The Wanderer - My Build and (mis)Adventures.

Welcome to my attempt at a build page!

I like background and stories, so you'll hear a little about the motivation for what I did (or plan to do) as this progresses. Hope you enjoy it!

I started researching trucks about a year before I bought this. I was driving my second Focus in 3 years, missed my F150, but didn't want a full size truck. I also knew I wanted a manual transmission, as I'd had enough with the Focus Fiasco edition. I was watching the Ranger news, but the auto trans killed it for me.

2018 Sport - Inferno. DCSB MT, tech package, hood graphic, tri-fold tonneau cover, bed cleats, and a few more things I've probably forgotten.

This is the first day home, less than 15 miles on it. (That wouldn't last long!)

Can you see the first mod?



Current Mods list:

The dirty side:
Bilstien 5100 X4
Dakar Heavys
886 Coils
(^ Headstrong Off-road https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/c113/Tacoma_16__Complete_Kits.html)
Bridgestone Dueler Revo 3's (265/70/17, slight rub at full lock)
BFG KO2's, 10 ply, Kevlar in the same size after blowing a second sidewall. Keeping two and plan on a second set of wheels for commuting, KO2's for trails.
1.25" spacers
Factory Bash Plate - deleted for TRD Skid plate
TRD PRO Skid plate - painted black and color match letters
Chin strap removal

The Shiny side!
De-badged
Raised black metallic TACOMA tailgate letters - (eBay)
Blacked out 2nd gen door badges (smaller than 3rd gen) - (eBay)
A little Patriotism
Rigid D-Series Pro Ditch lights (https://www.rigidindustries.com/d-s...lective-yellow-surface-mount-pair-504814.html)
Rigid D-Series Pro Selective Amber Fog Lights - Hyper spot
Diode Dymanics SS3 Pro Amber Fogs (https://www.diodedynamics.com/ss3-led-fog-light-kit-for-2016-2021-toyota-tacoma.html)
Custom hood stripes
Custom bed side graphics - removed, nothing but Inferno now.
KB Voodoo long bed full height rack - SOLD
Tepui Kukenam 3 - new to me (https://www.thule.com/en-us/rooftop...tents/thule-tepui-explorer-kukenam-3-_-901301)
Caliraised bed stiffeners (https://caliraisedled.com/products/2005-2021-toyota-tacoma-bed-channel-supports)
Putco LED full function 3rd brake light (https://www.putco.com/blade-led-tailgate-light-bar)
Meso Stage 1 Tail lights (https://mesocustoms.com/products/stage-1-3rd-gen-tacoma)
High Lift jack (Amazon)
Martin Roof rack (https://martinor.com/shop/foundation-rack-1)
Predator style OEM steps - Sold
ActionTrax recovery boards (https://usactiontrax.com/)
Rago Fabrications Endeavor Series Bed Rack (purchased unfinished / blemished) with canopy attachments and antennae mounts. ( )
Relentless Fabrication Summit winch bumper with Monstaliner roll on bed liner instead of powder coat (https://www.monstaliner.com/)
Ironman 9500 lb winch (https://ironman4x4america.com/monster-winch-9500lbs-12v-electric-synthetic-rope/)
Overland Explorer Sliders (https://explore-overland.com/shop/o...yota-tacoma-sliders-2007-2021-xpl-vrl-tyt-tnd)
Something I forgot will go here

The Inside

Meso map and interior RED LED lights (https://mesocustoms.com/)
Molle panel (full) behind the rear seats
Marine Corp gear shift knob (https://www.hotrodshiftknob.com/us-marines-globe-eagle-shift-knob-brass-pewter/)
Glove box and center console organizers (Amazon)
Husky floor liners (Amazon)
Rexing front and rear cameras (https://www.rexingusa.com/product/rexing-v1p-max/)
DMM from Taco Garage ( )
Radio mount from @supralee
Headliner insulation / noise reduction
Ford Upfitter switches in overhead console for exterior lighting controls.
Something something something....

Miscellaneous stuff:

GoPro hero*
Baofeng handheld*

Wish List:

Cargo and area lights
Full skids - undetermined
Wheels - AR Baha or similar - matte black
Comms...
Solar / battery combination
Misc camping gear


Trips:

Local
Flag Pole Knob
Reddish Knob
Big Levels 4X4 Trail
Sleepy Creek
Blakey Ridge

Not so local
Arizona National Parks
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...h-your-wife-for-your-25th-anniversary.740871/


*Not kept in the truck!!

Currently






https://youtu.be/yK_KeRgHSyc

 

The next few mods were from Weathertech, in channel window vents and bug deflector, and Morimoto LED fogs. Then some Rigid ditch lights on the hood, which you can see in the pic of the motivation for the next mod. Caught the rear legs of a large female deer on the way home from work. Pushed the fog lamp in, but kept it, and it still worked. New surround for the light, and some epoxy for the broken clip, and pushed it back together. Got lucky.


Time for some not completely thought out defense. Armodillo brush guard.


This is a bolt on and bolt together. It was a quick solution, but probably not the best one. One thing this forum has been good for is learning. The way this one mounts, it may take out the radiator and / or mounts if I catch another deer with it. And I was half way to the price of a steel after market bumper, and really didn't realize it. There is one planned for the future.

 

Severe weather in the forecast: Garage test: it fit! (The back up camera was very useful!)

 

Looking good! Subbed for progress!

 

A little vinyl patriotism added.




And a little acrylic:


EGA set in resin. One of my favorite additions. Great look and a nice feel when shifting, or just resting the hand there.

 

The brushguard from Armadillo. This is a bolt on and bolt together. It came powder coated, but not properly drilled for one of the anchor points. I contacted the manufacturer and they were out of replacement parts with no ETA on production. So we negotiated a $150 refund and I had the whole unit welded by a nearby friend.

Post weld. The left side is where the holes were misaligned.



Sanded and primed.

I also blacked out the mounting hardware for the amber Rigids. I also rotated the lenses so the "Rigid" lettering would be right side up when mounted. I went back later and blacked out the covers.



A little Rainx for the lenses.


Re-mounted with a fresh wash and wax. (Just to get it really dirty a short time later.)

 

An application of my first trail mud. (And favorite mod!) Flagpole Knob with some local TW folks who were kind enough to take three noobs in stock 3rd gens along for the ride.

 

Now for some fun. And glare reduction from the hood. I started with some tape, then some heavy wieght cardstock to get the shape I wanted. My wife then scanned the template in to her computer (she's crafty, pun intended). She downloaded the TRD logo and added that, cut it all out of an automotive vinyl, and helped me get them on. She had to recut the drivers side as I really messed up the location. Overall, pretty happy with the look, and the glare reduction.

I had already laid out the tape, and now working with the card stock to get the template.


I only needed one template as I could just use the mirror image for the other side.


Finished product. I was left with a few air bubbles, but a day in the sun took care of those.

Glare reduction achieved. I still have some, but now it is much more diffused and easier to deal with. It was really bad between the scoop and the creases in the hood.

 

While we were at it, I had been wanting to do some custom vinyl on the bedside. I had already removed the OEM stuff, and now wanted my own "edition."

Some ideas I played with.



What I ultimately went with. There are a few things that are not working well with this one, namely the small points in the compass are beginning to peel up, which we knew was possible. So I am revisiting the design and may change it up a bit. The MLC Edition is still a strong candidate. The air bubbles also worked themselves out.

 

The proper way to put on big stickers is to take a squirt bottle of water and put a few drops of Dawn dishwashing soap in with the water. Pull off the backing, wet the adhesive side, slide it around where you want it and use a plastic squeegee (I use a body filler paddle) to work the water and soap out. It dries in no time. Make sure your squeegee has no burrs or sharp corners or you can scratch the vinyl.

 

First big interior mod. I was part of a then recurring group by for a full size molle panel to gain additional storage behind the rear seat. (It has since ended.) I pulled the rear seats, underseat storage, and plastic rear storage panel. I applied some Noico noise reduction, and installed the primed and painted aluminum molle panel. Put everything back in and called it a day. It took two days, mainly due to a late start and 95*, 700% humidity, no breeze, in the sun, on a south facing ashphalt driveway.

 

Makes me tired just looking at all you've done. Thank you for your service to our country.

 

Thanks to a local TW member, I have a used KB Voodoo bedrack and a Chinesium 270* batwing awning. There was an issue with some of the powdercoat peeling, and KB Voodoo had taken corrective action and replaced the offending parts. I scooped it up for a good price, and went to work on fixing some of the stuff that was coming off. A lot of sanding, priming and rattle can bedliner action. The only issue I had was, again, the humidity. Nothing would dry. When it was dry enough to move, I brought it into the basement hoping that would help. I let it sit for week and thougth I was good. Over all it was, but when I pulled the mounts off for the awning, some of the beliner spray came off. Overall, pretty happy with it. But I am thinking about a mid hieght rack. Time will tell.

 

A short time later, I found something to put up top. Thanks again to another local TW friend for a good deal, a Tepui went up top. I gave it a new coat of water proofing and some new seam tape. Just ordered a double air mattress to go over the foam mat to help with staying cool in the summer.

 

Thanks! There were definately days it wore me out, mind and body!

 

Yes, I can imagine, and bet that's true for both your 'build' and 'serving your country'.

 

The Marine Corp time wasn't that long, or long enough. I broke my ankle a year in while in Okinawa. Since I couldn't run any more, they gave me a medical discharge. That was about the worst. But, several good things came of it, so I can't complain too much. Once a Marine, always a Marine!

 

My wife knew of that, but hadn't done it on a large scale. I never thougth of it. There are a few more vinyl projects coming up, and we will probably use that method. She uses it now on some of her projects. Thx for the tip.

Edit: They need to put spell check on this thing...

 

So, a couple of small projects.

Rexing front and rear connected cameras. Easy install. More than enough cable for the Taco cab. Using the USB power in the storage compartment. I have a wiring project coming up, and I will hardwire it in at that point. I may have to re-think this if I go to a mid height bed rack. Right now it works with the full height rack. I haven't figured out the video stuff here yet, so a couple of screen grabs from a Veterans Day run with a group of veterans.