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Last winter I totaled my 2006 Tacoma & so now I'm starting over with a 2022 Tacoma Access Cab TRD Pro. My 2006 build appeared to be inspired by the Lemony Snickets books "A series of unfortunate events ":
The first thing I did was feel a wave of gratitude for the low cost of gasoline since my new Taco didn't require Premium.

Then we went on a dessert trip to Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree, Mojave, & Death Valley.
I had already added 33" BFG KM3 MT tires on a set of Toyota OEM wheels I had left over from my last Tacoma. The cap is a SnugTop that I found used on Craigslist.


I added my old ProRack rack so we could carry our canoe and search for water in California.

And then I started work on the suspension: shocks, springs, UCAs...
These are boring mods that don't need photos...
I also ordered rock sliders, bumpers and a bunch of stuff that has crazy lead times due to the ongoing supply chain issues.
In the meantime I started planning for additional electrical needs and added a fuse/relay box using a set of custom mounts that I designed and printed using my 3D printer. I also swapped out the factory battery with an Odyssey Battery PC1700.


For the truck bed, we use it as a sleeping platform. So I did a DIY bed rug

Yesterday I sold the SnugTop shell and got the ARE Z-Series truck cap that I ordered 3 months ago. It came with a Yakima HD bar which was a nice upgrade compared to my old ProRack bar. So I can finally start on the mods for the bed.
Build summary
Wheels/Tires (two sets):
2006 Tacoma Alloy wheels with 255/85R16 BFG MT KM3 tires. (Summer)
American Racing Mojave Teflon coated wheels with 315/75R16 BFG ALL-TERRAIN T/A® KO2 tires (Winter)
Spare is factory wheel with 255/85R16 BFG MT KM3 tire that fits in the stock location.
Suspension:
FOX 2.5 coilovers remote reservoir front shocks with Eibach 700lb 14" coils
Ikon UCA's
All-Pro Off-Road Body Mount Replacement
FOX 2.5 remote reservoir rear shocksARB Old Man Emu Leaf Springs with Extra Leaf Spring
U-Bolt flip
Timbren bump stops
4 Crawler 1" Body Lift
Armor:
RCI Rock Sliders
RCI Full skid plate package
RCI Catalytic Guards
RCI Front Bumper (steel) w/ WARN 103253 VR EVO 10-S winch
Brute Force HC Rear Bumper
Bed improvements:
ARE Z-Series truck cap w/ rails for Yakima rack
Wrap around shelves
Custom mounted switch panels, 12V, and USB ports
LED strip lights
Hi-Lift Jack mount
Yakima SkyLine Towers and HD Bars
Custom bed rug
Custom Canoe mounts
Other improvements:
5.29 Nitro gears
Custom mounted OEM fog lights on RCI bumper
Custom mounted Rock Lights
Side lights on ARE truck cap
Side lights mounted below A-pillar
Seat Jacker and Multi Mount Panel from Desert Does It
On Board Air compressor (OBA) under driver's seat
Custom mounted auxiliary fuse/relay block engine bay
Custom mounted taillight auxiliary fuse block
Cab aux fuse block
Odyssey Battery PC1700 w/ NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt Lithium Jump Starter
9-Switch panel in center console for independent control of all exterior lights
Redline Tuning 21-27015-02 Hood QuickLIFT.
DYI Dual Battery with custom control panel for switches and voltage indicators
Diff Breather mod
Straps to close tailgate from the inside.
Links to other posts that are relevant to this build:
Never eat a cold breakfast again
DIY Solar Panel
DIY Water Storage
DIY Portable grill
- I backed over a rock which tore off a mud flap and discovered the factory "mud flap delete mod".
- I crawled over a rock and discovered the "chopped exhaust" mod after I crushed my tailpipe so the engine wouldn't start.
- I sheared off a valve stem and discovered the TPMS system was a liability.
- I bent a shackle so I did a rear leaf spring shackle flip
- I had to replace my rear axle...
- And so on, until I'd done everything on my 2006 Taco except a snorkel and crawler box.
The first thing I did was feel a wave of gratitude for the low cost of gasoline since my new Taco didn't require Premium.

Then we went on a dessert trip to Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree, Mojave, & Death Valley.
I had already added 33" BFG KM3 MT tires on a set of Toyota OEM wheels I had left over from my last Tacoma. The cap is a SnugTop that I found used on Craigslist.


I added my old ProRack rack so we could carry our canoe and search for water in California.

And then I started work on the suspension: shocks, springs, UCAs...
These are boring mods that don't need photos...
I also ordered rock sliders, bumpers and a bunch of stuff that has crazy lead times due to the ongoing supply chain issues.
In the meantime I started planning for additional electrical needs and added a fuse/relay box using a set of custom mounts that I designed and printed using my 3D printer. I also swapped out the factory battery with an Odyssey Battery PC1700.


For the truck bed, we use it as a sleeping platform. So I did a DIY bed rug

Yesterday I sold the SnugTop shell and got the ARE Z-Series truck cap that I ordered 3 months ago. It came with a Yakima HD bar which was a nice upgrade compared to my old ProRack bar. So I can finally start on the mods for the bed.
- Wrap around shelf
- USB power
- AC power (always on) why does Toyota bother with that stupid teaser AC outlet?
- LED lights
Build summary
Wheels/Tires (two sets):
2006 Tacoma Alloy wheels with 255/85R16 BFG MT KM3 tires. (Summer)
American Racing Mojave Teflon coated wheels with 315/75R16 BFG ALL-TERRAIN T/A® KO2 tires (Winter)
Spare is factory wheel with 255/85R16 BFG MT KM3 tire that fits in the stock location.
Suspension:
FOX 2.5 coilovers remote reservoir front shocks with Eibach 700lb 14" coils
Ikon UCA's
All-Pro Off-Road Body Mount Replacement
FOX 2.5 remote reservoir rear shocksARB Old Man Emu Leaf Springs with Extra Leaf Spring
U-Bolt flip
Timbren bump stops
4 Crawler 1" Body Lift
Armor:
RCI Rock Sliders
RCI Full skid plate package
RCI Catalytic Guards
RCI Front Bumper (steel) w/ WARN 103253 VR EVO 10-S winch
Brute Force HC Rear Bumper
Bed improvements:
ARE Z-Series truck cap w/ rails for Yakima rack
Wrap around shelves
Custom mounted switch panels, 12V, and USB ports
LED strip lights
Hi-Lift Jack mount
Yakima SkyLine Towers and HD Bars
Custom bed rug
Custom Canoe mounts
Other improvements:
5.29 Nitro gears
Custom mounted OEM fog lights on RCI bumper
Custom mounted Rock Lights
Side lights on ARE truck cap
Side lights mounted below A-pillar
Seat Jacker and Multi Mount Panel from Desert Does It
On Board Air compressor (OBA) under driver's seat
Custom mounted auxiliary fuse/relay block engine bay
Custom mounted taillight auxiliary fuse block
Cab aux fuse block
Odyssey Battery PC1700 w/ NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt Lithium Jump Starter
9-Switch panel in center console for independent control of all exterior lights
Redline Tuning 21-27015-02 Hood QuickLIFT.
DYI Dual Battery with custom control panel for switches and voltage indicators
Diff Breather mod
Straps to close tailgate from the inside.
Links to other posts that are relevant to this build:
Never eat a cold breakfast again
DIY Solar Panel
DIY Water Storage
DIY Portable grill
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