PonderoSito's Silver Taco build

So recently I decided it was time to spruce up my trusty '01. I bought it new and it now has around 250,000 miles on it. Still all original except for maintenance like the timing belt and clutch. The 3.4 still runs like a top. The suspension is just a little worn out. Actually it was a little worn out years ago, now it just shimmys and shakes down the highway so it's way past time for a rebuild. Since I'm going to have it all apart anyways I'm going to go ahead and lift it a bit and set it up for back country camping and exploring here in the Sierra and the rest of the amazing West.

Plans call for a 2-3" lift with Bilstien 5100s/OME 883s up front and a Toytec AAL with Rough Country shocks out back. I'll drive this for a few years and then decide where to go next with the suspension. JBA UCAs. New bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. New wheel bearings. Tundra brakes. Braided brake hoses. I'm going to drive on some 32s a bit and see if I want to regear to 4.56. If I do I'll likely put in a front ARB locker at the same time. Planning on some late model 4Runner wheels with 275/70-17 tires for 32.2". I may bump up to 275/80s in the future for 33".

I'll be putting on a TJM plate front bumper from my 3rd gen 4Runner, Smittybuilt X2O 12,000 lb winch, Savage Offroad skid plates, sliders and a tube rear bumper (or home brew) with swingout.

Also planning to have onboard air, 12v fridge, solar, and various other overlanding accoutrements.

I'm also planning to build a popup camper shell to camp in. Mixing details of both of these:
https://gofastcampers.com/
https://campovrlnd.com/

The plan is to do something like this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149794382@N06/albums/72157706051859295/page4/
but modify it to have a full popup and rear barn doors like the OVRLND. If I don't wind up having time I'll probably buy one but it would be fun to build it myself.

So that's the nutshell for now. There's still lots to figure out, plan and build but I'll keep track of it here. It's likely to take me a while as I tend be pretty busy. Here's the truck now:

 

I installed the AALs and rear shocks this afternoon. Gained about 3". I think the AALs were rated for 2" but my original springs were sagging pretty bad.

 

Thanks! It should be fun. At least when I get time to work on it.

 

Things just got crazy at work so I won't have much time to work on my truck for a while. But more overtime means more $$ for the build.

I got the rear AALs installed and gained about 3". They are only rated to 2 1/2" I think but the original springs have sagged. Also got some 2019 4Runner rims so I can run a 275/70-17. They currently have 265s which are fine until I buy new tires.

Also got the BAMF BPV bracket installed. That made a great improvement in the brakes!

 

I haven’t updated my build thread in a while. I wound up having to move out of my work house which took a lot of time. Hopefully I can get back to rebuilding the suspension on my Tacoma soon. I bumped into Mark @otis24 out by Cherry Lake where I work a few weeks ago. That was totally unexpected and it was cool to meet him and see the Bodonkadonk in person. His rig and Overland Under Budget are two of my earliest inspirations for my build. Nice to meet you Mark, great build!

 

Parts have been rolling in. I received my Tundra brake line kit from @turbodb

What a great kit! Shipping was super fast. My build is going super slow so far though.

 

I got my JBA upper control arms and they look great. Can’t wait to mount them up!

 

I decided to go with a hidden winch mount on this one for now. I got the one from Amp’d Up with a bull bar and it’s pretty nice. I’ll get it painted soon and hopefully mounted too.

 

Also my 4x Innovations rock sliders. They are the DOM with kickout and square main tube. They look pretty sweet and super stout!

 

And my Tundra brake kit.

 

I ordered some aluminum skid plates but they haven't showed up yet. I'll use these for regular driving and trips. If I want to get out in the rocks I'll swap over the steel skids from my 4runner.

I really like the truck of @alpine_yota on instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alpine_yota/

It seems to be largely what I want to do with my build and I really like his Ovrlnd camper; I think I may end up buying one of these. Does anyone know if he is on Tacomaworld?

Happy New Years everbody!

 

Wow, it's been a year since I updated my build thread! I've gotten a lot done to the truck. I've got the 3" lift done, tundra brakes, winch, rock sliders, aluminum skids, etc. I also came across a deal on a very lightly used Snap Outfitter's Tree House pop-up camper. I'll go through my phone and try to find pics of everything to update this thread but here's how the truck is looking these days.


I'm pretty happy with the progress so far. It's geared too high now with 4.10s and 33s. With the 5spd I can downshift no problem but it's still a dog on the hills around here. I'm thinking 4.56s might be the ticket. Opinions on gears? The rear axle seals are starting to weep so it's a good time to get it all done, gears, bearings, seals.

Does anyone have shop recommendations in Norcal for the gear work? I'm considering:
https://209yota1.com/
https://www.rearendshoplivermore.com/
Or Rearend Specialties in Santa Clara. Does anyone have experience with Yota1 Performance in Riverbank? They specialize in Toyotas so might be good? I've read good things about the other 2 shops here on tacomaworld.

Next project after that is new rear springs. The lift overload springs I installed gave me a 3" lift originally but I lost 2" of that with the addition of the heavier camper. Plus the ride is not terrific. I'm thinking about these All-Pro expedition weight springs: After that I'll be looking to build a rear swing-out tire carrier bumper. Just need to find some more steel and some time.

 

Looking good man!!

 

Thanks! It's in the shop getting gears at the moment. Hoping to pick it up this week or maybe next.

 

I'm looking for a 1st gen sway bar if anyone has one in NorCal.

 

I actually have one, if you’re ever in Northern Oregon lmk

 

Oh, cool, I'll keep that in mind. No plans to travel that way at the moment but maybe later this summer. Thanks!

 

I just got my truck back from The Rearend Shop in Livermore. It's sporting 4.88s now and is much nicer to drive in the hills. I would recommend this shop. Barry is very knowledgeable and helpful. He used all new Toyota bearings and seals and good gears. The rear gear set was polished so no break in period needed. Also has a 3 year warranty on parts and labor. Great stuff!

 

I just replaced the speedo gear in the transfer case to get my speedo more accurate with the current gearing. I used the write up by @turbodb as a guide and it worked fantastic!

https://adventuretaco.com/replacing-the-speedo-gear/

Dan's build thread and website have been immensely helpful to me on this build and his Tundra brake line kit made that particular upgrade pretty effortless. Thanks Dan!
https://adventuretaco.com/


I'd also like to shout out Timmy the Toolman for his great videos, thanks man!
https://www.youtube.com/c/TimmyTheToolman?app=desktop