A build for going...off the beaten path

[offthebeatenpath]

So here she is, been here for a couple weeks or so, and I'm thrilled! 2003, 3.4L, crew cab, TRD, SR5, 95k miles. Needs one inner CV boot, a turn signal lens, and has a small dent in the tailgate, also has new front brakes. Not bad for $3K under blue book! :wings: I sold my 1998 Jeep XJ, well built, but still mild, because of lack of space for family trips. Sad to see it go, but I'm ready for a new adventure.

I think it has an add-a-leaf in the rear, which obviously rides like crap. I've been doing some reading, mostly on here, some on TTORA, about replacement leafs. It seems like there are people on both sides of the fence about each manufacturer. Some have had no problems, some have busted them up. I'm thinking Deaver or OME, it's just hard to think about spending twice the price for the same thing. Eventually I'll have a topper on the bed, but I won't be loaded down except for camping with the fam, and even then I don't have a fridge, or RTT, we like to go lightweight.

 

[TEJASYOTA]

Welcome to ExPO!!!!
Nice truck.... I really like your wheels. Cool design.
That front bumper add on.... I sort of remember seeing it a long time ago, by a fellow TTORA member.
Not really digging it back then and not now... sorry.
Same with the running boards.

If you are looking for answers to some suspension questions..
read the following link...
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94262

But in short, if you want the best bang for the buck - get OME.
Then ditch the running boards and modify that front bumper to make it look right.

Still a nice truck for the money!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Congrats on the new Taco

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Thanks! I've been reading some of the info on that thread...there's a lot there.

The running boards will go soon...

And so will the bumper guard monstrosity. But, that'll probably wait til I decide to replace it with something more worthy.

 

[RU55ELL]

Congrats and welcome to an eternally thin wallet!

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Congrats and welcome to an eternally thin wallet!

Oh, I'm used to that from my Jeep: Just Empty Every Pocket :Wow1:

 

[Overland Hadley]

The running boards will go soon...

And so will the bumper guard monstrosity. But, that'll probably wait til I decide to replace it with something more worthy.

Welcome!

That bumper thing is big, really big.

My vote is OME.

 

[TEJASYOTA]

...And so will the bumper guard monstrosity. But, that'll probably wait til I decide to replace it with something more worthy.

The overall style is okay, it is just weird to see it sticking out.... its like :elkgrin:
I know you could find a good fab shop to have it modified, so it is fits right.
Way cheaper than getting a new bumper.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

So I just started replacing the CV boot....

Nobody seems to mention that this can be a PITA!

Apparently I don't have the right snap ring pliers for the clips that retain the tulip bearing. Oh, and there isn't any place open at 11:30pm on a Sunday night. So much for driving to work tomorrow.

Oh, my tulip bearing did anything but "slide off". I had to beat it out. Carefully of course. At this point, I would have rather simply replaced the whole works for the ease of it, except that this is still the OEM part, which I don't want to trade for anything.

Okay. Rant over. I'm going to bed.

 

[Box Rocket]

Congrats on the new truck. I love my '03. I don't have any personal experience with Deaver leaves, but overall I really like my OME suspension that I got from Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. But I will say that the rear OME Dakar springs do not handle a load as well as I had hoped. I don't carry that much weight typically but the rear end sags noticably with any weight in the bed. I would imagine with a topper and minimal camping gear the springs will be almost flat.

NOTE: OME designed the springs to sit with very little arch at static ride height with no load to allow the most movement of the spring in its natural motion to provide good ride quality so what I mentioned above is not a "problem" with the spring but just how they were designed.

After a lengthy offroad trip a couple weeks ago it was very apparent to me that I need to do something more with the rear suspension. OME now has a new add-a-leaf available for this generation of Tacoma. In the past you could use an add-a-leaf from the '05-'09 Tacomas and redrill it. Now there is one made specifically for the earlier trucks.

I'm sure there are plenty that will say to just use some custom Deavers or Alcans. I've used several sets of Alcans in the past on other trucks with good results, and don't have experience with Deavers but in spite of the lack of load capacity in my OMEs I really like how they work on my DC so I am planning on getting a pair of the new add-a-leaves from Kurt and I think it will work great. From my experience I would think the OME Dakars and add-a-leaf in the rear would be perfect for you with a topper and be able to handle the load needs.

Good luck.

 

[XL Bar]

Congratulations on the new truck! Are you a Bozemanite?

Brian

 

[TangoBlue]

Are you a Bozemanite?

Let's keep religion out of the discussion before the mods lock this thread... :coffeedrink:

 

[Toyotero]

So here she is, been here for a couple weeks or so, and I'm thrilled! 2003, 3.4L, crew cab, TRD, SR5, 95k miles. Needs one inner CV boot, a turn signal lens, and has a small dent in the tailgate, also has new front brakes. Not bad for $3K under blue book! :wings: I sold my 1998 Jeep XJ, well built, but still mild, because of lack of space for family trips. Sad to see it go, but I'm ready for a new adventure.

I think it has an add-a-leaf in the rear, which obviously rides like crap. I've been doing some reading, mostly on here, some on TTORA, about replacement leafs. It seems like there are people on both sides of the fence about each manufacturer. Some have had no problems, some have busted them up. I'm thinking Deaver or OME, it's just hard to think about spending twice the price for the same thing. Eventually I'll have a topper on the bed, but I won't be loaded down except for camping with the fam, and even then I don't have a fridge, or RTT, we like to go lightweight.

Congrats on the purchase, I love my 03 DC too... I only wish it was available with a manual trans.

That bumper looks like it could be modified into a nice bumper

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Congratulations on the new truck! Are you a Bozemanite?

Brian

Yes sir! I will admit, we moved here, but we love it.


I'm really not sure what I think about the bumper guard thing yet, never been a big fan of tube bumpers. I'd prefer something styled like an ARB, made from flat steel formed into nice lines with an integrated grill guard, possibly winch mount.

I will be looking at some armor, maybe considering aluminum, just because they won't see a lot of action. Anything I can do to save some weight means better gas mileage and a smoother ride. I'm not made out of money either though, so we'll see. Who makes aluminum toys for these trucks?

 

[XL Bar]

I graduated from MSU in '95. I love the Bozeman area and wouldn't have any problem living there.

I would just leave your rig stock for now and play with it for awhile. You might find you don't really need to many mods for the typical Montana trippin'. (though a good bumper will make the inevitable deer collisions much less costly!)

Brian