Mjohn's build

I bought the truck back in February (2010) after looking forever for a Tacoma with low miles...kind of a challenge! I found it with 60K and a manual trans, the two main options I wanted besides TRD. I have done 100% of the work myself and all future mods will also be done myself minus alignments and tire replacement.











Chassis
2005 Double cab
Shortbed
TRD Sport
6 speed manual

Suspension
Toytec ULK
OME Dakar leafs
Light Racing UCA's
Firestone Ride Rite Airbags

Wheels
16" American Racing ATX Artillery Wheels
BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 285/70/16 AT/2

Exhaust
Doug Thorley Long Tube Headers
Doug Thorley "Pipe Bomb" Y-pipe
TRD Cat Back Exhaust
Classic Chambered 26" Powerstick (Against the Grain)

Intake
Air Flow Snorkel

Drivetrain
4.56 gears
Front/Rear ARB Air Lockers

Clutch
Competition Clutch Stage 2 Carbon Kevlar Clutch
Competition Clutch Lightened Flywheel (18lbs) dumb mistake!
Manual Transmission Sleeve Kit (TSK)

Brakes
EBC GreenStuff Brake Pads 6000 series
Centric Rotors
Stainless Steel extended brake lines

Electrical
Bussmann Series 15400 RFRM Rear-fed Fuse & Relay Module
CTECK Dual/Smart Pass Battery Management System
600 Amp Distribution Blocks
Main/Aux Battery (Group 31)
ARB Dual Air Compressor W/ Front & rear tanks

Radio
Yaesu ftm 400 Ham Radio

Sleeping System
Adventure Trailers Tacoma Habitat

Roof/Overhead
Eezi-Awn K-9 Roof Rack
Alu-Box 42 liter Aluminum storage cases
Eezi-Awn Manta 270 Awning

Future financial dents
Aux. fuel tank (17 Gal)
Hot water via engine block
Lighting
D4D diesel engine
Dual transfer
Frame welded/boxed


Places Visited

Death Valley National park: (Thank you again Crom)
Skidoo Ghost Town
Ballarat Ghost Town
Newman Cabin
Mengal Pass
Stella's Cabin
Badwater
Stovepipe Wells
Titus Canyon
Ubehebe Crater
Eureka Dunes
Racetrack La Playa
Lippincott Pass

Other Spots

Hite Cove
Lake Tahoe Back Country
Idaho Back county (Classified)
Milsap Bar
Yosemite National Park
Sequoia National Park
Pinnacles National Monument
Signal Peak
Rubicon Trail


DEATH VALLEY 2011

 

Nice!

 

nice rig

 

Thanks, I was really skeptical about the tires. I thought that the noise was going to be a little noisy for me. Not so! These things are SUPER quite for M/T tires. I am very happy with choosing them. Plus no tire shops in the bay area sell Nitto tires, I get a lot of people asking how I got them.

 

Hey Mike.

Jus sayin hi. Beaut of a rig you have there! Those tires are vicious. I'll have to pick your brain about that lift sometime.

I actually had an 03 that I lost in a wreck. Its front-end was lifted via coil-overs, but it wasn't done by me, and I suspect the guy didn't have it to spec. I lost control of it turning on an on-ramp. Maybe it was the UCA's that you talk about...?

Hopefully I'll have another one soon. I'll look you up for a few pointers when I do.

Vince

 

Thanks Vince, the tires are unbelievably quiet, it took a liitle bit for me to get use to the amount of sidewall flex but it's normal driving now. My UCA's come in tommorow, I can't wait to get them installed. That's crazy, I did t know you lost your truck on a ramp! Suspension is very easy to intstall but it is also very important to be patient and double check work (preferably another trained eye). UCA's could have played a factor, caster is a very important componant of steering adjustment. Hope to see you soon with an 04'. If you have any questions or need work done let me know.

 

Updated....Next Stage....overland outfitting. Fuel rack/Water storage/Rooftop tent/Swing gate/Recovery/Lockers/Re-gear....and some LIGHTS!

 

good looking truck. i like your picture with the "mysterious" moving rocks, ive always wanted to head out there and check them out for myself.

did you have to trim when you put your tires on?

 

great build!

what do you have here?




also, where did you put the powerstick? you have pics of your exhaust assembled?

 

That photo was snapped in Death Valley this year going through Mengal Pass. My wife and I had taken a break right on trail after we encountered a really technical section. The meter had Gone way past 30deg a couple times that week.



The Powerstick, as you can see in the photo was installed just before the muffler, replacing the long section of piping. I am really impressed with the sound! It's clean, sounds conditioned and tuned.

I have tried to capture it's sound with the various cameras I have but it all comes out like crap (sound quality). Hopefully I can find a good Mic. Soon.

 

yea i was curious about what monitor that is..





powerstick seems pretty sweet

 

Oh the meter is just a basic 4 wheel parts store purchase. It works great for $15 and has wiring for illumination. It was either this or a liquid Marine type. I think I am going to get some Windshield glue and mount it next to the rear view mirror...clean up the dash.

 

Frigg'n sweet nerf bars. What brand are those?

 

Rolling Big Power

 

Sick truck man, and cool pix! I spent some time exploring around DV back when I had a 1st gen. Its a sweet place for sure.

 

Impressive, I like what you have done with the truck so far and looks like it is just going to get better.

 

Thanks!

 

Nice looking truck!!!!
Did you modifiy the cab mounts?

 

No, I have not read anything about cab mounts. I have been preparing to beef up my motor mounts due to the 05's having some defective welds.

What's up with cab mounts?

 

Usually 285s tires rub on the cab mounts when turning the steering.

See
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/37734-how-tire-rub-cab-mount-mod.html