AlumEscape Expo Build

Most recent shot - Cape Lookout NC - 2017:


Well I figured I ought to get a build thread going on here to track the build of my Tacoma now that it's really gaining some steam. First the basics, it's a 2012 DCLB MGM with the Sport package that I picked up new in December 2011. I really didn't plan to do much to it and was going to keep it stock other than some little things here and there as I already had a play toy (a fairly built '85 Bronco II that I swapped in a 4.0 V6 with efi, small lift, ARB locked front and rear, winch, custom bumpers, etc).

That lasted a about a year or so while I really only added some gingerbread stuff like Wet Okoles, vent visors, did the foglight anytime mod, added the Sienna heated mirrors, etc. When I came due for new tires that's about when build really started to pick up steam.

Now that I've bit the bullet and started building this rig too it's definitely gained some personality. I'd call it an Expo style build, which despite being a bit of a trend right now, is definitely done in my case for a reason. The last major project on my list was a ground up Expo trailer – check it out here – which has now seen a few thousand miles and a good bit of the east coast. The intentions are in the next couple of years are to further the capabilities of each and do some extended test trips in the Utah and Colorado areas and push for an eventual trans-america trip to check off some major items from the bucket list.


Exterior Work:
Install ARB Bullbar and Warn 9.5xp-s
Partial debadged dailgate
Plastiderped Tacoma on doors and tailgate
Fog light anytime mod
Pop-N-Lock manual locking tailgate handle
LEER 100RC with Thule Racks
MGM headlight mod
Color-matched the Toyota badge on the grille
Custom “Expedition Edition” bedside decals in matte black from spieler

Interior Work:
Wet Okole seat covers, front and rear
Weathertech floor liners, front and rear
Weathertech vent visors, front and rear
Lighted 4x4 switch using stock 4Runner switch
LED dome and map lights
FJ Cruiser lighted foglight switch
Scan Gauge

Suspension/Drivetrain Work:
OME 90000 front struts, 886 coils (driver side shim), Toytec 1/4 top-plate spacer
Light Racing UCA's
OME 60091 rear shocks
OME Dakars with 1/4" spacers
OME D29XL's
All-Pro U-Bolt Flip Kit
Goodridge stainless steel extended brake lines
B&M 70264 transmission cooler

Wheels/tires:
Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 16x8 in Graphite Gunmetal (x5)
Duratrac LT265/75R16 (x5)

Other Stuff:
Install EBC Stage 5 brake kit
Sienna heated mirrors
Locking bed compartment door mod
Manual switch override for reverse camera
LED lighting in topper interior courtesy of mattgecko
Redline hood struts
Fotga VCI Cable for TPMS sensor reprogramming for rotating in second set of wheels/tires
Tekonsha P3 brake controller
ARB 2000 Awning for PrInSu Rack with custom lighting
All-Pro Rear Bumper w/ double swingouts, Rotopax fuel cans and a custom propane setup
Dual Diehard Platinum 35 batteries on custom tray/hold down
Blue Sea 7622 Charging System
ARB 50qt fridge, slider and transit bag mounted in the bed
Custom bed drawer setup now completed here
Viair 450C compressor and 2.5 gallon tank
On board water using 16 gallon bed mounted tank and FloJet pump
Extended rear diff vent
PrInSu Topper Rack with MaxTrax Mount and Pelican Case
Iggy LED driving lamps on the ARB
OTRATTW LED Contura switches (ARB foglights, Iggy LED driving lights, reverse lights, air compressor, winch power & winch in/out)

To do this year:
Rear ARB 1250 awning
AT fridge slide and Partner Stove

Additions Down the Road:
Sliders and skids
4.10 re-gear with ARB's, front and rear


First week I had her:


A couple miscellaneous shots through the last year with various upgrades:

^ Installing the OME lift



^ Front done, not a fan of the bro look



^ Excited to get that fixed



^ Much better, even with the stockers



^



^ I was on the fence for a long time about getting a topper cause she looks so good naked – I knew I need the space for the next stage in the build though so I bit the bullet.



^ Went with the LEER 100RCC so that I could get the factory THULE rails with the added roof capacity and went with the windoors on both sides to get access to all my gear. Very happy with the decision!

More pics of old work coming soon along with fresh updates of work as it's done!

 

Nice build man!

 

You happen to have pictures of that dual battery setup?
How do you like the 35? I just put one in my truck the other day. Went with the 35 because I didn't really feel like messing around with the cables to make a 65 fit.

 

I really like your truck. You gonna put a RTT on your camper. Would you feel comfortable doing that?

 

Truck looks great, nice build so far!

That trailer is impressive! Well done man, pretty talented

 

Thanks man, these things snowball outta control on here quick!

 

Indeed I do Tacotrd311! I wasn't originally going to go with the 35's but I found them at a price I couldn't pass up and it fit the direction I was generally heading with having a second dedicated battery to support the ARB fridge, water pump, air compressor, aux. lights, etc. I think a single 35 would still be a step up from the factory and I've been happy with them so far. A buddy of mine has been running his dual 35's for a few years now and likes them a lot.

I've always run dual battery setups in my trucks so this got the same treatment. By running the dedicated house battery with the Blue Sea I'll never get stuck some place because something was left on in camp too long. The bonus of the Blue Sea is when drawing heavy loads like a cold start or winching, the relay can be manually overridden by the in-cab switch to pull from both batteries without the low voltage disconnect kicking on.

Anyway, the tray was fabbed from some 2” x 1/8” angle I had leftover from a previous project and some 2” x 3/16” flatbar bent to get the tray sitting at the right height in the stock location.


^ Mocking the flatbar and tacking to check fitment


^ Stock battery and plastic tray out of the way



^ Checking the fit

The fit is quite tight but I didn't need to modify the stock parts other than moving the stock battery cables around to suite the main battery posts being shifted around.


^ Gave myself some wiggle room for the bolts to mount the tray to factory holes on the inner fender support/tray and burned on some long studs to secure a bar to hold the batteries in the tray.


^ Tossed on some paint


^ Back in the truck and bolted down with some thin rubber isolator material to do things right


^ Used some scrap 2” x ¼” aluminum for the bar


^ Blue Sea Auto/Disconnect/Connect switch mounted in the console


^ Finishing up the cables, the battery on the left is the starting battery and the right battery is for all the accessories. The Blue Sea controller is mounted on the top of the fuse box behind the batteries and I fabbed up a panel to bold to the inner fender to hold my main breaker and the auxiliary fuse panel. I've still got some wiring to do once the ARB comes and I get all the lights mounted up but I've got the power now!

 

Thanks TacoMAUI95, a RTT on the camper probably isn't in the cards. Between the roof vent being up there and the solar panels, I'd be giving up quite a bit to get a RTT on there.

I have considered one day down the road picking one up to toss on the Tacoma if the right deal came along as it'd get me off the ground and you don't always want to haul the camper some places.

 

Thanks teneighty, one day I'd like to figure out how to make money at it instead of spending it all

 

Thanks Kevin, there's certainly going to be a lot of updates in the next couple of months to get the thread up to date plus all the goodies I've been squirreling away over the winter

 

That looks awesome, really nice clean setup. Thanks for posting the pictures.

 

Nice clean looking truck!

 

Heated Mirrors – Used factory Toyota parts to get heated mirrors with a factory appearance. Part Numbers used include:
Heated Mirror Switch – 84871-48030
Plug Connector for Mirror Switch – 90980-10789
Heated Glass, RH - 87931-AE020
Heated Glass, LH - 87961-AE020
CONN-11856 Sumitomo TS / SL Female Terminals for Plug










FJ Cruiser lighted foglight switch:
FJ Cruiser Foglight Switch -

$91 84160-04010 Fog Light Switch, regular

84160-04010
Plug Connector for FJ Cruiser Foglight Switch - 90980-11090






4Runner 4x4 Switch - I really wanted the lighted switch and have no idea why Toyota couldn't do this!
4Runner 4x4 Switch - 84724-35020
Plug Connector for 4Runner 4x4 Switch - 82998-12420
Bulbs (green) - 90010-01062







Bed Door Locks - Did the lock mod on the bed storage doors too using CCL 62207 locks:

 

I'm glad I stumbled on this build. Looking good. I'm looking to go in the same general direction with mine, so I'm looking forward to some ideas from yours. Thanks for sharing.

 

Sick! How much was the lighted 4x4 switch? Plug n play?
Looks good

 

I ended up getting a smokin' deal on it at the time of $40. The list was about $75 which wouldn't have been worth it to me.

The install was nearly plug-n-play; the switch fits right in the stock Tacoma hole once you get the darned thing out. The only mod required is connecting into the dash light circuit for the 4Runner switch lights which I did with the pigtail part number listed above. I tied into the wiring going to the climate controls and presto - lighted switch!

 

Once the topper was on I went ahead and pulled the ARB fridge from the cab where I had it and fabbed some mounts for in the bed.




The mounts use the existing bed bolts to avoid unnecessary holes and guarantee that nothing moves.



I installed the cover while I was at it.
The first iteration of power to the bed used a Blue Sea 6 circuit fuse block mounted in the passenger side storage compartment. The fuse block is fed by the second battery using 2ga wire, leaving room for future items.
And a brew for a job done.
Next up – bed storage including drawer, on board air and on board water; stay tuned!

 

Nice rig! Definitely going to refer back to your build for the dual battery setup. I recently went with the Die Hard G35, with plans to add a second one for extra power.