My Explorer build

I recently retired and want to travel and explore a lot so I decided to build a rig for the job. I'll be alone so I wanted it to be completely self-sufficient and able to self rescue if needed. I'm not interested in wild and crazy off-roading. I just want to be able to take any road and feel confident my truck can handle almost anything I find along the way. And look great doing it. So without further ado...

Original:

2017 TRD Off-Road DCSB
Factory Installed Tonneau cover, 5" Tube Steps, Premium Tech package with JBL Stereo, Tow Package, moonroof, etc.

Now:

Added:
Plasti-dipped side badges. removed v6 badge from tailgate
Ditch Lights from Cali Raised LED
20" light bar, work and backup lights from Baja Designs
Tinted front windows to match rear
Rokblokz mud flaps
Weathertech bug and window deflectors
OEM Roof Rack
Devil Horn Toyota emblem from Diaz Fabrication
OEM Front Bed Rail and more cleats
Rigid TRD Pro fog lights
Vinyl letters all around from @rrentrop
Slimline Hybrid bumper/winch/light mount from Southern Style Offroad
Smittybilt X2O 10K waterproof/wireless winch
Old Man Emu 3" lift kit. 888 coils and HD Dakar rear leafs
BFG KO2 285/75/r16 tires
OEM TRD Pro Wheels
ARB Twin On-Board Compressor
Smoked mirror turn signals, Coin holder, LED interior lights and gas cap holder from Meso Customs
Full set of armor from RCI Metalworks including skid plates for Front, tranny, diff., gas tank, LCA and rear diff. and rock sliders
Bed rack and tool rail mounts from KB Voodoo
Mt. Bachelor Roof Top Tent from CVT
Overland Rear bumper with tire mount, dual jerry can holders and foldaway camp table from C4 Fabrication
OEM All Weather floor mats

Equipment:
First aid kit
Maglite (4 D Battery model that doubles as a pretty good attitude adjustment tool)
Hand tools, bottle jack, duct tape, spare fuses, etc.
Shovel, pick and axe
ARB air hoses and deflator
42" Hi-Lift jack and slider adapter
Smittybilt winch gear: Tree saver, D-Rings, snatch block, tow straps, etc.
Smittybilt ground anchor and traction boards
Coleman sleeping bag, propane lantern, camp chairs, ice chest, 5 gal. water can and stove
2 5 gallon Jerry cans
Cooking gear: pots, pans, plates, cups, chuck boxes, etc.

Contributing Members And Vendors
Toyota | Weathertech | ARB | Smittybilt | Baja Designs | @rrentrop | @mesojdm | BF Goodrich | @CaliRaisedLed | @HeadStrong Off-Road | @Cascadia Tents | @KB Voodoo | @SouthernStyleOffRoad | RCI Metal Works | C4 Fabrication | AVS | @Andres | @Jeff@ExE​

 

Look forward to following your build. Looks good so far!

 

Does the 285 / 75 / 16 Rub? I wanted a fatter tire but was afraid of rubbing on stock suspension.

 

It rubbed on the a-arms at full right lock. I put on some 1 inch spacers and that fixed it. A different wheel with different offset or backspace could work but I don't know exactly what to use. My tire guys here in my hick town don't know anything either.

 

Are you running your factory tonneau with that bed rack?

 

Yes. I think KB Voodoo is the only one that makes one that works with it. It has an adapter that fastens to the bed rail then goes under the cover.

 

how do you like not being able to not open it? i want to get their bars for a bike rack

 

It's not too bad. I keep my rescue gear that I'll hopefully never need at the front. Then my chuck box and tool box I can reach pretty easily and just slide in and out. I'm eventually planning to get a camper shell with a tent rack on it.

 

Nice build any more updates?

 

Thanks and no not really. I got my rear bumper and painted it but real life won't let me take time to install it yet. Hopefully I can soon.

 

Nice looking truck! And very well equipped!

 

Before you added the weight, how much overall lift did you achieve with that kit.

Later.

 

It was almost 2 3/4" but I already had the full set of armor including sliders. I figured after it settled it would be about 2 1/2". I went with the 885 coils

 

I dig it

 

Great build!
Did you replace the UCA? Heavy or Medium duty leaf pack?

 

No, I didn't need to replace the UCA and I don't think heavy or medium was ever discussed. Marie at Headstrong offroad just recommended the Dakar leaf springs and I said okay put them on the truck. They are a lot beefier than the stock ones and are holding up well with all the weight I have on them.

 

I’m not experienced enough in these build matters to fully appreciate your work here, and I struggle to find the right superlative to best praise what you’ve done. Smashing?

 

Where did you get that center cap? I really like the look as its different from most others I have seen

 

They came with the truck. I assume they are just the OEM caps.