The War Wagon: A 2005 Toyota Tundra AC's transformation to Overlanding Rig

[stclair]

I must say, I've been reluctant to put on my tire/wheel combo since it arrived here a few weeks ago for just this reason. I knew the Wheeler's steelies would be heavy, but holy crap! Then add the tires and camper, and I'm sure my MPG will be even worse than yours. Maybe a stupid question, but do you think a re-gear might help? I've been considering it for my Tundra(4.56). I'd like to keep the feel/power close to stock, but also wonder if an engine that's not working as hard may mean 1 or 2 more MPG? Also, I'd like to add a rear locker, so thinking now is the time to do it. Or....I could just stick with the stock tire size, but what fun is that?

 

[trailscape]

I'm currently averaging 14 hwy, 12.5 city with my Tundra.. I run 265's, maybe 2" lift and probably added roughly 300lbs in gear and a topper. I gave up on trying to fix mileage beyond proper maintenance and being realistic on upgrades.

 

[Derek24]

I must say, I've been reluctant to put on my tire/wheel combo since it arrived here a few weeks ago for just this reason. I knew the Wheeler's steelies would be heavy, but holy crap! Then add the tires and camper, and I'm sure my MPG will be even worse than yours. Maybe a stupid question, but do you think a re-gear might help? I've been considering it for my Tundra(4.56). I'd like to keep the feel/power close to stock, but also wonder if an engine that's not working as hard may mean 1 or 2 more MPG? Also, I'd like to add a rear locker, so thinking now is the time to do it. Or....I could just stick with the stock tire size, but what fun is that?

I would highly recommend 4.56s for your setup especially with a camper on the back and 285s. It will handle it stock fine,but with gears it will drive better and take some load off your tranny and engine. I was going to do 4.56s with my tundra when I had 285s and should have. Instead I put 265s back on, but the look was not right, the truck is too big for 265s IMO. With 4.56s and 285s it will be like having 4.30s with stock size tires. Just a little lower, but more power that is still drivable. Also an engine that is lugging, lower rpm, gets worse gas milage. Also if you are going to be putting lockers in, might as well do gears at the same time and save time and money.

 

[CrewServed]

Haven't done a whole lot with the rig lately, but a loose load in the back is definitely a no-go. Half of the kit is anchored down by looping around the lower extension of the Xsporter rack and then attaching to one of tie-off points in the corner of the bed. It's pretty janky, and I didn't like doing it very much.

Here's Chico, my 10-pound attack beast, guarding my poorly-anchored load on a recent run into the Los Padres National Forest in Big Sur.

So I installed some removable eye bolts as anchor points. Being able to take them out as needed was important, so I'm glad there was a pre-built solution to that challenge from ProGrip

The image above shows a green fuel can next to the water can. Just for knowing, it's a place holder for the second water jug I'll be carrying on a trip to the Mojave in a few weeks. And speaking of which, I've still got to implement a more elegant solution to carrying around a spare fuel can in the front left corner of the bed. I've got an idea, though, and I'll be able to do something about it tomorrow afternoon.

 

[CrewServed]

PIAA LP 570

I purchased, received, and installed a set of PIAA LP 570 LED drive lights. First, I had to install the light tabs that the Addicted Offroad Guys sent me as a form of atonement for forgetting to weld the damned things on. A little primer and hammer finish paint later, the bumper was ready to receive the lights.

The Addicted Offroad bumper gave me no place to install fog lights, so those harnesses have been dangling there for the past couple of months, doing nobody any harm or any good. This will come into play in the next sentence.

I'm no wiring wizard, so instead of just using those existing wires from the unused fog lamp harnesses, I installed the PIAA harness and tapped into a fog light's positive cable for switch power. What this effectively does is turn the OEM fog light switch into my drive light switch, as long as I keep the aftermarket PIAA swtich set to "on." It's Bubba'd all to hell, but damn it, it works and it looks just fiiiine, you guys.

So, just why the hell did I choose these lights? Simple: Price is right, plus Overland Journal did a write-up on a bunch of lights last spring, I think, and these lights got a great review.

Sooo.. PICTURES! I've only got two.

These lights are a lot larger than I had anticipated.

Sorry about this picture looking like I took it with a potato.

 

[uscg2008]

They look good on there and I heard that those are rugged as all hell. Night shots are required now!

 

[CrewServed]

Night shots, as requested!

Just headlights:

With the new drive lights:

And just for shiggles, I present the "Backpackaroo."

 

[Jack Stilts]

Just started following your build. Way to go Beast Mode on the Tundra. Well done!

 

[CrewServed]

Just started following your build. Way to go Beast Mode on the Tundra. Well done!

Man, I wish I knew better than to go full retard on a Tundra! Still, it's a ton of fun. Well, three tons of fun, actually.

 

[LOW50S]

I really like what you have done it has given me lots of ideas now if I can come up with some $$ to start the mods

 

[Bulldog_Tundra]

I think this might be my first post over here, I've been over at TundraSolutions. You have an extremely clean and well built rig :bowdown: Definitely the route I'm going; functional, but still good looking (for the vain part of me).

 

[CrewServed]

Aw, shucks, guys. I'm glad that my mucking about has been useful to other people. Bulldog_Tundra, you hit the nail on the head with functionality. I am big when it comes to form following function, and I'm just glad that all of this functionality also looks really, really tough.

 

[CrewServed]

Took the truck on the first "real" trip on the Mojave Road with the prettier half and a couple of friends. Really put the truck to the test and really highlighted the shortcomings of the rear suspension. Hit bump stops too many times to count, and the reduced departure angle was quite obvious by the number of times the rear bumper dipped into the back side of a descent. Otherwise, the truck performed really well and built my confidence in its abilities. Long and wide wheelbase was no problem out there, especially on the tricky track I picked to bring us up to Camp Phallus.

Next up for modifications: AAL from Wheeler's. Just have to decide if I need the heavy duty kit or not.

My favorite photograph of the rig from the trip shows my SO behind the wheel. Of course.

 

[character zero]

Took the truck on the first "real" trip on the Mojave Road with the prettier half and a couple of friends. Really put the truck to the test and really highlighted the shortcomings of the rear suspension. Hit bump stops too many times to count, and the reduced departure angle was quite obvious by the number of times the rear bumper dipped into the back side of a descent. Otherwise, the truck performed really well and built my confidence in its abilities. Long and wide wheelbase was no problem out there, especially on the tricky track I picked to bring us up to Camp Phallus.

Next up for modifications: AAL from Wheeler's. Just have to decide if I need the heavy duty kit or not.

My favorite photograph of the rig from the trip shows my SO behind the wheel. Of course.

Great pic and good review of where it stands now.

Funny enough, I was getting all vain thinking I should ditch the AAL I just put on (2" lift) - which just kept the stock rake with the front suspension I added. I was thinking "I want that level look" and then you come and show me that if you use it right, it doesn't matter....

 

[CrewServed]

Man, I wish that vanity didn't factor in as much as it does when I think of doing things to this truck. Preaching to the choir, here, but we all know that works well>looks cool. Luckily for us that most of the time, works well=looks cool.