Rob O's Overland Tacoma ...

[HMR]

That being assumed, I can't urge you enough toward sliders. These trucks are sooo long between the wheels that the odds are very high you will catch your rocker on something. Sliders are a critical investment toward protecting that new truck of yours.

+1

My wife and I just watched a guy destroy his OE running boards on a new (<500 miles) Toyota while navigating a relatively simple trail. There are a few slider designs that could work perfectly for you.

 

[daverami]

Funny you say that about steel bumpers on the new Tacomas. I think they look great - especially the ARB. Makes it have a sleeker stance. I still grin when I get a far away look at mine..... Oh well - everyone's different....

I agree, after looking at the options out there, I have my new ARB sitting in my garage. I can't wait to get it put on. I still think they are one of the best looking out there. Tried and true anyway. Now if the weather would get above freezing for a while, I'll do it. Sliders are coming too. Matt, your truck looks awesome with the ARB on it.

 

[heeltoe989]

Welcome to the Expo, nice looking truck. I love the red. I had a hard choice between red and blue when I ordered mine. I look forward to seeing more gear on the truck.

 

[4RunAmok]

Yeaaahhhhhhh, I'm going to have to agree on the slider thing.

Contact Sonoran Steel, they're in AZ, or contact Demello Offroad. Demello makes the best overall product in my opinion.

 

[Rob O]

I assume that you are on this board because you plan to take your tacoma off the pavement as often as possible. That being assumed, I can't urge you enough toward sliders. These trucks are sooo long between the wheels that the odds are very high you will catch your rocker on something. Sliders are a critical investment toward protecting that new truck of yours. And if you are worried about a multi-functional slider that also works as a step, check out Slee's offering, or get a basic slider and have it modified a bit with some plating to improve the stepping platform. My 2 cents.....

Thanks for the feedback Matt. I do plan on using the Tacoma for off pavement excursions. In fact, the truck serves as my daily commuter (keeps the M3 in the garage and out of 5mph rush-hour traffic), home depot duty and expedition vehicle for family outings. My main objective is to have a vehicle that will get us to our destination in relative comfort regardless of distance then be capable enough to use once we arrive. 25 years of wheelin' in my blood says build the truck one way while having a family of five to carry, sometimes thousands of miles on pavement, means compromises will likely be made.

I couldn't agree more that the wheelbase on the DC creates vulnerability between the tires and that sliders would be worthwhile insurance against costly damage. That said, I'm not sure the truck will see those kinds of conditions too often ... and that's the dilemma. The OE side steps are functional (kids/wife) and provide at least a slight buffer between body and rocks while sliders are sure to protect but at the expense of less functionality (step-in) and more weight (at least it lowers the center of gravity).

Ideally I want an ARB side step like that on the ARB 4Runner Scott had for a bit in 2006 ... but they don't make one for the Tacoma that I can find and fear importing a Hilux version from AU would be prohibitively costly. The Slee slider steps offer both protection and steps, and they're a beefy piece(!), they just don't do anything for me aesthetically (especially for 900 bucks). I want both a clean look *and* greater capability. ;-)

Funny you say that about steel bumpers on the new Tacomas. I think they look great - especially the ARB. Makes it have a sleeker stance. I still grin when I get a far away look at mine..... Oh well - everyone's different....

Yeah, I'm probably being too hard on how bull bars/winch bumpers look on Tacomas. To me, they have sort of a "frankenstein" effect on Tacomas while they look right at home on FJCs, LCs, T4Rs, Wranglers, etc. Don't know what it is. I think if the recessed fog Deluxe version available for the T4R and FJC (see photo above) came in a Tacoma fitment, that would make some difference (add some curves to all those abrupt angles). Again, I'm sort of choosing form over function with the hangup on looks and will have to get over myself as the build progresses.

It could also be a color thing (not playing the race card!) ... as the ARB (and TJM) look okay on Black, Indigo and even Silver but less so on Radiant or Speedway.

 

[Rob O]

+1

My wife and I just watched a guy destroy his OE running boards on a new (<500 miles) Toyota while navigating a relatively simple trail. There are a few slider designs that could work perfectly for you.

Not gonna argue with the virtue of sliders versus OE running boards. My neighbor did a relatively mild run a couple weekends ago in his nicely outfitted LR3 only to suffer a bit of lower sill damage after sliding into a rock on an off camber section of the trail. D'oh.

Thanks for the additional feedback.

 

[Rob O]

I agree, after looking at the options out there, I have my new ARB sitting in my garage. I can't wait to get it put on. I still think they are one of the best looking out there. Tried and true anyway. Now if the weather would get above freezing for a while, I'll do it. Sliders are coming too. Matt, your truck looks awesome with the ARB on it.

Look forward to "after" pics. Are you installing a winch as well?

I think I could live with a Shrockworks bumper ... did you shop them before deciding on the ARB? Thoughts?

 

[Rob O]

Welcome to the Expo, nice looking truck. I love the red. I had a hard choice between red and blue when I ordered mine. I look forward to seeing more gear on the truck.

Thanks heeltoe. I've enjoyed your build thread and will probably ping you with questions if you don't mind once I'm ready to order my supercharger.

 

[Rob O]

Yeaaahhhhhhh, I'm going to have to agree on the slider thing.

Contact Sonoran Steel, they're in AZ, or contact Demello Offroad. Demello makes the best overall product in my opinion.

Heh ... at least those stock running boards took it instead of the body.

I've seen Sonoran Steel come up in other searches but didn't realize they were in AZ; will look into them further. And being local means I might save on shipping (though it'd be partially offset by taxes!). Thanks.

 

[daverami]

Look forward to "after" pics. Are you installing a winch as well?

I think I could live with a Shrockworks bumper ... did you shop them before deciding on the ARB? Thoughts?

I'll definitely be doing some pictures. I also have a Warn M8000 sitting in the garage also. The UPS guy just delivered my synthetic rope too. Can't wait to start getting it together.

I did consider the Shrockworks bumper, but I still like the looks of the ARB. Pretty long wait for the Shrockworks too. I ordered my sliders from them almost a month and a half ago now. Don't know what the ETA is.

I can't wait to see pics of your truck with the suspension done. I too like that color. Good job!

 

[heeltoe989]

Thanks heeltoe. I've enjoyed your build thread and will probably ping you with questions if you don't mind once I'm ready to order my supercharger.

Ask away anytime.

 

[Rob O]

OME Fronts in ...

My OME 885/N140S (pre-assembled) showed up earlier this week. I had some time yesterday afternoon, it was a beautiful 80-degrees, so I figured what-the-hell ... I'll go throw 'em on! Well, it isn't that easy (as anyone who's done the front of a Tacoma/FJC/T4R can attest). Took me around 3.5 hours and lots of cussing.

The front set I purchased had around 6k miles on them, so should be fully settled. Indeed, I netted around 2" of lift after install ... which is fine with me. Rears (new Dakars and OME shocks) should be here in the next few days. I plan on removing the 3rd leaf to take a good .75" out of the total lift from the rear for a rake close to factory (rear 1.75" to 2" higher, as measured ground to center fender lip).

Once the new leafs are on I'll snap some glamor shots. Until then, here's a quick-n-dirty before/after.

(click image for larger version)

 

[p1michaud]

This won't take too long...

Well, it isn't that easy (as anyone who's done the front of a Tacoma/FJC/T4R will attest.

Funny how these short jobs turn into somthing much larger all the time...
:Mechanic:

Great start. :elkgrin:

 

[heeltoe989]

Funny how these short jobs turn into somthing much larger all the time...
:Mechanic:

Great start. :elkgrin:

XXXXXXXX 10

 

[Rezarf <><]

Great build up so far man! Keep it up.

Do you shoot photo's for fun or work? All your pics are really amazing man, I have no clue about photography except I can notice when the shot is nice... and all of you shots are really nice man.

Keep it up, I am excited to follow your build.

Rezarf <><

PS. I'll through in another vote for the sliders, and if you are trying to "hide" a front ARB, color matching the paint does wonders IMHO.