Build: SBG-1 AKA supremetaco

[andrew32]

Current Vehicle Status

Engine


Drive Train


Wheels&Tires
- Tires Cooper Discoverer AT3 275/75-R16
- Painted stock wheels gunmetal grey

Suspension
- Front: Icon 2.5 w/ reservoirs extended travel. 650# springs. Icon Tubular UCA
- Rear: Icon 2.0 w/ reservoirs extended travel. Dakar Leaf pack.

Armor
- ARB 2005-11 Plate Steel Bumper
- $xInnovations Weld on Kit

Recovery
- Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500

Vehicle Status
- Ultra Gauge Mx 1.3 Monitor

Lighting
- Front Bumper 28" double stack Led lights. Cheap Amazon brand
- LED Strip Lighting added to Softopper tubes.
- LED Strip Lighting added to CVT RTT tubes.
- LED Strip Lighting added to ARB Awning tubes.

Shelter
- CVT Tents Mt. Bachelor
- Softopper bed cover.

Racks
- Baja Racks Utility Flat Rack over Cab.

Navigation
- Primary Road: Google Pixle Cell Phone running Google Maps
- Secondary Road: Good old fashion maps
- Primary O/R: Hema Maps on Samsung Galaxy S2 8"
- Secondary O/R: Garmin GPSMap62

Communications
- Primary: ICOM 2730a 144 MHz/440 MHz HAM Radio
- Secondary: Midland 75-822 CB radio paired with FireFly FL-4B antenna
- Mobile: BaoFeng BF-F8HP 136-174MHz/400-520MHz

Security:
- Console Vault Tacoma Center Console number lock.

Emergency
- DeLorme inReach SE Satellite Communication and SOS
- Custom built IFAK
- Mountain Medical Weekender Series First Aid Kit

 

[andrew32]

Hi all, my names Andrew and I have a overlanding problem :ylsmoke: This is a thread on the adventure of building my expedition vehicle.

I first got into expedition vehicles browsing youtube and found Expedition Overland. Since then been trying to figure out how to get into it myself. Check them out if you have not.

My first platform was a 2014 Forester XT and I really loved that car, but it had a few more limitation such as ground clearance, cargo capacity, lack of a low range gearbox, and lack of aftermarket support. Looong story short I decided using a $40k daily driver to expedition just didn't make sense. So for months I looked at finances, watched online used car sites, and browsed the car lots until I found the perfect combo. I traded my Forester in for a 2016 Camry and 2006 Tacoma!

I really wish I took more pictures, but just didn't think about it. The Tacoma is a 2006 double cab, TRD Off Road, short bed with about ~200k miles on it . It was not perfect (i did not pay a price to expect a perfect truck) and needed a lot of love. Front and rear had been in accidents, bad headlights, trailer wiring all jacked up, interior had a lot of dirt and mud in it, terrible tires, and plenty of small mechanical items to fix. Had a lot of work to do, but I set off getting things fixed. My mind also set off on a spree my credit cards did not appreciate

At the dealership signing the papers!

Getting both cars cleaned. Supremetaco needed EXTRA love.

 

[andrew32]

The truck came with BFG Mud Terrains that were near the end of its life and had major cupping.

I decided to go with the AT tires for the following reasons:
- There will be significant pavement driving while on expedition.
- Higher rate of seep on expedition roads compared to hardcore off road trails.
- Vehicle expeditions are spent a lot in the car driving...I want a comfortable quiet ride when possible.
- I am not a big fan of mud and will avoid when possible.
- Will have other recovery gear on hand for when AT's just wont cut it.

Once I decided on AT's it was time to choose a tire. I based my decision off previous experience with AT's and the Expedition Portal tire comparison article below. Spoiler...I went with the Cooper Discoverer AT3
http://expeditionportal.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/

Original tires on the truck

New Coopers!

Next the bumper.
spending $1k on a new bumper, bumper cover, cover paint, and fog lights I decided to just go with a full steel plate bumper. Looked at a a few different brands, but finally settled on the ARB Delux bumper.

So...here are some pictures I took while installing the bumper...it was all bolt on so i figured 2 hours..MAXX.... took almost 4.

Next I got the BAJA Rack plat top roof rack from Steve at Southeast Overland.

For now the CVT tent that I had will mount on the baja rack until I build my bed rack.

 

[andrew32]

Last catch up build update #2

I shopped for a bed cap and holy crap are even the used ones $$$. Found 2 locally that both wanted $800 for a used one that needed love. :Wow1: In the end I decided to put a softopper on the instead because it is cheaper, lite, and easy to remove if I dont want it. It installed in an hour and looks good!

Post install (sorry didnt get pictures of assembly.

I really like that I can access things from all sides.

I have a superwinch 9500 that like most winches have a post on the outside that you hook a controller up to when you need it. I still have that, but I wanted a clean way to control the winch from inside the cab. I tapped off the control wires and ran it into the cab. Added a locking "master" on so that nobody accidently runs the winch out and line gets wrapped up in my wheels.

Switches...who ever said they have enough switches? I converted the sunglass holder into a switch pod using parts from OTRATTW

I installed a ScanGauge with the additional transtemp capability in addition to a ICOM 2730A above the rear view mirror. It keeps it out of the way, but easily workable. The ICOM main unit it velcro'ed to the carpet under the driver seat...because im lazy. :sombrero:

I bought some cheap amazon lights for about $30. Now, they only perform about 70% of advertised wattage, but they produce enough light for me and was just dirt cheap! The only tihng you HAVE to do is take some black silicon and seal around any and every parting line. Othersie moisture gets in and the lights toast.

Mounted to the existing ARB bumper light tabs with 2" standoffs.

Installed the Rear bumper and swing out, but my phone corrupted and lost all my pictures from that install..so on to the suspension!! Full ICON 2.5 front and 2.0 rear paired with a dakar leaf pack. Set it up for 3" rear and 2.5 front.
Front 2.5 shock with banana for scale

 

[andrew32]

Looks great! Keep 'em coming!

Thanks eatsleepwoof! It has been slow progress being away from home, but finally getting some time home since last december to get these mods done!

Finally got home Thursday and hammered some things out. Feel like i've been running 24/7 doing wiring at night and on vehicle mods all day.

Got the console vault added to keep a sidearm, extra ID's, extra CC's, extra set of keys, etc. It fits niceley and install was easy! May end up adding some LED strip lighting inside to help light it up at night.

Getting the 4x Innovations rock slider weld on kit took me the longest...and im a perfectionist so im not 100% happy with what I did, but something i have to learn is 1/16" off is ok...my engineering brain wants things in the thousandths After welding it in place I jumped on it and jacked on it. This thing ain't going NOWHERE

I have a secret project in the works that I can hopefully share some 3d screen shots with everyone soon! Pushing for a Overland Expo East 2017 in person debut. But in preperations for it I wanted to stiffen up the composite bed for the extra load by adding Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners to the rear end of the box.

Got a little tired of always using a flashlight at the campsite so added some LED strip lighting with clear heatshrink over them to the CVT tent, Softopper, and ARB Awning.

And lastly this is the most tedious task. My aux wiring and fuse panel/relay box was just a nasty birds nest with things ziptied everywhere. I made a sheetmetal plate that bolts onto the 2 extra threaded holes about halfway up the driver side of the engine bay. Now every thing is mounted solid. Just got some wiring to clean up and the nput everything in wire loom. I'll save that for another weekend. I. AM. POOPED

 

[Simo_4x4]

Good work on your Taco !!! I like it !

 

[flanaman]

I just bought an Icom 2370A for my frontier build. How did you mount it above the mirror? This is what I was looking to do, but cant seem to find a good write up. It looks super clean!

 

[snare]

I just bought an Icom 2370A for my frontier build. How did you mount it above the mirror? This is what I was looking to do, but cant seem to find a good write up. It looks super clean!

i have same question