NoahGenda's 1997 T100 SR5 overland build.

[NoahGenda]

Updates

Got a lot done over the weekend, also acquired all my parts for the solar setup and roof rack/bumper buildout.

Truck is at the shop now for the next 3-5 weeks getting metal fab done so I wont have a ton of updates but here is what I did:

Made the base for the storage platform out of 3/4" Baltic Birch, used a 5'x5' piece and some remnant I had. Then a bunch of dominos and wood glue later and its a full 5'x6' base for the platform.

Next i mocked up my Fridge slide location and started building out the side flip up storage dividers:

Went with a single larger sliding drawer based on past experience, real happy with the outcome. I have 4 side storage areas and their lids will flip up to be accessed from inside or from the windoors. The main drawer slide is 2'x6'.

I used fixed Stanley casters because they were cheap and work well, then used aluminum uni strut to save some weight and bolted it to the box. My solution was to use some 2x4 that I planed down with UHMW on the bottom to keep the drawer from tilting up. I also used a threaded insert with a thumbscrew for a stop so it cant be pulled out unless you remove it and want to remove the drawer.

 

[NoahGenda]

Teaser shots of my safari/party rack going on

Overkill? Probably
Stoked? Absolutely

 

[theBullfrog125]

Looks killer! Those racks should hold a fair amount of weight. Just need bigger tires now!

 

[BajaSurfRig]

This thing is sick! I am digging the drawer/ platform section in the back

 

[02rangeredge]

1) that exocage is seriously intense

2) is your platform have you sleeping next to the top of your fridge or devising an additional platform above it?

 

[NoahGenda]

Thanks guys!

Agreed the exocage is intense, welderbro is just too good to not go full bore.

RE: sleeping platform - we use a RTT 95% of the time but those 5% of nights where its too windy to do the RTT then we will squeeze in next to the fridge. The space next to the fridge is 40" x 74" so only 8" narrower than the CVT.

RE: Bigger tires, not gonna do that for now - although i will admit that the truck looks like it needs bigger tires for sure.

 

[NoahGenda]

Got the rear bumper done, excite dot get this thing into powdercoat and back on the road!

The metal box is a whitewater drybox, it doesnt lock so I made a 12ga tray for it to sit in that has a bar on the top to accept a padlock. The left side holds a Frontrunner dual jerry can mount. We did the roll cage setup on the bumper to allow for me to be able to strap things down to it like firewood/camp chairs/etc.

 

[runuover]

Great Build

 

[NoahGenda]

Got it all back from the welder this weekend. It looks so good! Going into powder today, should have it back next Monday.

Once I took it off I matched the sliders and rear bumpers to be 20% black, same as the powder. Also added some skateboard grip tape to the rear bumper and sliders.

 

[theBullfrog125]

How much weight do you figure you added? *** end looks a little droopy. Haha

 

[NoahGenda]

Yeah she is droopy. All in all with the CVT/Fridge/bed compartment/roof rack I estimate it will be around 4-500 pounds. I am getting some custom leaf springs made for the added weight!

 

[NoahGenda]

Time for some updates!

Got most of the exterior work done, only thing left is to mount my solar panel on the top above the cab and wire that all up. Once the panel is on I will make an acrylic wind deflector for the front and try and get some MPG back!

Rear swingout holds an aluminum drybox with all my recovery gear, fluids, and spare parts to keep it out of the bed. Also next to the drybox is a dual gerry can frontrunner rack, of course i didnt lock it the other day when we were heading out to camp and someone stole one of my cans. Thanks Portland!

Pretty stoked on how everything is coming together. Deaver leaf springs are on order and should be here by late May, then she will be ready to go almost anywhere!

 

[borison]

Everything looks fantastic and functional. Great looking truck, well done. Enjoy.

 

[paddlequest]

Your build and thread are awesome. I have a 2012 Tacoma with a high roof cap like you have (with barn doors on the back) and I am looking to get an exo-skeleton rack built pretty much exactly like you have done. Your build thread has been so helpful to me.
Thanks so much and enjoy your truck...it looks beautiful and functional! Kudos!

 

[NoahGenda]

@borison, thanks! I am very happy with how far it has come!

@paddlequest, I am jealous of the barn doors! They are what i wanted but I couldnt pass up the cap that I do have. Maybe Ill see you when I make it to Nicaragua next spring!