Jonnys_Tundra Build Thread - 2017 Tundra

[JNewton99]

I had been needing tires for awhile since the 37" STT Pros were used and since they had been doing so well I went ahead and picked up a set of 5 Toyo RT Trails in 37x12.50R17. First impressions, they are way lighter than the STT Pros and you can tell it in driving and fuel economy. They also ride great and are super quiet.

 

[JNewton99]

If you didn't notice in the pictures above there's a snorkel on the truck! LOL
I finally got the nerve up to cut a huge hole in my fender and install the Dobinson snorkel. You can see that I was still waiting on my Snorkel Upgrade pre cleaner to finish it off but the hard part is done.







And because I've been asked before here is a close up of the final trim and fitment of the fender flares with the snorkel.

 

[JNewton99]

While installing the snorkel I also relocated my air pump breathers inside the engine bay near the firewall topped off with some 1inch K&N air filters.

 

[JNewton99]

One of the next mods on the truck was a cell booster. While I don't always need signal sometimes signal is needed or nice. So I ordered and installed a Weboost Overland signal booster. While looking at mounting options for the external antenna I decided I didn't care for anything I found so I threw together my own mount that allows the antenna to mount to my awning track and tuck behind my awning when folded down. Surprisingly with the antenna down it still boosts the signal!

 

[JNewton99]

As if the 30" lightbar, fogs and ditch lights weren't enough I decided to add 2 Baja Designs LP9s to the front of the truck and man do they throw some light out there!

 

[JNewton99]

So the Tundra started off with an Icon 2.5 coilover front and Bilstein 5160 rear shocks and an AAL for suspension. While the Bilsteins were great, I had to install top plate spacers with the Icons to get true lift without over compressing the springs. As time went on I finally had enough with the Icons and installed a new suspension setup and decided to go with Fox 2.5 DSCs F&R from Accutune with 700lb Eibach coils up front for all my added weight. I also picked up a brand new set of Icon RXT leafs on FB Marketplace to replace the AAL with which just wasn't cutting it anymore with the added weight. While working on the suspension I also installed a set of DuroBump bumpstops front and rear.





Next up is installing these BEEFY TRE upgrades from Coachbuilder.

 

[JNewton99]

Added some vinyl accents to the hood, roof and tailgate to break up all the white. Also got my Snorkel Upgrade precleaner in and on as well as upgraded my swingout latches with some of the E3 Machine billet latches.

 

[JNewton99]

At this point in the build I've been using the Decked drawers now for going on 2 years and put them to good use!


One drawer for tools and recovery gear....



The other drawer for camp/cook gear.

 

[JNewton99]

Back in September of 2023 I took a trip to Colorado, Silverton, Ouray, Alpine Loop area and man what a time we had. The weather was nice even though it rained the first week but cleared up for the second week. We did the full Alpine Loop as well as hit some other areas around the San Juans.

Got a few shots that I thought were really cool.

 

[JNewton99]

While in Colorado we also hit up Schofield Pass and man did it have some views! It was probably one of the sketchiest trails I've been on though, so due to that and the rain I unfortunately have very few pics of it.



The trail was stupid tight in spots for the Tundra, you'd think they'd warn ya or something!



Pictures don't do it justice but this was an awesome yet nerve wrecking trail. I didn't even get pics of Devils Punch Bowl below the trail at the bottom due to the heavy rain. Guess I'll have to squeeze down the trail again in the future! ‍

 

[JNewton99]

Well December of 2023 I really made some big changes to the truck. The Bed rack and RTT were sold and gone for the time being. The RTT life just wasn't for me....... or was it?! LOL
Back to the Softopper which I had missed but had been in storage for 3 years because of the bed rack and RTT. I was so glad to see it back on since I really like the Softopper.





But wait! There's more........



Another big piece gone, but for good cause. Then I just had to impatiently, patiently wait on @STravis to work his magic.



The place holder until then. Such an eye sore.....

 

[JNewton99]

Well about a month later I got the Xtrusion Overland bed rack in and installed. I mis ordered and was having to wait on a set of brackets to show up to get the tent on. Excuse the grainy photos, it was getting dark by the time I got everything buttoned up. I was super excited about this rack because I was able to keep my Softopper which was a big deal to me! Along I made due with an open bed but anytime it was dusty or wet everything in the bed inevitably got dusty or wet, go figure! So keeping the Softopper on was a great idea in my opinion.

I guess I am sticking with a RTT after all..... LOL

 

[JNewton99]

I also installed a set of Form Lighting LED headlights with amber switchbacks. I originally had run the factory TRD Pro halogen lights with Phillips LED bulbs in them but decided to upgrade to a full LED headlight. It was between the newer TRD Pro LED lights and these Forms and I really liked the amber switchbacks so decided to go with the Form headlights.

 

[JNewton99]

Well I got the brackets in and got the new to me CVT medium Mt Hood mounted up. While the 23Zero was great, camping with guys with wedge style tents showed just how fast setup and tear down was with a wedge style. I rocked the 23Zero for 3 years and decided to upgrade to when I found a great deal on the CVT.

 

[JNewton99]

And call me crazy but a few short months, 2 to be exact, the new setup was removed from the truck. Why you ask? I really loved the Softopper with the Xtrusion bed rack and the new wedge style tent was awesome. This was a great setup for me, why take it off and sell it all? Well because something BIG happened for me.

Remember that foreshadowing I mentioned earlier, if you read the posts and weren't just scrolling through the pictures you would! LOL

A dream setup, one I didn't think I wanted to invest in for years, popped up. I was tagged in a post on a FB group by a friend of an AT Overland Atlas for sale just a mere 6 hours from me and for a really good price. So after a little deliberation and a couple of days to think about it, I contacted the seller, made a deal and drove North. After removing my freshly installed RTT, Softopper and Bed rack.

And drove back home with my new to me AT Overland Atlas topper!