Savage Camper Build

Buying a Tacoma was the best & worst thing that has ever happened to me haha, I LOVE the truck but it has also been a black hole for me financially (partially thanks to TW).


I have been blessed to have been able to travel internationally a total of 16 months over the past 3 years to a total of 12 countries. After spending multiple months living in and exploring Australia I realized I have seen more of OZ than of the US. Although the money I have been pouring into my Taco (not to mention the car payments) will keep me from traveling internationally for extended periods anytime soon, it will allow me to explore more of the US as well. First up is a Vancouver -> San Diego 49 day road trip starting this October.


After seeing a couple of my camping buddy's Toyota truck builds with platforms in the back for sleeping and storage I was convinced that was the route I wanted to go after selling my '02 Forester. It all started off so smoothly, found the truck, found a 2nd hand camper shell, got the supplies for the platform and spent 2 months building it during my off time through winter. Along with a few knick-knacks that would help the interior functionality and prolong its life.


Then I decided I needed a lift after seeing it sag from the platform weight (plus all the pictures of lifted Tacos on TW). I was originally just going to get a brush guard but read about how useless they are and when it comes to animal collision (my reasoning for it) that I really should just buck up and get a steel bumper. Then after getting stuck in the mud on the first hairy road of the summer I decided to go ahead and get a winch along with new tires. I liked 17in Coopers the best so naturally I needed new wheels to accompany them...


Interior:

Husky WeatherBeater Floor Liners

Coverking Mesh Seat Covers

Center Console Organizer


Exterior:

A.R.E Camper Shell w/ windoors (Rhinolined)

Yakima Roof Rack on shell & cab w/ wind fairing

Yakima Basket (Rhinolined)

Plastidip rear bumper

Plastidip grill surround & Toyota emblem

Bushwacker Pocket Fender Flares

CaliRaised Ditch Light Brackets

CaliRaised Side Projecting LED Pods

Demello Off-Road 3-Hoop Front Bumper *To be installed @ Demello in Nov.*

CaliRaised Amber Fog-light Pods *To be installed @ Demello w/ bumper*

AVS Bug Deflector

AVS In-Channel Rain Guards


Recovery:

Superwinch Tiger Shark Synthetic Rope 9,500lb *To be installed w/ bumper @ Demello*

Superwinch Neoprene winch cover

Suaoki Jumper Pack

Viair Portable Air Compressor

Yitamotor 3/4" D-Ring Shackles

Pittsburgh 8-ton Bottle Jack


Suspension:

OME 90000 NitroCharger Shocks

OME 2886 Coils

Dakar HD Leafs

Wheeler’s Differential Drop w/ skid plate spacers


Shoes:

Cooper S/T Maxx 255/80r17

DX4 Gear mesh style wheels


To Come:

Plastidip Badges

TJM Awning

Rear-Diff Breather Mod

Rock Slides w/ detachable steps

Skid Plates

Snorkel



Day I bought it @ 30k miles

Found 2nd hand shell on CL the next weekend and drove 5 hours RT to get it

Building the frame in the back

First time getting to test out the camping setup, also got stuck this day and had to be winched out

Other trips throughout summer

Derping the grill and installing fender flares and ditch lights
Front flares will be a little wonky until I have the bumper installed

After the lift, wheels and tires

 

Before and after of the bumper install:

 

What bumper is that.

 

It is a Demello Off-Road 3-Hoop