix the squat.

Before:



After:

 

MPG’s in the chopper?

 

We count them in smiles per gallon

 

truck is nice though! you obviously live out some cool stuff

 

Knew i needed to add some sort of roof rack… went with an off grid from Yakima first.


absolutely hated it on the truck.. so i put it on my wife’s 4R and bought a Prinsu cab rack

 

First came the Cab Rack that i ended up getting for a steal off FB marketplace.

 

Took me some serious soul searching to decide on the Access Cab rack… i didn’t know if i could drill 12 holes in my roof.. turns out.. i sure can
went really slow, used drill bit collars and metric ass ton of RTV

 

Extremely Happy with the full rack.

 

Had to add a CB, still a primary form of communication with the ice road truckers.
actually got this one second hand off a buddy of mine who used to drive the haul road. Fabbed up a little mounting plate for the A-10 60” antenna and routes the coax through the vent in the rear of the cab.

 

Put studded Hankook IPIKE winter tires 265/75/16 on the stock wheels. this is my winter set up, a necessity 7 months out of the year for me, and after running blizzacks i can attest that nothing compares to studs besides full chain rigs

 

Running SCS Ray 10s in a -12 offset wrapped in Cooper discoverer S/T 265/75/16. An amazing job from SCS.

 

Bought a color matched 2011 TRD sport grill to finally get rid of that autozone looking chrome catastrophe that came on the OR.

 

Debadged the truck today.

Step 1: Heat gun, medium heat and continuous movement.

Step 2: 20lb triline to saw off emblem. Go slow and reheat if necessary.

Step 3: Goo Gone and heat for remaining adhesive

Step 4: Clay bar treatment to remove debris from paint

Step 5: clear coat cutting compound and buffer

Step 6: wax and polish

 

How do you like your antennas ? The A-10 & weBoost.. there both on my list.& Nice write up & Truck.

 

Thanks, man! I use the CB daily, mostly to listen to the haul guys talking nonsense lol but it definitely comes in handy on the Parks or Rich during winter. Also real time weather channels so that’s saved my but a few times too. The Weboost is okay.. don’t get me wrong, it works but it’s definitely not a miracle worker.

 

Ya, we have sent a Bunch of “Loads” your way. Will order antenna tomorrow. Thanx

 

Beautiful rig! But who needs a 4x4 when you can take the chopper?!

 

well that’s a good point.