SALINASTACO's _rip_bob_ build

Started a new project a few months back (oct18). I've been creeping on TW for a while so I figured I would show my truck off a bit. It's still a work of progress of course but I've dubbed it the _Rip_Bob_ build because it's turned into the bastard cousin inbetween of @Ripcord and @Jim Bob .(maybe less now that they have their campers rocking, I'll defiantly be doing one down the road as well)
I got the truck in October, a buddy purchased it through through his work, it was a retired field truck for a seed company in Oregon. He brought it down to California and I scooped it up as fast as I could. 2013 125k miles TRD Off Road Spruce Mica Double Cab Short bed. I would prefer a stick shift or a long bed even more but I was happy to have it. I'm coming from a world of BMW's and Vanagons. My van has let me down too many time to trust on long weekend trips anymore so I was drawn to the reliability and 4 wheel aspects of the Tacoma's.
It's a fairly short build so far but I'm very happy with what I've got done. I absolutely love this thing and it's nice to have this revamped excitement with a new vehicle.

Wishlist:
Racks for campershell + Rodvault
High clearance rear bumper
Skids / sliders
Lower control arms

Current look:





First day:

(disclaimer handicap parking was just outside my work for 5 minutes to show off)


First things first, king 2.5 shocks and @TOTAL CHAOS from @ToytecLifts :



Found a good deal on a Timberland Mica colored camper shell, close enough: Also got some yakima roof racks from a REI garage sale. Need to get racks on the campershell soon looking for suggestions on gutters.


Moved the sound system from the BMW. not pictures are 2 10's behind the back seats in a cheap cabinet. @********* wiring to factory stereo and speakers. I still have 4 Memphis audio speakers to install

Finally got around to installing the old speakers:

had to do some hacking for the rear speakers since i didnt buy the mounts:


Scored the last 12-15 Hybrid bumper from the Pelfrey built sale @ Bayaremetalfab in the Bay Area a couple week ends ago. Defiantly wasn't planning on getting a bumper before wheels and tires but I couldn't pass up the opportunity with all the excitement around #jerryberrybought. There was only the middle hoop, I had to have a buddy help me fab some notched tubes and weld the angled connection. Also came with a reinforcement bracket that needed quite a bit of fabricating to get right, still needs some work, will post more on that later.
Got some cool accessories for the bumper as well. Smittybilt 10k winch with wireless remote, rough country light bar and fog lights, the rough country dash button doesn't fit in the tacoma fog light slot, looking back I would attach something to the factory fog light switch. The lights are absolutely bright!





And that just about does it for now.


Picked up some new Wheels and Tires this week (august19)

Cab mount chopped



SCS f5 3.5 bs -25 offset
KO2's 285 75 16



Love em!


Factor 55 winch shackle for xmas!


Did a little work the past weekend.
Blue sea fuse box and bussman circuit breaker to help clean up some wiring under the hood.


Needed to fill some spots on the blue sea so i got some more accessories for the interior:

Expedition essentials 2TPAM with iphone holder

Uniden CB radio hidden in the center console with external speaker in grill

CBI antenna mount ( a little too low profile for the coaxial i bought, waiting on firering)

Valentine 1 for speed!:

CB mic input rewired to empty dash switch

Firestick going on as soon as i get the Fire Ring low profile Coaxial.

Still loving it!

 

Truck looks great man. Congrats

 

Thank you! Appreciate it!

 

Great looking truck!

 

Rockin it!

 

Awesome Looking Tacoma

 

Rib Bob is sweet! Quick question for you. I am running 33" skinny's on a 2" lift, and am thinking of getting the standard 285-75-16's.
How much chopping did you have to do? Did you have to run spacers with the 16" rims?
I have stock 16" wheels, and am 100% positive, in order to run 285's, I need spacers, which is no biggie, just curious about what else I need.
Thanks,
P

 

I really didn’t have to do that much chopping of the cab mount but I went ahead and did it anyway. Plenty of clearance now. I bent back the pinch weld to be even with the rest of the wheel well and the cab mount. I posted some pictures in the thread. I’m getting a little bit of rub on the fenders, it will be easy to trim a small amount off to stop it. But, I think I’m going to hack the flares a bit, maybe an in or 2. It will allow it really clear everything when I’m banching.
As for your tires, you’ll need a 1.25 inch spacer to fit and make your wheels have the same offset as mine. I don’t have spacers my offset is just crazy. It defiantly spreads it out but I love it. If I were you I would wait and get new wheels when you get new tires just cause; some Micky Thompson’s or procomps are pretty reasonable!

 

Taco night tonight!



Blackstone 36inch griddle. GAMECHANGER

 

Thanks Bud, Still debating on tires / wheels. We'll see.
I did find decent vid showing the cab mount chop. Not too difficult.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uYr5kd1jrU

 

looks good with the hybrid bumper!

What leaf pack did you install?

 

It's the ToyTec add a leaf, about 2.5 inches for the rear when you keep using the stock overload.

 

I found it hard to spend 200 on spacers when a decent set of wheels is 400. Just my opinion though.

 

I hear ya, Although it seems like tires for 17" rims are slightly more expensive as well. It's def. worth checking though. Thanks.
When getting 285's, Is it automatic to have to do the cab mount chop? Or is it possible depending on the wheel / off-set, I can avoid it?

 

If you aren’t going to wheel at all. And you leave your sway bars on and have a less aggressive offset you don’t NEED to do the cmc. To me, it’s automatic. Why not? Fun little project.

 

Yup, I totally understand. I feel the same way. I love working on my truck. My issues is since leaving Colorado / North Carolina, I haven't done much "Off-Roading".
And also, my Jeep buddy says cutting into a stock frame in his opinion is not the greatest, but I know from the Toyota world, it seems more common than not.
My plan will be getting the new shoes / spacers, and see how she rides. If she rubs, start a new project. If not, maybe just let her be.
I know this sounds awful, but I want a less aggressive tire than what I have now. I don't need the MT anymore, so I'm going more of an AT.
Thanks for all the info!!

 

New update (yearly update?)! Pics above.

Added the following:
Factor 55 winch shackle
memphis audio speakers
auxiliary fuse box
expedition essentials 2TPAM
valentine1 radar detector
CB radio and antenna + mount

Thanks for looking!

 

)

I just got one of thes and can’t figure out how it mounts. Nothing seems to line up. Any tips?

Toph

 

it goes under the plastic rain guard you have to take all that off and cut it to make it work, you’ll see the bolts it mounts to once you get it off. I’ll go out and take a picture for you if you’re still having trouble.

***correction.**** I don’t think you have to cut anything. Here are the pictures.

 

Salins, thank you. That makes sense. The pics help a lot.

cheers
Toph