Doc's 05 Tacoma Build Thread

[heeltoe989]

I felt like I was cheating on her every time I went to a dealership and looked around. It was nuts.

Then, when it was almost sold, the realization finally hit me that I have too much money and way too many hours of blood, sweat, and tears poured into this project to just start over again on a different platform.

I have decided to enjoy the fruits of my labor and just take it easy for a while! :sombrero:



































But, I have a few ideas for new mods and refinement!

Can hardly wait to see more this killer Tacoma! :lurk: :beer:

 

[Dave Bennett]

The Fall/Winter 2009 Plan

I deploy in January for 7 months. So, I am planning and plotting now on how to store her and make some improvements when I get home.

1. The rack and RTT are coming off and going into the garage, and the truck will be parked with the exception of the occasional use by my wife to keep the fluids moving

2. When I return, it will be time for 4.88 gears from JT's to be installed. The OEM 3.73's are not cutting it anymore. I will be pulling the diffs and taking them to a reputable shop in San Diego for install (Boston Mangler knows a good shop there). As is, the truck is heavy so re-gearing should improve power, and I'll be looking for other ways to lighten her up

3. Then, I will be visiting National Spring in San Diego for a set of custom rear leaf packs. The Deavers have been OK, but with the loads I carry I need more capability back there. It will be time for new rear shocks too, probably Icon, so I will probably end up pulling the DR CO's and rebuilding them around this time. The DR CO's have been trouble free and truly outstanding.

4. I am also going to be needing new tires. The BFG MT's have been great, in all my trips with them I only ever suffered one slow leak that was from a screw in the sidewall that I picked up at the Briggs and Stone cabins in Death Valley so I will most likely stay with BF Goodrich tires.

5. I am considering 35's and the necessary front cab mount mod. This would give me more ground clearance for the belly of the beast. Even if I stay with 33's, I may switch to BFG AT tires. We'll see what the best deal is when the time comes.

6. I'd like a real skidplate setup, but the BudBuilts are heavy, and Heeltoe's aluminum setup seems pretty killer so I'm looking to protect without gaining too much more weight.

7. I will be needing the 60,000 mile service (I'm at 56,000 now) by winter so that is another cost I have to figure in. IMO, major service requirements should never be skipped, especially with the places I take this truck. The sealed AT on these Tacomas needs the regular TLC.

8. I will be removing the fridge and re-installing the rest of the back seat. The fridge will be moved to the bed since I am considering a topper with windoors for the bed, the expedition rack may go up for sale as I will probably go to an AT in the future.

So, the plan is lots of changes over the next 2 years, but trying not to "fix what ain't broke".

 

[RoundOut]

First, Thanks for your service. I've thanked you before, but I cannot say that enough. I appreciate what you and our other veterans do/have done for our country.

3. Then, I will be visiting National Spring in San Diego for a set of custom rear leaf packs. The Deavers have been OK, but with the loads I carry I need more capability back there.

I have the Deavers in the back of my Tundra, and just before the 08 Trophy, I installed Timbren bumpstops. THEY ARE THE BOMB! If you have your mind made up on the National Springs, fine. If not, the Timbren bumpstops will probably get you the additional weight carrying ability you need back there for a fraction of the cost. My rear is VERY heavy, with dual batteries, air tank, swingout spare, heavy rear bumper, skid plate under the batteries/air tank, tool box in the bed, and everything Rhino'd. Loaded to and from the Trophy, we were riding on them and it supported the weight beautifully. They are much taller than stock bumpstops, and do the acordian thing so you never feel it bottom out, even over a tough bump. If you want a second opinion, ask Sean (DevinSixtySeven).

.

 

[SOAZ]

Glad your keeping it. Nice truck. I've always fancied it.

The list of future mods sounds smart and a great direction to head. Look forward to the future pictures!

 

[heeltoe989]

Sounds wicked to me!

I look forward to seeing the new set up and revised truck!

:26_7_2:

Glad your keepin her Hopefully we can get a few pictures of our 2 trucks together one day!

 

[Redline]

If you are going to go with 35s, I suggest you go with 4.88 gears. If you stay with 33s then either 4.56 or 4.88 gears will work well.

Having a heavy rig and pulling a trailer (you said you will likely go with an AT) makes the lower 4.88 gears a good choice. I only have 33s on my (heavy!) 4Runner and love the torque of 4.88s both everyday and when trailer pullin'.

 

[Dave Bennett]

If you are going to go with 35s, I suggest you go with 4.88 gears. If you stay with 33s then either 4.56 or 4.88 gears will work well.

Having a heavy rig and pulling a trailer (you said you will likely go with an AT) makes the lower 4.88 gears a good choice. I only have 33s on my (heavy!) 4Runner and love the torque of 4.88s both everyday and when trailer pullin'.

Good advice. Better to re-gear once and be done right the first time.

 

[heeltoe989]

Good advice. Better to re-gear once and be done right the first time.

Yup, I'm very happy with 4:56 gears, I'm going to 34" next tire and the gears should still work well for me. with the addition of a Inchworm Crawler box, the gears should be great for the trails. The SC has more than enough grunt to get things moving very quickly, and pulling my trailer now, its like having another truck!

 

[tacollie]

I like your direction. I think 4.88s are way better for the auto than 4.56s. IF I end up keeping mine 4.88s and 35s are in the future. Lead the way in those regards. The sealed tranny is not nearly as hard to service as people think, just harder than older ones. A mechanic buddy helpped me with mine recently and it was pretty simple. Good luck on your deployment.

 

[Overland Hadley]

3. Then, I will be visiting National Spring in San Diego for a set of custom rear leaf packs. The Deavers have been OK, but with the loads I carry I need more capability back there. It will be time for new rear shocks too, probably Icon, so I will probably end up pulling the DR CO's and rebuilding them around this time. The DR CO's have been trouble free and truly outstanding.

I am not sure what National Spring will do for you as far as overload springs go, but remember that the weight of your rig varies depending on how long of a trip you are on and how much of your fuel and water has been consumed. Big difference between fuel and water topped off for a week of travel, and tanks empty.

Think about going with the OME Dakars. I am a big fan of the double overload springs. Just my .2c.

Sounds like you have some good plans for your rig.

 

[Redline]

Related to this and another way for multiple springs rates is to add air overload springs. I recently removed my coil-rites and added a stiffer coil, but air-springs and their variable spring rate added LOTS of flexibility to tune the ride and load carrying ability on my coil spring Toyota.

I am not sure what National Spring will do for you as far as overload springs go, but remember that the weight of your rig varies depending on how long of a trip you are on and how much of your fuel and water has been consumed. Big difference between fuel and water topped off for a week of travel, and tanks empty.

Think about going with the OME Dakars. I am a big fan of the double overload springs. Just my .2c.

Sounds like you have some good plans for your rig.

 

[tacollie]

Just a note on the OME's if you go that route. With my flippac and 20 gallon water tank they sage, so plan on OME aal's($56 a set). Performance wise I couldn't be happier. If national spring does over loads that is cool.

 

[richard cabesa]

Related to this and another way for multiple springs rates is to add air overload springs. I recently removed my coil-rites and added a stiffer coil, but air-springs and their variable spring rate added LOTS of flexibility to tune the ride and load carrying ability on my coil spring Toyota.

I'm thinking of going the air bag route on mine. My load varies so much between empty play, work and travel, that one spring rate just doesn't work. I know it's not the best for real off roading but that is a very small percent of what my truck will be doing. It will be mostly work and backountry travel, not rock crawling.

That said, what's the recomended install method? Plumb them together or separate?

 

[Dave Bennett]

I'm thinking of going the air bag route on mine. My load varies so much between empty play, work and travel, that one spring rate just doesn't work. I know it's not the best for real off roading but that is a very small percent of what my truck will be doing. It will be mostly work and backountry travel, not rock crawling.

That said, what's the recomended install method? Plumb them together or separate?

Most who have ran them in the rough stuff will tell you to plumb them individually.

That way, you can adjust the ride to suit the load AND if you you don't lose both sides if you have a leak or blow a bag.

 

[Redline]

That's how I had mine set-up, separately. When I had a leak recently on the right side it was easier to diagnose.

Most who have ran them in the rough stuff will tell you to plumb them individually.

That way, you can adjust the ride to suit the load AND if you you don't lose both sides if you have a leak or blow a bag.