Switcheroo - 1 Bored Clerk's 2013 Tacoma Build

1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
More bumper updates! Finally.

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Started the wrap around wings for the bumper.

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First day's work completed.

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Some bracing finished on day two. It was a short day.

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Quite a bit of work done today! Knocked out a lot of the bracing which starts to show some of the form. I'll be back at it tomorrow after work.


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1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
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Finished all of the fab, grinding and general hard work. The parts are out for powdercoat! With any luck, they'll be back in my hands this Friday for final fitment. I'll finish trim the fenders, prime/paint the exposed edges, cut the flares and wheel well liner then put it all back together. Not a small amount of work but I think I can do it all in a day and a half.

I CANNOT wait to be done with this project! I'll still have to wire up the license plate lights, the rear view camera and make a bracket for the trailer plug but that's not absolutely necessary for using the truck (except at night).


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1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
Just picked up the last major pieces from powdercoat! I'm going to get on this first thing in the morning!

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1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
Finished up the install! All the hard stuff is done!!

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I still have to wire up the license plate lights, relocate the backup camera and mount the trailer wire harness. That's it!


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mouse007

Explorer
Finished up the install! All the hard stuff is done!!

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I still have to wire up the license plate lights, relocate the backup camera and mount the trailer wire harness. That's it!


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WOW...!!! This looks awesome, one of the best home-brewed bumpers I've seen. Question, why the 5th wheel on the Driver and not the Passenger side..? Also, what is the plan with the real-state under the taillights..? Lastly, would you consider building one for others...? :victory:
 

1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
WOW...!!! This looks awesome, one of the best home-brewed bumpers I've seen. Question, why the 5th wheel on the Driver and not the Passenger side..? Also, what is the plan with the real-state under the taillights..? Lastly, would you consider building one for others...? :victory:

Thanks! And all good questions.

Why the tire on the drivers side? - it's a matter of camp efficiency. I put a galley pump in a spare cap for the scepter MWC as our simple 'on board' water system. With the swingout open, the water will be on the traditional 'campsite side' of the truck along with the refrigerator which is behind the passenger front seat. Plus we can access everything from the curb side of the truck.

Real estate under the tailights? - not quite sure yet. I have a couple of ideas but I'm not sold on any of them: 1. Make a part to fill the space and that's it, or 2. Make a piece to fill the space and hold a backup light. Either way, it's not likely to be filled anytime soon as it doesn't bother me...yet. Haha!

Build another one? - if I was positive about my welding skills and the robustness of the whole system, I would consider it but I'd hate to sell something that would break! I'm just not there with my fab skills...yet. I'd be happy to design a unique bumper for someone, though. I have a lot to learn about welding (just getting good clean welds, fixturing and dealing with warpage in general, and using an angle grinder with more precision so everything comes out real nice and perfect).


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1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
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Loaded it up with two Jerry cans of water and headed out into the hills to give it a full weight shakedown run. Had a great time rolling around on some trails I've never been on. Got some good twisting and shaking in on the truck/bumper. So far, no rattles, squeaks or cracks.

I also got an LED license plate frame from Radiantz. It's actually really nice. It's heavy cast aluminum and powder coated black. The LEDs are super bright!


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1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
This build is coming along awesome. I love that rear bumper build. Looks tough and functional.

Thanks! I like having stuff that's different from everything else but it comes at a cost in both time and money. At this point, "different" is winning for me. Haha. The camper may be my last big project for a while. I may swap and change stuff here and there but I'm really ready to get out and use the truck before it rots away in the driveway!


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1 Bored Clerk

Explorer
So, I made a huge left turn on this. I sold the rear bumper that I just finished. I sold the truck bed. I sold the last camper I started to build. And, I replaced it with a UTE flatbed!

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Here it is with 500lbs of fence material in the bed. It's pretty awesome. I like having a flatbed a lot.

Now this doesn't mean I've abandoned my camper build. I've just started over. I didn't like where the last one was heading for our uses so I switched gears before I sunk more time and money into the last design.

I also built a new rear bumper!


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