2012 Tacoma Doublecab work truck

[tizzdizz]

Nice Taco! I'm a Geologist as well, and I enjoyed reading your build so far. My company has a fleet of Tacos, and mine happens to be a '12 white Prerunner access cab. I really like it, but I've noticed pinging under general use like you've mentioned. Part of me hates having a new truck in the field. Every bump and ding makes me cringe!

My personal vehicle is a Grand Cherokee, and I wish it was as light and nimble as the Taco. Don't want to go off topic, but your work sounds interesting. What exactly do you do? Environmental consulting for oil wells? Cheers!

 

[hornytoad]

tizzdizz - Thanks for the comments! I do contract work for the State Oilfield Conservation Department mostly oilfield reclamation and some technical assistance for NMDOT (building material surveys and the like). Basically I get paid to drive around New Mexico and fix other peoples problems. I'm on the road about 5 solid moths out of the year so having a truck that will go the distance is important.

After the CES gas tank I'm thinking about an IPT valve body for the transmission and then breaking down and picking up everything that ARB/OME makes for the truck(bull bar, winch, OME HD suspension) and some sliders.

I'm also playing around with roof racks again, I still want a low profile "deck" on top of the truck but I'm thinking it needs to be a different material, I might talk to the local topper guy and see if he has time to weld up an aluminum platform out of 1x2 and 1x1 square tubing that I could mount to the existing Thule rack.

 

[hornytoad]

CES tank installed!

So just got back from Bend and have the new 42 gallon supertanker of goodness installed. So how does it work?

Over mixed terrain going from sea level (Seattle) to 5,500 feet (Albuquerque) I have been averaging 17.5 mpg with two adults, ski gear, the old gas tank, beer from Bend OR and misc stuff in the truck. Range results have been repeatable but are approximate. These are based on the SLC to ABQ run over Sat/Sun in 20 deg to -8 deg weather with premium gas.

Over full to full - 100miles

1/4 tank - 200 miles

1/2 tank - 300+ miles

3/4 tank - 450+ miles

Idiot light - 550+ miles

Refilled the tank after the idiot light came on (580 miles) - less than 33gallons went in so the estimated reserve is 9 gallons or aprox 150+ miles

Total theoretical range to a dry tank is - 737 miles!!!! :Wow1:

Most of you guys that are hauling the kitchen sink around (bumpers, lifts, roof top tents etc) are reporting 15 mpg, this tank will give you a Aprox 500 mile range when the idiot light comes on and have a 100 miles + reserve.


The down sides - Cost and travel to Bend, OR.
I talked with Shane about this and there is a reason he has not come up with a DIY kit yet. Out of the 10 tanks he has installed all 10 have different skid plates, lifts, drive-line drops/angles, rock rails etc..... Going to his shop and getting it installed there is the only way to ensure a happy customer and a well installed product. My Bud built skids had to be trimmed about 3/4 inch to let the CES tank and skid to mate up with the transfer-case skid plate.

The pluses - RANGE, RANGE and MORE RANGE!

The weight is low and stable, with the stock SR5 suspension it was noticeable (the stock shocks are even worse than the crappy rear springs) but it rode well once the truck got used to it.

I'll try to get out and take some pictures later.

 

[clcoyle]

So just got back from Bend and have the new 42 gallon supertanker of goodness installed. So how does it work?

Over mixed terrain going from sea level (Seattle) to 5,500 feet (Albuquerque) I have been averaging 17.5 mpg with two adults, ski gear, the old gas tank, beer from Bend OR and misc stuff in the truck. Range results have been repeatable but are approximate. These are based on the SLC to ABQ run over Sat/Sun in 20 deg to -8 deg weather with premium gas.

Over full to full - 100miles

1/4 tank - 200 miles

1/2 tank - 300+ miles

3/4 tank - 450+ miles

Idiot light - 550+ miles

Refilled the tank after the idiot light came on (580 miles) - less than 33gallons went in so the estimated reserve is 9 gallons or aprox 150+ miles

Total theoretical range to a dry tank is - 737 miles!!!! :Wow1:

Most of you guys that are hauling the kitchen sink around (bumpers, lifts, roof top tents etc) are reporting 15 mpg, this tank will give you a Aprox 500 mile range when the idiot light comes on and have a 100 miles + reserve.


The down sides - Cost and travel to Bend, OR.
I talked with Shane about this and there is a reason he has not come up with a DIY kit yet. Out of the 10 tanks he has installed all 10 have different skid plates, lifts, drive-line drops/angles, rock rails etc..... Going to his shop and getting it installed there is the only way to ensure a happy customer and a well installed product. My Bud built skids had to be trimmed about 3/4 inch to let the CES tank and skid to mate up with the transfer-case skid plate.

The pluses - RANGE, RANGE and MORE RANGE!

The weight is low and stable, with the stock SR5 suspension it was noticeable (the stock shocks are even worse than the crappy rear springs) but it rode well once the truck got used to it.

I'll try to get out and take some pictures later.

Looking forward to seeing the photos.

 

[Laxaholic]

The range for the new tank is amazing, especially when 300-315 miles out of my 100 series is a miracle. I am very impressed, can't wait to get a taco.

 

[Dave Bennett]

:lurk:

 

[MCObray]

:lurk:

X2.

 

[hornytoad]

Photos

Well ok then...
I crawled around the truck showing the Budbuilt skid plates, gas tank and potential interference places.

 

[hornytoad]

Death of a work truck @21,000 miles

So coming home from a job last night I got caught in a head on collision on I-25 south of Albuquerque. Other driver fell asleep and crossed the median to hit me head on, both of us walked away from a 50mph+ collision.

The Taco's front end crumpled, the airbag deployed and everything was going so well when the blown front tire caught in the dirt and the truck flipped and rolled. The side impact airbags deployed and I was able to kill the engine a and crawl out of the passenger side.

No scratches, no breaks, no noticeable harm asides from some seat belt bruising and a misc bruise on my face. Truck is totaled, the sedan that hit me is totaled. I will send pics when I find my camera adapter.

Notes:
1. The brakes need to be beefed up, I could NOT stop in time.
2. The CES gas tank help up just fine, I will install a new one in my next truck. No warping or leaks.
3. Everything comes loose in a wreck, BOLT IT DOWN or like me you will get hit in the face with your flying stuff. (in my case I might have pistol whipped myself). The glove box, arm rest box, and rear under seat boxes came open and threw stuff anywhere. If I had kept on rolling it might have been worse. I has laptop, GPS, phone, binoculars, pistol, trailer hitch mount and other heavy stuff flying around.
4. It take approximately 15-20k miles for the Tacos to break in with synthetic fluids. I was getting 18-19mpg at a GPS ed 75mph. Once you hit 78 it all goes downhill. According to the Scangauge.

The next truck:
Yes I will buy a Taco again

1. Stick shift
2. Smaller wheels, tires The 17" FJ wheels and 245/75/R17 BFG comp TA's looked cool but each corner was a 100+ lbs and made the handling sluggish. I'm thinking about stock size E rated BFG comp TA's on stock 16"wheels Steel or Alloy.
3. AFe dry filter, this and cleaning out the air box gave the Taco a noticeable improvement in throttle response.
4. Synthetic fluids from DAY ONE All of them.
5. CES fuel tank - with 18mpg you have a LONG time between fill-ups, makes working solo a tad easier. Suspension HAS to be upgraded for the weight no fun stock.
6. Another Leer topper, when it rolled over the windows and the roof broke but it did not crumple like the cab, It and the Thule bars were is suprizingly good shape.
7. Mobile 1 5W30, Redline Drive-train fluids, Iridium Denso Plugs - this combo (and the airfilter) allowed me to run regular unleaded with out knocking.
8. Bud Built skid plates.
9. Upgrade the suspension first, before you start adding heavy things like tires/wheels/ skidplates/ gas tanks.

 

[98roamer]

Sorry for the lose of the truck but it's replaceable, glad everyone came out OK.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Glad you are ok - that is the best gauge of the "quality" of the truck. God was on your side

side note - how could better brakes (even the best brakes in the world) have helped from a head on?

 

[ebg18t]

Glad you are ok!

 

[hornytoad]

Thanks everyone, my first car crash was a doozy.

Ryanmb21 - The brakes didn't slow down they way I wanted them too. Thinking about slotted rotors and TRD pads with some SS brake lines for the next taco.
Maybe too much weight.

The Insurance paperwork is coming along and the dealer seems to have a couple of double cabs in stock so hopefully i can get back on the road soon.

 

[Colonal Angus]

Glad to hear you're alright....pretty scary stuff.

Looking forward to the next build.

 

[deadbeat son]

I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your truck, but I'm glad you came out relatively unscathed.