Wade's 2013 Tacoma Access Cab Build

[astroflashjones]

I've been using Expedition Portal as a valuable resource for awhile now and I figured it's about time to actually post something. I imagine this is going to be an long ongoing build, so I'll update as it progresses.

I started with a 2013 access cab, 5 speed, 4 banger base model with the convenience package. The truck is not just transportation, it's my office and my home away from home. I've clocked 50k miles on it the first year of owning it and spend as much time in it as I do at home. I needed to squeeze every mpg out of it as I could and don't have any towing needs so I felt like the smaller engine was a good choice. So far I don't feel like its let me down. I grew up riding on the bench seat of my dads old F150, so I'm sure I can squeeze a kid (or two) in when we have one. I look forward to the day they beg me do drop them off around the corner because they don't want the kids at school to see dads old rusty pickup.

The point of this rig is to facilitate our many hobbies and still serve as a reliable daily driver. Besides the catalytic convertor failing at 40k, it's been smooth sailing. We spend a lot of time exploring the back country of Colorado (and elsewhere) so we do a little bit of wheeling, but nothing too extreme. Mostly we just want something that will get us there in one piece and serve as our mobile home.

Here is how it sits today:




Progress:
Leer topper with Yakima bars on topper and cab
Goodyear Wrangler Armortracs installed at 30k miles
Yellow wire mod
On board air
Ram mount installed to A pillar with hardwired chargers
Dif breather relocate
Cobra CB
EGR window visors
Tepui Autana RTT

 

[astroflashjones]

The first thing I did was buy a used topper off good ole' craigslist and build a sleeping platform. Unfortunately the topper was red but and the side window broke not too long after install. After talking to some people about their load bars, I decided to bolt mine directly through the topper with some home made plates on the inside to distribute the load. With the addition of some caulk, its water tight and has held up through several long and abusive trips. It took a little bit longer to get the topper painted.

For the sleeping platform I used some scrap 2x4 across the bed and put carpeted 3/4 cabinet grade plywood on top. The top has two center panels that pop out to access things underneath or provide taller storage. I found some plastic bins that slide perfectly underneath and use them both for camping gear and work stuffs. I decided to to this instead of the drawer system so it would be quicker to swap things out. I can keep the bins in the basement loaded up and ready to go instead of having to cart a bunch of stuff out to the truck. Here's my better half crawling out of bed to get in some mountain biking in Pueblo.

We finally got the load bars and bike racks installed before Moab. But still no paint job.

Heres the typical work load. I installed some hasps on the platform so it could be locked to the gate, preventing the tailgate from being opened and securing the storage underneath. The brown spot on the platform is stucco, I'm starting to rethink my choice of carpet over something like lineX.

 

[astroflashjones]

The Ram mount is one of my favorite things I've done to this truck. It makes using an iPhone for gps much more manageable.

The on board air is really convenient, however I'd like to relocate the switch to the cab and the hose disconnect to somewhere more accessible. A tank may also be in it's future.

Heres how it sits today. In another month I wrap up with work for the season and we're celebrating with a two week trip from Boulder to Cabo, assuming its in good shape by then. We have a bit of work to do in the mean time.

 

[astroflashjones]

Last weekend my buddy Terry and I decided to venture out to a section of the South Platte river that we hadn't been to before. It's accessible via Metberry Gulch trail, about 1.5ish hours of fun offloading. We decided to park before the last obstacle, a long and steep downhill covered in loose polished gravel. Judging by all the winch cable marks on the tree at the top, more than a few people have and some trouble getting back up. Theres also no good place to bail or run it out if you start to slide. Since we had no support and no winch, we decided the 20 minute hike to the river was our best choice. It was worth it. This was easily the most beautiful section of river I've ever fished. We started at the base of a 1500' granite dome and worked our way upstream for the rest of the day. We snuck out just as the sun was starting to go down. The stock height provided a decent amount of clearance, but not quite enough. I made it out with a couple scrapes on the frame and a little more motivation to get it lifted.

 

[Greenbean]

Just poking around in your thread hoping to see some pictures of your truck,

I want to start with a 4cyl AC 5-speed.