My Build... so Far

Since we bought our first toyota, a 2000 model 4runner a few years ago, a tacoma has pretty much been my dream pickup. Back in July of 2011, my dream (finally) came true lol. So here's what I have at the moment. My build will probly never be really finished. I'll always find something else to be doing to my truck. but so far:

Mod list

33x12.50 gt radial adventuro's

3" coilover spacer-$150 for the lift kit, 2" blocks are now gone.

Doug style leaf pack rebuilds- Can't get more free than this!

revtek differential drop-$25

Skyjacker nitro shocks in the rear-about $90

Monroe sensitrac shocks up front-186$! (ik i got ripped off but I got impatient after waiting 2 weeks to recieve 2wd shocks that were on backorder)

Disconnected sway bar: Just took out the bolts and flipped it up out of the way for now. If I go on a road trip or somethin' it would be good to hook back on. I don't like the roll I get when I have something in the bed, but It definitely helps the suspension flex when offroad.

Kobalt Lo Pro tool box- Unkown (it was a xmas present)

2" body lift

relocated shocks

After seeing slodghetto's build I figured it wouldn't hurt to link some of the bigger projects to make them easier to find. So here's a little table of contents.

In order starting with most recent TABLE OF CONTENTS

Shock relocation/Body lift: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/194204-my-build-so-far-7.html#post6223996

Roof Lights/Tires: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/194204-my-build-so-far-4.html

Hood struts: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/194204-my-build-so-far-3.html

Wheel/trim paint: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/194204-my-build-so-far-2.html

And On this page we have the Deckplate mod, 8" subs, and Leaf pack rebuilds

The day I got it.

As it sets at the moment.


Kenwood Stereo- about $200 w/ installation
760 watt pioneer amp- $60
8" fosgate subs-$120
(note: i have since upgraded to a 15 and ditched the 8's and can still seat 4) see page 3



black brush guard-$180
fog lights-$20.00

grey wire locker mod-Totally DIY FREE!!!!
billet race pedals. $20
cheap seat covers $20





some pimpin' led's (anyone who hates how dark their 1st gen. taco is at night when ur reachin' for ur pop or tryin' to plug in ur phone should get a set) $20.00

 

Looking good, keep up the good work.
Welcome to TW!

 

So I decided to throw down a whopping 15$ and a whole 30 mins and do the deckplate mod. Got the deckplate from a local powersports shop and cut out the airbox hole with a jigsaw. Then used tin screws and silicone on the ring to seal it up.


Closes off real nice. This was handy when I recently discovered that the North Pole was residing in my airbox .


here it is installed. Sorry for the crappy pic.



Next mods to come.
-some 33's ( thinking procomp xterrains)
-1 or 2" body lift to grab some easy lift.(a little scared of 3"... and dont lecture me, I know the risks.)
-Make a light bar and get some legit offroad lights
-soooome day a trail gear low profile bumper
- Maybe eventually a flowmaster exhaust.

 

how did you out your leds in the cigar ports i have the same blue in each door speaker port, one under each side of the dash and two 8" stripes in the back? Also your fosgate speakers im guessing that is a custom setup just out of curiosity how did you do that? truck looks good as well

 

well the leds I just stuck on the side of the shifter boot, tucked the wires underneath, and plugged 'em in, if thats what you mean. Oh, and also I cut and spliced the cupholder ones to the same switch to save a power outlet. And yes, haha, my subs are VERY custom. I cut out the plywood with a jigsaw, drilled out the holes and used 3/16 speednut clips and screws to fasten them down. Definitely get bigger ones though, thats my one regret. I also ditched the plastic frames on the cubby holes and put some foam weather stripping in to seal it up. Then i had a rattle so I drilled a hole through the middle of the metal where their mounted and through the bottom, and then stuck a bolt through it. And, thats about it! the amp just sits under the seat.

 

ohhh, i get what you mean now, they are powered from the cigar lighters and the switches just light up like that.

 

can you still utilize the seats or no b/c i want subs bad but i dont wanna take up alot of space and seeing your setup was a good idea i just still need to be able to have those seats for friends and family

 

That's the exact reason i did what i did! I'd recommend getting protective grilles of some sort, which i need to do myself. On the driver side you might need to remove the plastic guard on the inner seat hinge for it to go Down. I did. But all in all it works great and is the best bang for your buck. Since the subs are in the cab with you they feel like they hit as hard as a set of twelves in a car trunk. Ohh, and another thing don't forget to turn them off when someones sitting on them to avoid damage.

 

alright man thanks for the tips ill have to go out there and look and plan it in my head

 

Btw make sure you don't drill ur pilot holes too big. I've got screws rattling now.

 

nice looks good

 

Recently added some ford 3/4 ton springs to my factory yota springs, being they were worse than flat. Pics up soon.

 

So I realized my leaf stock springs were in very sorry shape (one of toyota's biggest weaknesses), so I checked out Doug (4WD)'s thread on how to rebuild using used springs off a ford or chevy (somethin with american steel) and went with that. I got some leafs off an old 3/4 ton ford totally free from a nearby farmer. heres some before and after pics. This is highly recommended for someone in my situation, a broke High School kid stuck with crappy leaf springs and a cheap lift kit.

Before: leafs are almost bottomed out on the base plated and bump stops. I have 2" block installed and those only make it worse.



Heres my donor springs, I took the bottom 2 since they were the only ones short enough, cleaned 'em up , and stuck em in there.



Heres the final product. Axle blocks removed also.

Driver side.



Passenger side. This side doesn't look so good since i was working on uneven ground, causing the suspension to flex slightly.



Maybe they still aren't as good as they could be, but hey, at least they curve up now. I removed my 2" axle blocks and still ended up slightly higher than I was before. Thanks for looking!

 

Nice work Forrest !!.. Hey dude you have nothing to apologize for, this MOD is a work in progress... & from what I see, your springs were extremely in the neg. arc position before & now your in the pos. arc position as it should be. Now your a little higher than the 2" blocks were giving you . That, coupled with the fact your springs were an inch in the other direction puts you at right about 3".. Bingo !! This is where every lift w/springs seems to wind up at..

Wow, your 16 ?? Damn buddy , you def. getting reps for jumping into it & having the balls (confidence) to pull the trigger to do this....!

 

Sweet , glad to see someone else rockin this mod! Any how we need pics with it on wheels and its stance dude! If you want a bit more lift then remove 1 more you tacos and replace with donor or add 1 bottom donor just cut up one of the long 1s you have to fit! Mine turned out with 2 inches of rake with 2 inches in the front so i believe i got 4! Any way they ride absolutely awesome .How dos your ride after having crap leafs and a block?????gotta feel bettter!

 

Ah just noticed the 2nd pic has mean rake must be the pic i was asking for! Cool man looks to sit about where mine sits! Good work man!

 

Thanks guys! i definitely got what I wanted from this mod and more! I got lazy and didn't do the diamond cuts or paint, since I was short on time, but it definitely paid off. Now, if i could just get rid of my coil spacers...

 

Yea, haha thanks man. being that I don't have a whole lot else to do, I've done everything on my truck myself except install the head unit, and oil changes, those are a PITA to me.

 

nice truck man. my grandma had the same truck color and brush guard. Did you build the custom sub box? could you post a few more pic of them? im looking to make one so far yours looks the best.

 

Haha, wow, that makes me feel cool. Your grandma had the same truck lol. but yea I can take some more sub pics, Its not a box though, I just built the covers.