The '13 MGM Build.. Built for getting out there.

I purchased my '13 Access Cab in early January 2016 with 36,xxx miles. I'm a landscape photographer by hobby and got this rig pretty much exclusively to get me out to most anywhere I want to go and be able to crash in the bed at the end of the day.

As it sits today:
















Mods

OME 3" lift kit with nitrocharger shocks, Dakar leefs, and Total Chaos UCA's
Cooper ST Maxx 255 85 16 CURRENT: 285 75 16 KO2
TRD FJ Anthracite wheels CURRENT: Method NV

Summer 2017:
CBI bolt on sliders
Pelfreybilt high clearance swing-out



[Mt. Bross - Alma, Colorado]

When I first got the truck I didn't anticipate to lift it for at least a year.. but then things just happened . I decided on the OME kit as reservoir systems just didn't seem necessary, and ended up going with Cooper ST Maxx 255/85/16. I noticed a lot of functional overland rigs choose these tires, and I wanted something that wouldn't negatively affect gas mileage. At the time I wasn't too keen on cutting into the truck's steel either. All that being said, I do think I'd consider going a little larger (285's, maybe even 315's) once I need new rubber. We'll see!

Stock:



It was time for some new rubber. The stock rugged fails were on their last legs and couldn't find traction for crap over the winter.

New tires were pup approved.



I decided to go with ARE's CX shell. I went with the carpeted headliner and BedRug and have absolutely no complaints. I recently spent 7 nights in the truck and never once felt uncomfortable. My girlfriend's parents got us an air mattress (I think she might have complained to them after the first few times ), and honestly it is more comfortable than my bed at home. Our 7 night roadtrip was spent in Utah - at first I was concerned it would be uncomfortably hot at night, but honestly the temperatures cooled off significantly and the sliding windows usually brought in a nice breeze.

ARE post install:



As you can see I went with the FJ anthracite rims. I really dig the look and I'm glad I decided to go with them. (I had a hell of a time getting them, two places took my money before realizing they needed a VIN - finally I got them by apparent accident. In that time I had actually ordered Method NV's and had to cancel the order once I was told the FJ's were actually coming.)

Some photos from my recent trip:


Monument Valley - Arizona


Campsite at Canyonlands NP

Future plans:

-TRD Pro Grill + color matched surround

-Steel bumper w/ light bar - can't decide between ARB or Pelfrey. I will admit that pelfreybilt's is the much more stylized of the two, but I can't get past the rugged appearance of ARB's. We'll see. At that time I'll get OME 886 coils. In the meantime I might get spacers to better even out the rake from the 885's.

-Roof rack - most likely Prinsu

(Small mod - window tint sometime soon)

Thanks for looking!

 

Recently threw on the pro grill.

Next up I need to get sliders so I can actually use the hi-lift I bought if I need to. I'd also like to get a Prinsu rack for the cap.. although I don't have factory rails built in so I'm not sure how big of a problem that's gonna be?

 

Pro grill looks so good....but so damn expensive for something purely aesthetic. How much did you snag yours for?

 

Yeah it's ridiculous what they ask for. I paid $350 from an ebay vendor with a TW discount. I can try to find who that was if interested.

 

Yea if you don't mind that would be awesome

 

Ah sorry man, it was closed: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...pro-grill-350-00-shipped-closed.432608/page-4

 

Had some help putting on my high clearance from two buddies last weekend (ok, they practically did everything). They're crazy meticulous about everything they do so I've gotta say they got it mounted up with perfect fitment. We ended up jacking up the front of the truck to get it completely level to help in drawing the cut line:



Tanking resale value, one RPM at a time:





Extremely happy with how it turned out.







While I really like the look of the FJ wheels, I bit the bullet and bought Method NV's and 285 KO2's. (Thoroughly enjoy the ST Maxx and just wanted to try something different). I do a LOT of highway miles since it's a 5+ hour to get anywhere worthwhile in Nebraska, so something great on the highway is a plus. I'm just waiting on the powdercoater to finish up the "beadlock" bolts before I get them mounted. Looking forward to the more aggressive stance for sure, but I'm probably going to cringe at the MPG drop with them and the new bumper .

Can't wait to put the table to use!

 

Looks great man! We have slightly different colored clones now haha looking forward to your reviews on the KO2. I'm looking at going 295 KO2's and have the ST's on currently.

 

Pshh, far from it! I've got a lot of catching up to do . 295's were tempting, you'll have to keep me posted about what you decide. I took a side by side comparison shot of the 285 (unmounted) and 255, and they weren't drastically different (although I'm sure it'll be really noticeable once all is said and done and they're on the truck). Will post that when I can later.

 

Would definitely like to see the comparisons once they're all mounted up. Plus get your opinion on the KO2's

 

Here's the unscientific size comparison:

 

One step closer to getting these on the truck. Hoping blue loctite will keep the powder coated bolts in there indefinitely.

 

Looking good man can't wait to see it all mounted up!

 

Mounted up! I'll have to get some better pics in direct light since the black wheels kinda just got washed out.






There's a lot of rub at full 90 degree turns. I can tell it's just the bit of plastic at the inside of the fender flare next to the cab mount, so once I can get my hands on a reciprocating saw it should be an easy fix. I also plan to get a CMC once I can set that up.

Really happy with the look. I planned to paint the hubs (the front ones have a nice black cover that looks good, but that backs are rusty steel). I actually think I might just put the center caps in now and see how I like it.

Not sure what to do next! I think a prinsu rack needs to be in the works. Might wait till Black Friday to see what kinds of deals are around.

 

Look really good! How do you like the KO2's compared to your last tires? Noise, on road characteristics etc? Probably haven't had a chance off road yet haha

 

So far so good! The E load is definitely more rigid - concrete cracks and other bumps definitely transfer into the cab a little more harshly than before. I also have a steering wheel vibe at around 60 mph, but I'm assuming that's due to a poor balance.

Also, I have noticed an up and down vibration of the truck at roughly 45 mph (and seemingly only on one specific road). I can only assume it's due to the extra weight on the back with the bumper and spare - similar to what you experienced with the standard swingout. It's not an issue as far as I can tell though..

I'll report back on offroad handling once I have the chance

 

That up and down vibration isn't much of a problem, but the tires are being a pain in the ass to balance. Two shops and three attempts and there's still some vibes at 50-65 mph in my steering wheel. Moreso on certain roads than others. Will probably just live with it.

I've already put on 3,000 miles on them in 2 weeks Got 18.4 mpg on a highway tank, which is pretty spot on with what I was getting with the 255's.



At the end of September I'll be putting some mountain miles on them, so that should be fun. Can't wait to spend a full week in Colorado during peak aspen season.

 

Last city tank I got 17.9 mpg.. seems like I'm getting better mileage than with the 255's, which makes absolutely zero sense. With the 255's I was multiplying my miles x 1.07, with the 285's I'm doing 1.06.

 

Sweet ride. Love the stance.

 

Ty!