Tacomarin’s Chubby Unicorn Build

Thanks for the compliments! This truck has been a lot of fun to build up and has been even more fun to get out and explore with. I know Access Mfg have distributors so it may be possible to get a Tradesman down to you if you wanted. I do really think they are the best shell out there, especially if you’re hard on your gear. They use thicker gauge aluminum than ARE, have an option to get reinforced corners (recommended for off road use), and have the burliest hinges around.

Anyway, to respond to your questions, it’s hard to say how big of a gas hit I took because I put a prinsu rack on the day after I bought it and the tradesman on 2 weeks after that. Then we got new tires about 2 weeks after that. I can tell you that I get about 16 mpg unloaded right now. It’s not great. However I have my 5k service next week and will have them do the new transmission TSB then as well. I have heard people getting improved MPG after 5k and the tune so maybe we will get 17 mpg!

The tires ride well and aren’t too stiff to me. I run them around 32-34 psi which helps a lot. I haven’t done a full on chalk test yet but need to. My biggest complaint with the tires is that they just love pulling right. If you get these tires, get a lifetime alignment because you will be trying to dial that in. There is a whole thread on it but basically you need to run 1-1.5 degrees of cross caster with your passenger side more positive than your driver side. Once I did that it drives pretty darn straight. I have heard the STT pros do not have that problem.

I would also strongly consider waiting to buy tires until you figure out if you are going to lift it or not. We were originally not planning on lifting so I went with 265/75/16. However after I finished the bed platform build it was sagging so bad in the back I had to do something. So I figured if I was going to muck around with the suspension I might as well just lift it. Well now it looks okay with these tires, but would look better in my opinion with 285’s. I’m still happy with the tires for now, but I’ll go up in size for sure with the next set.

Sorry for the novel, hope that all helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

Thanks for the detailed reply! I'll check into Access Mfg distributors to see if a Tradesman is feasible. That's a little disappointing you took that much of a hit on the gas mileage, hopefully the TSB will get some back for you. I'm really hoping to keep it in the 18-20 mpg range, but realize that may not be realistic. Good info on the tires. I want to upgrade to a better AT tire than the stock rubber but I'm not committed to the ST Maxx. Ill keep looking at my options there and keep the future suspension mods in mind. I know somewhere down the road I'll upgrade shocks but I'm not set on a big lift. Thanks again.

 

Yeah I'd be curious to know how big of a hit I actually took. The one drive I did without any mods I was in the 17 mpg range with mostly freeway driving. I don't have much of a lead foot but do usually keep it around 70-75 mph. In our other car I generally get better than factory rated mpg so I don't think it's really me. Around town the mileage is truly awful - around 13-14 mpg. I think my biggest problem is the extra weight, and less the aero dynamics.

People seem to love the Falken Wildpeaks and the price is hard to beat. I went with the Coopers largely because they also had really positive reviews and are made in the US. I also prefer the looks of them over the Wildpeaks.

 

This is a prime build, doing the same with my shortbed. Hopefully it won't be to tight.

 

Some little updates. Nothing major going on. Added a Mobtown Steel Tailgate Panel and upgraded hardware a while back. The whole motivation for that was to put a strap on it to make it easier to close from the inside. It's a sweet product but definitely adds a bunch of weight. Hopefully the soft-drop damper will hold up with it.

Also added a Rhino Rack Batwing awning a while back. This is another nice product but I've only used it once so far. We got it for winter weather mostly to keep rain off of us so we'll see how that works this winter.

I recently put on a Dashboard Multi Mount which is one of my favorite products there is for these trucks. And even more so because it's a side-project for a guy on TW. Really excited to use this. Will probably be getting a radio mount too for multi-rig trips.

 

Really love what you've done to your Tacoma, thanks for sharing! I too have a cement dclb that I'm looking to build on. I look forward to following your thread.

 

DUDE Great freaking build man! Its everything I want my truck to be. I had to compromise and buy a short bed, otherwise we could be twins (minus color) I actually love the Cement too. Great looking rig!

 

Many thanks! More in the works. Black Friday was good to me!

 

Thats great! I had to avoid the black friday, big trip to mexico in January took priority..

 

It's been a while amigo. How was your Holidays trip up North? Curious to see what's next on your unicorn, black friday was calling me too.

Snow is falling, sparking up that convo we started a couple of months back, want to try and hook into a snow run?

 

Yo man, don't know how I missed it. Black Friday deals were good to me. Got a bunch of lighting, sliders, and skids. Hoping to get those all installed this weekend. If you're around at all maybe we can grab a beer Sunday?

Definitely should do a snow run. Probably going to be January at this point given other commitments though.

 

Nice man! You got the sliders and skids with no lead time?

I'm down for a beer on Sunday if I can figure out how to get out of work.

 

Well short lead times at least. Got them both before the black Friday sales started but with the black Friday discounts, so the orders went in before the big rush. You could always try just not showing up for work...

I'm around all Sunday so let me know if you find some time!

 

I’m in for a snow run in Jan

 

Did someone say snow run?



Great truck Steve, I’ve been admiring your build throughout the day while at work

 

If it's truly the thought that counts. If I have beers with you, but think about work, can I still get paid?

 

Looks like this is going to have to happen! Thanks for the compliments. More stuff to put on this weekend. I’m going to be busy!!



And I still need to finish wiring these up!

 

It’s worth a shot!

 

Maybe I missed it, but whose sliders are those?

 

Caliraised's step sliders (0 degree)