ECGreen's Trappin'-Huntin'-Fishin'-Class VI Road Wheelin'-Live Free or Die Tryin Build

Truck Name: Scratchy

The point of the build:
1. Build a functional wheeling rig with a perfect blend of redneck, hippie and sophistication!
2. If I am hunting or trapping in the wilds of New Hampshire, I want to be able to go anywhere I want - not always easy here on our class VI roads!
3. Although I have another daily driver, I will drive my rig on road a lot.

Crappy Current pics:






My favorite pic of my son and the truck:



Here was the canvas. A brand spankin' new 2015 (almost, had 5500 on it) 2.7 5-speed. This was her first trip checking beaver traps.



Here is a man picture, for all of you men who do man stuff. In the back of this truck are waders, 330 conibear traps, an NEF 22, a Beretta 9mm and a GLOCK 10MM...that's right I said 10MM...lol:


____________________________________________________________________

List of Modifications:
Suspension
Front
- OME 887/ Nitro Charger 90000 Shocks
- OME trim packer for Taco lean (still leans BTW)
- Headstrong spacers to give me another 1/2" after the bumper and winch addition
- Light Racing UCA's
- Sway bar go bye-bye

Suspension
Back
- OME Dakar leaf pack
- RCD/Bilstein 5100 extended length rear shocks (yucky)
- 23" SS Kevlar reinforced rear brake lines
- 3 degree axle shims
- CB flip

Wheels and Tyres
- 5 Black Alloy 16" FJC TRD wheels
- 5 Cooper ST Maxx 255/85r16 tires

Comm-Center
CB -
- Uniden Pro 510 xl CB Radio
- 4ft Wilson Flex Antennae
- 4ft Firestick II
Ham -
- Icom 2300H
- Larsen NMO 150b

Armor
- Pelfreybilt Hybrid Front bumper
- CBI DOM sliders with kickout
- CBI skids (full set)
- 4xinnovations gas tank skid
- 4xinnovations LCA skids

Recovery
- Smittybilt XRC 9.5 winch
- Smittybilt D-ring hitch receiver
- Smittybilt Element Ramps
- Arachni 7/16" synthetic winch line (100ft)
- 60" HiLift Jack
- Hi Lift 4xRAC mounts
- Warn 19,000lb snatch block
- Bunches of straps and D-Rings

Interior Stuff for the metro-sexual in you
- Weathertech Mats (covered in mud already)

Misc and Exterior Crap
- Safari Snorkel
- Mudflap Delete
- Aftermarket U-Haul Trailer Hitch
- Diff breather mod

Zip-tie Mods
- 100 and counting
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Modifications in the Near Future:
- 4.88 gears
- Rear ARB (maybe front too)
- 35s

Distant Future Modifications:
- Crawwwwwwler

 

Well, I pulled the trigger on some new tires today - Cooper STT Pro in 235/85r16. I have been back and forth on this a bunch of times and I am sure there are many who can relate. First I would like to say that my brain was ruined by RougeTRD's Squatch Build. That is the thread that really got me thinking about transforming my truck, thanks!

Why did I make this choice? (not that there are many who probably care why...lol) The answer answer is two-fold: looks and functionality/practicality

Looks: Well, I like the skinny look for one - and yes I realize 9.5 inches is supper skinny). After looking at Ikarus' build a million times, I decided that when he had 235s on, they gave the truck a lean look that I really liked. I also dig the look of the African-style Land Rovers and such from way back. Finally, when I was a kid, I remember a lot of people had midsize trucks jacked up (or at least it looked that way to me as a child) with 235s under them, so it's a throw back for me.

I looked at tons of picks and threads. Here are some examples:

Wicked cool build with ST Maxx
Aggressive tread on a red TACO
ST Maxx on a 1st Gen (this looks awesome)
Yotapilot's Build
Owen's Build

From these, I got the impression that the more aggressive tread patterns make the tires look larger than they are (or is it that the less aggressive tires hide the true size?). So, liking the Cooper ST Maxx, but wanting something a bit more aggressive, I went with the STT Pro - a bit more expensive, but still affordable because of the 235 choice. I may also install some Spidertrax spacers a la Yotapilot (see link above). Part of the issue with the 235s and looks is that they are tucked too far under the wheel well in most cases. After I get the STT Pros on, I'll see what I think.

Functionality and practicality: First of all, I just subscribe to the skinny tire theory, as so well addressed in this all too over-cited article by Scott Brady at Expeditions West.

Here are my other reasons regarding functionality and practicality:

- I can put chains on front and back.

- No worries about where to put a spare.

- I am just not ready for a re-gear! Its not just the money, its the time! With a wife and kids and work, I barely have time to hunt, let alone get even more work done on my truck. Yes, 255s are cool, but I am not ready to take the hit in MPG and the time it takes to get it all together.

- I ran for years on a stock 1997 4-runner with 265/70r16s and it worked JUST FINE FOR ME! Careful driving and patience, combined with a prudent sense of when to abandon the trail worked just fine for all of those years. Going up in height just a little more is fine with me, I just don't need 33s.

- The Expedition Overland 2001 Tacoma - this truck had 235s and has gone farther than most people on this forum can even lie about going!

The Final Reason -> I just wanted to put something different on than 265/75r16s (not bashing those who use them of course)!

Now to wrestle with the decision on whether to drop almost 2 grand on the Icon lift system!

 

Well, the new tires arrived today. I call them my "somewhat tall and really skinny" tire choice. They go on tomorrow, can't wait! Tread on the new stt pros looks awesome.





I will also add that Tread Depot got these tires to me within three days of ordering them. Very nice!

The STT Pros are reported to be killer off-road with good road manners. We shall see.

 

Ooooohhh 2.7 *skips reading due to 4 cylinder* just kidding i love the idea that's how I'm going to go about my build as soon as I graduate high school and trade in v6 2wd for 4.0 4wd

 

4wd is awesome, but 2wd v6 ain't no joke either! I had a 2wd ranger that I took everywhere when I was younger

 

My current Tacoma is 2wd v6 and it's fairly capable at off roading it gets beat at climbing and that's about it cause I have limited slip diff

 

Just bought some new TRD FJC black alloy wheels. Should have the new tires mounted and on next weekish!

 

Those Pros are nasty. I have Cooper STTs on both of my trucks and love them. Let me know what you think about the Pros.

 

Like the look of the Stt Pros! Update on fuel mileage hit when you find out thanks!

 

Will do, most ppl say they loose about 2-3 mpg with the e-rated 235s

 

The TRD FJC wheels arrived today! They are 16x7.5 with a 4.75 backspace. My steelies are more like 5.25 BS and I was afraid I might rub the stock UCA. It really looks like the STT PROs in 235 aren't much skinnier than my dunflop 245s. That extra .5 inch should help. Either way, the black will look cool.

 

Hey! First of all thanks for the shout out! I'm glad my truck inspired you. Secondly... Looking forward to see how your truck turns out. Seems like you got a great start! I'm loving those STT Pros I wanted them but found a killer deal for some 285 ST Maxx's.

 

Those Pros are expensive (to me anyhow)! Getting the 235s cut cost a little, but still they cost as much as the st maxx in 265/75. With the new rims, my 1000 total truck budget got blown away in a hurry.... However, I just can't see dropping 25,000 on a new truck and putting less than the best I can afford on. Next come the ICONs. Since you inspired my build squatch-man, can I send you the bill?

 

Haha, I wish I could say yes! Sadly I don't have much to spend on my truck til tax return season. I have a few mods still sitting in the garage that I need to finish.

 

Got the new meats mounted and put them on today. Here is a nice profile pic:



Took it up the logging road past the house - couldn't resist!


Some mud on the tires:



I also dig how the new rims make the tire stick out just right:

 

Looks great! I love those TT wheels.

 

Thanks! Lovin' the "somewhat tall and very skinnies", no regrets! Road noise is scary quiet for a mud tire.

The wheels are awesome too. THe B.S.ing puts the tires right where they need to be and gives me enough room for chains; although chains scare me with an IFS - a lot to break if a chain comes loose.

 

Are your TRD wheels genuine or the knock offs available on ebay?

 

Genuine trds. Stamps warranty and all

 

Nice truck man! I've spent a lot of time in NH...mostly New London and Lee, but I've been all over the great state and miss it