Don't have a name build...

So, I've been on this forum for while now and am currently on my third Tacoma 4wd. I recently traded up into the newest vehicle I've ever owned. A '14 TRDOffroad with 80,000 on the odo.
First lemme say that we are definitely a Toyota family. Over the past 15 years we have owned 2 4Runners, a RAV4, a corolla, and 3 tacomas. It runs deep. I've never owned more reliable vehicles. When I met my wife, she was in an 02 4Runner. It was 2wd but I had aspirations of 4wd. One it was paid off, I had begun searching for parts to convert to a 4wd. As life goes, two months after we paid it off, we were in a serious accident on our way to visit family For Xmas. We immediately picked up the RAV4 and after a year of surgeries and dealing with insurance, i ended up with an 02 TRDOffroad 4WD stepside. I was stoked to have this truck! Pretty soon after, I made some small changes. I added bilsteins, painted wheels black and that was pretty much it. I didn't even know about wheeling these vehicles until wayyyy later. I drove that truck around for about 6 years and finally sold it to get my wife into a '13 4Runner. She deserved it, putting up with me.
At this point, I began my search for a 2nd gen as I decided I needed a 4 door. a decent 1st gen 4 door was harder to find than unicorn tears. So I found something that met my criteria and ended up in an '07 sr5 4wd. DCLB. Later dubbed the trail limo. In this truck I did my first lone star jamboree. It was amazing! Met some really great people and was able to push the truck to its limits.





Good times... this year will make my third Jambo and I decided I was due for an upgrade. So I searched for the right deal and found the '14. The price was on par for these trucks and I pulled the trigger. I found a stock TRDOffroad DCSB. I've had this since early feb. and I've really enjoyed all the creature comforts of this truck. Entune, satellite, but most of all, I am excited to put to use the locker and other traction control features. In preparation for this years Jambo, I have a lift kit from headstrong on its way and will be posting up as soon as it's installed. Same kit as the 07- bilsteins, ome885's, and this time I'm adding the progressive AAL to the rear. Stay tuned...

 

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So, I had a couple of days off and had time to install the lift on the taco. This install took the better part of 6hrs as I did it alone. Luckily, this was the second truck I've done this on. Also added the spidertrax to widen the stance. Thought I had some before pics but I must have deleted them already. I feel like I have a little Bro Lean right now but hopefully the front will settle some more. If not, I'll probably add a tiny spacer to the rear.




Really happy with the results. Took it today for the alignment and all is right with the world for now. Oh, also added the Redline Hood Struts that I picked up from the group buy. I have been chomping at the bit for this mod for years. SO glad I did it. The good strut install had a few hiccups but they are in.



Not sure what's next, but I'm sure I'm not done with this thing. Damn TacomaWorld!!!

 

Looks good, yeah TW mod big bit me hard as well.

 

Well, as luck would have it, I've been able to talk the wife into doing the Southern Utah Traverse for our family vacation. In preparation, I've ordered trail gear sliders and installed them myself at my bro in-laws shop. Here they are after install and during the painting process.


Also, have triple bed bars on order from All-Pro and a tent from Tuff Stuff. Went with the package came with annex, lights, and awning! For the money, I couldn't find a better deal. Since money IS an object, I'm not sure on the next piece of gear. It's going to either be some form of OBA or OBW. And since it's relatively inexpensive, i will for sure be adding a CB for comms. Any and all advice is appreciated. I don't have much experience with the overlanding at all.

 

Got it! Bed bars and RTT both came in yesterday and I was able to install in a few hours. Really happy with the setup. Just needed to pull the tent to paint the bed bars. Aside from having to run to grab some longer bolts to fit the bars, install was pretty straightforward. Thinking of welding some bolts to a couple of the bars to mount the hi lift. We'll see...

 

Alright, so i haven’t updated here in a while. Been paying off bills, built a trailer last summer for cross country trip. Now i have an overland/utility trailer for our trips! I used an existing trailer that was gifted to us from family. Basically i used most of the frame and body and was able to get all new everything else. Here are a couple of pics. I suck at documenting my projects...
This was the start point.


Some cutting to get the length down.




Built a new subframe and tongue.


And finally roadworthy to get it home. (4 hours to in-laws) so i could replace axle, springs, lights, and build a rack for the RTT.

 

Excellent! Looks great!

 

Got the trailer home without mishap and began ordering hardware. I used my brother-in-laws shop to weld up the rack.


New tires and the tent went on.


Then took it across the country camping on the way to Seattle. The trailer pulled beautifully and there were no issues at all.
North Cascades NP

 

Some pics from our other trips around these here United States
Big Bend

White Sands NM


Some National Forest road, NM


Grand Canyon NP


Zion NP


Bryce Canyon NP


Alstrom Point, Utah


Canyonlands NP (my favorite place on earth)


These were from the 2017 vacation. Some of the best weeks of my life. Just driving and camping where we felt. Me and my family are enormous supporters of the National Park system and love spending time exploring them.