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the bjmoose daily driver build

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Builds (2005-2015)' started by bjmoose, Jan 2, 2015.

  1. Jan 2, 2015 at 8:55 PM
    #1
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    The bjmoose "daily driver that also goes on pretty tough trails" build. :)

    It's risky to say that you're "done" modifying your truck. But I've pretty much achieved all my goals. And, after eleven years of ownership, it's time to think about something new.

    Final Update:
    Bullwinkle has been sold and has moved on to a new life living in California gold country. Fair winds and following seas.


    [​IMG]

    Folks often come to TW asking "what mod should I do on my truck?"

    That's putting the cart before the horse, IMO. The real question is

    "How do I use my truck?"

    and then

    "How could my truck do that job better (if at all) ?"

    I bought my truck in fall of 2010 to use

    1. as a daily driver to work - nearly 40 miles a day in silicon valley rush hour traffic.
    2. to go on camping trips on isolated 4x4 roads
    3. to haul stuff for projects around the house
    4. to tow my 3000lb sailboat/trailer combo

    Out in the sticks of Joshua Tree national monument:
    [​IMG]
    (OK "Fins" isn't isolated. sue me.)
    [​IMG]

    A bed full of firewood rounds:
    [​IMG]
    You can barely see the truck - but everything to build my son's eagle scout project fence below rode in my truck over a county park 4x4 trail
    [​IMG]

    Some folks would buy a daily driver and then buy a dedicated trail rig for "wheeling". But I'm not into "extreme" wheeling where damage is a given and I wanted a fairly new and bulletproof reliable rig for off-roading. I don't want to risk avoidable breakdowns. Nor do I want to use an extra parking space, pay extra insurance, etc... in order to have two vehicles.

    Pretty much as soon as I bought it and got underneath on a creeper, I realized that it had less ground clearance than the 1994 F150 it replaced. Yes, ON PAPER it has more. But the F150 measures under the front pumpkin, and can drive over a bigger rock than that anywhere on the front axle. The Tacoma measures that under the front splash pan, and that's ALL the clearance you get. :mad:

    So I pretty much decided right away to lift it, and put on oversized tires. I invested WAY to much thought in that decision. I decided to install OME, and wrote an install thread that was ultimately "stickied" in the suspension section:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/su...talls-full-ome-kit-rear-brake-lines-pics.html

    [​IMG]

    After about a six months and a very long road trip, I got tired of "twitchy" and installed LR UCAs to get some caster back. The story of how I got them aligned:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/su...earance-driving-report-light-racing-ucas.html

    Pretty quickly discovered the stock bench seat sucks:
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...sks-why-damn-bench-seat-so-uncomfortable.html

    and ripped the circulation-cutting steel rods out of the bench and installed permanent lumbar support
    [​IMG]

    Very first wheeling trip discovered that lifted tacomas don't articulate for shit and need a locker as a traction aid:
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/128301-arb-air-compressor.html
    ARB HO Compressor mounted to driver side fender:
    [​IMG]


    Truxedo Lo-Pro, Hi lift jack, gas cans...
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/143973-bjmoose-mounts-nato-jerry-gas-cans.html
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ed-factory-bed-divider-hi-lift-jack-pics.html

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Installed a HAM Radio and CB radio for communications. HAM is better, if you're wondering. But it won't help you if everyone you're travelling with with only has CB.

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...ose-installs-ham-radio-nmo-antenna-mount.html
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/150095-bjmoose-installs-cb-cobra-75-a.html

    In addition to showing the HAM radio, this pic also shows my "wheelskins" wheel cover and leather TRD shift knob minor mods consistent with the truck's "daily driver first" philosophy.
    [​IMG]

    I'm particularly proud of how clean the CB antenna mount came out:
    [​IMG]

    Relentless sliders, Pelfreybuilt skids, Relentless High clearance rear bumper: (Sorry no pix of skids.)
    [​IMG]
    I only installed a rear bumper after flattening the exhaust into the passenger side rear quarter panel TWICE. (First time I hammered it out, bondo'd it up, and touch up painted it. Second time, I ordered a high clearance bumper. Departure angle on our trucks, sucks. If you're going to armor the rear bumper - make it high clearance. These shots show why.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Originally a receiver mount winch -
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/144184-bjmoose-installs-receiver-winch.html

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Grillcraft grill with BAMF light mount and 7"HIDs behind the grill
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/249576-hids-behind-grill-how-much-light-loss.html

    [​IMG]

    Backup cam and backup lights:
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/310664-backup-camera-backup-lights.html

    Really bright reverse-backup lights and backup camera may well be my favorite mod for day to day use.

    "Keeping the sway bar on" is consistent with my use of my truck. I drive on the road and also need to be able to hand the keys over to my wife and sons for them to drive the truck as needed without worry. But I wanted to improve articulation - so I spent a fair amount of time and effort investigating and trying to fab up a disconnecting sway bar. Ultimately this effort did not succeed, and I just leave my swaybar on.

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...e-fabricates-2nd-gen-sway-bar-disconnect.html

    You'll notice I've done a hell of a lot with my truck while keeping stock front bumper. I liked the versatility of the receiver mount winch, but ultimately the inconvenience taxed on me. I got tired of pulling it out when I wanted to use it, and having to remove it from the bed when I wanted to use the entire bed for transport. So I decided on the new CBI "Dakar" front hybrid bumper.

    [​IMG]
    (even more bumper pics a couple of posts down)

    Complete list of mods:
    Suspension:
    OME 885 springs, Nitrocharger shocks, Dakar leaf pack + AAL, "Light Racing" upper control arms

    Wheels/Tires
    Black ProComp 7005-7883 17x8 wheels with GoodYear MT/R Kevlars 285/70R17

    Gears/Diffs:
    4.88 gears, ARB air locker front and rear

    Armor:
    Front CBI Dakar bumper
    Relentless sliders
    Relentless High-Clearance rear bumper (pretty much no point in doing a rear bumper that isn't high clearance IMO)
    Pelfreybuilt skids

    Lights:
    BHLM
    (Was 2 7" HIDS behind grill)
    (Now 20" curved light bar + 2 7" light bars)
    Rear LED backup lights (Bright!)

    Communications:
    At one point I had the following:
    HAM: Yaesu 8900 70cm/2m/6m/10m (skip that - save a few bucks and just get the 7900R or the 8800 model if you really want independent two channel operation. At the end of the day, I don't find it useful, and wish I had larger/simpler buttons instead.)
    CB: Cobra 75
    ==
    But I removed the Yaesu when it failed, and nobody uses CB anymore. The 1/4 wave 2m/70cm rooftop HAM antenna leads into the cab where there's a pigtail that it can be used to connect to an HT (Handheld Transceiver.) Since range has more to do with antenna than power, and the cab forms a great ground plane, this is a very effective set-up.

    Comfort/Misc:
    Wheelskinz leather wheel cover
    TRD leather shift knob
    Keribacks lumbar support and steel removed from factory bench seats
    WeatherTech floor mats. Yes, you CAN use them on a stickshift. But you need to trim the driver side so it doesn't hang up the clutch pedal when you push it in all the way. Don't be fooled if you engage the clutch and it doesn't stick. It'll happen later when you're driving through a busy intersection. :evil:
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2023
  2. Jan 2, 2015 at 9:02 PM
    #2
    cgs2k2

    cgs2k2 old man

    Joined:
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    very nice
     
  3. Jan 2, 2015 at 9:05 PM
    #3
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

    Joined:
    May 25, 2009
    Member:
    #17626
    Messages:
    13,752
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    Male
    VA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Pyrite AC TRD OR
    Spacer lift, bumper stickers, ejector seat, etc.
    Truck looks good Steve. Keep up the good work.
     
  4. Jan 2, 2015 at 10:05 PM
    #4
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    thanks. More pics tomorrow after I reinstall the winch in the new bumper.
     
  5. Jan 3, 2015 at 7:10 AM
    #5
    Mexicant

    Mexicant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2011
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    B
    Crawlerado
    Vehicle:
    Braap
    Very very very nice! Looks like all useful mods, cleanly installed. :thumbsup:
     
  6. Jan 3, 2015 at 7:21 AM
    #6
    Wild Crow

    Wild Crow Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Anywhere is home
    Vehicle:
    2014 Baja
    This is probably the best advice I've ever read on any forum since the interweb was invented.

    Nice truck!
     
  7. Jan 3, 2015 at 10:28 AM
    #7
    Chopper678

    Chopper678 Professional Threadjacker

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
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    Devin
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    '07 SR5 PreRunner V6 DCSB
    5100s@0.85"+Eibachs, Toytec 2" AAL, Weathertech floor liners, WO seat covers, UltraGauge, ammo box mod
    Very nice build and I like the philosophy. I might add that dedicated trail rigs cost next to nothing for insurance if you ever want to go that route. Good thinking on the seats, too! :thumbsup:
     
  8. Jan 3, 2015 at 10:36 AM
    #8
    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

    Joined:
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    Lake Tahoe
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    2012 DCSB Sport
    ...too much shit to list.
    A bjmoose build? :popcorn:
     
  9. Jan 3, 2015 at 11:49 AM
    #9
    DougDeBonet

    DougDeBonet Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2013
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    Doug
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2014 TRD Off Road
    I'm enjoying this. I like the advice on the rear bumper, I was debating. Guess I just have to shell out the extra cash now.
     
  10. Jan 3, 2015 at 12:07 PM
    #10
    JLink

    JLink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Josh
    Ocean, NJ
    Lifted, Locked, Armored. Ready To Wheel.
    Looks good. I've always liked your threads.
     
  11. Jan 3, 2015 at 3:37 PM
    #11
    urbncby

    urbncby Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2014
    Member:
    #130612
    Messages:
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    First Name:
    Scott
    Pittsburgh, pa
    Vehicle:
    '20 TRD Off-Road
    Ironman 4X4 Foam Cell Pro stage 2, 33” MT’s, Victory 4x4 winch bumper.
    Looks great! Looks like it works great too.
     
  12. Jan 3, 2015 at 6:46 PM
    #12
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    All the cool kids are doing it. I decided I'd join in in celebration of recently reaching the 5000 post milestone.
     
  13. Jan 3, 2015 at 7:21 PM
    #13
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    Winch solenoid installed for permanent front bumper winch.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I cut down the cheap solenoid mount that comes with it and placed a larger 5/16" bolt through it that holds it in place. Also had to flatten the sheetmetal on the back of the solenoid itself.
     
    MTopp likes this.
  14. Jan 3, 2015 at 7:22 PM
    #14
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    bjmoose creates his build thread
     
    MTopp likes this.
  15. Jan 3, 2015 at 7:28 PM
    #15
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
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    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    bjmoose always talks about himself in the third person.
     
  16. Jan 3, 2015 at 10:13 PM
    #16
    CCPTacoma

    CCPTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Noah
    Boise, ID.
    Vehicle:
    09 Trd Sport DCLB
    Any frontal pics of the bumper? i find CBI's website pics kinda weird with the shaded and non shaded sections..
     
  17. Jan 4, 2015 at 8:27 PM
    #17
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
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    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    Here you go. I finished installing the winch and the lights in the bumper today. It's a black bumper - so bumper and shaded holes ARE hard to contrast.

    Modding the old solenoid bracket so it holds the bolt that will hold it in position:

    [​IMG]

    In position:
    [​IMG]

    With "redneck engineering" rain/splash guard in place and cable shielding covering the unfused battery cable:
    [​IMG]

    All buttoned up, from various angles:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    These next two pics really show the gap between the bumper and the front grille
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    All in all you can really see that it's optimized for approach angle and for allowing lots of access to the winch. It's not like some other bumpers that may look a little more "finished" but it's harder (or impossible) to reach in and flip the manual clutch lever or pry a stuck line off the spool...

    Also, it's a really modern/recent design - the design is set up with the expectation that you'll be mounting LED light bars on it, rather than "old school" round lights.

    It's a good visual match to a high clearance rear bumper.
     
  18. Jan 4, 2015 at 10:40 PM
    #18
    Chopper678

    Chopper678 Professional Threadjacker

    Joined:
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    10,909
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    Devin
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    '07 SR5 PreRunner V6 DCSB
    5100s@0.85"+Eibachs, Toytec 2" AAL, Weathertech floor liners, WO seat covers, UltraGauge, ammo box mod
    I just noticed your license plate for the first time. That got me going!
     
  19. Jan 5, 2015 at 2:09 AM
    #19
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    60s TV Cartoons FTW. :)
     
  20. Jan 5, 2015 at 2:11 AM
    #20
    bjmoose

    bjmoose [OP] Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
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    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    On another thread (TW Live) HomerTaco wrote:
    That reminded me of something I'd forgotten.

    When the truck was brand new, I took it to my favorite body shop. I would have paid them to color match the grill. They wouldn't do it. They said it's plastic, and they often have paint adhesion problems when painting on plastic since they can't bake it at high temperature after they spray it. They wouldn't take the job since it wasn't worth the risk that it would flake or peel and I'd come back unhappy.

    After that I just learned to live with it.
     

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