Applejack's 2005 Taco Adventure Build

[Applejack]

I know, just what everyone was waiting for, another Taco build. I don't have pictures of it in it's stock form but you know what they look like anyway.
We bought this truck to replace our moderately built '99 4Runner, not only for the space for our 2 German Shepherds,
but also we decided to go into the mission field in Guatemala (delayed for now) and needed something that could haul more supplies into villages. But first the vehicle must be prepped.
Getting the TRD Off-Road package eliminated a couple mods that would otherwise have to be done........or so I thought. A least that was the case for the rear diff lock. The skid plating, as I later discovered, left something to be desired as I mashed my front one on a small stump on, you guessed it "The Stump Trail". I did manage to beat it back into place well enough to fit it back on to the truck where it remains for now until I get my new ones from Budbuilt.

I was disappointed to learn that ARB didn't offer a snorkel for our Taco but we did get a nice letter from Jim Jackson, wishing us well in Guatemala.
I guess I will have to adapt one from another vehicle but for now I decided to do the easier wading mods. Starting with moving the rear diff breather to a higher location, behind the fuel door.



Here is the list so far.

2.5 inch Rough Country lift (front)
2 inch Alcan AAL
Garmin nuvi 260W
Garmin 60CSX
ARB bumper
Procomp aux. lights
XRC8 winch
Bestop SuperTop
Smittybilt deflator caps
MV50 SuperFlow compressor
Magnaflow cat-back exhaust.
HomeBuilt over-the-bed cargo rack
Rear diff breather mod
Cobra 75 WX ST radio
Herculined Rockers

More to come.........

 

[Overland Hadley]

Looking forward to watching your "Adventure" rig build.

 

[Applejack]

Keeping our gear and pooches dry was next on the list. It was a difficult decision to make, a hard shell or soft like one from Canback or Bestop. After researching opinions and prices, we opted for Bestop's Super Top. The reasoning was that we often carry loads that are higher than our cab, and so something that can be taken down easily and stored was what we were after.
The downside of this is it's lack of security. So far though we have had no issues with would-be thieves, mostly due to are German made security system.
In truth I do wonder if we may be end up with a hard shell anyway but for now it's this, and it's versatility can't be beat.

 

[Jacket]

Nice topper! :26_7_2:

 

[wholesalestunna]

Great tacoma

 

[Applejack]

Nice topper! :26_7_2:

Jacket, I think you were one of the guys who convinced me to get it. Not here though, but over on Yotatech.

 

[soonenough]

Nice looking truck! I always thought the ARB looked awesome on black Tacomas.

 

[Applejack]

After ripping off two mud flaps (one in front and one in back) I took the other two off as well. Traveling on gravel roads started taking it's toll on the paint so I decided to apply some Herculiner to the lower portions of the doors and rocker panels.
I started by masking off the area to be lined, with some masking tape....what else!

I then got busy scratching up the paint with some 80 grit sand paper. This is the point of no return.

Then I went over it with a scotchbrite pad, wiped it all down with a damp towel and then again with some U-POL to remove any residual wax. Then I brushed on the first coat which looked pretty crappy until I used the roller to even even things out. I let the first coat set for about an hour and a half and then repeated the same process of brushing and rolling.
And this is the finished product. The sun hid for the picture so the "Bass Boat" effect isn't as noticeable.

I did the same thing to my 4Runner, so I would like to note that the glossy finish goes away in a couple of weeks, and turns into a nice matte finish. I'm glad too because for a little while it looks like black bass boat paint from a distance.

 

[TEJASYOTA]

Looks great!
Are you going to do the rest of the bed too?

 

[dustboy]

Hmm..I can think of a lot of places my truck could use a coat of that stuff. Maybe I'll just cover the whole dang thing!

 

[maxama10]

Wow man, nice looking truck!

 

[HoosierTacoma08]

Love the truck bro! just waiting to see some close ups of your "over the bestop rack" :sombrero:

 

[Applejack]

Looks great!
Are you going to do the rest of the bed too?

I will. The little can I bought didn't have enough to go that far. I am going to do the same thing to my brothers Frontier and steal what he has left for rest of my truck. But I'll have to wait until the weather is nice again.

 

[TEJASYOTA]

Hmm..I can think of a lot of places my truck could use a coat of that stuff. Maybe I'll just cover the whole dang thing!

I have thought about doing the inside!
Wash out and drive! :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Applejack]

My next change coming is tires. I have used the BFG A/T's many times in the past with great results, but the new KM2's are calling my name. I don't know which to choose and probably won't until next month when I'm ready to pull the trigger on them.
I will also start ordering my new suspension parts. I plan on going OME 886's front with Dakars in the rear. But to pace things out financially, I'm going to address the rear first. And order the Dakars and shocks.