Doc's 05 Tacoma Build Thread

[Lost Canadian]

That's another good point William, I like the heads up mounting as I don't have to take my eyes off the road to follow the directions or cycle through the displays. I guess it's just a matter of preference.

 

[CAPTAIN COORS]

hey doc, nice looking rack and tent setup, we have the '06 dcab and have mounted the the tent across the bed rails, would like to move it higher, do you have problems setting the tent up at that hight? what about climbing down the ladder in the middle of the night, linda thinks its way toooooo hight

 

[Dave Bennett]

Do you find it hard to drive and nag. at the same time with your mount locat?

No problem for me, I tend to focus more on driving than anything else, an occasional glance at the GPS is all I need! And, if my wife is along she does all the navigating!
:rally_guys:

 

[BajaTaco]

Dave, I am just catching up here...

The rack and tent setup is pretty incredible. Very nice job

Now it's time to ship to Europe and drive down south to find some of these...

:26_13_1:

 

[Dave Bennett]

hey doc, nice looking rack and tent setup, we have the '06 dcab and have mounted the the tent across the bed rails, would like to move it higher, do you have problems setting the tent up at that hight? what about climbing down the ladder in the middle of the night, linda thinks its way toooooo hight

Thanks! It is at 6ft height on the rack, when I deploy the tent I step up on the rear passenger tire to the side of the bed, using the rack as a hand-hold. I use the tire, bedside and rack as a ladder, I applied non-skid to the bedrail on my rack for this purpose. Standing there I can easily pull out and secure the tent ladder, then I just hop down and use the ladder to deploy the tent. I can also deal with the travel cover and any loose ends pretty easy from up there while stowing the tent. It works for me but some might not like it this high.

As far as climbing up and down the ladder at night, it's only an extra rung or two really so it's no big deal IMO.

The best part about the rack and tent at this altitude is the view!
Anyone who sees it up close with the tent up calls it a "tree house" and it kinda feels like one when you're up there. It's a great place to relax and watch nature, or maybe just read a book and enjoy peace and quiet...

I also firmly believe this is a security bonus because at that height the only way for someone to really bother me is to climb up my ladder... and my ladder is protected by Smith & Wesson :ylsmoke:

 

[Dave Bennett]

Dave, I am just catching up here...

The rack and tent setup is pretty incredible. Very nice job

Now it's time to ship to Europe and drive down south to find some of these...

:26_13_1:

Thanks Chris! I keep telling my wife you're to blame for my mod disease... :hehe:

All things in good time...

 

[slosurfer]

Dave, your buildup is great. I really like the tent setup. I have a question about your rear mudflaps, did you get new ones or did you just trim your stock ones? Also, when you removed your front ones, how do you get the "snaps" off without breaking them? Thanks,
Chris

 

[Dave Bennett]

Dave, your buildup is great. I really like the tent setup. I have a question about your rear mudflaps, did you get new ones or did you just trim your stock ones? Also, when you removed your front ones, how do you get the "snaps" off without breaking them? Thanks,
Chris

Thanks!
I just used a box knife to carefully trim the rear mudflaps. For the fasteners, I used two flat tip screwdrivers. Use one to carefully pop out the expanding center pin, once this center is popped out use the second screwdriver to carefully pry the fastener out - you may want to cover the screwdriver tip with tape to protect the paint.

 

[slosurfer]

Thanks Dave, now I just have to wait till my wife isn't looking at what I am doing to her truck.

 

[Willman]

No problem for me, I tend to focus more on driving than anything else, an occasional glance at the GPS is all I need! And, if my wife is along she does all the navigating!
:rally_guys:

Nice!! I need to send my wife to your training camp!!!! Any openings??...lol

:elkgrin:

 

[offroadchef]

Here's my setup...

Where did you get that bracket at?


Markus

 

[Dave Bennett]

Where did you get that bracket at?


Markus

My Garmin GPS mount was purchased at REI.

 

[BajaTaco]

Thanks Chris! I keep telling my wife you're to blame for my mod disease...

:hehe:

She sure does look happy up in the tent.

 

[Dave Bennett]

:hehe:

She sure does look happy up in the tent.

She's glad that she doesn't have to sleep on the ground anymore!:elkgrin:

 

[Dave Bennett]

The Next Phase...

Well, now it's time for my new antenna mounting solution and to get my lighting situation integrated.

I will have a total of 6 aft facing back up lights (2 high mount, 2 rock lights, and 2 stock back ups), 2 alley/camp lights (port and starboard), and 6 forward facing lights (2 high mount IPF 968's, 2 ARB mount IPF 968's, and stock headlights), this should be more than sufficient! unk03:

:box: :box: :box:

MountainPete has a great write up on these IPF lights: IPF INSTALL

And I'm eying an Odyssey 1700 from Sierra Expeditions... if I can stuff it in there!