Upcountry's 07' Tacoma - Weekend Warrior Build - Work In Progress

[Clutch]

Great thread...
I am often tempted to sell my tacoma and go retro (think syncro westy) but I know the cool factor might wear off too soon...

It does...while not a Syncro...we do a have a Westy...yes it is charming....charm only goes so far.

It rarely gets driven...maybe once a month for a quick jaunt around town.

Sure does make my Tacoma fell like a powerhouse/caddy when I climb back behind the wheel.

 

[Willman]

Nice Taco!

Those rims are pretty nice. How is the Teflon holding up?

 

[upcountry]

Nice Taco!

Those rims are pretty nice. How is the Teflon holding up?

Teflon is holding up very well aside from one area where I happened to get some oversparay paint on it and cant get it off, the teflon is fine, but there is a small blotch of black paint.

My big complaint is the center caps were complete crap. I went through three different sets and finally ditched them.

17" American Racing Mojave Teflons

 

[upcountry]

New Rigid LED floods to replace the floods lost with stock bumper replacememt ARB Bullbar install.

Will wire directly to old stock fog wire plugs. These LEDs only have 1. Amp of draw.

 

[YotaPilot]

View attachment 88601

I am loving this bumper design. Do you have a long term review of it?
I really like the way the fuel can holder is designed. I am thinking of getting this same design for my 2001 Taco and using the can holder for a water can with bottom spigot for quick and easy access the water for drinking, cooking, or cleaning up at camp sights.
This can looks like it would work perfect for that.
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2158

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Wow, stuffing the rear bumper on that uphill. How do you like the dimensions of the 2nd gen Tacos? I have a '09 dbl. cab as well, while there's a lot of interior space, I feel the overall dimensions hinder the trucks off road abilities. I am seriously considering replacing it with a 1st gen dbl cab.

Funny to read that...... I'm thinking just the opposite. We have an 03 DC, and I'm thinking I'd like the long bed option on the 2nd gen. On top of that, in my opinion the 3.4 is a weaksauce engine. The 4.0 has much better numbers. I've heard people mention the idea of a supercharger, but I'm not sure I want to dump $3k+ into a 120k mile engine. We'll see. I don't think I'd switch if I was going to stay with the short bed, but my truck has to serve dual purpose for work, so a 5.5' bed is just too short sometimes.

Upcountry, your truck looks bomber. I really like what you've done- It seems like it's suiting your family well. Funny thing- I think we have the same two carseats in the back of our Tacoma for our two girls. Glad to see you're making the effort to get everybody out- I know it's tough, but I for one am glad we're starting early. Keep it up!

 

[upcountry]

I am loving this bumper design. Do you have a long term review of it?
I really like the way the fuel can holder is designed. I am thinking of getting this same design for my 2001 Taco and using the can holder for a water can with bottom spigot for quick and easy access the water for drinking, cooking, or cleaning up at camp sights.
This can looks like it would work perfect for that.
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2158

So far I like the bumper - no major complaints. But,as with most things I have some basic complaints:

1) Poor powder coat, some areas did not get proper treatment.

2) The spindle bearing cap would not stay fixed to the bumper and I had to use some sealant to hold it on place.

3) The latch/hasp has/had no safety pin (pic below) - I have since purchased a long stainless push button quick release centering pin from Fastenal and will be modifying the bumper adding sme tabs/tube for the pin for safety.



That can (http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2158) may work although I see two issues:

1)The spigot would be innacessible due to the way the tray that holds the can was designed - nothing 1" hole saw in the right location couldnt fix !!

2) The way the can holder is designed has a clamp on the top that compresses down on the can handle and can only be used with a different style can that has the "double rail" handle setup. It is meant for this style can:

I picked up 4 of these from www.deutscheoptik.com

 

[upcountry]

Another bumper pic:

 

[upcountry]

Other pics:

 

[upcountry]

Funny to read that...... I'm thinking just the opposite. We have an 03 DC, and I'm thinking I'd like the long bed option on the 2nd gen. On top of that, in my opinion the 3.4 is a weaksauce engine. The 4.0 has much better numbers. I've heard people mention the idea of a supercharger, but I'm not sure I want to dump $3k+ into a 120k mile engine. We'll see. I don't think I'd switch if I was going to stay with the short bed, but my truck has to serve dual purpose for work, so a 5.5' bed is just too short sometimes.

Upcountry, your truck looks bomber. I really like what you've done- It seems like it's suiting your family well. Funny thing- I think we have the same two carseats in the back of our Tacoma for our two girls. Glad to see you're making the effort to get everybody out- I know it's tough, but I for one am glad we're starting early. Keep it up!

The interior space is nice, but there is someting about the longer wheelbase............

The 4.0 is a really well designed motor, very responsive. Even with the bigger tires, all the weight (bumper, etc..) it still keeps up with traffic, pulls mountain passes at 60+ in 6th gear, and cruises at 80 on the freeway. I also really like the 6 speed design. Gear ratios seem set to allow you stay in the power band at all speeds. I have heard complaints about the five speed auto though, and some have stated that if you run 33"s you need to re-gear to make use of 5th gear or the tranny never really gets there making fuel economy suck

Regarding the supercharger, you might send a PM to forum member Oldsven - he was recently commenting on his Supercharged 3.4 4runner. Also, I have read comments from forum member RMP&O - he used to have a supercharged Tacoma and drove it to Panama and back - he had some comments about maintenance, mileage, etc.... I would ask around if your considering it.

In all honesty I wish I was able to get out more, another member here, Java, (4Runner) who lives down the road from me makes me look pathetic in that he seems to get out all the time! I have had a bad summer, my wife got a big promotion at work, I just started grad school, finishing a home remodel, etc.....all is lost to the time vacuum.

 

[upcountry]

Connected the Rigid Industries LED lights to the factory fog wiring harness and mounted the lights under the bumper.









My only concern is that the lights seem vulnerable in this position. I used and existing hole in the ARB bumper fit kit so it was a quick no drill operartion. Just some weather proof shrunk wrapped crimp connectors and some wire ties.

 

[upcountry]

I did not like having the winch cable hooked to the frame hooks and I didnt like the hook setup - I would prefer to use a d-ring shackle. I had seen some of the setups the synthetic line has ( http://www.masterpull.com/item/00015-07/ ) and wanted to re-create that function (not having a hook dangling off the end) so I ditched the hook and messed with the winch cable loop. Took off the cable and slid a daystar isolator, a large grade 8 washer, and large rubber grommit down the cable. Seems like a tight clean fit. Downside is it is on the end of the cable when in use, not really a big deal to me.

I am also thinking about adding a thimble ( http://www.masterpull.com/Off-Road/Hardware/Thimbles/ )

 

[washington taco]

See you at the WA Rally?

 

[upcountry]

See you at the WA Rally?

Be there Thursday PM with a trailer of split seasoned maple firewood.

 

[upcountry]

Reverse/camp ambience lighting

Wired to the SPOD on circuit #3.

I wanted to add some hidden lights tucked up under the bumper.

Used rigid industries light clamps and some 50 Watt halogen lamps with aluminum housing.