Very mild half-way 06 Tundra DC build

[apimpdad]

New here with my new to me 2006 Tundra DC 4x4. I had (still have as of now) an 02 Tundra SAS's with the usual bells and whistles, but I decided to go back to a stock truck and do it differently.

Plans for this one consist of keeping it very streetable but also able to get to my camping spots pulling a trailer loaded with ATV's and supplies. Comfort and reliability are key this go around.

Old:

New:

So far on the inside I have upgraded to a Pioneer Double-Din, Focal door speakers, Rockford Amp, Husky floor mats front and rear, 5% tint, and it came with a nice trailer brake controller.

On the outside, I have so far done the Bilstein 5100 lift (set at the 4th notch, about 2" of lift) and re-painted and installed my old UWS tool box.

Future add-ons consist of:
Rear Bilstein 5100 shocks
Aftermarket wheels (undecided of size or brand)
Aftermarket tires (undecided of size or brand)
Front hitch

And possibly further down the road:
Home-built sliders
Winch with multi-mount for use on the front and rear of truck.
Home-built skids

Not as cool as most builds, but its something :sombrero:

 

[jim65wagon]

It's a Tundra.....how much cooler can it get? :sombrero:

 

[apimpdad]

It's a Tundra.....how much cooler can it get? :sombrero:

Haha I guess so!

One of the first things I plan on building is some type of locking "cage" system to keep my new jerry can and action packer safe. Last camping/wheeling trip ended with my 5 gal. gas can full of gas being stolen right out of the bed of the truck. Needless to say I was not very happy. So I plan on building a new bed bar like I had on my last truck that mounts right behind the tool box and then building some type of cage or lock bar that would surround them. It's in the design/thought stage right now so it may be a while until completed.

 

[Derek24]

Good seeing you here! Looks good!

 

[apimpdad]

Good seeing you here! Looks good!

Thanks! I have already looked through your build thread on here a couple times for some ideas.

 

[WASURF63]

It's a Tundra.....how much cooler can it get? :sombrero:

I agree... two nice Tundy's ya got there. BTW Welcome to Expo!

 

[apimpdad]

Got the front hitch in the mail today and went ahead and installed it. It took me a couple of hours because I was slacking off and fishing the bolts through the frame was a PITA.

I have to trim the sides of the skid plate before I put it back on. I trimmed some off but it wasn't enough and then it started to rain. Hopefully I can get it done tomorrow.

 

[apimpdad]

Got started on a new bed bar for this truck. I let my other one go with my old truck so I could build an improved one. This is to keep me from ramming my 4 wheeler into my toolbox when loading it and gives me front tie down spots since the ones at the front of the bed are now blocked by the tool box. I will also be able to lock my gas can and action packer to it so they won't get stolen again.

mounting tabs:

Fit-up:

All welded:

And of course before I could get it painted and mounted to the truck it starts to storm. Maybe I will finish tomorrow.

 

[JCMatthews]

Nice truck. Excited to see where this build is going.

 

[apimpdad]

Got the bed bar painted and in place. I also go the skid plate cut, trimmed, and back in place. I do not like how hard it is to get the front 3 bolts off so a custom skid plate is probably in order in the near future.

 

[apimpdad]

Went on my first camping/ATV trip with the new truck. It pulled the trailer pictured very well averaging around 12.5 MPG with the bed fully loaded with 4 people's junk and 4 people in the cab. Of course it rained on our 2nd day (and by rain I mean a very bad storm came through with very high gusts, lightning, and rain) and got everything in my tent wet including all clothes, sheets, cot, etc...) so me and my buddy slept in the Tundra on the 2nd night. It wasn't the most comfortable but it worked. And having a/c at the turn of a key was nice when its 90 degrees and humid :sombrero:

When the storms got real bad we just popped in a movie

Unfortunately, the place we go to camp and ride ATV's (TCR or Triple Canopy Ranch) shut their doors right after this event ended. It is the closest place to ride and camp within 2 hours of where I live, so I sold my ATV 3 days later because driving 2+ hours to ride and camp isn't something that is convenient. I can always buy another one one day....

 

[apimpdad]

Decided to get going on the steering rack bushing install this morning to get it over with and because it was not raining (yet). It went pretty smooth, the longest part was getting all the bolts/bushings lined up with the new bushings installed. But it just took some persuasion and everything went back together. I also rotated the tires and checked that all hardware was still tight after the Bilstein 5100 front install.

After a test drive I could tell the steering was much tighter. Before, I had a pretty decent pull to the right and to correct it when going straight, my steering wheel would be turned slightly left. Now, the steering wheel is straight with much less pull to the right. I obviously need an alignment, but I am trying to hold off until I get my new wheels and tires. Regardless, it was definitely worth the ~$45 and couple hours of work.

 

[apimpdad]

Haven't updated lately... been very busy with work and doing some side fabrication stuff for some friends and other people for extra side cash.

But, I finally got around to ordering the rear Bilstein 5100 shocks from AJUSA. I am planning on detailing the truck very soon because some gray paint overspray got on everone's vehicle at work . It isn't too bad, but it needs to be clayed and waxed regardless. Also thinking about doing another traction bar on the rear end like my white truck had but in order to do that I think I need to get a smaller muffler (I do not want it any louder than stock) so I will be on the search for a pretty much drop-in, small, quiet muffler.

Still on the search for wheels and tires also.....

 

[apimpdad]

I got the rear 5100's in the mail today and decided to go ahead and throw them on. I must say, Toyota must have designed the rear suspension in the most ridiculous, cramped, and dumbest way possible. Those top nuts on the stem of the shock were a complete pain to get off, which was expected, but they were a little harder than previously thought.

I ended up having to grind two flat spots on the shock shaft so an adjustable wrench could be put on it to hold it from spinning (be VERY careful when doing this, as that shock could possibly explode when excessive heat is near and not to mention all the brake lines, gas tank/lines, etc). I was going to save the shocks, but you know how that ended up.

Other than that, it is a pretty straightforward install. I did remove the spare tire to access the driver side shock a little easier. I haven't driven it yet... it's 7:00 and I am ready for bed

I also highly recommend a 17mm ratchet (I call them writchy-ratchys, there is one in both of my pictures) for the top nut on the 5100's. I used a regular 17mm wrench and I started to get arm and hand cramps.

 

[apimpdad]

Nothing special, but haven't posted in a while and figured I'd share my Jerry can holder I fabbed up with some scrap metal I had laying around. It's one of the cans that cheaper than dirt sells that's metal and simply bad ***. There are a lot of problems at local camping/off road events with theft and what not. I had a full 5 gal. gas can (plastic red one) stolen 2 years ago at an event so that prompted this build.

Used some 1.5" angle, 1.5" flat stock, small hinge, and padlock.

I have a little more done, but no pics. The top latch/lid goes along the top of the handle and directly over the cap so you cannot remove the tank or open the gas cap. Then, a simple locking system using a standard master padlock is used. This will more than likely be welded on the front of my trailer, where the tongue is.

More pics tomorrow.

And no, I am not tacking or welding with the gas can in place or with the metal still hot from welding.