The "Reasonable" Tacoma Build

Alright, I've bitten the cyanide pill and decided to make an excel sheet.


Oofers. And probably a few more grand to go when you consider gearing, a wrap, and some other things.

 

Oooh this is good for me to follow, I'm also thinking of getting the smartcap and throwing a RTT on it. Let me know what you do to match the height of the Cali raised rack, I also have the same one.

 

Okay, it’s been a minute so I figured I’d do an update.

I’ve been debating for some time between doing a cab relocation or cab chop. With my 0mm offset, I was getting some rubbing on both the inside fender and the cab mount. I decided to start small and go with a cab chop. Considering that that cab chop kit from SDHQ is $35 and the cab relocation kit from DRT Fabrication is $265, starting with the chop made the most sense. So my buddy and I went to our local welding supply store, picking up a bottle of gas for his MIG Welder, and got started cutting.


We actually had to cut a lot more than we originally thought. My best advice for this is to use the template, cut the dead area, and make small continuous cuts until the plate sits flush. Grind everything smooth, tac the plate in place, lay some dimes, and use the grinder and paint to make that look mint.


I also had to opportunity to clean up my butcher chop on the upper portion of the fender where we removed and flipped the bolt for the upper control arm.


After all that, there’s still a bit of rubbing, but only during certain movements. My main concern is the wiring harness that’s in the driver size wheel well. My tire is rubbing on that a bit, and I need to find a good way to relocate it that’s not zip tying it to a fuel line. Toyota obviously thought this was a problem, as the model years after mine had this cable relocated. Oh well, problem for another day.

Other than that cable, the only rubbing I can see is from the inside fender. This is easily cut with a knife. I’m kinda holding off on it until my DRT Fabrication bumpers come in, so I can install Gear Tech Custom’s FEND-X wheel liners.

 

You’re in luck! I got around to installing my 270 awning and have some feedback.


270’s are expensive but worth every penny. If you’re gonna use a SmartCap with the Overland Vehicle System’s Nomadic 270 awning, you’ll need to fab up a custom third bracket for the part that hangs over the cab. OVS provides a third bracket, but as far as I can see the height difference between the cap’s rails and the height of the roof rack don’t provide enough room. I’ll get back to you on this when I come up with a solution.
As for roof top tents, I haven’t really looked at them yet. My buddies rig isn’t anywhere near ready to go camping, and with a baby due in a few months, camping isn’t in my immediate future. Lots of research to do on tents in the meantime!