Box Rocket '03 DC Tacoma Build

[Box Rocket]

Looks great Adam. Hard to tell from the pics, is there something in place to keep rogue rocks or twigs from jambing through your cooling system? That was one of my biggest qualms with tube from bumpers (well that and state bumper laws) but this one seems to protect more of the radiator?

I suppose it's possible for something to get through the openings to the radiator but it would be pretty difficult I think. The winch cradle is just about as wide as the radiator and runs from the skid plate up the tubes on top so its protected well with that. The lower openings on the sides of the winch cradle would be the most likely spots of vulnerability. But once a winch is in place those openings are blocked.

Time will tell if there are any issues. But I like that it has good approach/clearance, is relatively lightweight. The price was good, and this is one of the few tube bumpers that I actually like the look of. Oh and one other thing that was nice....there are a lot of Tacoma bumpers that require some kind of modification/strengthening of the front frame horns in order to support the bumper correctly. This bumper is completely bolt on with no frame modifications. It comes as two peices. There is a crossmember that attaches to the front frame horns and the bumper mounts to that crossmember. Pretty cool design IMO.

 

[rickashay]

I really like the look of it. Especially how it seems the trend for front bumpers is more often than not, "plate style." Im not saying I prefer either but its nice to see something different. Im really liking that bumper on your truck!! plus it doesnt have a ridiculously huge stinger on it!!

 

[Box Rocket]

I really like the look of it. Especially how it seems the trend for front bumpers is more often than not, "plate style." Im not saying I prefer either but its nice to see something different. Im really liking that bumper on your truck!! plus it doesnt have a ridiculously huge stinger on it!!

Oh they offer it with a ridiculously huge stinger........

Fortunately they listened to their market that was asking for a non-stingered version.:victory:

 

[CYi5]

Smart how they left the front of the bolt-on crossmember open to accept the varying frame lengths between years. This would also open up the door for 3rd gen guys. It's also nice they retained the ability to reuse the stock skids, a feature that is lost on the all-pro bumper.

 

[Box Rocket]

Smart how they left the front of the bolt-on crossmember open to accept the varying frame lengths between years. This would also open up the door for 3rd gen guys. It's also nice they retained the ability to reuse the stock skids, a feature that is lost on the all-pro bumper.

I appreciated being able to continue using my stock skids until I can get something better like some Bud Builts. The stock skid is ugly and really doesn't offer much protection but I guess its better than nothing.

Unfortunately it takes me a while to save up enough pennies for each mod (which is also why I end up making a lot of my own stuff when I can), so I'm not sure how soon it will happen but a winch and skids are next and then I've got the truck about where I want it to be.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Just to follow up on an earlier post..... how is the rear suspension holding up now that you've had the shackles in for a bit? I've heard so many mixed opinions on shackles, I'd like to hear if they solved your issue with the leafs.

 

[Box Rocket]

Just to follow up on an earlier post..... how is the rear suspension holding up now that you've had the shackles in for a bit? I've heard so many mixed opinions on shackles, I'd like to hear if they solved your issue with the leafs.

The shackles didn't "solve" the issue of the leaves not handling a load very well. The springs still really flatten out or invert depending on the load. The shackles have been fine and haven't caused any ill affects, but they are only doing what they are designed to do. The gave me an extra inch or so of lift in the back so when the truck is loaded it doesn't :appear: to sag so much in the rear.

To actually solve the load capacity issue, I need to get a set of AALs for the rear leaves or use a different spring pack. I like the OME springs otherwise so I'll probably just get some AALs. Might consider some airbags too but they will limit suspension travel slightly.

 

[Box Rocket]

couple updates. I have needed to finish up my rear bumper by adding some bracket to the rear corner protection and tie it back into the frame. I found some nifty little brackets from Trail-Gear that are meant to work with their 1st Gen 4Runner bumpers. I hoped that the tube work I did was close enough to the same location that I could use these same brackets. Turned out that they worked perfectly. Nice to add a little bit of extra strength the rear bumper.

Forgive all the winter salt and crud all over the truck. Weather has been crappy here.

Also....the 32x11.50 BFG ATs that were on the truck when I bought it still have some tread left, but weren't wearing well after the previous owner overlooked an alignment. Also the rubber had started to get hard and they were pretty slick in the snow. So this morning I got a new set of tires. Trying out some skinnies for the first time. We'll see how it goes. Went with some 33x10.50 BFG KM2's. Got them at Discount tire for a pretty good price...~$150/tire after I found them at onlinetires.com for $131 before shippping. Discount price matched the price after shipping. Also had them siped, so we'll see how they do for the rest of the winter.

I like how they look. They are just a bit more noisy than the ATs but that is to be expected. They should fit ok in the front but I'll probably need to trim a little of the rear flares to get rid of all the rubbing.

Pics.
Before: 32x11.50

After: 33x10.50

Before: 32x11.50

After: 33x10.50

From the front.

 

[rickashay]

Great photos as usual! The KM2's look great, Im also planning on running them in the spring, keep us posted on how you like them. Your rig is seriously progressing.

Out of curiosity, what do you shoot with (lens/camera)?? If I missed it in this thread I apologize.

 

[Box Rocket]

Great photos as usual! The KM2's look great, Im also planning on running them in the spring, keep us posted on how you like them. Your rig is seriously progressing.

Out of curiosity, what do you shoot with (lens/camera)?? If I missed it in this thread I apologize.

I need to upgrade my camera but I'm currently using a Canon 30D. I have a few lenses that I use. I have a 28-135mm IS that is kinda my "everything" lens. I also have a wide angle 10-22mm. I have a 70-200mm L IS that I LOVE LOVE LOVE, and lastly a 50mm prime lens that I like a lot too. These latest photos were taken with my 50mm.

I'm trying to save up enough money (seems like there's never anything left to put away for things) and purchase a Canon 5D. I've actually got quite a bit of side work photography this year that I'm hoping can justify th upgrade and also pay for the camera.

 

[toyrover]

That looks amazing!!! Well done

 

[joker2041]

Box Rocket! Your truck is looking awesome. Can you show us some pics of the KM2's siped? I am running KM2's as well in size 265/75/16. While there on road manners are good as well as offroad, they are the crappiest tires I have ever owned in snow......scary actually. Either way your truck looks pimp.

 

[Box Rocket]

Box Rocket! Your truck is looking awesome. Can you show us some pics of the KM2's siped? I am running KM2's as well in size 265/75/16. While there on road manners are good as well as offroad, they are the crappiest tires I have ever owned in snow......scary actually. Either way your truck looks pimp.

Interesting. I've heard others share good experiences with them in the snow. I wonder if you are getting icier snow and more frozen roads there in Kentucky? Dunno. For me, I was just looking at the large tread blocks and it was pretty clear they weren't going to be that great on slick hardpack surfaces. That's why I did the siping. The picures you see are actually the siped tires. I had to look closely at them when they were done. The machine that Discount Tire uses to sipe the tires cuts many very small slits in the center treadblocks. From what I undestand there is a greater chnce of chunking if the outer treadblocks are siped, so it's just the center treadblocks and each block has ~ 5-6 sipes in it.

I don't have any real testing done with them yet since the tires just went on today. The road from my house was still hard packed this morning when I left and with my old 32's I could EASILY break the rear tires loose and spin donuts in our cul de sac (2WD). Tried it again after with the new tires and while I can still get the tires to break loose, it was much more difficult and didn't immediately go into a spin like it did with the old tires. So traction is definitely improved from what its been.

With all that being said, I'm certain the the KM2 is not going to be the strongest snow tire. If snow is a bigger concern, then I would look at something like a Trxus MT or a Wrangler Duratrac if you want a MT style tire that's better in snow. I think the KM2s will still be good for me, but probably not as good as those others.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Puuuuurdy

 

[chasingdreams]

:drool: Pretty Yota!!!