Go4Lo's 01' Tacoma Build

[Go4Lo]

I thought I would go ahead and start a thread for my 2001 Tacoma project. It's nothing special, just another Expo white Tacoma. To date I've only done minor upgrades to it but over time I plan to build it.

I picked it up from a local used car dealer at the beginning of April. So far I love it, and with a few key upgrades it will become a very capable rig.

Here are the specs I started with:

2001 Tacoma with 66K
Extended Cab, SR5, Sunroof
3.4L V6, 5spd
4wd, TRD Package
Rear E-Locker
IFS Front
4.10s
Line X Spray in Liner
Bald 265/70/16 tires

Upgrades:

Northern Tool & Equipment Slimline Black Tool Box
LED Lighting in Tool Box
Optima Red Top w/Marine HD Terminals
Goodyear HD Floormats
Door Sill Guards
New Cup Holder Inserts

Toolbox

The LEDs pivot so they double as a bed lights

Optima

Sill Guards

Matts

New Cupholder Inserts

Nothing major just getting started one step at a time:sombrero:

 

[Go4Lo]

Future Plans:

5 33x10.5x15 BFG MT KMs (Currently Sitting in the garage)
5 15x7, 4" BS, Cragar Soft 8s (BFGs are mounted on these)
Front Calipers are ground to fit (See short write-up below)
Wheelers Conical Black Lug Nuts (on order)
Steering Rack Poly Bushing set(on order)

Bilstein Adj. Front 5100s set to 2.5"
Bilstein 5125 Rears
Alcan AAL or Dakars(not sure yet)
Rear Brake line extension
ARB Front Bumper
Warn m8000 w/Syn Rope
Stubbs Welding Rock Sliders
Rear Bumper(not sure yet)
ARB/Safari Snorkel
4.56 Gears w/Frt. ARB locker

I really wanted to run black steel wheels but I didn't want to have to fork over $100+ for some steel wheels from Wheelers. After countless hours of research I still was unsure if the 15x7 Cragar Soft 8's would fit my truck so I ordered one from SummitRacing for testing. As anticipated I did not fit and made signifigant contact with the calipers.

After a few minutes with the grinder on each side the wheels fit nicely. I tried to document how much grinding was needed for others to see if they are thinking about going this direction.

mmmmm......fresh rubber:wings:

stock caliper side view

stock caliper top view

ground caliper side view

ground caliper top view

checking clearance with a tstat gasket(a little more than a credit card)

cleaned up and painted

Quick note on the tires: BFG hasn't started making the KM2's in 33x10.5x15 even though it's listed on their website as a size, at least that's all I could find out through all my research. However, Discounttire can still get the KMs in this size directly from BFG. They had to order my set, but they have them for $146.00 a tire and in April there was a $70 discount if you bought a set of 4 BFGs, and these qualified! Now I just need a lift before I go crazy coming home to these sitting in my garage everyday:Wow1:

 

[michaels]

i thought you were going to build a rock-crawlin' jeep after you got rid of all those pretty land rovers?

looks nice. i wheel with toyotas and they can take some abuse.

 

[CYi5]

Clean build, I always wanted a sunroof on my taco . When those cupholder inserts wear out, you can use pieces of an old mousepad instead; a little thicker and free!

 

[Go4Lo]

i thought you were going to build a rock-crawlin' jeep after you got rid of all those pretty land rovers?

looks nice. i wheel with toyotas and they can take some abuse.

I did. I bought a TJ on 35s with ARBs, long arms, etc.... It was great off road but my wife hated it and it wasn't very pratical. I've always wanted a 01-04 Tacoma, so when I sold the TJ and this truck popped up with low mileage I could resist.

Thanks for the compliments, it still has a long way to go.

 

[Go4Lo]

Clean build, I always wanted a sunroof on my taco . When those cupholder inserts wear out, you can use pieces of an old mousepad instead; a little thicker and free!

I like having the sunroof. I would have bought the truck if it didn't have one but it's a nice added feature. Thanks for the tip on the cup holder inserts. I bought the kit on trdparts4u.com for about $8.

 

[ckale1]

Get the lift and let's get outta here for the weekend. btw, when did floor mats become part of a build thread?

 

[Go4Lo]

(4) Bilstein 5100s are on the way thanks to Sonny at Downsouth Motorsports with a ToyTec Alcan AAL and some other small pieces....:wings:

 

[turner]

Yeah man killer truck! You have exactly what I want. I am shooting for the same build as soon as I can get into an 01-04 ext cab. I'm hoping within the next few months I will be doing a similar build so keep up the good work, to keep me motivated.:friday:

 

[Go4Lo]

I have been crazy busy the last few weeks but I did manage to find some time to work on the truck, I just haven't had time to update this post. So far fitted the following:

Bilstein 5100s up front set to 2.5" lift
Daystar Rack Bushings
Bilstein 5100s out back
Toytec/Alcan AAL
Toytec Proportioning Valve Relocation kit
Sky Axle Relocation Plates, axle moved forward 3/4"
Sky E-Locker Guard
33x10.5x15 BFG MT KM1s
15x7 Cragar Soft 8s
Spare in Factory Location(modified brackets)

Waiting to be installed(this weekend):
Trail Gear U-bolt Flip Kit
Rear Shock Mounts
Trail Gear Large Rear Diff Guard
1/2" Lift Spacers for the front(to level)

Impressions: Everything went on fairly smooth, I did manage to strip/crossthread one of the studs on the new front struts I managed to make it work, but I went ahead and ordered a new strut just because I don't trust it. That was a costly mistake...

After much debate I ended up just using the heavy duty coil compressors I already had from my jeep days to install the struts. Not a bad job, just hard on the forearms with no air tools :yikes:. I've used coil compressors for years so I was comfortable with them.

Regarding driving impressions, the truck rides really well with the new struts and shocks. It's definately a firmer ride, but much more stable and I can actually take a corner with a decent amount of speed now. It rides and drives a 100x better than stock. I do have a slight shimmy/shake between 50-60 mph, however I have not had an alignment since the lift. I plan to have one completed this week, so hopefully that will solve the problem. I can tell a slight power loss with the 33s, but with the manual it's not bad on the road. I could forsee lower gears or a transfer case gearing at some point down the road. First, I need armor in the form of rock sliders and bumpers. All in all I'm very happy with it and for the price would do it again.

I've got a long way too go but this is a decent start. We are are going camping for the long holiday weekend so I look forward to using it. Below are a few updated pic taken on my BB Storm, so they aren't the best quality. I'll post some better ones from the camping trip next week. Thanks for looking...

 

[YodasYota]

Nice build!

Noticed your App state stickers, I'll be transferring there in the fall, Im ready to be up in the mountains.

 

[Go4Lo]

Nice build!

Noticed your App state stickers, I'll be transferring there in the fall, Im ready to be up in the mountains.

Thanks, it's still got a long way to go. Yeah, I was at ASU from 2000-2004 and I would still be in Boone if jobs weren't so scarce.

 

[Go4Lo]

My wife and I went on a short trip for the long weekend. We were able to get the truck out to a local OHV area on Saturday. The rest of the weekend was pretty much a wash out with the rain, but we still managed to get some hiking in and a few good pics.

Before heading out I had my younger brother help with a few small welding jobs.

Trail Gear U-bolt Flip
New Shock mounts
Trail Gear Diff Guard

I had to slightly modifiy the upper corners to clear the brake lines

Finished product:

 

[Go4Lo]

On to the trails.....

Our stopping place for lunch:

 

[Go4Lo]

My parents ended up renting a small cabin on the river. We met them there for the weekend. It was nice being able to have a hot shower, but it felt like cheating even though we were still sleeping in the tents....:elkgrin:

The Toe River behind the cabin and a cool swinging bridge:

View of Mt. Mitchell.....well it's in the fog....

All in all it was a great trip and nice to get out of the city for a few days even if the weather was bad. I was very happy with the Tacoma on the trails. I do need some armor, especially rock sliders....