My 2015 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 semi overland build

[chmura]

Sold my 2009 4runner Trail Edition that I had for 6 years. Flawless truck and purchased a mint CPO 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road, Double Cab, Short bed 6 months ago with 17,000 miles on her.

Modifications done:

I will do doing modifications in 3 stages.

Stage one complete.

• Gentex GNTX-455 Auto Dim Mirror with Temperature display from Bobs Automotive Mirrors
• Body Mount Chop to allow for bigger tires
• Stealth Custom Series Ray 10 Wheels. 17x8.5 with 4.30 BS. Matte Jet Black
• Nitto Ridge Grapplers 285-75-17 Load E. 34" Tire.
• King Suspension with 700 lb coils up front.
• Icon Tubular Delta Joint UCA Part 58450DJ with Caps
• OME Dakar Leafs, Medium (for now), OMEU53A U-Bolts, EL095R Medium Leafs.
• 2 sets of leaf liners from Speedway. Size is 2-1/4" with lip Part number 91033038-BLK
• Toyota OEM Bushings for the Dakar Leafs, 8 of them used. Toyota Part number 90389A0003.
• Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners

Stage 2 will be front and rear bumpers. Stage 4 will be GFC or a Drifter camper.

 

[chmura]

The stable.

 

[chmura]

LCA's?

Going to keep LCA's stock, I never upgraded LCA's in any of my rigs. They do not need to be upgraded IMO unless you are going long travel.

 

[chmura]

Last month I placed an order for a Vagabond Drifter and expected delivery date is December 2019.

I added Total Chaos bed stiffeners and started sealing the bed in preparation of the Drifter.

 

[Kodachrome]

How much droop you have on those kings? I just ordered them for use with my existing Icon billet UCA's and I am wondering about clearing the resi line when in full droop.

 

[chmura]

How much droop you have on those kings? I just ordered them for use with my existing Icon billet UCA's and I am wondering about clearing the resi line when in full droop.

Honest not sure how much it is. The King Res. hose clears the ICON Tubular UCA fine when the vehicle is off the ground. I know the billet UCA's are more bulky but I think you should be fine.

 

[chmura]

I got back from Coyote Flats area last Sunday, June 30th. Was an awesome trip minus the mosquito's there. I was wearing long sleeve shirts (3 layers) and long sleeve pants and managed to get 25 or so bites on my body.

There was some snow on the ground but I managed to make it to the places I had in mind. I camped at Baker Creek campground and there was some snow patches but managed to get through. Here are some pictures.

I tried to exit the Big Pine Route. Crossed a sign that said, "MOST DIFFICULT Skilled Drivers with Modified 4WD vehicle" continued on. A mile or so a heard of cows and local folks grazing their cows and horses. Last two pictures are of the start of the difficult section. Definitely want try the Big Pine route but with the right folks and proper recovery gear. Snatch blocks definitely are needed here. One wrong move and the day is ruined since its on a narrow slanted hill on the side of a cliff.

 

[chmura]

After a long wait finally got my Vagabond Drifter. Super excited about it and the build quality is amazing!

 

[sn_85]

Are you happy with the switch from a 4Runner to a Tacoma? I have a 5th gen but looking at a 1st gen Tundra. Plan would be to add a Vagabond Camper and some gear storage. I think I like the idea but the 4Runner has been fantastic for me so not 100% sure I want to pull the trigger.

 

[Dances with Wolves]

The Vagabond looks great. Seems like it took a minute to get it. How long was the wait?

 

[chmura]

Are you happy with the switch from a 4Runner to a Tacoma? I have a 5th gen but looking at a 1st gen Tundra. Plan would be to add a Vagabond Camper and some gear storage. I think I like the idea but the 4Runner has been fantastic for me so not 100% sure I want to pull the trigger.

4runner was a great truck but it was limited to what I wanted to use it for. Cargo space was much smaller. I had an Autohome RTT and it was a PITA getting up and down the stairs. I had the maggie and it was a PITA to stow away also. I have to walk around the vehicle 3 times to make sure all the fabric was tucked in.

I sold the 4runner for the Tacoma because of the Vagabond Drifter. If there was no Drfiter I would of kept the 4runner and bought a Autohome Columbus. With the Drifter I pop it open in 5 seconds and stow it in 10 seconds. Its amazing.

Only thing the 4runner has better than the 2nd gen Tacoma is quality of the interior. Even my 4th gen 4runner had all soft touch plastics on the doors, dash, etc. 2nd gen Tacoma nope, all hard plastic. In the end I dont care and did not buy the Tacoma for the interior, its dated just like the 4th gen 4runner. The 3rd gen Tacoma fixes all this. I specifically wanted a 2nd gen Tacoma for the bulletproof aspect.

If I had to do it all over again I would seriously consider a 1st gen Tundra and get a Nomad. I think the Nomad can fit it.

 

[chmura]

The Vagabond looks great. Seems like it took a minute to get it. How long was the wait?

I waited 15.5 months.

 

[sn_85]

4runner was a great truck but it was limited to what I wanted to use it for. Cargo space was much smaller. I had an Autohome RTT and it was a PITA getting up and down the stairs. I had the maggie and it was a PITA to stow away also. I have to walk around the vehicle 3 times to make sure all the fabric was tucked in.

I sold the 4runner for the Tacoma because of the Vagabond Drifter. If there was no Drfiter I would of kept the 4runner and bought a Autohome Columbus. With the Drifter I pop it open in 5 seconds and stow it in 10 seconds. Its amazing.

Only thing the 4runner has better than the 2nd gen Tacoma is quality of the interior. Even my 4th gen 4runner had all soft touch plastics on the doors, dash, etc. 2nd gen Tacoma nope, all hard plastic. In the end I dont care and did not buy the Tacoma for the interior, its dated just like the 4th gen 4runner. The 3rd gen Tacoma fixes all this. I specifically wanted a 2nd gen Tacoma for the bulletproof aspect.

If I had to do it all over again I would seriously consider a 1st gen Tundra and get a Nomad. I think the Nomad can fit it.

I go back and forth on the SUV vs truck debate all the time. In the end the SUV is just more practical for me on a day to day basis however the truck with a vagabond camper just seems like the best adventure vehicle. I have a 5th gen 4Runner and my girlfriend has a 2nd gen Tacoma DCSB supercharged on Toytecs and 33's. She had the truck before I even met her (guess I picked the right lady). We typically take my 5th gen when we go camping because it's much more comfortable for long road trips. I could either get an early gen Tundra since I'm not a fan of the current gen and build it up with the Vagabond or build up her truck with the vagabond. It's still her truck though and I think there's always something personal about building up your own vehicle. 1st gen Tundras right now seem to be a good balance of powerful V8, reliability, size and price. I guess a Gladiator is about the same size of a 1st gen Tundra but then you're paying new prices for those. Every 1/2 ton pick up is just a big bloated whale at this point and too much truck for me. I'd hate to get rid of the 5th gen but a 1st gen tundra with a vagabond seems like the ticket to me. Decisions decision.