Dave's 2002 Tacoma Thread

[Dave]

I decided to start a short thread about my truck. The modifications are few at this point, but I'll revisit the thread as they happen. This truck is my daily driver and handles weekend trips as well as week+ long trips. All around it has met my needs thus far

Specs:

• 2002 Tacoma Ext. Cab TRD (white)
• OME 881's in the front for roughly 2" of lift
• OME Dakar leafs in the rear for roughly 2.5" of lift
• ARE paint matching topper with bay windows on the sides, also includes a Yakima rack used for hauling a canoe
• 265/75/R16 Kuhmo Road Venture AT's

 

[Dave]

This weekend I started the OBA install. I picked up a Viair 400Cfor cheap here locally. It was in great shape and worked perfectly. I added their hook up kit to ease in installation. I also ordered some Kilby parts, including their mainfold, some fittings, and hose.

Here are the pictures of the installed compressor, gauge and switch. The tank install has been postponed. I had planned on doing it today, but had a flare up at work that tied up most of my day.

The manifold spot is not permanent, I plan on bolting it down to the wheel well next to the compressor, but I didn't have the right sized bolts. I'll tidy that up this week when I finish the tank install.

The gauge and switch. I removed the ash tray and mounted the junction box for my CB in the back of the space, then drilled a hole in the Viair mounting plate so I could mount the CB line to the plate. The plate uses the holes and screws that were already in place to hold the ash tray in. The gauge uses the stock light that is in place to light the ash tray.

 

[Willman]

Sounds good!!

Any pictures of the truck??

How do you like your rear leafs?? I would love to hear more on those bad boys!!

 

[Dave]

I really like the leafs so far. I haven't had them in any sort of "trail" or super flexy situations yet, but they handle my typical loads very well and the overall ride has improved greatly since the suspension upgrade. They do great with loads on twisty paved roads, curvy gravel roads, and washboards. The stock TRD suspension always disappointed me in those three specific areas.

The most recent picture...

I'm hoping to get the truck out to a trail or two before our trip to Utah in October, I'm real curious to see how the suspension responds to that kind of work out.

 

[Desertdude]

Nicely done! great truck color where is your CB mounted?

 

[mountainpete]

The most recent picture...

Nice Tacoma!

It's great to see another Taco carrying a canoe! With my doublecab, I had to put a third crossbar over the cab to carry my 16' canoe. The shell is just too small on the shortbox...

 

[BajaTaco]

Looks GREAT Dave! I too love the color, and the pic with the canoe.

Definitely let us know how you like those Dakar springs after you get some miles on them.

 

[Dave]

With my doublecab, I had to put a third crossbar over the cab to carry my 16' canoe. The shell is just too small on the shortbox...

I was real happy with out everything came together for the canoe rack. It's nice having the canoe centered over bed, that way there's not too much of it hanging over the windshield. When I had my XJ, sometimes the canoe would block my view of a stop light or street signs. The canoe does "wag" a bit more on my Tacoma then it did on my XJ since there's less spread between the cross bars, but it's still very sturdy.

where is your CB mounted?

I have the Cobra 75wxst, so the small junction box is mounted at the back of the ash tray cubby hole. The handset is just resting between my seat and console at the moment, I haven't found a place I want to hang it yet.

Picked up the bolts for the manifold today, hopefully I can button up the OBA project tonight!

 

[Scott Brady]

cool Tacoma and mods.

You will like the 400H. It is a strong little compressor.

What is next for the machine?

 

[Dave]

I'm actually using the 400C, but best I can tell the specs are identical to the 400H.

As for what's next, I'm hoping to get a t-case skid on before our Utah trip and I'm planning on hardwiring the DC-AC power inverter. Any one have any opinions on a t-case skid? I'm leaning towards the Skid Row unit right now. I had two of their skid plates on my XJ and really liked them.

I will also have the shower tent support finished by then. I'm basically going with the same solution BajaTaco has for his. I'm using a 3/4" wooden dowel rod that just happens to fit snug in the Yakima cross bar. Just pop the cap off the cross bar, grab the hook and slide the dowel out, and hang the shower. At least that's how I have it pictured in my head, I haven't actually tried it yet.

 

[BajaTaco]

I'm actually using the 400C, but best I can tell the specs are identical to the 400H.

As for what's next, I'm hoping to get a t-case skid on before our Utah trip and I'm planning on hardwiring the DC-AC power inverter. Any one have any opinions on a t-case skid? I'm leaning towards the Skid Row unit right now. I had two of their skid plates on my XJ and really liked them.

I will also have the shower tent support finished by then. I'm basically going with the same solution BajaTaco has for his. I'm using a 3/4" wooden dowel rod that just happens to fit snug in the Yakima cross bar. Just pop the cap off the cross bar, grab the hook and slide the dowel out, and hang the shower. At least that's how I have it pictured in my head, I haven't actually tried it yet.

Nice. Are you planning on doing some trails that warrant the t-case skid? They are definitely good insurance. I have never done anything "hardcore" enough to warrant installing one on my truck (always seemed to find other mods I wanted more), though a look at the little stock skid plate shows that I may have taken a few chances.

On the shower - that cheap-o enclosure I had finally gave up the ghost (I probably only got less than 20 showers out of it) and the seams at the bottom tore apart (where it gets staked to the ground). I am currently planning to get something more robust like Pahaque or similar (although I don't look forward to the added complexity).

 

[Dave]

That's a good question. I'm not necessarily planning on doing anything that would guarantee a need for a beefed up t-case skid. I'm certainly not building this truck for hardcore trails. At this point in time, I guess it comes down to a choice between a t-case skid or sliders (rock rails). The way I rationalized it, if I take a hit to the t-case, it could be much more of an issue then if I took a hit to the panels.

From a useability stand-point, I would much rather have rock rails since they would come in real handy when tieing down the canoe, but seeing that t-case just hanging out there in the breeze makes me nervous for some reason.

I guess a good place to start would be to get some input on the stock t-case guard. If the consensus is the stocker is somewhat adequate, I would rethink my decision and start looking at rock rails again.

 

[Dave]

Subject lines you like to see in your inbox: SHIP CONFIRMATION.

:wings:

 

[mountainpete]

Subject lines you like to see in your inbox: SHIP CONFIRMATION.

:wings:

You taking a cruise? :shakin:

 

[Dave]

Not taking a cruise, but just about finished buttoning up todays project...

:jumping: