DJB1's 2003 Regular Cab

Thanks, @bry838, I love it too. After years of driving a 2nd gen DCSB but lusting after a 1st gen single cab, the moral of the story is hold out for what you know you really want. No harm done though, I put 4 years and 25K miles on my 2nd gen, then sold it for very close to what I paid.

 

So I did the deckplate mod about 6 weeks ago and I'm quite happy with the results. The hardest part was getting the hole as far into the upper left corner in order to clear the wiper fluid reservoir filler neck. Still, it only took about a half-hour to do everything. It makes an audible but not intrusive growl that reminds me very much of a vintage British sports car. I've used 5 tanks of gas since I got this truck in August and here is my MPG:

Tank 1: Shell 91 octane, 90% city, 10% hwy, pre-deckplate: 20.85 MPG
Tank 2: Shell 91 octane, 10% city, 20% off-road, 70% hwy, pre-deckplate: 21.10 MPG
Tank 3: Shell 91 octane 85% city, 15% hwy, deckplate open: 22.95 MPG
Tank 4: Shell 88 octane 70% city, 10% off-road, 20% hwy, deckplate open: 22.85 MPG
Tank 5: Sinclair non-ethanol 88 octane: 70% city, 10% off-road, 20% hwy, deckplate open: 24.65 MPG

Tank 6 is Shell 91 octane again but I will definitely be using non-ethanol gas whenever I can find it. I have not been trying to get good MPG either, because I like that vintage British sports car intake growl. When the novelty wears off, I will try to drive carefully for an entire tank of non-ethanol fuel just out of curiosity to see what kind of MPG is possible. I'm already chuffed on the results, the MPG is better than I used to get in a 2wd I4 Ford Ranger with 50 less HP.

 

235s forever! I love those 2000ish tacos. That was the perfect size

 

Hey @ecgreen, those STT Pro 235's look killer on your truck. I want a set, but I have to wear out my ST Maxx's first. I love the 235's, they glide over washboards like buttah, they're quite civilized on pavement, and they're not too heavy or expensive. I'm hoping for a brutal winter so I can play in the snow a lot.

 

You have the perfect truck for it too! Those early 2000 front ends look great with skinny tires.

The Pros ride great on and off pavement. They are a little rough with quick maneuvers at high speeds, but what can you expect from a e-rated mudtire at 65....lol?

 

So I discovered that the 235/85's were after all rubbing the frame a bit at full lock, due to the 5.25" backspacing on 2nd gen OEM wheels. The solution for me was a set of 3rd gen 4runner alloys which have 4.6" backspacing and quite a bit less weight than the steelies. I had to rattle-can them because it's time for white wheels to make a comeback:



Now I have to find the motivation to disassemble the entire front end, tear out all of the ADD shit and install these bad boys:

 

First of all, the white is so cool its ridiculous!

I also had an issue withbthe 235s and the 5.25 backspace. Went to a 4.75 bs rim and I'm set now

 

How'd it go converting to manual hubs? You have to replace the axle tubes and axles as well correct?

 

Hello @98tacoma3rz, I haven't done the manual hub conversion yet, I'm lazy.

 

Stoked to check out your build! Thanks for the update with the 235s.

 

Well, I'm still lovin' on my single cab and I haven't once regretted selling my 2nd Gen DCSB. Not even when I saw its current owner driving around in it the other day. So far I have completed the following:

-Coated the entire chassis in POR-15
-Installed Toytec steering rack bushings (made a huge difference)
-Switched transmission, t-case, front and rear diff oil to Redline Synthetic
-Changed water pump, spark plugs and drive belts
-Installed @BamaToy1997 Stage II electrical upgrade
-Completed deckplate mod
-Scored a cheap camper shell on local classifieds but I have to repaint it in Toyota Super White because I'm OCD about that shit
-Relocated fuel filter from PITA location under intake manifold to logical location on fender well:


The Cooper ST Maxx's I bought from @ikarus have about 15,000 miles on them now and still look new. I have had them on for 4500 miles without rotating them and the fronts are showing no more wear than the rears. We had a snowy winter and the traction was excellent. Spring has been pretty rainy and the 235/85r16's cut through standing water like, well, pizza cutters. They are the most secure-feeling tires I've ever driven in snow and rain.

I still haven't converted to manual hubs, welded on my CBI frame reinforcement plates, or ordered the lift kit that I was so gung-ho about. Maybe I'll feel more motivated now that the weather is getting warmer and drier. But check out this ground clearance on bone-stock suspension:

 

Soon it will be time to tear into a virgin 1st gen Tacoma...

 

There has been an unplanned addition to the family...

 

Nice addition there. I'm kinda partial to the '03 though. You will like the manual hubs you plan to install.

It appears you have some fun times ahead by the looks of the parts on the garage floor.

Good luck.

 

Thanks again @Ritchie. I'm also partial to my 2003 regular cab, but I couldn't pass up on a 1993 regular cab which is one of very few remaining that are both bone-stock and under 100,000 miles. I've got new seals, gaskets and ball-joint service kits ready to go for my manual hub swap. I gotta get that done BEFORE I get a lift kit so CV angles won't matter. I've been practicing my welding on some scrap .120 tubing because I want those rock sliders on. I was a heavy equipment mechanic for 8 years but I rarely had to weld anything because we had a certified welder. I never had to weld tubing in that line of work but it did make me an expert with a heating torch and BFH. Do you have your SAS done yet? I'm dying to see some photos!

 

No, not yet.
I did order the front driveshaft and a pair of All-Pro 1-1/4" lift shackles for the rear to level it out. The driveshaft should be ready by Friday and parts of the shackle kit are back-ordered.

Close to completion. I'll update my build when I'm there.

 

Need some more current pics! Would love to see where the build is at.

 

Hi @ecgreen, I was just in your build thread admiring your truck. I'm almost done welding on my rock sliders, then I'm going camping this weekend so I'll have some new photos soon.

 

I finally got my manual hub conversion done and I did a write-up here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-tacoma-3rd-gen-4runner.460180/#post-13641747

 

Here are the two OEM brake line part #'s you will need:
Driver side: 47312-04080
Passenger side: 47313-04120

If you need more part numbers, let me know.