*Rickashay's 04' Tundra* - A build of Compromises

[4Running Daily]

Shoulda tubbed for 37s on a long travel front end... Recently saw someone let a brand new Camburg LT kit with axles go for $2000 in the socaltundras classifieds. :drool:

x2. This build hasn't even started and now I want a Tundra.

 

[EasylyConfused]

I still can't believe you sold the Cruiser, but this looks like it will be equally awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing this on 35's.

 

[rickashay]

Shoulda tubbed for 37s on a long travel front end... Recently saw someone let a brand new Camburg LT kit with axles go for $2000 in the socaltundras classifieds. :drool:

Lol well I thought about it but I really dont think the 7.5 clam is up for the challenge. I think it's even pushing it with 35's. LT would be sweet but I'm not running glass.

x2. This build hasn't even started and now I want a Tundra.

Well glad it was what convinced you to come to Expo! Your 4Runner is ************ but a Tundy for some baja use might compliment it nicely.

I still can't believe you sold the Cruiser, but this looks like it will be equally awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing this on 35's.

Yah its sad to have the Cruiser gone. However I am really liking how the Tundra is already starting to shape up with the influx of parts I have coming. Should be a good all-around package once it's "done".

 

[4Running Daily]

Yah its sad to have the Cruiser gone. However I am really liking how the Tundra is already starting to shape up with the influx of parts I have coming. Should be a good all-around package once it's "done".

I actually want an expedition Tundra, so that I can sleep in the bed. I hate you for starting this build.

 

[character zero]

Yeah - I've got a 2005 Tundra and since I'm on the injured reserve (no mtb due to snapped ACL), this thread and a couple others here have me back working on the truck. I'm designing a solution for the bed now that would still allow me to put my bike back there in a couple months when I start riding (but for real camping/adventures, bike rack goes on).

 

[rickashay]

I actually want an expedition Tundra, so that I can sleep in the bed. I hate you for starting this build.

Haha well then I don't need to convince the choir why this truck is such a good platform for overland/expo stuff. They are pretty cheap to buy too, nice ones are below $15k all day. I'm just hoping with enough work I can make it moderately capable, thats going to be the tricky part. I am definitely excited to build the rear storage (removing the rear jump seats) and get into the box. I think that I'm going to be WAY more organized than my previous builds and my camp-up/camp-down times are going to be way faster, which is something I'm after. I guess I should get some photos of the Tonneau Retrax cover I bought for the truck, that thing is awesome and it still going to give me lockable storage once I bob the box and build a bed cage.

Yeah - I've got a 2005 Tundra and since I'm on the injured reserve (no mtb due to snapped ACL), this thread and a couple others here have me back working on the truck. I'm designing a solution for the bed now that would still allow me to put my bike back there in a couple months when I start riding (but for real camping/adventures, bike rack goes on).

Glad I can serve as some motivation while your down with an injury. That sucks! I too got back into mtb'ing this past summer and bought a Rocky Mountain Flatline. I'm really enjoying the lightness of the new bikes. My old Santa Cruz Super 8 (back in my high school days) was a beast at 55lbs. My Flatline is by no means a light bike and weighs in around 38lbs. Love throwing it around! I also want to incorporate a bike rack design into my bedcage. Maybe so I can just drop the tailgate and roll the bike under the RTT rack and clamp it down. Remove the bike and slide the Retrax cover back to lock everything else back up... I have a couple ideas/sketches already done but it still is a design in progress.

 

[character zero]

Glad I can serve as some motivation while your down with an injury. That sucks! I too got back into mtb'ing this past summer and bought a Rocky Mountain Flatline. I'm really enjoying the lightness of the new bikes. My old Santa Cruz Super 8 (back in my high school days) was a beast at 55lbs. My Flatline is by no means a light bike and weighs in around 38lbs. Love throwing it around! I also want to incorporate a bike rack design into my bedcage. Maybe so I can just drop the tailgate and roll the bike under the RTT rack and clamp it down. Remove the bike and slide the Retrax cover back to lock everything else back up... I have a couple ideas/sketches already done but it still is a design in progress.

NICE! Keep us posted man. Also, if you are looking for a more pedal friendly rig, let me know I've got the hookup on Knolly. The flatline was high on my list when buying FR bike a while back and I'm not at all surprised you like it! Yeah, bikes have come a long way. lighter rigs that are more capable than ever, and even lighter trailbikes that can still be put through the ringer. I've hit some bigger stuff on my Chilcotin and it loved it, it is tuned to be progressive and rides like a mini-DH bike, but I'm also looking to compliment it with something more XC for working my way back into the saddle time. I think my FR bike now (specialized Status) is close to 40lbs but then again, it is a budget build and doesn't get tons of use. I have a buddy with a Retrax and he takes his wheel off to keep his bike locked up. If I had to fit it under the RTT/bed cage, you are obviously constrained by height. Something like the instagator from Thule might be OK, but also might not be-for ease of use, I don't like taking wheels off, but for wheeling/travel, stability beats ease of use! I've considered ditching the camper for a bed cage. but without a RTT it is hard to justify -I'll be watching to see what you come up with!
And if you haven't seen the Dakine pad over the 'gate, it is a good option (but a pain in the ******** with the shell - pic attached pre-lift/wheels): here.

 

[Muttle]

you're not done yet?
jeez get on it dude. lol

 

[2scars]

This thing is going to be Bananas with 35s, can't wait

 

[rickashay]

you're not done yet?
jeez get on it dude. lol

I've been working too much and it's been too cold this week! Back in the garage tomorrow for the other side.

This thing is going to be Bananas with 35s, can't wait

Thanks! I was just checking out your build on TW. Wow your Tacoma cleaned up well!

 

[seanpistol]

Long travel, ARBs front/rear, tubbed for 37s :bowdown:

[URL=http://s298.photobucket.com/user/seankaldhusdal/media/ScreenShot2014-11-14at42747PM.png.html]
[IMG]http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm257/seankaldhusdal/ScreenShot2014-11-14at42747PM.png[/URL]

now he's got a bedcage and a beefier rear axle-

[/URL]

[/URL]

build thread-
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/off-roading/85576-truck-under-destruction/

:drool:

 

[rickashay]

Long travel, ARBs front/rear, tubbed for 37s :bowdown:
build thread-
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/off-roading/85576-truck-under-destruction/

:drool:

Yah this is a super nice rig. I've been chatting with DevinSixtySeven over on TS a little and he's been super helpful with wisdom/knowledge on the Tundra platform from a standpoint that isn't desert-only. Really cool build and I appreciate his efforts in the truck immensely.

I may one day go the route of Long Travel but I don't know... I think mid-travel, bobbed, 35's, locked, and crawbox are going to do just fine!

 

[seanpistol]

I agree!

 

[MCObray]

Good stuff, as always bud. Super stoked you kept this Tundra, as I always was curious to see what you could do with one.

 

[rickashay]

Good stuff, as always bud. Super stoked you kept this Tundra, as I always was curious to see what you could do with one.

Thanks Mason! Should see some decent progress in the next week or two.

Update and Thoughts for the Upcoming Week:

The "tub" is officially done. We cut and welded on Saturday. Drivers side was a little harder than passenger side due to the shape of the floor from the kick panel area. Tool a little more massaging to get the template cut and to fit. I sealed it all up on Sunday and am letting the seam sealer cure for a few days before I head back there on Weds and paint everything.

Then still need to:
- re-assemble and begin trimming the flares (if it's even possible to still run them in the front)
- find a way to mount the lower front fender bolt, as we cut off the factory hole. Most people use a self tapping screw and drill up into the rocker panel to secure it. I would rather avoid this due to rust and water intrusion concerns.
- trim the front bumper for the 35's (should be fairly quick and painless)
- re-install interior pieces.

I'm heading to Montana on Friday this week to pick up my order from Wheelers Offroad, some ARB stuff, and my SCS Wheels.

Hoping to have the tires and wheels mounted on Saturday or Sunday next week. Not sure why the Toyo's are taking so long to show up. If they don't have an accurate landing date soon I might just jump to an MTZ that I can have tomorrow if I desire.

Fox suspension apparently has to be custom made for the 1st Gen Tundra cause they don't stock them at Fox. Hoping the C/O's show up in a couple weeks still though...

TC parts still aren't in yet either. Waiting on the C/O tower gussets and the UCA's

I've allocated most of next weekend to wrenching on the truck as the weather has warmed back up substantially. Hoping to get the wheels/tires/fenders on as my main priority, then Alpine Speakers, and steering rack bushings. Might pull the sway bars too.

I've got some new OEM LBJ's and Outer TRE sitting on my shelf but thinking I should just wait until the suspension install happens and then swap everything over at that point. Then I only need to do an alignment once for everything.