2006 Tacoma, tray back, 100K mile re-do

[zolo]

Very nice work. I like how it's taking shape.

What are your plans for decking? Also, what are your states requirements for bumper/frame height for that GVWR class vehicle?

Pressure treated water locked 5/4. Nothing fancy, I checked on hard wood and it was way pricey and heavy.

As for the bumper height, In GA I am really not sure. I know its not as strict as Virgina. I had a buddy flatbed his Tacoma in VA and had a hell of a time passing inspection mainly because of his tail light spacing.
The rear is not that much higher than my old rear bumper. Looks higher, like way higher because the bed is longer and there is no skirt to cover the spring hangers and frame. It just exposes more of the suspension and underside.
Ive asked a few friends who are the police and they said Id be fine. So we will find out. I figure once its finished it will look clean and well designed enough to pass for a DOT type set up. I did get a piece of Alum sheet and bent it to cover the small section of rear frame and tie it into the bed via 5 bolts. It looks pretty cool and covers any exposed frame.

 

[zolo]

Even further along

Well last night I made the last few cuts. Finished the welding. So I now have the spare mounted. I also have the middle cross bars built and ready for when the canvas guys can get me an appointment.

Its has pretty much come together the way it was in my head. I am ready to get the storage and fridge all mounted.

Still on going but the major stuff is over.

 

[4xdog]

:lurk:

 

[fatrat]

That looks freakin awesoooome! :drool:

 

[fatrat]

As for the bumper height, In GA I am really not sure. I know its not as strict as Virgina. I had a buddy flatbed his Tacoma in VA and had a hell of a time passing inspection mainly because of his tail light spacing.
The rear is not that much higher than my old rear bumper. Looks higher, like way higher because the bed is longer and there is no skirt to cover the spring hangers and frame. It just exposes more of the suspension and underside.

What part of GA are you in? I ran my old Tacoma with no bumper & chopped as high as possible for about a year with no problems except for driving in Duluth.

I did however get pulled over several times on 400 for driving like this:

:sombrero:

 

[NM-Frontier]

That looks great! You did a good job making it look nice and clean, almost factory. Well done.

 

[4xdog]

Fantastic job. A few followup questions:

1. What size are the tires?
2. Are those standard Tacoma sixteen-hole spare steel wheels shot with gray paint?
3. Did you take out the interior during the conversion from white to black? What did you do in the engine compartment during the color change?

Don

 

[zolo]

Fantastic job. A few followup questions:

1. What size are the tires?
2. Are those standard Tacoma sixteen-hole spare steel wheels shot with gray paint?
3. Did you take out the interior during the conversion from white to black? What did you do in the engine compartment during the color change?

Don

don.

1. 255/85-16
2. Yep standard Tacoma spare wheels, with gray paint. Nothing Fancy
3. Engine bay and door jams are still Black, It was never a restoration just a change of the type of paint and color, I had the "black sand pearl" black the clear and the fact that is was a pearl black just ended up looking ratty and terrible after 100k of trips and wheeling. The doors and fenders and hood were removed. A line was taped at the jams and all the pieces were shot individually. Its still a 4wd Toyota after all. The best part for me is the white in a single stage no clear paint job. So if it ever get scratched terribly of damaged it is easier to wet sand and buff or repaint. It looks good with out having the hassles of removing the interior and engine. I do all that for a living so I didn't want to get to complicated with my 4wd.

 

[StevenS]

Cool, very cool.

Daniel-
What can I say - I lurk everywhere but am only active on MUD. Good running into you last night. You may now have to get some napkins to wipe the slobber off your new trayback - sorry about that. Let's make a point to connect in a few weeks and have a beer and discuss ideas for my Tacoma (which now, by comparison, seems rather poseur).

Safe travels...
Steven

 

[zolo]

Steven,
Thanks man I appreciate it. Good to run into you finally. After the Chile trip no problem on the beer drinking. You have a sweet Toyota yourself and we can make the rear swing out work better no worries.

 

[zolo]

So after a ton of work. Here is how it stands now.

Up next is the canvas cover.
Mounting storage and my fridge.
Rear recovery points.

Then a few other none Tray back things and its ready for another 100k.

More updates 1st of Oct.

 

[Ludedude]

Nice build.

 

[clcoyle]

Looking good

 

[zolo]

First trip with the new bed

Well met up with BMThiker and some other folks for a couple day exploratory trail ride. Sat we had 5 trucks, 3 of the rigs headed home early sat evening. BMthinker and I headed back into the area we were exploring and camped sat night then drove further north sun morning.
The trails and area get a bit more rough the further north we headed. The FJ suffered a broken CV early on sun morning. Snapped it clean in half. We replaced it with a spare and contuinued on. After a long and crazy hill climb out we reached a paved road and found our way back to the hustle and bustle of the city.

A great weekend and the flat bed was very nice. I had most of my gear stored in a 1640 Pelican case. Also had my fridge strapped down. The bed held up to some pretty harsh tracks and one pretty good hit when I was climbing up and out. No bends dents or broken welds. So far Im very pleased.

 

[enzo]

^ :drool: