rovingowl's mild tacoma build
hello all. i decided to start a build thread to highlight some of the mods to my '07 tacoma. for a little background, i'm a frame to finish carpenter and this will be my dd as well. it will haul the tools for the trade and double as transport for camping and advenure travel. last year my girlfriend and i traveled in a large clockwise fashion from vermont south, throughout the southwest, up the west coast and headed back across the northern part of the u.s. we used her subaru outback wagon, as i didn't feel my '93 toyota xtracab was up to the task. having since traded it for the '07, we're next planning a trip through canada to alaska and back through the northern u.s. this rig won't see the extreme wheeling that some of you guys do, but i want to set up the taco to be as adventure worthy as possible without sarificing dependability.
being the frugal fella that i am, i opted for the base model with the v6 and automatic. i'm not a fan of all the power options and the only interests in the trd package were the locker and skid plates. i figured an arb locker and better than factory skids could be added later for less than the cost of the trd. the first addition was the leer canopy. it allows for lockable weather tight storage of both tools and gear. i like the cab high models personally. i also went with standard sliding side windows. this may be a downside if i add a rear bumper with a swingout tire carrier, but i deal with that when the time comes. i did get the thule roof bars and tracker system and am pleased so far.
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next came tires. i've never been a fan of big wide tires, and after reading alot of info here i decided on 235/85/16s. this size allows for more ground clearance, fits the stock size wheel, and also fits in to the factory spare location. i have no rubbing issues and may possibly save a bit of wear and tear on steering, braking, and driveline components.
i was having a tough time deciding between the cooper s/t and the bfgoodrich a/t. after alot of questions, research, and thought i went with the bfgs. they are tried and true for me personally, and i feel will wear slower in the long run (more mileage). the coopers also have a much lower speed rating which did have me a bit concerned. although my truck rarely sees speeds over their 87mph rating (especially sustained), i feel the bfgs may offer a slight bit more safety at higher speeds. another factor was pricing as i was able to get a set of the bfgs at last years pricing which was actually less than the coopers.
i also wanted different wheels, preferably black steel. all of the after market options seem to come at different back spacing and are mostly in a 16x8. i wanted to keep the 7" width for the 235 tires and also wanted factory backspacing for clearance concerns. i've always liked the spare wheel look, so decided to purchase four from my dealer. some people have mentioned checking junk yards for spares, but i had no luck. the spare wheels were $78 each from my dealer. listed at $109 i recieved a slight discount. the interesting thing to note for anyone considering this wheel option is this- the tpms sensors from the 5 spoke styled steel wheels do not fit the spare wheels. the valve stem mounting angle is different and therefor a different sensor is required. the valve stem/sensor is about $115 each from the dealer. not wanting to pay another $400+ for valve stems i worked out a trade with my dealer. they mounted and blanced my new tires on the black steelies with the correct valve stem/sensors and in return they kept my original 5 spokes steelies and valve stems. not bad.
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so far so good. i always carry the usual recovery gear. high-lift with winching gear, a 2 ton more power puller, strap, axe shovel, etc. i always have emergency gear and first aid supplies as well.
i'm still trying to decide what's next on the list. i'm thinking i'll keep the suspension stock for now (had the tsb done). possibly may go to saw2.0s and either an aal or dakar spring pack later. adding a bumper and winch up front, a bumper and more gear including sleeping accomodations in the rear will be the determining factor for the suspension. i like the lower center of gravity and want to keep it as stock as possible for maitenance/wear and tear reasons.
ideas for the future include lights, arb rear locker, sliders, skids, front and rear bumpers with a winch in front.
any suggestions are always welcome.
hello all. i decided to start a build thread to highlight some of the mods to my '07 tacoma. for a little background, i'm a frame to finish carpenter and this will be my dd as well. it will haul the tools for the trade and double as transport for camping and advenure travel. last year my girlfriend and i traveled in a large clockwise fashion from vermont south, throughout the southwest, up the west coast and headed back across the northern part of the u.s. we used her subaru outback wagon, as i didn't feel my '93 toyota xtracab was up to the task. having since traded it for the '07, we're next planning a trip through canada to alaska and back through the northern u.s. this rig won't see the extreme wheeling that some of you guys do, but i want to set up the taco to be as adventure worthy as possible without sarificing dependability.
being the frugal fella that i am, i opted for the base model with the v6 and automatic. i'm not a fan of all the power options and the only interests in the trd package were the locker and skid plates. i figured an arb locker and better than factory skids could be added later for less than the cost of the trd. the first addition was the leer canopy. it allows for lockable weather tight storage of both tools and gear. i like the cab high models personally. i also went with standard sliding side windows. this may be a downside if i add a rear bumper with a swingout tire carrier, but i deal with that when the time comes. i did get the thule roof bars and tracker system and am pleased so far.
next came tires. i've never been a fan of big wide tires, and after reading alot of info here i decided on 235/85/16s. this size allows for more ground clearance, fits the stock size wheel, and also fits in to the factory spare location. i have no rubbing issues and may possibly save a bit of wear and tear on steering, braking, and driveline components.
i was having a tough time deciding between the cooper s/t and the bfgoodrich a/t. after alot of questions, research, and thought i went with the bfgs. they are tried and true for me personally, and i feel will wear slower in the long run (more mileage). the coopers also have a much lower speed rating which did have me a bit concerned. although my truck rarely sees speeds over their 87mph rating (especially sustained), i feel the bfgs may offer a slight bit more safety at higher speeds. another factor was pricing as i was able to get a set of the bfgs at last years pricing which was actually less than the coopers.
i also wanted different wheels, preferably black steel. all of the after market options seem to come at different back spacing and are mostly in a 16x8. i wanted to keep the 7" width for the 235 tires and also wanted factory backspacing for clearance concerns. i've always liked the spare wheel look, so decided to purchase four from my dealer. some people have mentioned checking junk yards for spares, but i had no luck. the spare wheels were $78 each from my dealer. listed at $109 i recieved a slight discount. the interesting thing to note for anyone considering this wheel option is this- the tpms sensors from the 5 spoke styled steel wheels do not fit the spare wheels. the valve stem mounting angle is different and therefor a different sensor is required. the valve stem/sensor is about $115 each from the dealer. not wanting to pay another $400+ for valve stems i worked out a trade with my dealer. they mounted and blanced my new tires on the black steelies with the correct valve stem/sensors and in return they kept my original 5 spokes steelies and valve stems. not bad.
so far so good. i always carry the usual recovery gear. high-lift with winching gear, a 2 ton more power puller, strap, axe shovel, etc. i always have emergency gear and first aid supplies as well.
i'm still trying to decide what's next on the list. i'm thinking i'll keep the suspension stock for now (had the tsb done). possibly may go to saw2.0s and either an aal or dakar spring pack later. adding a bumper and winch up front, a bumper and more gear including sleeping accomodations in the rear will be the determining factor for the suspension. i like the lower center of gravity and want to keep it as stock as possible for maitenance/wear and tear reasons.
ideas for the future include lights, arb rear locker, sliders, skids, front and rear bumpers with a winch in front.
any suggestions are always welcome.
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