Kneeboarder's Slow-going-because-we-are-on-baby-step-6 build (03 Tacoma)

[Kneeboarder1025]

Hi Expedition Portal - I've been enjoying reading other members builds and figured that I might as add my own, if only to keep the evolution organized. I'll start by saying that the thread title has reference to Dave Ramsey (my wife is a big fan, and I like the idea of being debt free). So this will be slow going for a few years, at least until the house is paid off.

The taco as it sits now: (6/2015)



2003 Tacoma DC 4x4 TRD

Engine/Drivetrain:
3.4L V6
Stock gearing (4.10)
Auto Trans (added a Hayden transmission cooler)
TRD E-locker Rear (gray wire mod)
Rear-diff breather Relocate (behind tail-light)

Suspension:
All Stock (and tired)

Wheels/Tires:
265/75/R16 Cooper Discover ATP’s
Stock 16” Wheels from ’03 extended cab

Armor/Protection:
4x Innovations sliders

Interior:
Stock Radio
Stock seats



Exterior:
Softopper
Front receiver
Bed tie-downs

Lighting/Electrical:
400W Inverter
Brake Controller

Recovery Gear
Hi Lift Jack
Shovel
Tow strap
Various recovery shackles
Snatch Blocks
Tow chains
Tree straps
Warn M8000 winch on a receiver cradle

Wish list:
CB radio
OME lift
33’s (255/85/16’s)
Tundra Brakes
New stereo
TG front Bumper
4x Innovations Rear bumper w/ tire swing out
Lights
Belly skids
Roof Rack
synthetic rope winch cable and upgrade contactor in the control box.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/4x4-off-road-tech/130031-warn-winch-upgrade.html
Etc..

Stock photo (2/2014)

 

[Kneeboarder1025]

First I'll say that my first Tacoma was purchased in January 2012, It was a white '03 extended cab V6 4x4 5spd, manual locks, mirrors and windows. I'd wanted a 4 Runner or Tacoma for a number of years but couldn't afford one that wasn't used up - I wanted it to last several years, first as a DD, and then ultimately a trail truck.

2/2012


Got a Softopper 6/2012


Then got married 5/24/2013


Then we found out we were expecting our first. I spend quite a bit of time doing research on here about extended-cabs and rear facing baby seats, and none of them seemed to a good solution that didn't involve my wife's knees being crammed against the dash, or having the car seat in the front seat with the airbag turned off (which my wife wasn't a fan off). So we started shopping for a 1st Gen DC because I like the look of them better, and because we pay cash for one (with the sale of the extended cab) Found a clean 2003 Green DC 4x4 TRD with 130K (and ended up selling the extended cab to the seller later)

When we took it home: (2/2014)



First mod was to swap out the wheels and tires for the ones on the white taco.

Second mod was installing a Curt Front receiver I had bought to put on the white taco but never installed. I had found a good deal on M8000 on CL and put it on a cradle since I didn't want to kill my front suspension knowing it was going to be a few years before I could upgrade it.





As a side note, I picked up this trailer from my parents neighbor for free - needs tires and lights and lots of other TLC, but should be good project



Got a Softopper ( and sold the other one) (6/2014)


Some dutch oven cooking (I'm still a beginner - excuse the crappy pic))


Took the boat to Lake Ouachita in Arkansas ( 4.5 hr). Had a scare on the highway on an earlier trip hauling the boat that prompted getting the trailer brakes fixed and a brake controller installed. (sorry no pic's) - Made towing in the Ozarks SO much nicer (and safer) 9/2014


Got to use the front receiver to haul bikes for a camping trip to Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas (10/2014)


And some flexing (2/2015)




Overlooking the Arkansas River:


Sliders! (3/2015)


My dad found a Weatherguard Packrat at a thrift store. I'd been looking for one thinking it would good for bed storage - that is, before I realized these are ~ 200-300 lbs empty. My poor stock rear suspension... I've realized I need to sell it since new suspension is a ways out. Was a great find.


Using the winch to move some logs around


Memorial day camping trip to the Buffalo River in Arkansas (5/2015)


I need a roof rack! (My dad's kayak)

 

[Kneeboarder1025]

reserved x3

 

[2scars]

Nice, Dcabs and babies go hand in hand it seems

Take care.

 

[Wildcat]

congrats making it to baby step 6! we are on baby step 4

 

[Jeff H]

Nice build! I'm trying to slowly build my truck while listening to Dave Ramsey's advice. Thats awesome that you made it to baby step 6. I'm currently working on baby step 2 right now and saving for a wedding. A new job possibility coming up soon should help knock out my student loans and credit cards quickly.

 

[Kneeboarder1025]

Woops! I wasn't subscribed to this thread, even though I started it! I have a build thread on Tacomaworld as well, and have kept that up and forgot it started this thread.

Nice, Dcabs and babies go hand in hand it seems

Take care.

Yes they do. We just had our second. Already I'm trying to figure out what to do when number 3 comes along, then 4, etc. LC or Ford Van!

congrats making it to baby step 6! we are on baby step 4

Nice build! I'm trying to slowly build my truck while listening to Dave Ramsey's advice. Thats awesome that you made it to baby step 6. I'm currently working on baby step 2 right now and saving for a wedding. A new job possibility coming up soon should help knock out my student loans and credit cards quickly.

Thanks, and congratulations. I was blessed to marry a girl that was almost debt free (she had a modest mortage) and she worked while she was pregnant with our first - while living completely on my income (and is now a stay at home mom). Was a great help in putting us in the position we are. Keep it up! It's great feeling to be so close! You won't regret it!

 

[Kneeboarder1025]

Okay, Obviously this needs some updating. We just had baby number 2, plan to out grow the Taco as a family vehicle. A local member of Tacomaworld and of a local Yota club that I've gone on trail runs with just had child number three, and is looking at LC's. So, naturally I've been looking LC's or Ford Vans knowing that's in my future, and remembered I have a Build thread on here! I'll try to summarize the posts on TW to here (there hasn't been much, hence the thread name. But there has been a couple trips and other mods)

 

[Kneeboarder1025]

Ok, now the brief catch up

Went on a wheeling trip to the Ozark High water mark trail: (6/2015) with some local Taco owners. Camped out at Lake Dardenelle State Park at Russellville Arkansas, then hit the trail, which was a series of forest roads connected by gravel roads and some highway. Had to leave Saturday afternoon, but the rest of the group spend the night on the trail. still didn't do all of it. Want to go finish it next year.

 

[Kneeboarder1025]

Had to move some logs around and got some close ups of the winch battery cable connectors. I used welding cable connectors that I got from Atwoods. I inverted the ends so I wouldn't get the cables mixed up, and I made the male connector on the car side attached to the negative side of the battery so I wouldn't risk shorting the battery on the frame