2004 Tacoma build thread “the turd”

Start of my bumper build on my 04 Tacoma trd off-road 3 in lift on 33” mud terrain falkens. Previous owner failed to inform mye that he rear ended someone or something causing a little front frame damage. Was able to bend, pound and pound some more to get it as straight as possible. (Doesn’t effect driving)

 

Here’s the frame mostly welded/tacked up. I go by the code “grinding and paint make me the welder I ain’t”

 

Fitted the winch mounts and added filler plates with temporary blinkers. Disclaimer; when you cut/hook up new blinkers it does cause something in the wiring to make your blinker blink faster making it really annoying while driving.

 

Here it is painted with complimentary taco dog.

 

Here it semi completed. Added bull bar may redo it in the future and add headlight hoops, but for now it’s ok by my standards

 

Looks good. I want to build a bumper for mine but I’m going to build an off-road camper first.

 

Dctacoonny, I will post my overland rack build in a little bit.

 

Here’s my overland rack, made from 1/8 inch 2”/3” tubing and bolted to bed rails. Thought I had photos of when I was first building them but I must have deleted them.

 

Here’s my first trip with the tent and rack all together. Rack probably weighs ~65lbs And can hold my tent (~100lbs) my girlfriend dog and I so roughly 400 lbs without any issues. Also has attached to it an awning, axe, shovel, and hi-lift.

 

Rear bumper build:
Got free plate bumper from a buddy of mine and retro fitted it with 1/4 inch playing bolted to frame. Here’s a Rough estimation on where spare tire will be located.

 

Picked up a spindle from A to Z fab off of Amazon. Was the cheapest I could find for $50 (starving college kid over here), but it holds up fine! Sat on the tube will connected to hinge and had zero movement (~200 lbs)

 

Well tickle me upside down and call me Nancy, that’s a sweet rear.

 

Was going to do a full length swing out but decided to stick to just a half length and later on do a jerry can holder on the other side.

 

Here’s the carrier from behind. Should be enough triangulation for one tire. Holds up nice. Even sat on top of the tire and no movement.

 

All together from behind. Would eventually like to get it powder coated once I am fully done. Also plan on cutting rear fenders for a high clearance add on.

 

So you would have to fold out the swing out in order to open the RTT huh? Don’t see too many people orient it to open towards the tailgate.

 

Tashcomertexas, for now yes. I would have to add cross bars to the rack in order to orient off the sides.

 

Ah ok. I see now the rack doesn’t cover the whole bed.

 

Finished my dual swing outs finally. Waiting on some scepter military gas cans now

 

Boxed in the rear frame with trail gears kit. need to get new shocks now so I can relocate them and eventually do a u-bolt flip.