ponethousand's build

Took this bumper off for first time since I owned the truck.. decided to switch out the original winch, while I was there, I grinded all old paint off with some “steel it” paint. I can see why that paint is so expensive… it is so nice. Put a new badland 12k winch in it. I’ll try not to bend the bumper to shit. No guarantees. I also decided to change the radiator for a new Koyorad full aluminum one. The original radiator that was in had a small leak, and wasn’t performing very well.

 

Also wanted to mention, these leaf springs are officially shot… so they lasted over 10 years. Time to get some new ones and refresh the rear shocks cause they are now bleeding all over the place.
I’ve still been loving it here in Oregon:

 

Still the best looking plate bumper for a first gen.

 

Is the free spool side clockable?

 

with light modification, I got this seat handle from a coast guard HH-60 Helo to work. It passes through a hole I drilled in top of the bumper.

 

I've heard yes but when I took mine apart I couldn't find a way to do it and ended up extending the clutch lever through the bumper...

 

You'll liklely bend the bumper. Mine did and so did another friends.

I was able to reinforce it and hammer it back straight pretty easily. The winch mount plate should be 3/8'' IMO or 1/4''.

There is enough room to cut a piece and slide it behind the frame horn mount vertical plate. Then you can weld the end and where the half circle cut is. Never had an issue after that.

Heres mine:






Also interesting to see the build differences between your bumper and mine. My winch plate is a full bent piece and yours has welds along the top. Interesting. Can't remember when Paul got his, I know Tim made mine. I wonder if your is one made by a hired guy when Tim was trying to loan out work.

 

That is interesting. Which piece bent on the bumper? Since your reinforcement you’ve had 0 bending?

 

the vertical point where it mounts to the frame ends.





Litterally popped back straight with a few wacks with a small sledge.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...trail-rig-and-bs.159436/page-185#post-6908217



I never had issues again. Though to be fair I haven't "used" it hard in years. My buddies has been find though after a similar situation and I repaired it the same.

 

Seems like there was some evolution of the winch plate design. Here's mine (which also bent and you repaired) which doesn't have the welds at the bend but it has 3 half moons instead of 4 round cutouts. Mine was built in Tim's first group buy.

 

Did you reinforce yours as well?

 

Yeah, Monte did. I am the friend he was referring to.

 

I was looking over the bumper a couple day ago, and I think if the fair lead opening was further down on the bottom, it would probably prevent some bending because right now the line(and tension on the line) is higher than the mounting points…

 

Alright that officially removes the Apex from my list for my other truck.

 

Alright fam. Here i am. Officially gonna sell Flexy Lexi. Sad day, but just like what happened with Paul originally, my family has grown, and this truck is too small now for what i want to do. Located in Astoria OR.

 

2004 Toyota Tacoma Long travel, crawler, overland:


I am so sad to be selling this truck. Her name is Flexy Lexi. I have owned it for about 5 years now. I started my overland/offroad journey with this truck. I am the 3rd owner. The truck spent its first 15 years living in Hampton roads, VA where i purchased it, then i got stationed in Key West, FL for 3 years, then i drove it across the country from Key West to Astoria, OR over 36 days, and we camped for 29 of those nights. The truck didn’t even have a hiccup accomplishing this 6100 mile task(we did not do a direct route). The reason i have to seek is because my family is growing and i am looking at building a larger rig for the same purposes. I DO NOT NEED TO SELL THIS TRUCK. This rig has been at the forefront of 1st gen Tacoma builds since day 1 with the original owner, all documented on https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ponethousands-build.219504/ I took over the forum on page 160. It has also been a featured vehicle for Tepui/thule back in the day.


Features/attributes:

-taco box, crawler gear

-long travel suspension by MCM fab

-ADS shocks with Eibach springs

-fabricated spindles by SoloMotorsports

-RCV axles $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

-Dana 44 unlocking hubs by SoloMotorsports

-lower ball joint to uniball conversion(main problem with first gen tacomas) by SoloMotorsports

-fluid filmed 2X per year since I’ve owned it(inside frame rails and complete underside coating

-complete auxiliary electrical refurbishment since I’ve owned it.

-brand new badlands Apex 12k winch in 2024

-front air locker with ARB pump

-Rear E-locker

-re-geared to 4.56 Nitro Gears

-currently on 315s with about 80% tread, it can fit proper 35’s

-fiberglass fenders

-Rock sliders

-fabricated front bumper

-fabricated rear bumper

-skid plates all the way back

-ultra gauge to monitor engine temps, transmission temps, etc

-full apple CarPlay

-new leaf springs and shocks in the rear(previous ones lasted 10 years, replaced with the same ones)(replaced in 2024)

-transmission rebuild in 2022

-regular oil changes

-painted hood and roof in 2024

-ARE bed cap

-custom fabricated bed cap bars that sit on bed sides, see pictures.


This truck is turn key and will bring you anywhere you want to go/camp from the date of purchase. It has also been my daily driver for 5 years, and has never let me down. I have brought it to some of the toughest overlanding/offroad trails along my travels including the alpine loop in CO.


Disclaimer:

-Paint has trail rash/pin stripes(having nice paint just causes stress anyway).

-bed mount roof rack flexes out and is under tension(note: bed stiffeners). This would be an easy fix if you were to take it off and cut then weld to proper bed foot print. There has been a hairline fracture in one of the corners for the last 3 years, and has not caused issues. Fiberglass bed cap could use paint touch up, but is also fine without it.

-due to the conversion to D44 hubs, and fab’d spindles, the ABS has been disabled as it no longer accepts a tone ring or sensors. I have also made the front differential stay in the 4wd locked position permanently, as well as put the transfer case on a rocker switch so that i can avoid any electronic malfunction when needed. It is more reliable this way.


If you have any questions feel free to ask, or send me an offer. Thanks for looking!