Potential Tacoma Build

Hey everyone,

I have been reading threads now for roughly three months and I believe i'm ready to pull the trigger on an '08 4x4 TRD Off-Road, Access Cab Long Bed i've been looking at.

I recently was in an accident and totaled my '06 Tundra, equip with Fox 2.5s, LR UCAs, Icon rear leafs, and the whole tire and cosmetic getup ect ect. Loved this truck, shame its gone. I used the insurance pay out to pay for college housing and books and such, so i'm starting from scratch and am ready to build a new vehicle.

Basically, I had a few questions about the vehicle its self, then was wondering if y'all would take the time to read over the build. The vehicle is meant to be used to get around campus, so rarely any street driving. Will mostly be used for exploration, and blasting down a couple trails. Will possibly have to make the trip from Lubbock to Austin twice a year, though.

Questions:
Is the rear locking diff automatic? By locking diff, I hope it means a legitimate locking differential? My buddy's TRD Tundra's "limited slip" is sub par and doesn't do much.

How are the departure angles on the long bed from experience? The approach angle, especially with a skid bumper, seem awesome. I'm worried about both my line of sight and departure angles in the rear, though.

I'm assuming the stock V6 set-up is enough to compete? I mean, Rubicons have 3.5 V6s after all, and most of those carry 35/12.5+ tires.

I plan on running 285/75R16 Trail Grapplers, will regearing be necessary? To fit them, I plan on front fiberglass fenders, accompanied by 2.5 Foxes and a new leaf pack in the rear (any brand suggestions?)

Build
(I may sound stupid, but am not experience enoughe with a mig to weld parts onto the truck, so if anything is not bolt on, i'm open to suggestions)

Fox 2.5" Front Coilovers
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...spx?t_c=1&t_s=90&t_pt=3306&t_pn=FOX880-02-376

Uniball UCAs
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...p.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=101&t_pt=3158&t_pn=EXP57002B

Rear 2.0 Shocks
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...spx?t_c=1&t_s=90&t_pt=3306&t_pn=FOX980-02-372

Fiberglass Front Fenders
http://glassworksunlimited.com/prod...14-toyota-tacoma-front-fenders-4-flare-3-rise
(assuming these will fit access cab...?)

AAL Pack (Is 3" too much? Don't want to crank the Foxs past 2.5")

Front Bumper + Winch (Welding required? Best looking bumper by far that i've come across)

Tire Carrier
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-....aspx?t_c=64&t_s=26&t_pt=3902&t_pn=B/ATC-5293

Rear Bumper
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-....aspx?t_c=64&t_s=26&t_pt=3486&t_pn=B/ATC-2961

I will use 285/75R16 Trail Grapplers on MB wheels from discount tire (hopefully... too much offset? I've read 10.5 is what most use, but haven't found any definitive answers)


Thanks for taking the time, and hopefully I can put another Tacoma on the road soon.