Building an expedition-worthy 06 Tacoma

jim65wagon

Well-known member
I hate to harp on the tire issue, but...you can not afford not to switch. My example: 03 Tundra purchased in Sept of 02, first winter snow of maybe 2-3" had to use 4wd to get out of my driveway! After 15,000 miles and 3, yes 3 not-so-much-fun 360's in wet weather; (how's that for luck no damage on each one!) I switched to AT KO's and have been quite happy for many many miles now. Switch to anything.
 

ArchaeoTaco

Observer
jim65wagon said:
I hate to harp on the tire issue, but...you can not afford not to switch. My example: 03 Tundra purchased in Sept of 02, first winter snow of maybe 2-3" had to use 4wd to get out of my driveway! After 15,000 miles and 3, yes 3 not-so-much-fun 360's in wet weather; (how's that for luck no damage on each one!) I switched to AT KO's and have been quite happy for many many miles now. Switch to anything.

You've convinced me. I was wondering why I couldn't get any traction on all this snow :smilies27

I'll see what I can come up with. The Maxxis Bighorn MT's sound great for the price. I'll see if any local dealers have them, because I can't find anything on Ebay right now.

If those don't work out, any other tire suggestions (anyone)?

Thanks,

John
 

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
We were lucky to sell the stock tires for $100.00 - and they were brand new, less than 300 miles on'm. I ordered a set of GoodYear MT/R's 265/75-16's the afternoon we bought the truck, and it took a week to get them in. We netted a whopping $50.00 outta the tires after paying for a months worth of adds, and I ended up coming down from $250.00 just to get'm out of the garage.

The attached pictures shows the hieght difference between a stock TRD Sport and Tami's (I only get to drive it when it need balancing/rotate - today's the day...) Silver '05 TRD DC. The 2" lift and taller tires don't make a huge difference, but it's noticable.
 

ArchaeoTaco

Observer
devinsixtyseven said:
:beer::beer: How you doin'! :D I been so busy lately...and last weekend we went to Moab. We're going up Thursday to the Stone and Saturday to WP...call me if you want to come with either day.

I'm looking at the Technitop myself for the same reasons. The M is pretty expensive, but really nice.

Check out the "Locking Blockhead" mounts from...uh...I don't remember the manufacturer, but most places are willing to key them identical, so one key will open every lock, and you get two keys with each block. I have an extra sitting around, and three mounted on my own in-bed rack (not installed at the moment), if you want to check them out in person one of these days.

Your build is definately worth a chat with the crew at Offroad Solutions...they're great to work with and build some phenomenal products--303 278 6267. I asked them about some similar stuff the other day, they said sketch it out, bring it in and talk it over.

There's another option you could look at, I don't know if it would be as convenient tho. You could put the rooftop tent right over the bed like the ExPo Frontier build, with a pivot at the front so you can raise it on a pair of gas assist pistons like a tonneau cover. Knowing all the stuff my dad throws in his bed, I don't know if it would work, but it would be easier to get at the bikes. A copy of AutoCAD, Solidworks or BendTech might help you lay things out, and it sounds goofy but cardboard tubes of the sort wrapping paper comes in, or PVC pipe, is a cheap & easy way to lay it out on the truck.

I had no idea there was anything interesting in Westminster...you'll have to tell me over a beer sometime, I'm sure my dad would think it's cool as well. He's been working Alaskan archeology for the last 30-some years, my parents used to bring my sister and I on digs when we were kids.

You've been busy! I might join you thursday at Keystone. My friends went night riding there last saturday and said it was great.

That's a cool idea with the pistons like a tonneau cover for the tent. That'd be sweet. But I think it would be more practical to put the tent a little higher for storage of bulky items in the bed. My dogs need to ride back there sometimes too.

Good idea on the CAD drawing too. I've got it on my computer here at the office, but I work with ArcGIS, so CAD is foreign to me. I did start a quick and dirty conceptual design last night though, and I figured-out the bike situation. I'll finish it up and throw it on here for some feedback...
 

ArchaeoTaco

Observer
Expedition Rack Conceptual Design

Alright, here is the drawing I came up with for my rack idea:

ExpeditionRackConceptualDesign-b.jpg


It needs to be sturdy enough to hold the rooftop tent and other supplies. Since I already have a Yakima rack on the roof, I could get a storage bin attachment, and the bikes can go on top of that.

I like the lower design of the expedition rack, but it will probably need to be higher to accomodate the lid of the toolbox when it is open. Here's a picture of TacoDoc's toolbox with an open lid, which looks like it comes up above the roof a good eight inches:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g230/devildoc25/100_0537.jpg

I also like the idea of a rear storage bin on the rack itself to store other gear.

What do you guys think?
 

Dave Bennett

Adventurist
ArchaeoTaco said:
Alright, here is the drawing I came up with for my rack idea:

ExpeditionRackConceptualDesign-b.jpg


It needs to be sturdy enough to hold the rooftop tent and other supplies. Since I already have a Yakima rack on the roof, I could get a storage bin attachment, and the bikes can go on top of that.

I like the lower design of the expedition rack, but it will probably need to be higher to accomodate the lid of the toolbox when it is open. Here's a picture of TacoDoc's toolbox with an open lid, which looks like it comes up above the roof a good eight inches:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g230/devildoc25/100_0537.jpg

I also like the idea of a rear storage bin on the rack itself to store other gear.

What do you guys think?

Welcome to ExPo!!!

I like your idea, you're right about the toolbox. If you want it to open most of the way at least you'll have to plan for it and measure it out. Making a rack that fits and works well is a balancing act, there will be compromises.

My box hits the rack when fully open, it's opening radius is probably reduced by 1 inch. My rack height was determined by the Eezi-Awn 1600's dimensions, I could have gone lower with the rack with a 1400 but someone would have been sleeping elsewhere... we needed the sleeping room.

A couple of advantages to going roof height with the rack: The 3rd brake light is not impeded, and rearward visibility is near stock - I can see very well when backing up in town or turning around on a trail. It also allowed me more storage room with the basket, and mounts for lights and antennas.

Here are some pics to illustrate the toolbox lid and rack clearance.

100_1100.jpg


100_1099.jpg


As an alternative to your rear basket (which could reduce rearward visibility) you might consider a cross bed storage basket. Pasquale (DesertDude) has a great setup for this that he uses that carries his spare, hi-lift, and a couple of boxes. I am using his type of setup, it will be added during phase 2 of my rack/bed storage project.
 
Last edited:

ArchaeoTaco

Observer
TACODOC said:
Welcome to ExPo!!!

I like your idea, you're right about the toolbox. If you want it to open most of the way at least you'll have to plan for it and measure it out. Making a rack that fits and works well is a balancing act, there will be compromises.

My box hits the rack when fully open, it's opening radius is probably reduced by 1 inch. My rack height was determined by the Eezi-Awn 1600's dimensions, I could have gone lower with the rack with a 1400 but someone would have been sleeping elsewhere... we needed the sleeping room.

A couple of advantages to going roof height with the rack: The 3rd brake light is not impeded, and rearward visibility is near stock - I can see very well when backing up in town or turning around on a trail. It also allowed me more storage room with the basket, and mounts for lights and antennas, I'll post pics to illustrate all this soon...

As an alternative to your rear basket (which could reduce rearward visibility) you might consider a cross bed storage basket. Pasquale (DesertDude) has a great setup for this that he uses that carries his spare, hi-lift, and a couple of boxes. I am using his type of setup, it will be added during phase 2 of my rack/bed storage project.

Thanks for the warm welcome TacoDoc!

Great suggestions; that rear storage bin would definitely create a huge blindspot, which I hadn't considered. I've been eyeing Pasquale's setup for a while :drool:, but I can't quite figure out what he's got going on in the bed. I can sort of see it in this picture:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g212/johnkew/Tacoma/Pasqualesexpeditionrack-1.jpg

I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Another option I'm considering down the road is putting the spare tire on the back above a customized rear bumper with a swingout over the tailgate. This would free up a lot of room in the bed.

Time to tweak the drawing to see what other configurations will look like...
 

ArchaeoTaco

Observer
New Tires First

Alright, you guys convinced me to take the plunge for new tires first and foremost.

I found a dealer in denver with Maxxis Bighorn MT's in stock at a good price:

ecommerce_thumbnail.aspx


The rugged trail tires that I'm replacing are 265/70-16; can I go up to 265/75-16 without rubbing the stock trim?
 

jnelson4x4taco

Adventurer
if you dont mind me asking, where did you find the tires at and what was the price. Im in denver too and i am lookin at those tires as well. thanks
 

Scott Brady

Founder
ArchaeoTaco said:
Wheeling and camping are a must, but I also need my truck for archaeological expeditions.

Fantastic! Welcome to the forum :)

We will have to plan an expedition in Colorado! Make it the ExPo Archaeologic Expedition 2007 :archaeolo
 

ArchaeoTaco

Observer
expeditionswest said:
Fantastic! Welcome to the forum :)

We will have to plan an expedition in Colorado! Make it the ExPo Archaeologic Expedition 2007 :archaeolo


Sounds good, and thanks for the welcome! I've got a ways to go before getting my ride up to par with you guys, but I'll try to tag along :D
 

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