3rd Gen Tacoma x Moto Build - Big West Road Trip

Creating this thread to document upgrades to my 2023 Tacoma TRD Sport.

I'm planning to road trip for a couple months as I move from TX to CA, living partially out of the truck and getting off road where I can.

Some goals for the build:
- Sleep comfortably out of it for 3-5 days at a time
- Haul a motorcycle (Royal Enfield INT 650)
- Capable off road in light / med duty trail conditions
- Spare payload capacity for another person, food, water, gear
- Look cool as hell

Thank you to the collective wisdom of everyone here for knowledge about what I should consider for different parts of my use case.

Base truck:
2023 Tacoma TRD Sport Access Cab v6 4x4 Long Bed

First upgrade:
Leer 180 camper shell (next upgrade: getting it painted)

 

Don’t paint the topper …it screams old school classic

 

I agree with this.

 

Second upgrade:
Tune by @Texoma
Thanks, Chris!

 

Third upgrade:
I painted the topper. Shoutout to Ralph and the guys at MAACO New Braunfels. I'm stoked about it. It's okay if you're not

 

Looking good so far!

 

Now time for that lift n tires

 

It's been awhile! Lots moving on this build.

Fourth upgrade: Suspension
Bilstein 6112 / 5160 shocks + Icon RXT multi-rate leaf pack

Thanks, 4Lo Fabrication!

6112s were set to 2nd from max circlip. Leaf pack was set to stage 3. Docs say I should have gotten ~2.25 in front and ~2.625 in rear lift. Failed to measure the ride height before so unsure of actuals, but I have documented how the suspension settled in over time which has been really interesting.

Day 1 rake: 2.6875 in





Progress photos:


Rake measurements

Front (floor to fender) = 36.6875 in
Rear (floor to fender) = 39.375

 

Fifth upgrade:
JoeHauler Deluxe Cam-Loc Heavy Duty Hitch Carrier

I'd been stuck on getting a trailer vs other options to bring my motorcycle with me. The Harbor Freight and Black Widow carriers just don't seem that well made, but I won't have guaranteed storage for a trailer at every stop. A nice guy from San Antonio posted this burly hitch carrier on FB Marketplace -- my lucky day. It's definitely broken in, which gives me confidence it'll keep on kicking for my trip and beyond.

Rake measures -0.625 in with bike on the back and truck otherwise empty. Don't love the squat, but the Icon leaf pack is doing its job, and I think it'll be close to 0 when I'm in the cab with all my gear.

Unloaded:


Loaded:


Rake measurements:

 

Suspension update:
The suspension has been settling in. Loading the bike definitely helped. We're now back to factory rake (~1 in). Pretty pleased with how it's sitting, especially with the camper shell up top.

I've decided to run through the stock tires before going bigger, so this is the rig that will take me cross-country.



Rake measurements:

 

Hitch carrier update:
The bike fully covers my taillights, so I added

$22 BlyilyB Oval Cargo Carrier Stop Turn Signals Tail Light Light Kit with Waterproof 4 Pin Grommets Wire Harness For Luggage Rack (Pack of 2)

these auxiliary lights to the hitch carrier. It's the details.