Dusty's Old Guy Build - 2014 Extended Cab

This is my first post to this forum. I am a retired engineer on my 3rd Toyota truck. (maybe we should start a geezers group?) My first was in '74, a used Hilux. Sold it to my brother at about 100,000 miles, he put another 100,000 on it. My second was a new Tacoma in '82. Put about 120,000 on it before I had to upgrade (downgrade ?) to a family van. This is about my new 2014 Tacoma 4X4. Being retired (and the genetic defect of being an engineer) I have plenty of time to work on the truck. I love getting out in the desert and exploring/camping, so this is no Mall Crawler. I don't mind it looking pretty, but nothing goes on unless it is useful and necessary.



This is as purchased. Not the fanciest model available, but not the lowest either. It took about 5 months to find a 4X4 Extended Cab in Brown. Probably less than 2 or 3 percent of production. Most in this area are white double cabs. (probably to compete against SUV market)



I added a SnugTop (I like the way it integrates with the look of the vehicle). It has the roof rack option, so I can add the rack when I need it, but keep it clean when I don't. (improves gas mileage) I will detail the cab an bed changes in further posts.

 

You are off to a good start! The AC pyrite mica is the best looking Tacoma! I also had to search around for about 3+ months to find mine. Worth the wait!

 

check out this guys truck!!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rcharged-pyrite-mica-access-cab-build.325682/
@Ostrichsak

 

Maybe we should start a pyrite Mica AC thread? Can't be many of them out there.
As you can see by the photos, I don't like a lot of advertising. The TRD decals were the first to go, then the chrome doodads on the tailgate. All that's left is the Tacoma on each door. I also stripped off the SnugTop logos. If anyone wants me to advertise their product, they can pay me.

 

welcome!

 

Having the Engineer defect, I can't own something without disassembling it almost immediately. Being retired, I don't have a lot of people to drive around. (My wife has a car for that) I was more interested in having in cab storage more than back seats, but I wanted a 6 foot bed. Hence the Access Cab Choice. So the first thing to go was all the rear seat parts. (no better than a Mini rear seat) I stripped out everything that wasn't absolutely necessary. Including the seat belts. (anyone interested in buying the parts?) I enjoy woodworking, so what I made was this:
Poplar is cheep and easy to work with. Using an industrial adhesive, I covered it with black carpet, and made some covers to go with it. This is how it turned out:






As you can see, there is plenty of room to carry the stuff you should have with you, without having it rattling around underfoot. There is now plenty of room for Ice Chests, Totes etc on a nice flat cargo space. I realized that the D-Rings from the bed area have the same thread as the seat belt bolts, so I ordered some extras and put them were the seat belt used to be. On the front of the box, I bolted down some Tie Down Strip. There is now plenty of ways to tie cargo down for those rough and rocky trips.




That's enough for now! More later.

 

great use of space

 

Yeah I like what you did there! And good to know about the d-rings and seat belts being the same thread.

 

I hat stuff rattling around in the truck. It sounds bad, makes it hard to find, and can cause a lot of wear. Here is a cute trick I came up with:
I keep a tote behind the back seat to throw stuff in I may need that trip. However, I hated having it slide around. So I attached the self stick hook side of velcro on the bottom 4 corners:

Now it stays where I put it and won't slide around. However, with a gentle pull, it comes right out. The velcro is available in most hardware stores!

 

Love the cubbies behind the seat. Looks awesome.

 

Hi Greg @Dusty1 . What is the awning set up you are using?

 

Nice job,great use of space.

 

Looking good!

 

I decided on the Mobtown Offroad recovery bar because it wasn't so in your face. If you leave all of the bumper cover intact, only then hitch receiver and shackle points are visible. However, I removed (with a hacksaw) the center portion of the cover and replaces it with a few pieces of steel which I fabricated. I removed all of he aluminum bumper parts which include supports for the bumper cover. Although I removed the center section, I had to make supports for the outboard corners of the cover and fender.
I was impressed with the quality and sturdiness of the Mobtown part.
In the third picture, you can still see the aluminum bumper (covered in black duct tape). I left it in place until I fabricated the steel parts.

I also added a jumper connector wired directly to the battery.

 

The part protruding from the bumper cover is a high amp switch for the jumper connector.

 

These are a few pix of the interior of the Bed/Shell. All was made with aircraft ply covered in carpet. It was attached to the interior using threaded inserts in the fiberglass body of the truck bed. I will post more of the completed interior later.