The Slow Build: Long Bed Overland Build

Latest Build Updates
Oct 2020
Frontrunner Slimline “low profile” Roof Rack
Pelican v700 Vault Case




April 2019
New Wheels and Tires
TRD Pro Sema Wheels
With 265/70/17 k02 tires



Oct 2018
Speaker upgrade!!!
Picked up a pair of Focal 6x9’s
Model IC 690TOY
And a pair of Focal 6.5’s
Model RCX-165
Subaru Kicker Tweeters

July 2018
Suspension repair/upgrade
Installed BP-51 Ome up front

April 7, 2018
Picked up a Roadshower Pressurized Water Tank



Feb 27
Suspension upgrade
Bilstein TRD PRO kit and ICON AAL



Feb 24
8” kicker L7 sub with and Alpine MRV-M500 amp.

Dec 17
Sso Slimline Bumper and Smittybilt x20 10k winch



Things done:

Interior:
-Dog Blanket/Rear Seat Cover
-Speaker upgrade!!!
Focal 6x9’s Model IC 690TOY
And a pair of Focal 6.5’s
Model RCX-165
Subaru Kicker Tweeters
8” L7 kicker sub with Alpine MRV-M500 amp.


Exterior:
-Leer 100XR Canopy
-SSO SLIMLINE Bumper with Smittybilt x20 10k winch and synthetic line
-Frontrunner Slimline “low profile” Roof Rack
-Front Runner Slimline II Canopy Roof Rack For Canopy
-Pelican v700 Vault Case
-Bed Mat
-Yakima Hangover 4 hitch mount vertical 4 place bike rack
-TRD Pro grill

Camping:
-Tepui Autana Sky Roof Top Tent
- Bug out box with all necessary camping supplies, food rations, drinking water, and Jet Broil cookers.
-Propane Heater


Protection:
- 4xInnovations Rock Sliders (DOM With Kick-out and Square Main Tube) modified by Mule Expedition Outfitters

-Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners

- SSO Slimline Bumper


Wheels and Tires:
-Tires BFG KO2 265/70/R17
- 4Runner TRD Pro Sema wheels

Suspension:

Front- BP-51 OME
Removed Bilstein TRD Pro shocks up front after seal failure.

Rear -PTR13-35150 Bilstein TRD PRO

• 2.0-in. rears with remote (piggyback) reservoirs

-Removed factory springs and ICON AAL
and replaced with Medium Duty OME Dakar leaf springs
-Hellwig EZ-990 Medium Duty Helper Springs (have been removed since installing AAL)

Recovery:
-ARB Snatch Strap and Shackles
-Receiver Hitch D-Ring Shackle Mount
-Relentless Fab Bed Rail Dual Quick Fist Mounts: For mounting Shovel and Axe
-Relentless Fab Bed Rail Hi-Lift Jack Mount
- Smittybilt x20 10k winch with synthetic line
- Tree saver and Snatch Block
-Fiery Red Traction Boards

Wish list:
-ARB on board Air Compressor
-Husky floor mats
-Ditch lights
-LED light bar



My truck started off as a 2016 MGM TRD OFF Road Long Bed with basically all the options except the JBL sound system.

The day it was delivered to my dealer.

The day I brought it home

First things First I picked up a Canopy.
A Leer 100XR with Thule roof rails
and a Front Runner Slimline Roof Rack

 

As an avid mountain biker, a bike rack was next on the list.
The Thule T2 Pro
This rack is super easy to use, secure, fast, and efficient when loading and unloading bikes but unfortunately I didn't fully test it before purchasing.
The tilting mechanism is higher up on this rack vs most hitch mounted bike racks.
The tilt mechanism hits the tailgate when you lower the gate.
It's not impossible to get in the bed of the truck without damaging the tailgate but it is less than ideal and I'll probably upgrade to a 4 place North Shore rack soon...

 

Land Limo! Good luck with the rest of the build. I love Frontrunner stuff.

 

Despite being a long bed I've found the bed a little uncomfortable for sleeping in. Especially when it was loaded up with bike gear and camping equipment.
A roof top tent was the next logical step.
I was able to climb in and demo a Tepui tent at Mule Expedition Outfitters in Issaquah. After about 30 seconds in the tent I was sold.
Dana from Mule sold me the Tepui Autana Sky tent for all my camping needs.



The tent is super fast to set up, stow away, and has been living on top of my truck since the day I bought it.
I keep my blankets and sleeping bags stowed away inside the tent for easy access while camping. You don't need to stow them separately while on the road as they fold right up in the tent when you put it away.

It makes the decision to go camping real easy when all your gear is ready to go and so simple to set up.

And the integrated foam mattress is super comfortable.

 

After a couple trips in some deep snow I decided it was time to upgrade the tires.
I found a good deal on a set of five tires from a fellow Tacoma World member.
I'm currently running a set of 265/75/r16 Ko2 tires on my stock TRD OR wheels. They are about an inch bigger than stock.
No lift, no rubbing.

 

Next on the list is a set of 4xInnovations rock sliders.
These sliders require a little more work than your average bolt on sliders to install as they come in a bunch of pieces and need to be welded together as well as welded to the truck. The crew at Mule has been super helpful getting me set up. They welded everything together and did a test fit with me prior to sending them to be powder coated. The fit looked really nice, high and tight. The sliders themselves are super beefy and can take a real beating. Look up 4xInnovations test video on youtube. I'll post pictures once they have been installed.

 

Awesome. Glad to see how much fun you're having with your truck

 

Do you have any concern on the weight of the Roof Top Tent on the Shell? I am looking to mount a RTT aswell but I am a little nervous about the load on the shell over time?

 

I was a little concerned at first but after living with the tent on my roof full time for about 6 months I'm happy to report zero problems.
As an extra precaution (though probably unnecessary) I purchased a Frontrunner Rack to help with spreading/distributing the weight across a larger area of the shell.
My Frontrunner rack has six mounting points where it attaches to the rail system instead of just 4 on a typical roof bar system.
An added bonus the rack also has a integrated bottle opener for my beer.

 

Flash back to my first Toyota build.



1981 Toyota 4x4
Engine Swap:
Buick 231 v6
Turbo 350 with B&M shift kit
On 31's in this photo I think but had it on 35's Gumbo Monster Mudders at one point.
This picture was taken circa 1994

 

Finally got my new sliders welded on!
They are 4x Innovations.
I really am happy with how they turned out.
Mule Expedition Outfitters in Issaquah Wa did an awesome job with the fit, welding/assembly, and powder coating.









A cool video and drop test about these sliders:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQPhzA44ms

 

Picked up a pair of Relentless Fab Dual Quick Fist mounting plates,
Hi-Lift Jack mounting plates, and a couple Quick Fist rubber clamps.
The plates are perfect for mounting shovels, axe, or similar items to your factory bed rail.




Will add better photos later.

 

The Quick Fist kit came with a couple pieces I haven't installed yet.
A fire extinguisher mount and a smaller rubber clamp that would be perfect for a fishing rod...

 

Your truck is looking good! Quick question... How far apart are those holes in that relentless fab dual quick fist mount? I want to see if a quickfist XL would fit. The XL base is 6" x 7/8" and has 3 holes for mounting

 

I'll measure it later tonight for you.
Are you trying to mount an air tank or fire extinguisher?
they might make a version for the XL base already?
If not you could probably get the single quickfist mounting plate and drill two more holes?

 

I want to mount a waterport (https://www.thewaterport.com/). I was originally going to get some aluminum bar stock and hodge one together, but then I saw your pic and thought, that could work. Thanks for the measurement, it is appreciated!

 

Very cool build

 

I have been eyeing the Roadshower (http://www.roadshower.com/).
The Waterport looks pretty sweet as well. It doesn't hold as much water as the Roadshower but it is cheaper and appears to take up less room.
A pressurized water tank is something on my wish list for sure. Would be great for hosing off the bikes and myself after muddy rides.

 

Great build! Basically doing the same with my DCLB. was in the middle of drawing plans for a truck vault style bed/canopy system but worry if it's too cramped.

I switched from the Kuat NV to North Shore 4bike system and love it. Works great for carrying multiple bikes, looks good, and no tailgate damage.

Looking forward to watching the progress on this - Sweet build!

 

The holes are about 3.5 inches apart the plate is a little bit longer than 9 inches...