Crisis of Intent
A few things have happened in the last month causing me to question my original build direction. First, I've dumped my SnugTop Rebel. The shell was designed with an overhanging lip to help prevent leaking and improve aesthetics. This lip extends across the front of the bed, under the window. When I had the truck cross axle, the shell would bump against the bottom of the window. I tried adjusting the position of the shell and it went from no bump to the back window not sealing against the tailgate to a disappointing combination of rubbing against the back window and not quite sealing against the tailgate. I found this unacceptable. I queried several other owners and found my situation was unique. So I approached SnugTop. Their solution was to loosen the bed bolts and move the bed back far enough to prevent rubbing and shared that this would be a common solution for getting their product to fit a Tacoma. I felt that modifying my vehicle in order to make their product their work was also unacceptable. I was also disappointed to find that the shell did almost nothing for dust protection (partly due to window issue and partly due to need to seal bed and tailgate. So the shell got sold. I have not fully decided whether to replace the shell with another brand.
If I don't replace the shell, much of what I was planning for storage and such changes. For example, I will no longer need a rack or bumper gate to carry my jerry cans. I also had a chance to hang around an ARB bumper a few weeks ago. I was surprised (and disappointed) to find that, in real life, the thing is massive. And heavy. This was especially disappointing because I had cash in hand and was ready to buy.
I am finding myself in this odd position of desiring a few additional upgrades, but not feeling great about the options in front of me. The first is a desire to add a winch. I have looked at several hidden winch systems and don't love any of them. Partly this is because I don't love the limited options for mounting auxiliary lighting. So winch + auxiliary lighting + front recovery points = new front bumper of some kind (generally). I have looked at a couple of hybrid bumpers (CBI, Total Chaos, etc.) but none seem just right. The truck currently runs and handles very well and I feel that adding a new front bumper puts that at risk. Maybe this is a gamble I'll have to make for a winch.
Second is protected sleeping. The shell was a bit of a bust so I am now considering a RTT. Would it be better to mount this over the cab or the bed?
Third is rear end protection. I had been planning on a Kaymar rear bumper because it would maintain towing capacity and provide me with the option of adding a tire gate and fuel can storage. No shell means I can carry the cans in the bed. Perhaps, then, this bumper will be overkill. And, if I am not going to add such a bumper, maybe I should then spend the money on an extended range tank and no longer worry about cans (kind of like this idea).
Finally, skids. I have a trip planned for the spring and mid skids are necessary. I am waiting to figure out the front winch/bumper approach before I answer this one.
Overall, I guess it is safe to summarize the challenge as thus: A slightly modified Tacoma is extremely capable and, aside from a few details, completely meets my needs. I suddenly find that I've moved from plotting cool, perhaps unnecessary upgrades (which is certainly a fun part of this hobby), to not wanting to mess up a good thing and I'm asking myself, “Well, now what?” Maybe I'm suddenly really picky or maybe I'm having a hard time letting go of the mod part of the hobby.
