KennethAlan's Inferno TRD Off-Road Build

10/21/21 UPDATE

I wrote all of this in 2017. I’ve done many other things to the truck since writing this originally. Someday I’ll update the whole list. Or at least try as accurately as possible. Might as well I suppose. Next big mod is in December when I do the pay-off mod. Can’t wait.

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I bought my 2016 TRD Off-Road Access Cab in December of '16. I got it very lightly used with less than 10k miles. I sold my previous '06 F150, '15 50th Anniversary Mustang GT, and my '14 Triumph Bonneville leading up to the the purchase. I only had time to drive/ride the F150. It made sense to unload everything. I wanted a Tacoma ever since staring at my high school baseball coach's '95 Tacoma everyday. I loved that truck. So, I made it happen.

The truck as of 11/25/21:




Recent-ish photos:















Current Mods:

Suspension
-Fox 2.5 extended travel w/reserviors
-Total Chaos Upper Control Arms
-Dakar Heavy Leaf Pack

Tires/Wheels
-BF Goodrich KO2 315/75-16
-Stealth Custom Series Ray 10 16” black

Other Crap I Don't Feel Like Separating
-Prinsu AccessRack
-Clazzio leather seats
-Debadged
-Pro Grille
-Lone Wolf Off-Road Sliders
-Import Equipment Headlight/Taillight Overlays
-HondoGarage Stereo Knobs
-Extang SolidFold 2.0
-PopLock
-20% LLumar Ceramic Window Tint
-50% LLumar Ceramic Winshield Tint
-OEM Black Bumper Caps
-Diode Dynamics HiD Headlights
-Hitch Tow-Hook Thingy
-Console Divider Thingy
-Husky Floor Liners
-FJ style 4WD emblem
-Black Softopper
-BPF towhook
-Caliraised Hidden Lightbar in Bumper
-CaliRaised Low Profile Ditch Lights
-TRD Pro Front Skid Plate
-TRD Pro Shift Knob
-N2 Designs Remote Start

 

Day 1. I negotiated the truck price via text and took an uber to finish the deal because I had sold my truck the night before. It was a surreal experience and happened very quickly but, I'm happy with how it all turned out.

First photo I took of the truck. Getting pulled off the showroom floor.


I pulled over minutes after leaving the dealership to snap another photo.


That night I built a storage/bench thingy using some 3/4 ply and carpet. I knew nobody was ever going to sit back there and I wanted a place for my dog, a silver lab named Sheriff, to be able to stretch out. He literally goes everywhere with me. Work, play, etc. When I got the truck he was only a few months old. He turns 1 next month and lays on this bench everyday at some point during our travels.


The first night's build and test was a success. He approved.



Day 2 I debadged the truck and plastidipped the TRD grille. I also had new tires installed. The previous owner of the truck had installed a level kit and rear block. I didn't realize at the dealership and neither did the dealer apparently. I had planned to do the same while saving for proper suspension so it saved some trouble.


The first saturday I got a chance, I went to The Northwest OHV Park in Bridgeport, TX to try the truck out. I had a blast but it also drove home the fact that a level kit is crap.



Installed Import Equipment Sidemarker and Taillight overlays. Also, Laminix Foglight tint.


Next was new wheel day.


Method NVs 16x8 0mm Offset


The wheels eliminated the need for the 1.25" spridertrax spacers I was running with the stock TRD Off-Road wheels.


The day I had the wheels installed I took a long two day road trip down to Padre Island National Seashore. I ended up driving forever along the coastline and then heading back home. It was a good time and it thoroughly broke in the new wheels.


Next things got real. I had a breakup with a ding dong girl and decided to really immerse myself in suspension information to keep from focusing on my feelings. I spent unreal amounts of time reading everything I could about suspension systems for this truck. I still don't know if I made the right choice. So good luck when you decide to make the purchase. I got most everything from @HeadStrong Off-Road.



First shot post lift.


I tested out the Dakars with some crates I built. The truck didn't squat a bit.

Installed the OEM black bumper caps to lose the chrome. And that tow hook hitch thingy.


Next was sliders from Lone Wolf Off-Road.


Nicest guy ever. He welded these on for me at his shop in Krum, Texas. I am completely happy with the quality of his work and the experience meeting him.


I painted them in my shop the next day.

I propped my truck up to look at the underside to see if I missed any spots.

I then got the fresh paint dirty.

I love them.

I couldn't get SCS F5s out of my head. So one night after a couple of beers I happened to see that they had restocked in 16". I ordered a set before the usual sell-out. So, my barely used Methods are going up for sale.


I got the F5s installed the day after delivery.



I kinda can't believe I just typed all that up and I really can't believe how much money I've spent. FFFFFFFFFFFFF

 

I'm officially selling my Method NVs....

For sale thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/method-nv-16.509028/

SOLD!

 

If they were 17s, I'd bring you cash tonight.

What's the new setup going to be?

 

I got the SCS F5s pictured above.
I was offering my tires (285/75-16) to another member so you could always go wild and get a completely new setup!

 

I want 285s as well but 16s won't fit on the Lexus.

 

DAMN! I didn't think of that!

 

I got my build thread started earlier as well by the way, if you're interested. Going to have the Kings/Camburg setup on next week. It's coming along a lot quicker than I thought it would.

 

I can't wait to see this. That's going to look incredible. I keep seeing more and more of these Lexus on the road now and I'm pretty jealous of what you're doing.

 

Can confirm...the heavy Dakar leaf pack rules hard. This is over 700 pounds of plywood cabinet and other materials. Zero sag in the rear and it rode smooth as can be during the hour transport.

 

Interesting. I know a couple people interested in upgrading their Dakars to the new heavy duty ones. First I've seen of actual first hand experience with them though.

 

I carry a lot of heavy crap, mostly lumber. And they always do great. This was just one of the few times I thought to take a photo. When I'm going days with an empty bed, I keep a couple sand bags in the back. It rides great. Otherwise yes, the rumors are true, they can be a bit rough.

 

The one guy I know that's really been looking for feedback has a heavy rear end. Full tool box including second group 31 battery, bed rack, rear bumper with 35" tire mounted on swingout, gas cans, etc so he should be fine lol.

 

Yeah. He'll love them. No doubt.

 

Nice truck. The access cab and that color look great.

 

How much lift did you get up front and rear?

 

Thanks! Your truck was definitely a factor in my suspension choice.

 

I don't have any measurements. Sorry. The truck had a level kit when I got it so I never had a stock measurement. I can measure if you want but I'm sure I'm right around the 3" mark front and back.

 

Do your shocks have the DSC adjusters?