cbechtold's Long Travel IFS Crawler Tacoma Build and BS Thread

IMG_7693 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Picture from: 08/11/2023

Background:

Hello! My name is Cory and this is my 2001 Toyota Tacoma. I picked up my Tacoma back in early January 2014. Initially, I wanted to keep things tame. Small lift, some nice tires and wheels, and some sliders for some mild protection. Needless to say that went out the window real quick. At this point, I'm basically building a rig that does it all. I'm actually not trying build the Swiss Army Knife of Tacomas, but at this rate, it'll probably happen. So in the meantime, I'm just enjoying the build process, fixing problem and repairing things as it comes along. Feel free to tag along and say "Hi" on the trail if you see me.

Table of Contents:

Demello Off-road Hybrid Rock Sliders: Click Here

Icon Vehicle Dynamics/Old Man Emu Lift Kit: Part 1: Click Here Part 2: Click Here Part 3: Click Here Part 4: Click Here

Relentless Fabrication DIY Predator Front Bumper: Click Here

Relentless Fabrication DIY Wrap Around Rear Bumper w/ Homemade Swingout: Part 1: Click Here Part 2: Click Here

Bedlined Fender Flares/Debadged: Click Here

Homemade Bed Rack 1.0: Click Here

Goodyear Wrangler MTRs x Cragar D-Window Wheels: Click Here

Windshield Wiper Reservoir Relocation: Click Here

Rear Diff Breather Mod: Click Here

Blue Sea Systems Auxiliary Fuse Block: Click Here

Paranoid Fabrication Din Switch Plate: Click Here

4crawler Axle Relocation Plates: Click Here

Relentless Fabrication 3/16" IFS Skid Plate: Click Here

Tepui Autana Sky RTT: Click Here

Color Matched Grill: Click Here

Homemade 1/4" Belly Skid: Click Here

Homemade Hi-Lift Mount: Click Here

RTT Strap/Buckle Upgrade: Click Here

Homemade Bed Rack 2.0: Part 1: Click Here Part 2: Click Here

Warn M8000 Winch: Click Here

Homemade Electronics Mounting: Click Here

Wotefusi 167 Series Hilux Snorkel: Click Here

Phase I Complete: Click Here

Test Fitting 35s: Click Here

Inchworm Gear Crawlbox and Triple Sticks: Part 1: Click Here Part 2: Click Here Part 3: Click Here

Battery Relocation: Click Here

Action Packer Rack: Click Here

ARB CKMA12 Air Compressor: Click Here

Crawlbox Mount: Click Here

Flowmaster 40 Series Muffler: Click Here

ScanGauge 2: Click Here

Deck Plate Mod: Click Here

Airaid Modular Intake Tube: Click Here

Hayden 678 Auxiliary Transmission Cooler: Click Here

Bedside Reenforcements: Click Here

Spiker Engineering Hood Struts: Click Here

ICON Vehicle Dynamics UCAs w/ Delta Joint: Click Here

Tubbing for 35s: Part 1: Click Here Part 2: Click Here Part 3: Click Here Part 4: Click Here Part 5: Click Here Part 6: Click Here

Yokohama Geolandar x Stealth Custom Series F5: Click Here

MCM Fab Long Travel: Click Here

T100 Booster & Master/ABS Delete/Tundra Brakes: Click Here

Rebuilt 5VZ-FE Motor: Click Here

Sequoia Rear Axle Swap: Click Here

Phase II Begins: Click Here

Nardi Gara 3/0 and NRG Hub/Quick Release: Click Here

Nitto Trail Grappler MTs x Trail Ready HD-17 Beadlocks: Click Here

Dual Batteries and Auxiliary Electrical Overhaul: Click Here

Steering Overhaul: Click Here


Current Modifications List:
Engine/Drivetrain:
- Fully Rebuilt Long Block 3.4L 5VZ-FE V6 by Main Machine
- Automatic Transmission (A340F)
- Inchworm Gear Crawlbox, Adapters and Triple Sticks (Sumo 4.70 gears)
- J-shift transfer case out of a '97 Tacoma (modified to work with the triple sticks)
- Hayden 678 Auxiliary Transmission Cooler
- Evil Energy Oil Catch Can
- Flowmaster 40 Series Muffler
- K&N Cold Air Intake
- aFe Pro Dry S Air Filter w/ aFe Pre-Filter
- Wotefusi 167 Series Hilux Snorkel

Front Suspension:
- MCM Fab & Design +3.5" Long Travel Kit
- Fox 2.5x8" Short Body Coilovers
- Eibach 18" 500lb Springs
- Fox 2.0x2" Air Bumps
- PRP Limit Straps w/ Kartek Clevis Mount
- Eimkeith Strut Tower Reinforcement
- Total Chaos Coil Tower Gussets, Spindle Gussets & Cam Tab Gussets
- Total Chaos Lower Uniball Conversion for Heim Steering
- Total Chaos Long Travel Heim Joint Steering Upgrade
- Sankei 555 Inner Tie Rods
- 333 Fabrication HD Billet Rack Clamp

Front Axle:
- Toyota 7.5" Clamshell
- Non-ADD Diff Tube
- 5.29 Nitro Gears
- ARB RD-90 Air Locker
- RevTek Front Differential Drop Kit
- Modified Tundra CV Axles
- 13WL Tundra Brakes

Rear Suspension:
- Fox 2.0x12" Smooth Body Shocks w/ Piggyback Reservoir
- Fox 2.0x2" Air Bumps
- Old Man Emu Dakar Leaf Springs + D43XL AAL
- MaxTrac Shackles
- PRP Limit Straps w/ Kartek Clevis Mount
- Homemade Outboard Shock Mounts
- RuffStuff U-Bolt Kit/Lower Shock Mounts

Rear Axle:
- 2002 Sequoia Rear Axle w/ 8.4" Differential
- 5.29 Nitro Gears
- ARB RD-129 Air Locker
- Tacoma Pinion Flange

Tires/Wheels:
- Nitto Trail Grappler MTs (315/70R17)
- Trail Ready HD-17 Beadlocks (17x8.5 4" BS)
- Apex Designs Rapid Precision Valves (Standard Length)
- Full-size Spare
- Dorman Wheel Studs (610-463)

Armor/Protection:
- Relentless Fabrication Front Plate Bumper DIY Builder Kit
- Relentless Fabrication Wrap Around Rear Plate Bumper DIY Kit
- Demello Off-road Hybrid Rock Sliders
- Relentless Fabrication 3/16" IFS Skid Plate
- Homemade 1/4" Belly Skid

Interior:
- Nardi Gara 3/0 Steering Wheel (350mm)
- NRG SKR-120H Hub/SRK-200BK
- Sony MEX-BT3100P Bluetooth Receiver
- ScanGauge 2
- Paranoid Fabrications Din Switch Plate (6 switch holes)
- Homemade Clock Replacement Switch Plate (2 switch holes)
- OTRATTW Snap-In V-Series Switch Bracket, End, Set of 2
- OTRATTW V-Series Panel Plugs
- Homemade Electronics Mounting Tube
- Ram Mounts Large Phone X-Grip, Medium Length Arm, .75" - 1.25" Tube Mount
- PRP Enduro Reclining with Adjustable Headrest Seats
- PRP Tacoma Sliding Seat Mounts
- WeatherTech All-Weather Floor Mats

Exterior:
- Color Matched Grill
- Debadged
- Diaz Fabrication Devil Horn Emblem
- Custom Rack for 4 8-gallon Rubbermaid Action Packers

Lighting/Electronics:
- Dual Optima YellowTop Group 34/78 Batteries (relocated to the bed)
- ICT Billet Battery Trays
- KeyLine Dual Battery Isolator
- Switch Pros SP-9100 Unit
- Blue Sea Systems Fuse Panel, Terminal Block, Bus Bar, Circuit Breakers & Battery Cut Off Switches
- Fastronix Military Spec Battery Terminals, Remote Charging Posts & 3/8" Power and Ground Junctions
- ARB CKMA12 High Output Onboard Air Compressor
- BX Built Retrofit Headlights
- Baja Designs Squadron Sport - Pair Driving/Combo Amber
- Baja Designs S1 - Pair Wide Cornering Amber
- Lux Lighting Systems MAX White LED Rock Lights
- Nilight 18w Cree LED 3" Flush Square Flood Lights

Recovery Gear:
- Warn M8000 Winch
- MasterPull 5/16" Superline Black Winch Line
- Factor 55 Flatlink, Rope Guard & Fairlead
- 48" Hi-Lift X-treme Jack

Miscellaneous:
- Trimmed Fenders 3 inches
- Tubbed for 35s
- Slider cut back to clear for wheels while turning
- Homemade Bedside Reinforcements
- Spiker Engineering Hood Struts
- Relentless Fabrication Tailgate Reinforcement
- Cruise Control Relocated to Steering Column

And this is where it all started. One owner, super clean, all the bells and whistles, no off road miles, detailed dealership maintenance records, and 222,266 miles.

 

Future Build Plan: (I'll update this as time goes on!)

For those interested, I'm currently steering my build in a very heavy performance benefiting and sort of end goal focused direction. Mods that you will see are either to help the truck perform better either on road or off road, or to help get the truck one step closer to my end goal: a daily driven rock crawler/overlander/race truck thing.

It's a tall order and it's a lot to ask for from one rig that being mainly being built for performance on the rocks, but I believe it's very doable. The hard part is definitely going to be road manors since this thing is still my daily driver for the time being. Just going to take some time to get right.

Do keep in mind that this isn't a finalized list in any capacity. Just because you see a project and/or product on this list doesn't mean I am 100% committed to seeing it on my truck eventually. If you see anything on this list that you either don't know anything about and are curious to why you'd maybe want it on your build, feel free to leave a comment.

Next on the List:
- New Front Fenders
- Gas Tank Skid Plate

Eventually:
- Linked Rear Suspension
- Rear Frame Boxing

Kinda Whenever:
- Sound Deadening
- New Front Bumper
- 1/4" IFS Skid Plate
- New Rear Bumper
- New Rock Sliders
- Rear Diff Skid

Future Plans:
- Built Fabricated Ford 9" Rear Axle
- Atlas 4 Speed Transfer Case
- Interior Roll Cage
- Magnuson Supercharger or LS Swap

Trip Log:

2017:
- Hollister Hills - 01/06 thru 01/07/2017 - Click Here
- Uncle Tom's Cabin - 02/19/2017 - Click Here
- Usal Beach - 04/21 thru 04/22/2017 - Click Here
- Signal Peak - 06/02 thru 06/04/2017 - Click Here
- Bald Mountain - 06/23 thru 06/25/2017 - Click Here
- Slick Rock - 08/11 thru 08/13/2017 - Click Here
- Eagle Lakes - 11/11 thru 11/12/2017 - Click Here
- Rubicon Trail - 12/9/2017 - Click Here

2018:
- Eagle Lakes - 01/28/2018 - Click Here
- Slick Rock - 06/01 thru 06/03/2018 - Click Here
- Deer Valley/New Slick Rock Entrance - 08/11/2018 - Click Here
- Slick Rock - 10/13/2018 and Bald Mountain - 11/09 thru 11/11/2018 - Click Here

2019:
- Uncle Tom's Cabin - 03/10/2019 - Click Here
- Slick Rock - 08/16 thru 08/18/2019 - Click Here and Here
- Bald Mountain - 10/25 thru 10/27/2019 - Click Here
- Uncle Tom's Cabin - 11/30/2019 - Click Here

2020:
- Slick Rock - 08/22 thru 08/23/2020 - Click Here

2021:
- Prairie City - 02/15/2021 - Click Here
- Lost Lakes - 07/02 thru 07/04/2021 - Click Here
- Slick Rock - 07/31 thru 08/01/2021 - Click Here

2022:
-

2023:
- King of the Hammers - 02/5 thru 02/12/2023 - Click Here
- Fordyce Creek Trail - 07/14 thru 07/16/2023 - Click Here
- Tacos on the Rubicon - 08/11 thru 08/13/2023 - Click Here
- Zukicon - 08/25 thru 08/27/2023 - Click Here

 

First things first, Sliders! Running boards are absolutely ugly and provide no protection, at all. Need the protection for future endeavors.

Before:


IMG_0909 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_0911 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

After:


IMG_0921 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_0923 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_0927 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_0932 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Sliders were always going to be first. They're considered a nessassarity nowadays when wheeling. I've also been around Jason at Demello Off-road for quite sometime now. Pretty much all the bumpers and sliders on the vechiles in the family are Demello and it was easy to get hold of a set of sliders.

 

Nice man! Those sliders turned out awesome. I wish I had the extra cash to do what you've got going on, Sub'd .

 

Thanks. I'm very excited about what's in store for my truck. It'll probably be awhile before it happen though.

 

Man, if you got the stuff get out there and get to wrenching!

 

I tell you, I would but the front coilovers are the only parts that are currently here. I'm going to order rear shocks soon, but I really need to make my mind up on what leaf springs I'm going to go with. I'm pretty set on either Deaver J59s or Old Man Emu Dakars. I'm just working out the smaller details at this point.

 

It took forever for me to decide on what leaf springs to put in the back of my Tacoma, but I've decided to go with Dakars since they'll support weight then the Deavers, and since I do plan to invest in a rooftop tent sooner or later. It will help a lot more when I have a bit a weight in the bed of the truck.

With lifting the truck, I have everything in a spreadsheet that I would like to invest in and I plan to start ordering parts rather soon. What I'll order and when I'll order, I have yet to know, but I do plan to have my Tacoma lifted, hopefully, by the end of the June or beginning of July. It could end up being later, or sooner, if something interferes with my schedule.

 

Bought some more parts today for the lift kit that will be going on my truck in the near future...

ARB Old Man Emu Dakar Leaf Springs (OME-CS046RA & OME-CS046RB)
ARB Old Man Emu Bushings (OME-SB89)

 

Youll like the OME suspension. I know I enjoy mine and it took me forever to decide. Congratulations on your choice. Looking forward to seeing where yours goes from here as a fellow silver and 02 body Taco

 

Thanks. Just like you, it was rather hard for me to choose what I wanted to go with until I drove my father's Tacoma a few times, which has all ICON parts for the suspension. Ride was great on road and I've heard many great things about it off-road. For the leaf springs, I knew it was either between Dakar or Deaver, but my father had Deavers on his FJC before he linked the rear. Consistently, he told me that I would have to contact Deaver to get leaf spring that wouldn't fail on me. Plus, the Dakars were quite a bit less the Deavers, so that influenced the decisition a bit more.

All in all, I'm happy with what I've chosen and I can't wait to get all the parts for my truck. Varying when that will be, I would like to say maybe middle of July, but I don't know. I'll just have to wait and see.

 

Got home from work today and these were at my front door...


Untitled by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Very excited!!!

 

Dang Id hate to wait that long for all the parts, Id have to get them all at once lol. It was bad enough waiting for my full kit to come in. Looking like you got a good setup started, cant wait to see it on the truck

 

It does suck to wait, but I know the wait is worth it. Give or a take a few weeks and I should have my truck lifted. By then, I will definitely will know that the wait was worth it.

 

Got some more parts today for the lift kit... All I need is the rear shocks, which I should be ordering rather soon, and then it's lifting time!


Untitled by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Lesson learned: Make sure to buy two of the bushing sets when buying the Dakar leaf springs. If you only buy one, then you have only enough bushing for one leaf spring.

 

So, I was going to wait until next week to install my lift kit, but I was bored and had nothing to do and that boredom lead to the lifting of my truck, despite not having my rear shocks. Shocks should be here Tuesday and I'll install them when I get them.

Here we go. Here's the old setup in the front:


Stock Coilovers by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_8238 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Brand new ICON Coilovers:


IMG_8237 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


ICON Pass by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


ICON Drive by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

I know it's so highly debated, but I also installed a diff drop while at it.


Diff Drop by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Then started on the rear.


IMG_8268 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Old rear set up:


Stock Rear by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

I cut down the exhaust pipe while at it.


IMG_8277 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Dakar Leaf Springs:


Dakar Leafs by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Overall, I'm very happy with the way the lift kit came out. I'm liking the new stance that the truck has now. Drove it for a bit afterwards and it rides very well, but it does sway a bit on the bends. I sure the rear shocks will help a ton with the rear and the way it rides.

Here are some pictures of the truck as it sits with the lift.


Post Lift by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


Post Lift - Side by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


Post Lift 2 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

I'll be installing the extended rear brake line tomorrow or the next day.

 

Installed the new extended brake line for the rear today. Now to wait for the rear shocks.

I'll have pictures up when I get the rear shocks installed.

 

Subbed

 

Rear shocks finally came in. To be 100% honest, I was too excited to finally have the suspension done, so I ripped out the shocks from the boxes and didn't look to see which was which. I quickly solved that after 10 minutes. Anyway, here are the rear shocks...


IMG_8297 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_8298 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_8299 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Like a said in a previous post, I extended the rear brake line. This was just a spare that my father had around from when he built SAC'D FJC.


IMG_8303 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Sooo... The rear axle is completely dropped and the brake line still has a lot of slack. 25 inches might be a bit overkill but it works, most importantly.

As a bit of a hint to what to see later this afternoon, I got a little something something from BAMF.

 

Finished up the suspension today with BAMF's BPV Bracket.

Started out like this...


BAMF BPV Bracket by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Ended like this... (Sorry that the second image is a bit blurry.)


IMG_8309 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_8312 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Not the prettiest, but it works. May have had a few issues along the way, but I'm happy that I finished it with plenty of time to spare. (I also may have just learned that paint doesn't dry in 5 minutes...)

As a small side note, now that I've installed the rear shocks, I believe that the rear has been raised even more now.


IMG_8317 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

It might be just me, but I'm going to leave it as is for now until I get bumpers and skid plates and then I'll start to adjust the suspension. I might invest in 4crawler Axle Relocation Plates, since the rear wheels do seem further forward than before, but until then, I've got a lot of time to think of what I really want to do to my truck next.