I just picked up a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4x4 5 speed. It has the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder which I have found to have nice power all around. I haven't had it in the mountains yet, but I'm sure she will do fine.
My plans for this truck are actually fairly modest (as opposed to my last truck).
I will do this in stages, because I am not made of money.
Stage 1 will include:
-Sliders
-A full array of Bud Built skid plates
-Better tires (hopefully I can get a set of 265/75r16's on the truck)
As you may have noticed, I have no intention of lifting the truck in stage 1. My goal is to get as far off road as possible without lifting the truck. I have nothing against lifting the truck, I just know that it's expensive because it includes lift, tires/wheels, gears and lockers.
Stage 2 will be all about making it more capable on longer trips.
-I'm thinking, Roof Top Tent, though I have no idea which kind
-I'd like to build a box right behind the cab to host a VIAIR kit and a Dual Battery Kit. I'm sure you noticed that the VIAIR kit that I selected is good up to 37" tires, that is not a mistake. I'd also like to be able to run pnuematic tools when necessary. I'm going to be looking at making the box completely water tight and house all the electrical components inside the box. Plus, with the second battery in there already, I can wire the air compressor directly to the battery. This little project is going to take some serious thought and time to get it right, but once I do, I think it will be incredibly useful.
-Along the same lines as the VIAIR and Dual Battery box, I would like to build drawers or a compartment of some for so that I can store all of my crap inside them and not worry about weather exposure or sticky fingers.
Stage 3 will be to make this thing unstoppable. Lift, 285/75r16 tires (possible 255/85r16's), ARB air lockers front and rear with gears to match.
I know some people will try and convince me to use the PowerTank setup. I have had it in the past and it is a great system. My only drawback at this point is the limited amount of CO2 that is available at any given time. When I had my 4runner, I didn't have anywhere to mount the compressor or tank without it being incredibly noisy inside the cab, now that I have a truck, it will be outside and I won't have to worry about it. I can just kick it on 15 minutes before the trail and the tank will be full and ready to use for airing up the tires. Personal preference for what I think will be more useful is what this choice is all about.
Ok, On to the part everyone really wants, Pictures!!!
Disclaimer: These were all taken with my phone, picture size is tiny, sorry about that. I will be wheeling it on Wednesday and will get some better pictures then.
This is a picture the day I picked it up.
The very first modification that I made was to add a CB radio. I chose the Cobra 75 WX ST because of it's compact design. Since I have a regular cab, I have to be very cognizant of what takes up space in there. I also chose a Firestik II 4 foot antenna.
This is where I chose to mount it. The control box is under the shifter bezel.
This is what it looks like all mounted up.
I still need to mount the clip to hold the radio, I test fit it in front 1st gear and I won't bash my kuckles shifting, so I think that's where it will go.
Next up is the antenna mount. Easy Peasy.
The only other thing that I have done to this truck is to add a ScanGuage II that I had from my previous vehicle. I'm not sure that I like where it is mounted, but I can't find a better place. Recommendations accepted...
Let me know what you think of my truck, my plans, or any other general ideas you have.
-Hayes
My plans for this truck are actually fairly modest (as opposed to my last truck).
I will do this in stages, because I am not made of money.
Stage 1 will include:
-Sliders
-A full array of Bud Built skid plates
-Better tires (hopefully I can get a set of 265/75r16's on the truck)
As you may have noticed, I have no intention of lifting the truck in stage 1. My goal is to get as far off road as possible without lifting the truck. I have nothing against lifting the truck, I just know that it's expensive because it includes lift, tires/wheels, gears and lockers.
Stage 2 will be all about making it more capable on longer trips.
-I'm thinking, Roof Top Tent, though I have no idea which kind
-I'd like to build a box right behind the cab to host a VIAIR kit and a Dual Battery Kit. I'm sure you noticed that the VIAIR kit that I selected is good up to 37" tires, that is not a mistake. I'd also like to be able to run pnuematic tools when necessary. I'm going to be looking at making the box completely water tight and house all the electrical components inside the box. Plus, with the second battery in there already, I can wire the air compressor directly to the battery. This little project is going to take some serious thought and time to get it right, but once I do, I think it will be incredibly useful.
-Along the same lines as the VIAIR and Dual Battery box, I would like to build drawers or a compartment of some for so that I can store all of my crap inside them and not worry about weather exposure or sticky fingers.
Stage 3 will be to make this thing unstoppable. Lift, 285/75r16 tires (possible 255/85r16's), ARB air lockers front and rear with gears to match.
I know some people will try and convince me to use the PowerTank setup. I have had it in the past and it is a great system. My only drawback at this point is the limited amount of CO2 that is available at any given time. When I had my 4runner, I didn't have anywhere to mount the compressor or tank without it being incredibly noisy inside the cab, now that I have a truck, it will be outside and I won't have to worry about it. I can just kick it on 15 minutes before the trail and the tank will be full and ready to use for airing up the tires. Personal preference for what I think will be more useful is what this choice is all about.
Ok, On to the part everyone really wants, Pictures!!!
Disclaimer: These were all taken with my phone, picture size is tiny, sorry about that. I will be wheeling it on Wednesday and will get some better pictures then.
This is a picture the day I picked it up.
The very first modification that I made was to add a CB radio. I chose the Cobra 75 WX ST because of it's compact design. Since I have a regular cab, I have to be very cognizant of what takes up space in there. I also chose a Firestik II 4 foot antenna.
This is where I chose to mount it. The control box is under the shifter bezel.
This is what it looks like all mounted up.
I still need to mount the clip to hold the radio, I test fit it in front 1st gear and I won't bash my kuckles shifting, so I think that's where it will go.
Next up is the antenna mount. Easy Peasy.
The only other thing that I have done to this truck is to add a ScanGuage II that I had from my previous vehicle. I'm not sure that I like where it is mounted, but I can't find a better place. Recommendations accepted...
Let me know what you think of my truck, my plans, or any other general ideas you have.
-Hayes