Questions about a potential overland tacoma build

Originally posted this on expedition portal but I wasn't getting much traffic so I figured I'd come to a toyota dedicated site. Thanks in advance for all your replies


So there I was 10 1/2 years ago, a 22 year old snot nosed kid who's dream car at the time was a "lifted" white toyota tacoma. A few months and an auto trader ad later, my Ranger found a new home and a shiny new Taco found its new spot in the driveway. It rode like chit, never touched dirt unless I it really had to, got washed every week and its oil changed every 3000 miles. That lasted about 6 months. A few years later I had it paid off, and as the miles clicked off, the washes got more infrequent, and my needs began to change...I found myself a couple years ago starting to dream of a new ultimate vehicle. Don't get me wrong, its not like I all the sudden found a new found love for wheeling or anything. I just found myself racing motorcycles and traveling a lot more...and the lovely lady and I took up camping at our great country's various national parks. I then decided that my new ultimate vehicle was going to be a 4x4 sprinter. The more I ran the numbers, the more I realized that a sprinter wasn't practically going to be in the cards. When Ford came out with their Transit, my hopes were renewed but alas, after running the numbers...it just wasn't going to be worth reacquiring a $450 payment again. Not to mention that my Tacoma has ran great from day 1 and has never given me any grief.

To somewhat fullfill my camping and moto needs, I bought a 3 rail to tow behind my truck and a truck tent to set up in the back. We've used it a lot, and its nice...but its still a little too rough when we're in Zion or Grand Canyon and its in the teen's. I was starting to run the numbers on a van again last week when my babe showed me a picture she saw on that instagram site. It was John Burts tacoma. She asked me if I could do something like this with my truck, and I said sure...all its gonna take is some $$$. Since then I have been frantically reading threads on taco builds, hanging on every word posted, day dreaming how I could make this a reality. But here's my condundrum. A lot of this is a foreign language to me. If someone was to ask me about KTM 2T's, I'd be able to tell them anything they wanted in great detail followed up with a Mic drop at the end. But trucks aren't dirtbikes. I'm slowly finding out that there's waaaaaaaaaaaay more to it than I thought. And the worst part is I have no clue what I need and worse yet....I don't even know what I don't know. I am very well versed with how forums work, so I'm sure I'll get a couple dudes that will post a link to either a google search function, or if they're crafty...the search button for this site. Been there, done that But like the moto sites that I'm used to, I'm hoping that the advice and knowledge eventually finds its way into this thread and floods my mind with ideas and understanding .


Soooo...a little about me and what I'm looking to do. First and foremost, this truck has 240,00 miles on it. My first order of business is to get it a clean bill of health before I make 1 more step. I know for sure I'm gonna need new front axles. My CV boots have been torn for a while now. And while I'm pretty good at keeping them grease...which means I'm pretty good at making sure the underside of my truck gets splattered with a fresh coat of grease monthly; I know its just about the same amount of work to replace axles instead of just the boots. Drivabilty on road is key!! I commute to work 120 miles from San Diego to LA about 3 times a week. I literally spend 98% of my time at highway speeds. This truck has been my DD for 10 years and I'm hoping to get another 10 out of it. As the truck sits now, its as capable as I have ever, and will ever need it. I'm not a wheeler the least bit... and although I think its cool, its something I would much rather enjoy in the passenger seat of someone else's rig while they break their stuff. To devulge a little bit more on this topic, if I was to come to rocks in the middle of the road, I will 10 times out of 10 look for an easier away around it. I'm as likely to willingly go find a hill or a shelf to play on to see if my truck can hack it as I am likely to balance my onside front wheel ever so delicately on a rock to take a photo that is clearly staged...just to show you guys for the bazillinth time what a few feeble inches of articulation looks like. Not that I'm ashamed of my truck the least bit. I just equate it to having the Irish curse....Its something I just live with and hope it doesn't come up . Fire roads are my main path of offroad travel, and the technical section on the road up to coyote flats is about as technical as I'll ever do. Its not that I'm scared. Its just that I really don't have much to prove....especially if it might cost me $$$ if I fail. If in the off chance that I feel the need to prove my manliness to myself, I'll just do back to back jazzersize sessions. That's how I roll

I actually prefer the look of the flippac to the AT habitat, but as I did my research I learned that they have major issue with torsion bar failures. And now that the manufacturer is defunct, the option is pretty much off the table. So it looks like I'll be going with the Habitat. With that, I'm sure I'll have to upgrade my suspension components...which is long overdue anyways because I haven't done a single thing to the suspension or that crappy dealer-installed revtec lift since I got it. I might be able to get away with the front as is for a bit, but I know my rear is going to need work. My biggest consideration is getting something that will be able to handle the weight. In addition to the habitat, camping gear...and down the road a new bumper and tire swing out, I'll be towing a 3 rail or having a hitch-mounted bike carrier dangling off the side. I read a lot about guys getting custom leaf pacs made but I'm thinking maybe airbags would be best being that I'm not always going to have a bike and camping gear in the back of my truck. Once again, I'm not neccesarily looking for something that will be awesome off road. Just something that is well priced, will support the weight, and relatively "set it and forget it". I've been used to getting bounced around for 10 years with my current crappy spacer kit, so although a good ride would be a nice reprieve to my current situation, comfort is very low on my priority list suspension-wise.


Another hickup I know I will run into is power. I have just the standard SR5 model, so I have no power in the back. I'm reading about guys doing dual batteries. What's the best way to go about this condundrum and does anyone make a kit that is pretty straight forward to install. Cheap would be good too .

I've been running 265/75R16's for as long as I can remember. No complaints whatsoever...but then again, ignorance is bliss. I'm reading that I might be leaving some MPG on the table with that tire and I might be better off with a 285 or 255 combo. Someone please give me a down and dirty comparison on these choices and what I would need (lift wise) to accomodate said choices. FWIW, I think I have a 2 1/2'' leveling kit on my rig right now, and I'm fine with the ride height. But if it makes sense I might lift it a little more if I have to upgrade my suspension components anyways.

A front bumper and a rear bumper w/tire swingout down the road would be nice. But in all honesty if I got as far as a clean bill of health, cheap paint job, AT habitat, upgraded suspension and tires..I would consider that a big mark in the "W' column. But while we're at it, throw some reccomendations my way.


When it comes to my wrenching skills, I'm pretty good with bikes and have just basic knowledge when it comes to vehicles. Not sure where this puts me. Probably somewhere between "1 step above retarded" and "teachable" .


The main reason that I'm starting this thread is to learn what I'm getting into and how much I can count on spending before I take another step, and hopefully gaining some knowledge from you fine folks. Thanks in advance for all your responses, and if any of ya'll got a line on some good used parts....lemme know

 

Best I can determine, you mainly just want a mildly capable off-road rig (as it's already really as capable as you'd request of it) with the ability to take you and the lady out to camp comfortably in some slightly remote areas (and have some comforts and luxury with you in the form of power/cooking/water) and haul your dirt bikes in with you..but it's still going to be your DD?

Honestly, based on what I see you asking for, I think you're barking up the wrong tree trying to outfit the TRUCK with everything.

Have you contemplated a nice teardrop style off-road trailer? A well optioned off-road trailer will get you all the comforts I see you wanting yet will be something self-contained for it's purpose (onboard power, camping, gear, etc)

A few key reasons I suggest you contemplating the trailer option are:

- Insulated camping (you mention camping in cold weather. Tents and even the AT Habitat would be cold, a teardrop camper could have a heater option or at least have insulated walls compared to canvas).

- Overall setup cost of purchasing trailer and other bits will be comparable to (f not cheaper than) the Habitat setup you described.

- Ability to unhook and leave at home when you commute (so some savings here in form of MPG).

- Truck takes less wear and tear and gets more comfortable suspension and wheel/tire setup.

- This setup would still allow you to put a dirtbike or two in the bed of the truck, and if you have to have three (as you hint to with the 3-rail trailer)..you could always find a way to mount a rail on the trailer (perpendicular on the front tongue maybe). Adds a little hassle unhooking trailer (or jack knifing it) to allow unloading of the bikes in the bed of the truck, but that's seemingly a small sacrifice when considering big picture.

 

I would recommend looking up a guy here and his thread called Diet Taco. Right up your alley it seems. Good luck and ill be following this thread. Sounds like OME coils and Bilstein 5100 shocks, along with a Dakar leafpack or airbags will suit you fine.

 

what would you recommend for a few decent teardrop camper? I may go down this road eventually

 

Unfortunately I have no first hand experience on them so I can't offer any suggestions. Definitely do some reading on Expedition Portal...I'm sure there's bound to be a decent sample size of people there with them that you can get some opinions on.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas. The main drawback I see with a teradrop or mini hauler is I'm not sure of their offroad prowess. I'm sure their good for the run of the mill flat fire roads but I'm not sure what they'd be like getting up switch backs and mildly technical sections. I'll have to seek out someone who has experience with this. The only time I would have the habitat loaded with camping gear would be when I'm indeed going camping. And the only time I would be pulling a 3 rail with me is if I'm going to the races or something and am bringing multiple bikes. Other than that I'd probably just have a hitch mounted carrier mounted up which all that will do is add weight to the back. But yes, a fully loaded habitat setup with a loaded down 3 rail will be pushing my Tacoma a bit.


Does anyone have an opinion for highway driveabilty of 255 tires. Logic would lead me to believe that a taller, skinnier tire would be better at cruising speed than the 265/75's I'm currently using

 

There are several companies that make 'offroad' camping trailers. And you can probably buy a teardrop and upgrade the suspension under it to accommodate truck tires.

You'll want new rear leaf packs. AllPro or OME, just based on the age of the truck. New shocks all around might not be a bad idea.

If your truck is already going off road where you want it: don't mess with success.

 

255 tires would give you about the same overall diameter as 285s and you won't have to worry about messing with the cab mount. On the highway they're fine. I THINK there are 255s out there that are less than 10-ply, but I have Cooper S/T Maxx and they're 10-ply, so the weight bangs on the MPGs a bit.

Sounds like a full OME suspension is what you're looking for, although my Fox setup rides much smoother than my OMEs off road -- but you said you don't care about comfort very much. Save the $$$ and go OME.

I'm interested in the direction you go because my goal is to build a camping rig that I can also DD to work.

 

The only issues with 255s is the limited options in tires, which is why I stuck with 265/75 16s with my 2.5" lift. A 285 is going to be a much heavier tire and hurt MPGs.

I can echo the recommendation for the OME lift/suspension upgrade over your current spacer setup. It's what I'm buying shortly after weighing all the options within my budget.

...and yeah, there's companies that make some sick, purpose built, off-road rated teardrop trailers these days. Any trailer would definitely make switchbacks and more technical sections more of a chore..but daily driving with a Habitat would make that a chore too, it comes down to whichever compromise makes more sense for your needs.

 

I recently came across this teardrop camper that expands. Probably expensive as shit, but thought it was cool nonetheless. Would need some modification to match a built truck going into rough terrain.

http://www.beauer.fr/en/menu/article/about-us