So, I have been a long time lurker, and finally decided to start a build thread for my current project.
It started when I wanted something a bit more comfortable for road trips, had a bit more space, and could be a bit faster than my 87 pickup (faster did not take much). This is the only picture I have on this computer, but it was a good truck with far more mods than I care to admit to.
So moving on, I did have a 2011 Tacoma double cab TRD Sport a couple of vehicles ago and I did like that one, so some looking later and I found a 2012 Tacoma TRD off road access cab with about 45,000KM (28,000M) on it. I went for the off road because I wanted a locker, and the initial plan at least is to stay away from doing the gears for awhile. Still even had the factory tires on it, forgot how horrible those are...
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures from when I first got it, that phone died on me.
So I have a wedding to go to on Vancouver island, I have never been before so I figure may as well make a vacation of it. So instead of taking the money that would have been accommodations, I get a roof tent and get a rack for it built. And so begins the slippery slope.
I went to a local machine shop that has done a lot of work for me on my last projects and we came up with something that bolted to the factory bed mounts, and would be strong enough to hold the truck up if I do something less than intelligent. The decision to put it to the bed mounts was made because I wanted the weight to be carried directly on the frame. This had a nice side effect of basically being a roll cage for the back so it stiffened it up ALOT. It is surprising how much better it handles now because of this. I manged to get a few pictures of the build.
Before the pictures, I will shamelessly plug the shop, Evolution Machine and Fabrication: http://www.emfrodends.com/. They build crazy heim, ball and steering joints, fully rebuildable and serviceable. I can not recommend them enough if you are looking to do anything with links, or steering. I will be going back to get new upper and lower arms built with his joints. But on with the pictures.
Main hoop to start the shape of it
I really liked the fastback look that CBI did for a cage, so I borrowed that design (makes it really nice for getting things out of the truck)
And just to make sure it did not fall over it got a bit of gusseting
Finish welded, ready for paint
And some paint and mounted
And add the tent (Echo 4x4 1.3m model)
If you look closely you can see the Tred sand ladders mounted under the passenger side, there is a shovel mounted with quckfist mounts on the driver side)
And out of on the coast finally, this was at Port Renfrew, very much recommend if you are ever in the area.
The truck actually got its name on the trip out. I was not really paying attention and was on the highway just before Canmore AB and right at the Eckshaw plant on the lake the wind kicked up from the back. The tent mounted the way it is, is not far off carrying a sheet of plywood in the wind over your head. Needless to say the back end had a bit of a wiggle to it, not unlike a cat before it pounces. Hence the truck will forever be known as the trusty steed "Wiggles"
So, obviously with some seat time, and a couple of easy wheeling trips later, well the inevitable happens. So much for just a tent and leave it alone.
First things as always is new tires. Just running stock 265s, general grabber AT2. This is my 3rd set and I love how they handle in the dirt. They are not as good as the duratracs in the winter, but I prefer the lateral hold they have for my hoonigan moments out the in back country. Its no trophy truck but its fun
And now the suspension. I wanted something that would have good road manners, and allow me to have a bit of fun. I have run 5100s on my 2011 tacoma, it was good but I was looking for something that would be a bit better at controlling the moment with a bumper and a winch hanging off of the front. So enter the 6112s. They are big, should deal with the heat well, and a bit stiffer spring too. I have not see many comparison shots, so here they are with the 5125s that are for the back. And a banana for scale.
For the back I am going a spring under set up. I have trail gear 5" lift springs and 12" 5125 shocks. The plan is to do a shackle flip and a long shackle, it should be soft, and lower the roll center a bit. I am not worried about hanging up on the springs, they are a wear part as far as I am concerned. That and it keeps me honest.
For armor, I am really not sure what I am going to do about the front and rear bumpers. I have some tube left from the tent mount, but sliders are still required as well. I have a warn zenon 8000 that needs to find a home in the front, so I am really not sure what to do there. I really like the total chaos build that did a skid while keeping the lower bumper and factory fogs (http://www.chaosfab.com/Total-Chaos-Brown-Derby-Toyota-Tacoma-4WD), but I find it is hard to make tube bumpers look right on a tacoma. Well without a long arm, fiberglass and 35" tire setup.
I am on the fence about swapping the seat, I have a mastercraft sportsman seat that I really like, but I am not sure I want to swap out the factory one. Time will tell but I have run a couple of suspension seats and really like them. Just do not want to screw around with the airbag stuff. This is the pile of parts so far.
Plan is to get started on this after the holidays, I am stuck on call till the middle of January. I will be updating this as I make some progress, hopefully it will be done for another road trip this year.
It started when I wanted something a bit more comfortable for road trips, had a bit more space, and could be a bit faster than my 87 pickup (faster did not take much). This is the only picture I have on this computer, but it was a good truck with far more mods than I care to admit to.
So moving on, I did have a 2011 Tacoma double cab TRD Sport a couple of vehicles ago and I did like that one, so some looking later and I found a 2012 Tacoma TRD off road access cab with about 45,000KM (28,000M) on it. I went for the off road because I wanted a locker, and the initial plan at least is to stay away from doing the gears for awhile. Still even had the factory tires on it, forgot how horrible those are...
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures from when I first got it, that phone died on me.
So I have a wedding to go to on Vancouver island, I have never been before so I figure may as well make a vacation of it. So instead of taking the money that would have been accommodations, I get a roof tent and get a rack for it built. And so begins the slippery slope.
I went to a local machine shop that has done a lot of work for me on my last projects and we came up with something that bolted to the factory bed mounts, and would be strong enough to hold the truck up if I do something less than intelligent. The decision to put it to the bed mounts was made because I wanted the weight to be carried directly on the frame. This had a nice side effect of basically being a roll cage for the back so it stiffened it up ALOT. It is surprising how much better it handles now because of this. I manged to get a few pictures of the build.
Before the pictures, I will shamelessly plug the shop, Evolution Machine and Fabrication: http://www.emfrodends.com/. They build crazy heim, ball and steering joints, fully rebuildable and serviceable. I can not recommend them enough if you are looking to do anything with links, or steering. I will be going back to get new upper and lower arms built with his joints. But on with the pictures.
Main hoop to start the shape of it
I really liked the fastback look that CBI did for a cage, so I borrowed that design (makes it really nice for getting things out of the truck)
And just to make sure it did not fall over it got a bit of gusseting
Finish welded, ready for paint
And some paint and mounted
And add the tent (Echo 4x4 1.3m model)
If you look closely you can see the Tred sand ladders mounted under the passenger side, there is a shovel mounted with quckfist mounts on the driver side)
And out of on the coast finally, this was at Port Renfrew, very much recommend if you are ever in the area.
The truck actually got its name on the trip out. I was not really paying attention and was on the highway just before Canmore AB and right at the Eckshaw plant on the lake the wind kicked up from the back. The tent mounted the way it is, is not far off carrying a sheet of plywood in the wind over your head. Needless to say the back end had a bit of a wiggle to it, not unlike a cat before it pounces. Hence the truck will forever be known as the trusty steed "Wiggles"
So, obviously with some seat time, and a couple of easy wheeling trips later, well the inevitable happens. So much for just a tent and leave it alone.
First things as always is new tires. Just running stock 265s, general grabber AT2. This is my 3rd set and I love how they handle in the dirt. They are not as good as the duratracs in the winter, but I prefer the lateral hold they have for my hoonigan moments out the in back country. Its no trophy truck but its fun
And now the suspension. I wanted something that would have good road manners, and allow me to have a bit of fun. I have run 5100s on my 2011 tacoma, it was good but I was looking for something that would be a bit better at controlling the moment with a bumper and a winch hanging off of the front. So enter the 6112s. They are big, should deal with the heat well, and a bit stiffer spring too. I have not see many comparison shots, so here they are with the 5125s that are for the back. And a banana for scale.
For the back I am going a spring under set up. I have trail gear 5" lift springs and 12" 5125 shocks. The plan is to do a shackle flip and a long shackle, it should be soft, and lower the roll center a bit. I am not worried about hanging up on the springs, they are a wear part as far as I am concerned. That and it keeps me honest.
For armor, I am really not sure what I am going to do about the front and rear bumpers. I have some tube left from the tent mount, but sliders are still required as well. I have a warn zenon 8000 that needs to find a home in the front, so I am really not sure what to do there. I really like the total chaos build that did a skid while keeping the lower bumper and factory fogs (http://www.chaosfab.com/Total-Chaos-Brown-Derby-Toyota-Tacoma-4WD), but I find it is hard to make tube bumpers look right on a tacoma. Well without a long arm, fiberglass and 35" tire setup.
I am on the fence about swapping the seat, I have a mastercraft sportsman seat that I really like, but I am not sure I want to swap out the factory one. Time will tell but I have run a couple of suspension seats and really like them. Just do not want to screw around with the airbag stuff. This is the pile of parts so far.
Plan is to get started on this after the holidays, I am stuck on call till the middle of January. I will be updating this as I make some progress, hopefully it will be done for another road trip this year.
