AK's UBRLND TuRD

Here is how she sat a few hours before getting on the ferry



I bought this 01' Tacoma back in Feb of 2015 and right off the bat (lot?) I was into the adventure! To make a long story short (kinda) it involved me driving the 730 miles from Anchorage, AK where I bought the truck to Haines AK where I was catching a ferry... in a little over 24 hours because I was... well...not smart. Mind you I did this alone, in the dead of winter with a few extra jerry cans, a wool blanket and lots of Monsters.

What I though would be simple drive a bit... take a nap... make it there, turned out to be MUCH more than I bargained for. To sum it up... I took a 4 hour, 200 mile detour to Valdez because I wasn't paying attention.... I was blown off the road due to very worn "winter" tires and forcasted 90mph winds and was luckly pulled out by a helpful passer by... I nearly froze my hands off in -52 F weather spilling fuel all over myself because all the gas stations were closed... then I fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road a 2nd time (again, being rescued by a passer by)... in the process learning that NO AMOUNT of 4x4 will help you get out of snow thats past your frame without the proper tools.... then having to deal with a flat tire because I popped the bead running off the road... and because karma hadn't had enough with me that day... spending 3 hours trying to change a flat tire with a stock bottle jack and larger tires in the middle of no where... and finally making it to the ferry in Haines with 30min to spare.

Let me just say to those of you actually reading, this was a STUPID idea in the first place and I realize now that things could have gone a lot worse.. as in die on the side of the road in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. I can't even use the "oh you were young and dumb" excuse... I knew better, I was just excited to get the truck and go on my little "excursion". It was a definite eye opener and a story I can tell my kids as a warning to never leave the house... or drive for that matter

That said, it was a pretty stock 01 Tacoma TRD, with worn springs, a non functioning rear E-locker, worn tires, broken window motor and other neglected maintenance items that I at least got with an ARE camper shell and for a good deal. Since then I have done the following upgrades with Pics to follow:

Suspension:
Eibach Coils from Toytec
Bilstein 5100 front, 5125 rear
OME Dakar Rear Leaf springs (+Deaver AAL)
1" front Diff drop

Wheels/Tires:
16" steelies all around
255/85 Toyo MT's (pizza cutter all the way)

Engine:
Standard tune up items
AirRaid air intake tube
Deck Plate Mod

Electrical/Coms:
BamaToy1997 200A alternator
AGM Battery
9" LED xprite bumper lights
30" Xprite light bar
LED roof rack lights
LED Interior lights for camper shell
Complete wired switch panel for accessories
Additional fuse box for accessories
Cobra CB mounted in ashtray location

Armor/Recovery:
ARB Front Bumper
4x innovations rear bumper w/ swing out tire carrier
4x innovations skid plate
Trail gear rock sliders
Rear frame reinforcement plates
Smittybilt XRC 9500 winch (hard wired switch in cab)
Full recovery gear bag
Maxsa recovery boards
High Lift-Jack
Axe/Shovel

Accessories:
Prinsu roof rack
ARE topper

I'm really enjoying this rig so far, and while there aren't many places to explore here in Juneau, I'm looking forward to future adventures. I'll make sure to update as I do mods from here on out!

 

A couple weeks ago I had to do something about my lingering issue... so I tackled it head on and got some other stuff out of the way, full explanation here >https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-repair-rebuild.280849/page-2#post-16372544

But some highlights of a "Fun" week of grinding... grinding... sanding... grinding.. cutting, and a little bit of welding!

 

You guys knocked this out in a weekend? Holy shit, nice work.

 

I spent the weeknights doing the dirty work prepping and fitting, the actual welding only took a couple hours, and I had everything coated in POR15 and put back together exactly a week after I took it apart

 

Truck looks great man! The frame rot on these Tacos and 4Runners are crazy.

 

Thanks, it's got a bunch new pinstripes due to narrow logging roads, but to me it's a tool. I'm all about keeping this old girl on the road, so the frame repair was a must. The forward part looks great... It was just around those spring perches that it gave way. When I picked up the truck you could tell it was a neglected area.

I've got a bunch more maintenance items to take care of... Fix my ebrake, change out the timing belt, fix my e-locker... The work won't end... I'm sure by the time I'm done with one list I'll have something new to fix!

 

That's usually how it goes! Fix one thing and something else goes wrong. Been there, done that!

 

Truck looks great.

How are the Toyos in the white stuff? I think I want the 255s, but am think I'll need to run winters for the slush and ice that we are known for.

 

They do pretty well, not quite as good as BFG's but I can't complain. I've got a friend that runs Toyo MTs on his F250 and had them sipped... He swears by them now, I might try it.

 

Your buddy's 3/4 ton has weight on his side. I've seen a 1ton on half tread muds outperform a tundra on winters.

You guys got snow yet? She dumped on us pretty good last week, and it's not letting up

 

Just got our first snow today, only a few inches, but supposed to stay below freezing for the next few weeks. Juneau is pretty mild compared to the rest of AK.

 

My guess is something to do with the ocean. Kinda like west coast BC.


Cool pic, I'm digging the 255 Toyos. They look so good

Edit: maybe one of the mods want to move this to 1st gen builds. Easier for folks to see all the truck builds. @jberry813

 

You guys wanna help me prioritize my maintenance/ upgrades??? I've got a good idea, but might not be looking at the whole picture. Starred items are things I've already got parts for:

1. Track down P1135 code* (recently replaced downstream A/F sensor with Denso 9003... still showing CEL, I've gotta track the voltage and do some testing)
2. Fix Rear E-Locker
3. Replace CV's (both upper boots are torn.. no clicking or other symptoms though)
4. Change Timing Belt* (current one has about 40K.. but that's un-verified)
5. Replace Center Support Bearing* (did this about a year ago... but used a cheap Dorman bearing... I ponied for an OEM)
6. Install Manual Brake PPV* (ripped this out when I did the frame repair... it looked like a piece of KFC fried chicken and ended up leaking after pressure washing) Braking has been good without so far, but have the part so might as well!
7. Fix E-Brake* (have new Bell Cranks... originals are seized beyond hope)
8. Rebuild R150F (I've got a tough time going in 1st and 2nd, already replaced shifter bushing with one from Marlincrawler... I've got throw out bearing whine and I'm pretty sure syncro's are going)
9. POR15 rest of frame

Kinda just "Wants":

10. Install Snorkel* (Lol... should be #1 priority huh?)
11. Buy/Install Rock Sliders
12. Buy/Install Rear Bumper/Carrier
13. Install Dual Battery System
14. Install On-Board Air System
15. Replace UCA's

Oh... and I second the motion to move this to the other build threads

 

The tacoma I picked up had good tread BUT there were cracks inbetween. I had them replaced immediately and drove it home. slow and steady.

We all make mistakes, we learn from it.

 

I would kick the CVs up a notch. Kinda vital if you want 4wd. Not sure how serious the problem is though. And I envy the snorkel haha.

Have you or PO done any kind of maintenance on the tranny? Even just fluid change? Check what the fluid looks like. If there are brass shavings in it, that would be what's left of the synchros lol.

What is a Manual Brake PPV? Never heard of it

As for the e-locker, mine crapped out on me last year. I hesitated to do anythin till I read a thread on ttora on how to take it apart and clean it up. Did that, worked for a while. Crapped out again. Replaced with junkyard e-locker for $400cad. Cheaper than any other I could find. If it happens again, gonna swap the axle to an 8.4" non elocker and put an ARB in it. Already have an ARB up front, so not much added cost for air lines, compressor etc.

Edit: number 16 should be headlight restoration. Did mine a year ago, still pretty clear. Did my dad's tundra. Night and day brotha

 

I'm not looking forward to jumping into the 1135 code... It seems like a wild goose chase for many!

 

Cause I own a 1st gen too

 

I guess it really depends on what you want to do in the next few weeks/months. I like to have everything fixed or working before I start modding. CELs are the absolute worst too, they drive me nuts.
If you use 4x4 a lot I'd work on either replacing the boot (Ive never done) or the CV itself.

 

Lol, looking over my list... I should really fix the ebrake... That way I don't have to chock my wheels to warm up the truck in the morning!

I have no trips or long hauls planned until next spring, but that's my deadline for ALL maintenance items. The bumper and rock sliders will probably be tax return presents.

As far as my transmission, it's not terribly pressing. It's certainly worse when really cold, but other than that it hasn't gotten worse since I've owned the truck.

Im torn on the CV's (pun intended!) Other than having spread grease when they first started going I haven't had any issues. I don't get the chance to really wheel here in Juneau, so they'll only see paved roads with the occasional snow use for the next 6 months.

The CEL and and brake stuff will be first, and I'll tackle the timing belt over the holidays. And while it's in the warm garage, might as well coat the rest of the frame! And fluid film the inside if I can find that here