Boltrippers 2020 Tacoma Build

[Boltripper]

I've had some transitions over the last 10 years and this thread will document the build of my 2020 Tacoma TRD Off Road Access Cab.

I started this journey in 2011 with a new Jeep JK Rubicon. After the suspension and armor was finished I did a V8 LS Swap and kept the truck a few years and completed several other V8 Swaps into customer JK's before I found a minty 1997 80 Series with 72,000 miles. I immediately fell in love with Toyota's at that point and did some extensive modifications on the 80.

Around 2016 the 80 Series received a 2UZFE, V8 Swap and the truck was almost magical. It saw a bunch of great trips and the truck for all purposes was really complete. It was after that I realized while I love the finished product, my true passion is building trucks. So, I decided to move into something new, sold the 80 Series and purchased a 2020 Tacoma TRD Off Road, Access Cab, AT In Magnetic Gray Metallic.


Nothing like yanking the body off a new JK Rubicon





The LS V8 Sitting in the Frame







Here is the 1997 80 Series with 2UZFE













And Finally the 2020 Tacoma after bringing it home from Hagerstown, MD. It was so difficult to find a Mag Gray TRDOR Access Cab in the South East



Thanks for following along as I document this new journey.

Best regards,

John

 

[AggieOE]

Those are some great builds! Looking forward to the progress!

 

[RiverCityDave]

I can't believe you sold the 80. I have tons of your pictures saved from 'mud as ideas for my own truck. I understand the realization that you love the build though, I've kind of gone through some of the same transitions with off-road motorcycles.

Looking forward to what you do here.

 

[Boltripper]

I can't believe you sold the 80. I have tons of your pictures saved from 'mud as ideas for my own truck. I understand the realization that you love the build though, I've kind of gone through some of the same transitions with off-road motorcycles.

Looking forward to what you do here.

Thanks my friend. I lamented for almost a year, but my obsession with finding adequate OEM replacement parts was wearing thin. Ordering from the UAE and Japan was just not working out. Its nice to know I've got a reliable parts source now for a good 10 years after production stops, if it ever does.

Be safe,

J

 

[Summit Cruisers Jr]

Looking forward to seeing a 3UR swapped into this one!

 

[Boltripper]

I'm not ready to cut and stretch the frame on this yet....

J

 

[Boltripper]

The first item on the list was getting interior electrical sorted. The plan was to prepare for the following devices:

• Switch Pro's SP-9100 Controller for the Following:
• ARB Dual Compressor
• Daylight Running Lights on Bumper
• Driving Lights
• Fog Light
• Interior under-dash LED's
• Front Harrop e-Locker
• Rear Back-up / Scene Lights

Additional Electrical Items that needed interior pre-planning:

• Yaesu FTM-400DX Radio w/ External Speaker and remote mic connection
• Expedition Essentials 3TPAM - Wired always on
  • Garmin InReach Mini
  • Garmin GLO2 Stand Alone GPS Puck
  • Samsung Tablet for Nav
• 12V Gauge in Dash with high Amperage Charging 3.0

To handle the additional power, a Blue Sea 6-Fuse Block would be installed on a power trays mount. A Group 31 Battery would replace the starting battery and be secured with Off Grid Engineering Products. A second group 31 would eventually be located in the camper, so a dual battery setup in the engine bay would not be needed. This would now allow a Slee Offroad mount for the Dual-ARB compressor to be located on the passenger engine compartment.


Since I've never seen the internal guts of the Tacoma, I figured this would be a good time to just take everything out! With all Seriousness, my install goal is always something that would look almost factory and would follow best practices for automotive wiring modification.







Cheers~

John~

 

[Boltripper]

So, with everything planned out and collected, I started the task of getting everything routed where I needed it. Luckily there was already a small hole in the firewall that I was able to enlarged for a proper boot and paint for rust protection prior to installation.

All wires were then pulled along with the FTM-400 antenna coax. The boot was then sealed off and I was ready to start the install of the Power Tray and Switch Pro SP-9100







Cheers,

J~

 

[Boltripper]

The Power Tray and SP-9100 are great kit and worked really well in this application. I utilized a replacement panel for the SP-9100 Display from SDHQ and it provided a really clean install of the panel. I did have to relo a few factory switches and made some simple extension harnesses.

I also utilized some printable shrink tubing and can't believe I've lived without this before.













Cheers,

j~

 

[Boltripper]

Finally I was able to get the interior buttoned up. The FTM-400 was placed under the drivers seat with the RJ Jack placed in the center console switch blank. Now I can remove the mic if I don't want it visable and I don't have the cord running out from under the seat.

The Interior LED lighting was done in the front and rear passenger areas. One of the great things with the SP-9100 is the ability to dim any lighting controlled by the unit. I can now increase and decrease the interior LED lighting to the ambient lighting in the cab. I decided to go with blue LED's to match the trucks interior dash lighting.



















Cheers and have a great weekend,

j~

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

Looks like the makings of an impressive build, looking forward to seeing what's in store based on your Jk history. Funny to hear someone say they love the process of the build more than having a finished truck. Even though it is definitely not my style (rolling around in mostly stock trucks with plus size tires and minimal mods), I think a lot of people would fall into that and appreciate that you were honest enough with yourself to sell what a lot of people would consider a dream rig. We all get something different out of this and I'm glad you know what you enjoy (and that you use your rigs too).

 

[Boltripper]

Looks like the makings of an impressive build, looking forward to seeing what's in store based on your Jk history. Funny to hear someone say they love the process of the build more than having a finished truck. Even though it is definitely not my style (rolling around in mostly stock trucks with plus size tires and minimal mods), I think a lot of people would fall into that and appreciate that you were honest enough with yourself to sell what a lot of people would consider a dream rig. We all get something different out of this and I'm glad you know what you enjoy (and that you use your rigs too).

Great post and appreciate the words !!

John

 

[Boltripper]

Next was a 4.88 regear and I went with East Coast for a set of 3rd members. The rear was already locked from the factory and for the front I went with the Harrop e-Locker. I know I have the ARB dual compressor, but I've had many years of great service from e-Lockers in the past. Plenty of pro's and con's for both...

The rear was as easy as pulling any 3rd and went smooth. The gear sets from East Coast are really well setup.

The front was not bad, just more weight distributed over a not so centered mass. I had ECGS add their needle bearings and you will need to swap over your stub shaft and add motor to the new housing. I had both done in an afternoon.

Using the Switch Pro's 9100 made it easy to wire the e-Locker, so I just modified the harness to 2 wires and she was ready to go. Break in was as outlined by ECGS and I've had no issues or noise from the gears.


Stock 3rd out:



ECGS Setup was spot on:



Stock front clam-shell:




Removal of the add motor from stock clam-shell:



This is the stub shaft that needs removed from the stock and placed in the new set from ECGS



As idiot proof as Ive seen.. A sticker in the ECGS clam telling you not to forget the stub shaft. Unfortunately that's there because someone forgot



Easy harness for the Harrop Locker



Cheers,

J~

 

[Boltripper]

Wheels and Tires were next along with a set of Step Sliders. I had been working with @rino at Ok4WD for getting everything dialed in and I loved the AEV Crestone wheels on their Tacoma, so I thought they would go good with my build as well. For tires I went with Nitto Ridge Grappler in a 255/80/17 which is about as true as a 33" tire as you can get.

My goal for this truck is a solid daily with the ability to go where I need. I've discovered over the last 7 years that I don't need 34's or 35's and keeping the truck as light as possible will provide better on road happiness for the 99% its driven on the street. My 80 Series was a beast and while very streetable, was made more for off-road than on. Its just about finding your balance and realizing what you actually will use the truck for, then doing a purpose built build tailored around those needs.

The step sliders were from Bud Built and I can't say enough about the quality of construction and fit.


Unboxing the Crestone's

 

[Boltripper]

Suspension was a bit trickier, but I wanted the best of both worlds. Again @rino was instrumental with his recommendations. For my use of 99% Daily with an empty bed and 1% with an additional 1,200 lbs in the back needed some thought, but Rin had been through this all before.

The rear would be set with Dakar Medium leaf packs and BP-51 shocks for my daily driving and supported with a set of Firestone airbags with extension plates and cradles. This would provide for daily on road comfort and the ability to adjust load for most circumstances.

The front would have BP-51 coil overs with SPC adjustable control arms.


Stock didn't have many miles on it when it left the building!













OK4WD's airbag cradle extension plates allow the suspension weight to be evenly distributed and supported by the axle tube. I just needed to weld them up and give them a coat of paint.










Cheers,

J~