MountainN22's Utility Build

2000 Toyota Tacoma Extra-cab SR5 3.4L 4x4.

Truck is my DD,work truck,offroad exploring truck, etc.
I do a lot of solo driving so the build is aimed toward self sufficient and reliable.



Modifications:
Warn front 2" receiver (incorporated into bumper).
Custom front bumper with foglights.
2 A-pillar mounted LED lights.
Blue Sea fuse box.
Yeasu FT2900 radio.(Ham)
Uniden 505 radio.(CB)
16" steel rims with 235/85/16 tires.
Rear diff breather.(sorta)
Rear storage panel.
Fire extinguisher mount.
Sway bar delete.
Side/Rear LEDs.
Amber lights.
Bilstein 5100 front shocks with heavier coils.
Warn 9.5cti winch.
Custom Aluminum flatbed (WIP)



You will notice that I remove or install the cap depending on what I'm doing with the truck.

Will keep this post up to date as best I can.

 

I bought it from the second owner in the summer of 2015 with 250k miles.
Came with matching cap and ladder rack.

This will serve as a before pic.
Minus the cap:


I'll write up whats been done so far when I get a chance.Not the quickest at this writing thing.

 

Sounds similar to what I'm building my 98 for. Look forward to reading more and seeing more pics!

 

Some stuff I've done so far.


Installed A-pillar lights using modified clamp on hood antenna mounts.
Switch bank located where the ashtray was.


Installed the Yeasu FT2900 radio in the dash under the aftermarket stereo system the previous owner installed.


Uniden 505 CB radio behind the center console.


Blue Sea 5026 fuse block under driver's seat, in the location of the PO's sub-woofers.


Hung my leftover LEDs that were on my ladder rack on the sides facing back.


Removed the swaybar.
Made gravel and dirt roads smoother, and trails much nicer.
Not that much different on the road, dips a little more, but it still pushes or slides before I feel like its tipping.


Swapped the stock 15" alloy for 16" steel rims with 235/85R16 Dean Wildcat tires.

Also moved my rear diff breather up under the bed sides. Not really where I wanted it, but it's well protected and will do for now.

 

Custom made fire extinguisher mount under the front seat.
Basically copied ones I've seen for Landcruisers.




Wanted a way to store tools and gear on the back of the the extra-cab. After browsing the forums, I copied an idea for a 3/4" ply wood panel covered in carpet, that I could mount tools and pouches to via Quickfist clamps and MOLLE straps.
Pulled the rear seats, but kept the seatbelts.

 

Made a sleeping platform that comes off with the cap. Much nicer than sleeping on the cold steel of the bed.
Also made a shovel mount for the cap.



Tried out the canoe carrying capability of the ladder rack.

 

Made a custom front bumper from some 3" wide channel, 1.5" tubing, some flat stock and 3/16 plate. Finished weight is about 120 lbs.
Had a loose idea in my head. Started welding to the warn receiver and worked from there.

 

Bracing and plating.






.

 

Center cover, prep and paint.





Mounted!



Later I added additional turn signals.

 

And the tired front coilovers had trouble with the weight, so Bilsteins 5100's and heavier springs were installed.
Clips on the bilsteins are set at the .6" lift, but I think it just compensated for the weight of the bumper.

 

Cool truck! nice and utilitarian!

 

What springs are you running? 883's?

 

Thanks!

Went with Moog 81104 coils.
Didn't really want the extra lift that the 883's were advertised as giving.

I have a flatbed in the works and enough leftover tubing to make sliders. After that my tired rear suspension will probably need attention.
Then it'll be the suspension questions all over again.

I'm watching to see how you make out with your 883's and Dakar's.

 

Funny you mention the flatbed, I spent some time today looking at aluminum Ute beds online. I had an aluminum bed on my old 85 mini truck. Pretty handy.

 

I was looking at the Ute Ltd flatbeds,(which are Toyota OEM in Aus according to them.) They wanted $2800-3000 shipped out here. I do like the drop sides alot.
So I'm getting the parts to build something like it.

 

Really like how this bumper turned out. Looks pro .
And I like the idea of the front-receiver mounted winch (leave it home if you dont need it).

Mounted!

 

Thanks!
I'm quite pleased with the way it came out.

So far I'm happy with the winch.It pretty much lives in my bed.
None of the weight up front on the highway but still there when I get stuck.

 

Have some service planned for this weekend. AC idler, oil change, sparkplugs, etc.
Also had the check engine light come on. Showing codes P0125 and P1130. Some TW research show that its probably a A/F sensor. Will see if I can get it cleared up.

 

Pulled the bed, and painted the rear part of the frame with POR15.

Note: Try not to get paint on the muffler, it certainly gets your attention when you start trailing thick smoke down the highway as it burns off.




Have a flatbed in the works for it, more pictures coming of that.

 

Taillight boxes for the flatbed are ready for a coat of paint.