Dr. Cornwallis's Expo Taco, a modest build with big ambitions

[Dr. Cornwallis]

After a lot of planning and research over the past two years and with the coming of my tax return I've decided it's time to quit talking, start building and start exploring. My goal is to complete this project over the next year and a half going on small trips here and there with the first big trip being the Trans America Trail with some friends in the early fall of 2016. We're looking to complete as much of the trail as possible in ten days and then take the highway home.

I bought my truck new in 2012 with the intent of it being a daily driver that I would take on weekend (or longer when time permits) adventures. Like many people, I'm on a somewhat limited budget. While I would like to throw $20,000 at my truck and go all out, that's just not in the cards at this time. As my truck sits now it's completely stock.

Vehicle: 2012 MGM Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Extra Cab TRD Sport, 6 spd Manual


Phase I

Floormats: Weathertec
Suspension: Bilstein 5100's all around, set at 2.5 up front. Extended rear brake lines. Wheelers 1.5in HD three leaf AAL.
Wheels: Method NV 16x8
Tires: BF Goodrich TA KO 2 in 285/75/16
Brakes: EBC Sport Rotors and Yellowstuff pads
Rear differential breather mod
Hi Lift Xtreme 60" (offroad base, lift mate)
Recovery strap
Tree saver
Tire repair kit
TRD Shift Knob

Phase II

Shelter: Softopper
Storage: Bed Drawer system with 23 gallon on board water tank, pump and sleeping pad
AIR: ARB onboard Air
Food Storage: ARB 50qt Fridge
Power: Dual battery setup and Goal zero 90W solar panel (for keeping the battery topped up during extended stays).

Phase III
Rear Bumper: 4x Innovations with swing out tire carrier, hidden hitch, hi lift cutouts, dual jerry can mounts.
Roof Rack: Baja Rack

Phase IV

Front Bumper: Pelfreybilt Plate bumper with center hoop, Rigid 20" light bar, Warn VR 8000 winch and Eibach springs to support extra weight.
Sliders: 4x innovations bolt on.

 

[ROS]

Really looking forward to it! Tire repair kit should perhaps be a phase 1 item, but it seems like you have a good plan worked out so I shouldn't argue. Good luck with your project!

 

[Maxcustody]

Sounds like some great additions you will be adding...Good luck with your project.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Thanks! The recovery stuff are I'll acquire as money permits. However, I went ahead and added some of the stuff to phase I.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Update

A quick update. I should be starting the suspension, wheels, tires and brakes soon as I have the funds, just not the time. Also, I thought I would give a purpose to this build so people can get an understanding as to what it will be like.

Purpose: The idea behind this truck is to create a daily driver that is capable of acting as an extremely efficient jack of all trades rig (weekend adventure, exploring, stealth camping and light expo) with the ability to support one or two people for a few weeks at a time. The goal is to pick out a place to go and be able to go there on a moments notice; being able to move as seamlessly and efficiently as possible from daily driver to adventure rig and then back again.

The truck will be able to provide enough creature comforts to make a trip enjoyable but without bringing the whole house. When I travel I prefer to relish in the simplicity of mother nature. I truly enjoy leaving behind many of my creature comforts in exchange for fresh air and no ac. I'm an incredibly simple person in some regards and one of the things I love so much about my other hobby, backpacking; is that one is able to really find out just how much they actually need to not only survive, but to flourish and be happy. It's nice to trade some of our daily stressors for a more uncommon stressor like "where am I sleeping tonight" or "where is there more water."

Consider this a fairly bare bones minimalist build. This truck will offer everything I need and nothing I don't. Everything is going to be stripped down to the minimum that is needed. From the pots and pans that I carry to the tools I use to prep my food. Before I decide to add something to my build, I'm constantly asking my self "do I really need that?" When I step back and think about it, this project is basically going to evolve around the bed drawer system and Softopper and the entire bed drawer system and sleeping platform is being designed and built around the water tank/pump and the contents I plan to keep in the drawer.

Right now I'm focusing on collecting items for my mess kit (knives, tableware, pots, pans etc..). To plan I've been really watching what I use in the kitchen on a daily basis to prep my meals. One of the things I've found is that because I cook very basic and eat pretty healthy, I have a kitchen full of utensils that don't really use that much. I use the same utility knife to cut all of my food, the same spatula, same spoon and the same three pots (8" and 10" skillet and a 1.5qt saucepan). I'm pretty much a meat, veggies, rice and potatoes guy so this helps greatly when it comes to being a back country chef.

Looking forward to getting started. I'm starting to obsess over the TAT.

 

[ADVW/Liam]

Suspension

FYI, Bilstein has developed a 6112 (60mm coil over) that is adjustable like the 5100s. Rumor has it, it's a better performing and riding option from Bilstein. I'm not sure if they are in production yet, but it might be something worth looking into. I plan to replace my OME coilovers with them next year.

Rick

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Rick, these look awesome! I hadn't heard of them yet so I looked over at TW and there is a thread on them over there. It looks like they should be out here in a few weeks and it looks like the price and performance is going to be hard to beat. If these things are in the budget that is hands down what I'll be going with.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ADVW/Liam]

I agree! I have less than a year on my OME kit... I think the wife will burn the truck down if I buy new stuff now! Gotta get credit cards paid off anyway.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

First mod is done! EBC Stage 5 brake kit from Total Automotive Performance. Excellent people do deal with. The Stage 5 kit features the EBC's Yellowstuff pads with their 3GD rotors. Seeing as the truck will be carrying around an extra thousand or so lbs on larger tires I figured this would be a worthwhile upgrade. I also run a lawn business and using my truck to tow my equipment around (approx 2,000 lbs) it's very apparent the stock brakes aren't the best. My stock rotors were warped so I figured this would be a good time to just do it all while I was down there.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Took a quick trip over to Ft. DeSoto. Not to glamorous but a fun few hours. This fort was used to protect the entrances into Tampa Bay. Originally surveyed by a team led by the famous Robert E. Lee, construction began in 1898 with the onset of the Spanish American War. The 12" mortars on the island are the last known to exist in the United States.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Also, after seeing the price of the new Bilstein 6112's, I think I'll be sticking with the 5100's until I can afford to upgrade to ICON or King. IMO, the price point of the Bilstein's is at a weird spot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Got a good deal on a TRD shift knob so I picked it up. While not a must have, it's a nice touch. I've always preferred the feel of a ball type shifter over the stock one. I feel like the ball type shifter makes for more precise gear changes. Also added some weathertec floor mats a couple weeks ago and I can say without a doubt they were worth every penny.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

I was putting off tires as long as I could because my original plans were to do 285's and a lift but I had to go ahead and buy tires as mine were approaching bald status and with all the rain we've been getting it was dangerous to drive. Went with BFG KO 2's in 265/70/17 and am very happy. I got the E rated ones too and I'm really happy with how they ride.

Next up is going to be the lift. I'm the owner/operator of a small lawn care company so my truck gets used as a work truck part of the week and as a result I'm not sure coil overs are the way to go for me as I can't really afford to have them rebuilt every 20k miles. I think what I'll be going with is billies all around with Eibach coils in the front and the wheelers leaf lack in the rear. I only want to lift the back about an inch and the front 1.5. I don't want my 265's to start looking small.

Edit: just saw that Eibach now makes adjustable shocks for the the Tacoma? So those may be a possibility or also the proven OME coils and shocks. On an extra cab would the 883 coils work for about 1.5 in lift?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Have you looked at a basic kit from toytec?

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Have you looked at a basic kit from toytec?

I had but they all offer too much lift or components I don't want. I don't want 3 in of lift as I don't want to have to worry about new UCA's, plus I think 265's look too small with 3in. All of their lift kits come with some sort of AAL and I don't want to do an AAL, I want some kind of leaf setup that is more durable than the factory toyota leafs but doesn't add much lift. I think OME is probably the way to go as I can change the coils if I ever add any more weight up front.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk