Another Tacoma Build (Brian's 2015 DCLB)

[brianjwilson]

Progress is still slow but I'll take it. The sliders went on earlier this week. I spent all morning sourcing stainless hardware and hull-through fittings and other misc bits. Also found out that the camper is due in less than a month!

This afternoon I took the rear seat storage panels out and measured and cut, measured and cut. Mounted the through hull fitting and battery tray, and started working on battery cables and some more planning...





I put some carpet behind and under the battery tray for a cleaner look. Just using what I have laying around.


Saving room for an extra breaker and blue sea fuse panel.

 

[darkjedi351]

looks good! did you drive it before the sc was installed? is the power increase worth the cost and how much mpg did you lose? I'm chomping at the bit to get a new dc Tacoma but was going to hold out for a '16 until I heard that they're dropping the sc program for the 2016 tacos

 

[brianjwilson]

The supercharger was the first thing I installed. So I can't really compare before and after with big tires.

But the supercharger with stock tires was pretty awesome! It still gets around pretty good now, I don't regret it at all. Today I ordered lower gears and lockers.

 

[brianjwilson]

2 steps forward, 1 step back. That describes most of this weekend. Lots of back tracking, re-routing wires, mounting, dismounting, running for hardware, bbq with friends and family, back to work...

I need to run cables to the powerpole connector in the bed and it will be functional. The charge side all works. Manual disconnect, auto, force connect switch in the cab is function. Everything is charging and functioning properly.

But what a time consuming ordeal making all the end bits come together. Maybe it's just because I don't get to focus on projects like I use to, I don't know. Eventually I may have a custom start battery tray built. The ACR is mounting to an aluminum sheet, secured to the factory tray, also held in by a nylon strap and the battery hold down. It isn't going anywhere but it looks a little hokie. I'd like a thicker aluminum tray with the ACR mounted on it but for now it works. I also need to pick up battery terminal covers for the camper batteries and a few odds and ends. I did not run 2 gauge from the alternator to the battery simply because I ran out of time. I need to make a few modifications to the factory wiring and didn't have time to deal with taking the harness apart.

Anywho here it is so far.

On the right side, the wire from the ACR comes into a blue sea switch. In normal operation it is switched off, and bypassed to the 150amp breaker. In the event I need to jump the start battery or run an excessive load (winching etc), I can turn the battery switch on and the circuit breaker off.
On the left is a 100 amp breaker that will connect to the battery via the powerpole connector in the bed.


You can see the ACR mounted up front. The aluminum is bent under the battery and around the back side and bolted to the plastic battery tray, the nylon strap is just something I had on there when putting it together but I didn't see a reason to remove it. Factory battery wiring in tact for now, with the 2 gauge attached to the stock terminals.


And the manual override switch, complete with a properly scratch switch bezel.


Initial voltage checks after starting and connecting showed a .05v difference between the starter and camper batteries.

 

[bknudtsen]

Fun! Looks good.

 

[Dmski]

Looking good! Like the height and quality install. How are the timbrens? And is that a ultragauge or bullydog tuner in your last pic?

 

[wrdadventures]

Always wanted to do a triple battery setup on my taco that is super cool! will watch this thread. Great work so far! How do you like your icons? what stage did you get?

 

[Adventurous]

Looks good! I'm always curious to see the various methods of doing a dual (triple in this case) battery setup.

 

[slooowr6]

And the manual override switch, complete with a properly scratch switch bezel.


Initial voltage checks after starting and connecting showed a .05v difference between the starter and camper batteries.

Which gauge is that? Does it have transmission temperature? The truck is very nicely done!

 

[brianjwilson]

The gauge is ultra gauge. It does show trans temp. There is a thread on Tacoma world showing the proper ultra gauge to order as well as the programming codes. No complaints about it so far. It feels cheaper than the scan gauge and the buttons on back kind of suck, but once setup it seems fine. I have been meaning to adjust the speedometer/mileage to make it read correctly but I'll wait until I re-gear and maybe just get a programmer that sets up the factory gauge correctly.


As for the timbrens, I haven't used them yet. When I pick up the camper in two weeks I'll report back. The wheelers superbumps up front are great.

I ordered the icon stage 6 through wheelers. Well, sort of. Front is extended length 2.5s with CDC, tubular upper arms. Rears are 2.5 with CDC, but not the standard length. They are longer (part number and lengths are in a previous post), and valved 25% firmer than normal for the camper. Initially installed OME Dakar springs, now with the add a leaf installed and overload removed.
I love the way the front works, set on 3 or 4 with the superbumps. Smooth on the road, soaks up big bumps and dips like nothing, smooths out washboard real well. The back felt great with the dakars. The rear icons are a little firm on the softest setting. I also realized that the overload wouldn't let me even hit the superbumps, so I removed them and installed the extra leaf. So I'm still trying to get it all setup right. The rear is firm right now without a heavy load. Not unbearable but firm. Since I'm really trying to get the ride dialed in with the camper on, I'm leaving it as is until I can install the camper and test it more.


Quick trip to the river a few days ago with the daughter to let her splash and throw rocks.

 

[slooowr6]

The gauge is ultra gauge. It does show trans temp. There is a thread on Tacoma world showing the proper ultra gauge to order as well as the programming codes. No complaints about it so far. It feels cheaper than the scan gauge and the buttons on back kind of suck, but once setup it seems fine. I have been meaning to adjust the speedometer/mileage to make it read correctly but I'll wait until I re-gear and maybe just get a programmer that sets up the factory gauge correctly.

Great! Thanks, heading to Tacoma world to dig that up. The ultra gauge won't happen to have a boots pressure read out would it? (I'm dreaming)

 

[brianjwilson]

Great! Thanks, heading to Tacoma world to dig that up. The ultra gauge won't happen to have a boots pressure read out would it? (I'm dreaming)

Nah you would need a boost sender anyway, and I'm not sure there is any way to integrate that into the OBD. I'd like a boost gauge and air to fuel ratio gauge but I don't care to have a couple of big aftermarket gauges either.

 

[brianjwilson]

Which gauge is that? Does it have transmission temperature? The truck is very nicely done!

I can't find the right thread on Tacoma world. I'd call the company. There may need to be a certain version of the Ultragauge to work.

 

[Bretthn]

Your truck looks awesome. Very clean and well thought out build.

 

[Acerwin]

What bumper are you planning on going with when you get one? I can't decide what I want to go with but I have been looking at the arb, cbi, and pelfreybilt.