My 09 Tacoma build

[deadbeat son]

Hello everyone, I'm a long time lurker on the site, and have finally joined. I've read a bunch of great stories and build threads on here but never had a build or any adventures worth contributing. In the past, I've owned an FJ60, Jeep XJ (my least favorite) and most recently, a Range Rover Classic. Now with my new Tacoma, I finally have something I feel will be reliable, comfortable, and capable enough to build for meager expedition travel.

My goals for this truck aren't to build a rock crawler that will be able to tackle any "trail" Colorado has to offer. I commute 70 miles a day and want something that will still be comfortable for all of those highway miles while still capable of tackling any trails I care to pass in order to view some of the amazing back country scenery Colorado has to offer or take me, my wife, and our dog wherever we'd like to go. I will also be using the truck to haul my dirtbike and take the family camping. Of course I hope to be able to take some extended trips outside of the local area as well, and those will consist of both tarmac and off road excursions. My plans call for slightly increased ground clearance, traction improvements via better tires, and necessary armor to keep the body in good condition. I also plan to equip the truck with any necessary recovery and safety equipment.

So far the truck is stock, but that shouldn't last too long. Here's a picture of it as it sits today; I just took delivery 8 days ago. I opted for the TRD Off Road package as well as the auto tranny. I wanted a manual, but couldn't find one with the OR package in my area.

I have purchased a set of 17x7.5" FJ Cruiser steel takeoffs and plan to install a set of BFG MTs in 255-75-17 soon. I believe my stock Rugged Trail tires measure 30.5" while the MTs measure 32" (according to Tire Rack.) This should give me an extra 3/4" of ground clearance.

The next mod will be a topper to protect the gear I'll be carrying and to give the dog a comfy place to ride. I've been looking at the ARE CX series, SnugTop Cab-Hi, and Leer 100XR. Do any of you have any direct experience with any of these brands versus the others? The ARE is the least expensive of the three by a comfortable margin, but I'm not opposed to paying more if I'll have a better experience with one of the others in the long run.

Although I have a couple of things planned for the immediate future, this build will be rather slow. I still have to sell the Range Rover before I can dive in to this project too heavily.

I'm always open to suggestions and recommendations; you are the experts here and I believe there's always room for improvement.

EDIT -- As it sits almost 7 years later, 2/20/2016. Latest update.

2009 Tacoma DCSB TRD OR
Sliders: Slee Offroad
Bed cover: Leer 100XR
Suspension: Bilstein 5100, set to 0", stock TRD OR coils, and clapped out TSB leaves
Tires: Toyo Open Country ATII LT265/75R16 C BSW
All else: Still stock

 

[luni]

While the stock 09 OR is extremely capable stock I still recommend stiffer suspension. The factory suspension just don't seem to support the weight of the vehicle in a way the really instills confidence on the trail. I don't want to come off an obstacle and bouce. I want tires to remain planted and vehicle weight to react predictably. The TSB 4 leaf pack and aftermarket coilovers work very well and will be plenty for supporting the weight through the first round of mods.

Get to know your traction control systems. They're all useful in the right conditions. Do your homework on ATRAC and go out for a test run to learn how it works. It's a great tool and Toyota definitely had their heads on straight when they designed it. I wish I had it when I went to CO last year.

Good luck

 

[deadbeat son]

Thanks for the advice. Can many of the aftermarket coilovers be dialed in to a stock (or + 1") height? I don't really want to alter the geometry at this point, and I'd like to avoid significantly changing the COG.

As an alternative, how about a slightly stiffer spring on the stock front shocks, or would that result in a situation where I'm significantly underdamped?

Thanks again.

 

[Rallyroo]

So far the truck is stock, but that shouldn't last too long. Here's a picture of it as it sits today; I just took delivery 8 days ago. I opted for the TRD Off Road package as well as the auto tranny. I wanted a manual, but couldn't find one with the OR package in my area.

What kind of rebates is Toyota giving in Colorado?

I know what you mean about finding manual double cabs in 4WD. They're rare all right. Here in SoCal, of the double cabs, it seems like 95% of them are prerunners.

 

[deadbeat son]

What kind of rebates is Toyota giving in Colorado?

I know what you mean about finding manual double cabs in 4WD. They're rare all right.

The rebate was $1500 for the doublecab and $1000 for standard and extended; that ended May 4th (the day I took delivery.) Starting May 5th, the DC dropped to $1000, and I'm unsure what happened to the rebate for the others.

 

[heeltoe989]

Welcome!

Nice truck and I look forward seeing the build up. :smiley_drive:

Any questions feel free to ask, all of us have been at the stock truck/starting a build stage.

I don't think their are any stupid questions, just stupid answers from smart Asses!

Richard

 

[Streakerfreak]

Welcome to ExPo! Always nice to have more 05+ Tacoma's around here. Look forward to seeing what you do.

 

[deadbeat son]

Welcome!

Nice truck and I look forward seeing the build up. :smiley_drive:

Any questions feel free to ask, all of us have been at the stock truck/starting a build stage.

I don't think their are any stupid questions, just stupid answers from smart Asses!

Richard

Welcome to ExPo! Always nice to have more 05+ Tacoma's around here. Look forward to seeing what you do.

Thanks guys, you both have well thought out trucks!

It looks like you both have Leer shells; is there any particular reason you chose the Leer? I'm looking at ARE, Leer, and Snugtop. I hope to decide by this weekend so I can order one Saturday.

 

[luni]

Thanks for the advice. Can many of the aftermarket coilovers be dialed in to a stock (or + 1") height? I don't really want to alter the geometry at this point, and I'd like to avoid significantly changing the COG.

Personally, I have Icon coilovers up front and with about 1 inch of preload they were sitting just over stock ride height. Once I added the bumper, winch, and skid plates I had to crank them up a bit. Eventually I'll go to synthetic line to cut some weight out of the front but there's more tube work coming so I'll probably end up with an extended coilover rebuild and 700lbs springs any ways. It's a never ending cycle and this board doesn't help:drool:

 

[heeltoe989]

Thanks guys, you both have well thought out trucks!

It looks like you both have Leer shells; is there any particular reason you chose the Leer? I'm looking at ARE, Leer, and Snugtop. I hope to decide by this weekend so I can order one Saturday.

The reason I really went with Leer was they had all the options I wanted in a shell, and the guy who sells ARE here wasn't much help and kinda rude, so I chose leer. I don't regret it and its been a great addition to the truck. The only thing I did when I got it was to add foam sealing canopy tape to the bed rails for a good seal and it has leaked yet. Anytime I have to pull it off I re-seal it with the sealing tape. Its pretty cheap stuff and you can get it just about anywhere.

 

[heeltoe989]

Personally, I have Icon coilovers up front and with about 1 inch of preload they were sitting just over stock ride height. Once I added the bumper, winch, and skid plates I had to crank them up a bit. Eventually I'll go to synthetic line to cut some weight out of the front but there's more tube work coming so I'll probably end up with an extended coilover rebuild and 700lbs springs any ways. It's a never ending cycle and this board doesn't help:drool:

A very welcome addition to bumper & winch mounted Tacomas! Syn line too takes off about 35lbs of weight off the front too.

Here on the board were all very good at spending each others money :victory:

 

[Streakerfreak]

Here on the board were all very good at spending each others money :victory:

Jenn blames you guys all the time, but I think she is starting to get the bug too

 

[heeltoe989]

Jenn blames you guys all the time, but I think she is starting to get the bug too

Same here, My wife always rolls her eyes when I get something new or work on it, but when another Tacoma (stock) owner wants to talk about in a parking lots then she loves it.

Women? I still don't get them!

 

[Streakerfreak]

The reason I really went with Leer was they had all the options I wanted in a shell, and the guy who sells ARE here wasn't much help and kinda rude, so I chose leer. I don't regret it and its been a great addition to the truck. The only thing I did when I got it was to add foam sealing canopy tape to the bed rails for a good seal and it has leaked yet. Anytime I have to pull it off I re-seal it with the sealing tape. Its pretty cheap stuff and you can get it just about anywhere.

I had similar experience on my end too. Leer seems to be one of the best as far as leaking is concerned. That said, even though Leer has better options IMO, the canopy itself is not one of the strongest. The roof is a pretty thin material. If you look at my build thread you can see the damage on my canopy. Granted it was not the canopies fault, but it should have been able to support the shifting weight since I only had about 60 pounds on top. Now my canopy has a pretty noticeable indentation on the roof. Take my experience as you will. They are still decent canopies.

Every modification is a compromise, that goes for the various canopies too.

 

[heeltoe989]

I had similar experience on my end too. Leer seems to be one of the best as far as leaking is concerned. That said, even though Leer has better options IMO, the canopy itself is not one of the strongest. The roof is a pretty thin material. If you pursue my build thread you can see the damage on my canopy. Granted it was not the canopies fault, but it should have been able to support the shifting weight since I only had about 60 pounds on top. Now my canopy has a pretty noticeable indentation on the roof. Take my experience as you will. They are still decent canopies.

Every modification is a compromise.

that's too bad and at 60lbs, not that much!

I don't have the roof rack in mine (future exo cage ), but I do have the overhead storage bin option which from what the Leer guy said make the roof a bit thinker to help with the wight the bin can hold.