CTapia 05 Tundra 4WD Build Up

[ctapia]

Hey group,

I've been reading/browsing thru the post here at Expedition Portal, finding really good info/ideas (thanks to tyv12, thedude, JCmathews, Haggis and others) Now a little intro and history..

99 LTD $WD 4Runner, was fully built, sold it as we though we needed something bigger.
04 LX470, nothing major, BF TKos in 315, adjusted AHC system to clear them. Good truck, sold and downgraded.
02 Taco 4WDExtended Cab, good truck, bought it built up as is, and later sold it.
08 Taco 4WD Doublecab, great truck built it up with armor and suspension, got in an accident and insurance totaled it.

Now, the current truck:
2005 Tundra DoubleCab 4WD with all options including NAV and rear DVD Video system, purchased about a year ago with the intent to mod/upgrade, but had to put this mods on backburner. Picked up the Tundra locally, only had 15.5K miles, all records checked out, so we jumped on it.

So... for the build up, my list is simple, but I haven't decided on my final shopping list. The truck will be primarly a daily driver (local commutes) with occasional load a dirtbike weekend, camping and yearly load it up for 1500+ miledrive down South into Mexico. As what's I'm looking to add/build is the following:

Front Suspension: Debating on OME 885 Coilovers or Icon Coilovers. I realize that they are two different animals and so is the price. Will be adding an aftermarket bumper and warn winch, right after tires/suspension, so I'm trying to avoid having to add further spacers or changing out springs down the road.

Rear Suspension: From browsing here and other sites, appears that the ultimate solution maybe a replacement leaf packs from Deaver or Alcans? As I understand, this will provide lift and extra carrying load capacity. In my case, since 90%, I'll have an empty cargo, I suspect that something like "Add a leaf" from Wheelers or equivalent will work?
I see that Icon, Slee and Wheelers have this "Add a leaf" for the 1st Gen. Tundras., can anyone recommend one over the other? Pricing seems be between $150-$200.

Rear shocks: Looking at OMEN182 (application is for 05+ Taco) but appereantly will work.
Does anyone have any feedback/thoughts on this?

Toyo Open Country MT in 28575R16 or 28575R17. I've had Toyo Open Country in 26575R16 on the Taco, loved the look and performance of the tires. I would like to explore and try 28575R17 with a 17" rim of course and see if this will fit. With 2" or so lift, I feel that I may not have the clearance needed for 28575R17s. Can anyone comment on this? I'm gonna see if I can get the local tire shop to order a tire/wheel to test fit (after I get the suspension installed).

Wheels: Looking at Raceline Raptors 16x8, American Racing Ledge AX188 16x8, American Racing Artillery 16x9 or American Racing AX399 which are 17x9.

Front Bumper: I would really.... really..... really.... really... (ok getting carried away) and try and fit ARB LC100 Combo bar on the Tundra. I've seen a few references/post regarding this, but haven't come across someone who's actually taking the challenge. I've done ARB bumper installs in the past, but this is going to involve some fab work, etc... which I don't have the skills/time for., so I need to find a welder/fab shop in the Bay Area/Central Coast that can help me with this. Can anyone recommend someone out in my neck of the woods?

Winch: Got and old Warn HS9500 from my previous truck, so that will go on.

Pictures to come!!

 

[Corey]

Now there is a name from the past.
Did not know you were over here.
Long time no see.

 

[ctapia]

Mr. Corey! Yes, it's been awhile... Glad to hear from you! Yes, getting the itch to start back up with the mods. No cure for this mod addiction. I'll be swinging over to your side (yotatech) and dust the cobb webbs out my account and fire it up :costumed-smiley-007

 

[jim65wagon]

Welcome along! Now before we go any further......pics! We will all need gratuitous shots of the truck.
:sombrero:

 

[JCMatthews]

Excited

I am excited to see what you do. I am also glad that my quiet thread and comments have been help. Like jim said pictures please. I am planning on the 100 series Bull Bar adaptation as well. I am just waiting to see if I win a teacher award for which I was nominated. If I do, I will recieve a significant cash award and the Super Tool will be getting a few mods.

 

[ctapia]

Welcome along! Now before we go any further......pics! We will all need gratuitous shots of the truck.
:sombrero:

Yes, pictures are in order! Will post some up this weekend., pretty stock with a couple mods. Thanks jim65wagon!

 

[ctapia]

I am excited to see what you do. I am also glad that my quiet thread and comments have been help. Like jim said pictures please. I am planning on the 100 series Bull Bar adaptation as well. I am just waiting to see if I win a teacher award for which I was nominated. If I do I will recieve a significant cash award and the Super Tool will be getting a few mods.

Hey JCMatthews,

That's awsome, you must be a good teacher ehh? Maybe I'll wait and let you be the guinie pig for the LC100 ARB to Tundra bumper mod? lol!! :ylsmoke: Seriously, you think you'll tackle this project this year? Where are you located? During my running around between clients today, I dropped by a local body shop (client of mine) and asked him about the possibility of helping out with this particular project., he sounded encouraged about it. THey have the welding equipment, certified welders and access to a local fab shop for custom stuff. I'm very tempted...
I've also placed a call into ARB about having one of their Engineers look and compare drawings for both bumpers and see how close (or not) they are. ARB Washington appereantly does not having such drawings, so a request needs to be made to ARB Australia. They told me to hang tight for a few days and see what they can come up with. I know they won't share the drawings, but I'm hoping that I can at least share some info. Heck, if it wasn't due to the size/weight and cost of shipping, I would simply order, test fit and if no go, return it and go with the Sahara (no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Anyhow, we'll see what happens, I'll update and report back.

 

[ctapia]

Finalizing/polishing up the shopping list:

Wheels: Looked at some many wheels that my head hurts I think I'm settling on Raceline Raptors in 16x8.

Tires: Toyo Open Country MT 28575R16

Front Suspension: Icon Coilovers.. biting the bullet and don't want to mess to changing springs down the road.

Rear Suspension: Haven't decided on "Add a leaf" or complete leaf pack replacement. Add a leaf around $150-200 vs $700 for complete leaf pack replacement. Does anyone know if the dakkar/OME Tacoma leaf pack works on the 1st Gen Tundra. I recall those being more in the $350ish range.

front bumper: see my post above, waiting on some feedback from ARB.

Rear Shocks: OME182

Misc: Diff drop (Do I need one?) rear brake line (if I go more than 1.5" maybe?),

 

[JCMatthews]

Hey JCMatthews,

That's awsome, you must be a good teacher ehh? Maybe I'll wait and let you be the guinie pig for the LC100 ARB to Tundra bumper mod? lol!! :ylsmoke: Seriously, you think you'll tackle this project this year? Where are you located? During my running around between clients today, I dropped by a local body shop (client of mine) and asked him about the possibility of helping out with this particular project., he sounded encouraged about it. THey have the welding equipment, certified welders and access to a local fab shop for custom stuff. I'm very tempted...
I've also placed a call into ARB about having one of their Engineers look and compare drawings for both bumpers and see how close (or not) they are. ARB Washington appereantly does not having such drawings, so a request needs to be made to ARB Australia. They told me to hang tight for a few days and see what they can come up with. I know they won't share the drawings, but I'm hoping that I can at least share some info. Heck, if it wasn't due to the size/weight and cost of shipping, I would simply order, test fit and if no go, return it and go with the Sahara (no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Anyhow, we'll see what happens, I'll update and report back.

I am in Price, Utah. I have wanted a bull bar on my 4X4 for years. I never could afford one for my Cherokee, and now if I get the prize money I will figure out how to have one one my Tundra. I am using this build thread by 02tahoeMD as inspiration. It appears that if we order the Sahara bar mounts. They will probably need just a little trimming. The bull bar might also need slight trimming to fit. I don't think that we will need to trim the bumper ends by the wheel well, it think that it will line up there. I don't know for sure, but this gives a pretty good idea how to make one work.

 

[ctapia]

I am in Price, Utah. I have wanted a bull bar on my 4X4 for years. I never could afford one for my Cherokee, and now if I get the prize money I will figure out how to have one one my Tundra. I am using this build thread by 02tahoeMD as inspiration. It appears that if we order the Sahara bar mounts. They will probably need just a little trimming. The bull bar might also need slight trimming to fit. I don't think that we will need to trim the bumper ends by the wheel well, it think that it will line up there. I don't know for sure, but this gives a pretty good idea how to make one work.

JCMatthews,

Just received an email response from ARB USA, in summary they are interested in testing/measuring and see what it takes to make this work. They are currently working on getting ready for an "Easter Jeep" event to Moab. They'll be reporting back after this event with some findings. I'm excited that we can get them to at least take some measurement between the two and compare.
I did see the build thread by 02tahoemd, very cool and this make me even more determine to make this happen. In the interim.. where's my credit card, gotta go and order my junk! :sombrero:

 

[Haggis]

Welcome to the Tundrabird Nation, ctapia. It will be interesting watching the mods to your truck delevop once you get all your parts in. If you haven't already, check out ExPo member Roundout's thread on his Tundra, there's lots of good info in that thread and is well worth poking around in. Seeing what ARB comes up with modding a 100 series bumper should be enlightening and could benefit a whole bunch of DC Tundra owners if they can work something out. Front bumper options for a DC are as rare as hen's teeth.

As far as the rear suspension, knowing what I know now I would just go right to a set of custom springs, either Deavers or Alcans, and just skip the whole AAL thing. Sure it's more money but in the long run you'll only have to do the rear suspension once and will be a whole lot happier with the end results.

Keep us posted and don't forget the Pictures...we like pictures! :elkgrin:

 

[Derek24]

You'll be happy with it all! Good choice going with 285/75/16, rubbing is a B^$ch! I agree with Haggis, just go for the full leaf pack and do it right the first time, save you time and money in the long run. Also, it is great to hear about your interest in the LC100 bumper, hopefully you can get it mounted up. IF you do, I'm sure you will set off a chain reaction with other Tundra owners, including me!

 

[ctapia]

Pics

As promised, snapped up a few pics over the weekend. Truck is pretty stock for now.. Existing mods are the following:

Full set of Black Husky Liners, been my favorite for a long time. Had those on all of my trucks.
TRD Dual exhaust, nice light rumble, not overly loud either.
Stock NAV and Rear DVD Entertainment system, downside no input for ipod/media device. I would need add a USA Spec module or equivalent., may put in an aftermarket Nav/DVD system down the road.
HID 600K, pretty common these days. I"m holding off on the fogs as the bumper will go away in the near future (waiting on ARB response on LC100 Combo bar)
TRD Air filter and Oil cap (at least 50 HP lol!! :ylsmoke:

 

[the dude]

looks like a great base to start your mods on.

I love the deavers and wouldn't mess with aal. My bilsteins in the rear are holding up nice. Not sure about the OME. If you haul anything or have a heavy load in the back, I can't speak high enough about the air bags. It was a game changer for us.

Good luck with the build.

 

[ctapia]

Yes, I keep hearing about biting the bullet and go with full replacement leaf packs. Do you know if there any other options besides Deavers or Alcans? The issue I anticipate is that both are made custom, so I would hate to order the wrong configuration (too high or not enough lift). Maybe I'm complicating this more than it is?
Can someone provide details as what to order?

looks like a great base to start your mods on.

I love the deavers and wouldn't mess with aal. My bilsteins in the rear are holding up nice. Not sure about the OME. If you haul anything or have a heavy load in the back, I can't speak high enough about the air bags. It was a game changer for us.

Good luck with the build.