2012 Expedition Tacoma Build in Progress

[devortex]

Managed to get a few little jobs done on the Taco in the past few days. Mounted my ARB awning to the Thule rack. Used some gusseted angle brackets that bolted right to the tracks on both the rack and the awning. I love these ARB awnings; inexpensive, easy to set up, fairly durable.

Also mounted my old school mag light in the compartment behind the rear seat.

 

[devortex]

I've been tinkering around with mounts for my fuel and water cans. Wanted something that would secure them in the bed without a big spaghetti of tie downs. Also wanted a way to put them on the roof rack in the event that my bed was really full of gear. Came up with this idea using $10 worth of scrap metal. Fairly light weight, easily mounts in the bed or up on the BajaRack. One strap will keep the cans in place and a cable lock secures them from would be thieves. I think I'll pick up some rubber padding to line the inside of the top rails to reduce wear and tear from vibrations.

 

[Ghillie_Ohio]

Great build . I have similar interest . I will eventually go with a custom rack . Nice to have a pic of the thule rack . Planning to have two sea kayak rest on top of RTT and then have the kayak rest on custom attachments while sleeping . Don't want someone walking off with my sea kayaks at night. You might look into removing the front wheel of your bicycle and attaching the bike to the bed , so that you can lower the rack a few inches . Gas mileage is critical for me.

 

[Containerized]

Just a warning... the 255/85R16 KM2 has now vanished off TireRack's website.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tireModel=Mud-Terrain+T/A+KM2&sidewall=Raised White Letters&partnum=585QR6KM2RWLV2&tab=Sizes

I'm hoping they are not ceasing production of this size, as it's a good size for overlanding and offers a narrower 33" option for those not able to run 285/75R16.

Thoughts?

 

[devortex]

Just looked on Tire Rack and BFG's own website and according to both, this tire is still an active product. Not sure what you were finding.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...KM2RWLV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire...85/16/OE/BNW/mud-terrain-t-a-km2/tire-details

Just a warning... the 255/85R16 KM2 has now vanished off TireRack's website.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tireModel=Mud-Terrain+T/A+KM2&sidewall=Raised White Letters&partnum=585QR6KM2RWLV2&tab=Sizes

I'm hoping they are not ceasing production of this size, as it's a good size for overlanding and offers a narrower 33" option for those not able to run 285/75R16.

Thoughts?

 

[Containerized]

devortex - Good research there. Apologies for the false alarm... :-/

 

[devortex]

I was able to sneak away for a five day trip to test out the mods on the Tacoma. With my brother along in his G-Wagen, we headed up the 15 freeway from LA to Mesquite, NV. We left the pavement there, toured the north rim of the Grand Canyon via Limekiln Canyon, Paiute Wilderness, Parashant National Monument, Toroweap, Kaibob Plateau, resupplied in Fredonia, crossed the Navajo Bridge, trekked out to the Shinumo Altar and Tooth Rock and then cruised to Mormon Lake in the mountains south of Flagstaff to take in a day of the Overland Expo. The BLM roads throughout the north rim are amazing and with the assistance of the Arizona Strip Map, we were able to track down some of the less traveled and unmarked areas.

Just leaving pavement.

Heading down into Limekiln Canyon

Old well in Limekiln

Parashant

Narrow pass on the way to Toroweap

Sunset over campsite at the Canyon rim in Toroweap

Crossing the Plateau

Vermillion Cliffs

Trekking to the Shinumo Altar

Campsite at Tooth Rock

High in the pines south of Flagstaff on the way to the Overland Expo

I took a bunch of videos too. I need to sort and get them uploaded and then I'll post some here.

 

[enzo]

Awesome pics man!

 

[devortex]

Had the press the Taco into regular truck duty this weekend. I'm building some fences for a local animal rescue and needed to move them on my car hauler trailer. Here's a couple of shots of the the play truck turned work truck at the back of my property.

 

[WillRunner]

Great build! I just bought a Tacoma Dbl Cab and was thinking about the Thule Bed Rack also. Is that as low as you can set it?