Bad_Guac build/mod/expense record

I was sort of talked into putting together one of these build treads. After thinking about it seemed like a good idea.

So here goes nothing.

This will serve as a record of what I've done to my 2021 TRD Offroad DCSB.

To be honest I have no idea what I'm really doing. I'm sort of learning as I go.
This is my very first Toyota and might be one of the only 4 wheeled vehicles I've owned that I've really honestly liked.

I originally put in my request for an allocation through my local Toyota dealer in the summer of 2021. It ended up getting to the dealer in late September.



This is the truck an hour after taking ownership, with maybe 10 miles on it.

The truck was spec'd with the "Advanced Technology", "Premium Offroad", and LED packages.
In retrospect I would've been fine without the premium offroad package (heated 'leather' seats, 'premium' audio, and moonroof) but whatever.

I wasn't able to control myself and had something like $3000 worth of aftermarket stuff waiting for the truck before it was even mine.

All the MeSo chrome delete stuff for the interior
MeSo mirror signals
Husky floor mats
Bed mat
MeSo dual color map lights
MeSo key fob
MeSo total tail light kit
Diode dynamics DOT/SAE amber fog lights





Very shortly after I got all that installed I bought all new 265/75R16 Falken Wildpeaks to replace the factory tires since I was living in the snow belt of NE Ohio.

And because I'm a child with adult money I also got 1.25" spacers from spider trax to really round out the 'mall crawler' look.




During the first few weeks I also removed the bedside stickers and all the emblems.

And to round off my first month or so of ownership I also bought a Diamondback HD bed cover.
I went with the 'smooth' version they had and elected to have all the cleats installed from the factory.



So that wraps up the first month or so of ownership.

 

The truck has stayed pretty much the same visually since then with a few tweaks.

Most of my mods from this point have been interior or hidden.



Teton Workshop shift knob was a Christmas present from my GF



Expedition Essentials 3TPAM was a Christmas present to myself



As well as a Snail Armor tailgate insert

 

At this point I started to actually have fun in the truck starting with it's first recovery!



We got something like 12" of drifting snow and my GF got high centered just outside of our driveway. I was able to yank her car back onto the drive and I drove her to work that morning.

This made me realize that I needed to invest in some legit gear that would help me be recovered or recover someone else.
I bought a bunch of stuff from Factor 55 including a kinetic rope, soft shackles, a receiver shackle point and some 7/8" steel shackles.
I also got a Pelican Air 1615 case to put it all in along with a Fiskars chopping axe and a folding bow saw from Agawa Gear (which will be important for the next bit of the story). I also tossed some other random crap in there like a hi-vis/reflective rain suit and vest, gloves, road flares, etc.



One day bored out of my mind I decided to take a little trip to a national forest in PA and it turned into an adventure i wont forget for a long time. The full story can be read In the trip reports section of the forum. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mistakes-were-made.756693/

The axe and bow saw came in clutch and got me out of a really crummy situation.



We also got invited to go on a couples vacation in the outerbanks. Anticipating beach driving I invested in a Viair portable compressor, Maxtrax, tire deflators, and a small shovel to keep in the bed. Im convinced that no one got stuck on that vacation because I was so well prepared lol.

 

It was at this point in our lives that some really big changes happened. My GF, no longer happy with her gig, decided to apply for a job in Phoenix! We were both stunned when she was offered a position almost immediately.
As big hikers and campers we decided to take a leap and sell our house and move 2000 miles from where both of us grew up.
There were some hiccups along the way, my career as a Utility Lineman had some hurtles I needed to jump over before I could make a move across the country. So we moved most of our stuff down with her while I stayed in Ohio to sort out the thing I needed to sort out. That turned into about 9 months of long distance which sucked big time.

While I was unsupervised in Ohio I kept buying stuff for the tacoma.

Diode Dynamics SS3 PRO ditch lights



And Diode's Stealth Light bar Kit



I also went on a few mini camping trips/adventures to keep my mind right





And then finally everything lined up and it was time for me to gtfo of Ohio!
I packed the rest of my crap in a uhaul trailer, picked up my old man and did a 3 day sprint across the country while the weather held in our path of travel.



I was impressed with the Tacoma while hauling the trailer. I'm not sure what everything weighed but it didn't seem like too much of a struggle besides the obvious long uphill climbs. I wouldn't want to drag that weight around all the time but it was fine for 3 days.

Now I'm finally in Arizona and getting into the swing of things here. Its stunningly different than Ohio. In a good way so far.

Anyway, I'll do my best to keep this thread updated along the way for myself and anyone who is interested. I'm sure the new terrain and adventures will have me making changes in a hurry.

 

Hell yeah Tyler! Looks good and love that color

 

im glad to see all the pics

 

Thanks @Yacob_D

 

subd!