Tate's Tundra Tinkerings

[Nuclear Redneck]

Well, since I have a new truck accessory (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=248827#post248827) I had to get a new truck for it.

I traded my 2007 Tacoma Access for this:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_1967.jpg

Notice the factory installed auxillary aircraft signaling devices: listed on the build sheet as chrome mirror covers. It has the TRD Off Road package, towing package, limited slip and SR5 package as well.

I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do to it. Katherine, she of the lovely, shapely, yet short legs has authorized sliders so she can get into the cab easier. And I'm ok with that.

With the new accessory installed:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_1954.jpg

[Gear]

Congrats on the new accessory. :wavey:

[RoundOut]

In this case, it is appropriate to get the cart before the horse. :hehe:

Also, welcome fellow Tundra owner. You'll love your new Tundra as much as anyone can an inanimate object. They are great trucks.


.

[CA-RJ]

I've always really liked the double cab Tundras. Are you going to use this on the trail? I wonder if it's length will be an issue.

Congrats on the new accessory and the Tundra!

[FshTaco99]

I honestly don't think I've ever seen one around me.

[jim65wagon]

Congrats on the new accessory and the Tundra! The D-Cab sure does offer a lot more room than the access cab! The little one will really appreciate the size of the backseat.

[Nuclear Redneck]

I do plan on using it some on trails. I looked hard at the two trips I took last year and I think that the length will not be too much of an issue. I'll just avoid trails that might be too tight for it. Mostly I'm planning on doing stuff in VA and the East Coast for the next few years, as I am moving to Norfolk, VA in January.

I plan to bug both RoundOut and Jim65Wagon relentlessly about their mods. I spent most of last night reading their build threads as well as Devinsixtyseven's.

Still very much in the planning stages although I think I will get sliders on in the next month. I have been looking at Stubbs (http://www.stubbswelding.com/deluxefjcforsite.jpg) and Demello. (http://www.demello-offroad.com//catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_43&products_id=80&osCsid=1694959c3574261a7061758c1731610c) Recommedations are welcome.

Still looking and poking to see how I want to mount my 2M radio, Prodigy brake controller, CB, inverter, scaguage II and Garmin GPS.

Any ideas for how to cleanly bring power in from the battery? I don't plan on installing a dual battery for a while, but I want to be able to integrate it once I do install one.

My mods in rough order of priority are:
1) Sliders Done 8/16/08
2) Electronic goodies mentioned above.
3) OBA
4) Possible bed cover by Truck Covers USA (http://www.truckcoversusa.com/html/toolbox.html), the one with a built in toolbox.
5) Wet Okole seat covers
6) ARB lockers and possible regear depending on 7 and 8 below.
7) Lift, type and height to be decided
8) New tires to compliment the lift.

Currently I have brand new Reminton Emerald A/T (http://www.remingtontire.us/Pages%20II/lightruck.html) in 265/70R16. That is what was on the truck when I bought it. I don't plan on doing much off roading in the next year. I have to finish my master's degree and Truman is not strong enough to go off orad for a while. So I guess I'll just see how it goes for now.

I have an AT Chaser, so not too much to do in the form of modding the truck for expedition use. I could probably head out tomorrow and have a good time.

Cheers,

[Nuclear Redneck]

I weighed the Tundra today with the Chaser attached.

Chaser has two batteries in it, 1800 EziAwn and Engle 45 fridge. No water or gas in the tanks.

Truck was full of gas, but otherwise empty.

Front Axle: 2740 lbs
Rear Axle: 2600 lbs
Trailer Axle: 1220 lbs

The truck pulled the Chaser with no problem. I couldn't see the trailer using the side view mirrors. It looks small compared to the truck, but that's ok.

If I feel industrious I'll find out the tongue weight tonight and figure out my bare weight for the truck.

[kcowyo]

Congratulations on the new accessory. Don't expect it to work the way you think it should.... ;)

Love that Tundra too. If something happened to the truck I have now, that generation d-cab Tundra would be my first choice for a replacement..... and a new FWC to go with it.

[Nuclear Redneck]

Congratulations on the new accessory. Don't expect it to work the way you think it should.... ;)
He's already figured out how to reject both breast and pacifier if that's not what he wants.


Love that Tundra too. If something happened to the truck I have now, that generation d-cab Tundra would be my first choice for a replacement..... and a new FWC to go with it.
Don't get me started on the FWC, my truck has the camper plug in the bed already...the Chaser looks too small behind the Tundra...:coffee:

[Willman]

Like the setup!

Can't go wrong with a Toyota V8 to pull that AT

Love the new accessory......Congrats!

You will love the 4 doors having little ones!

;)

[jim65wagon]

He, he, maybe you could put some bicycle flags on the trailer fenders, or you could go the redneck route like I did on my boat trailer and use pvc pipe. Let us all know when you get to VA.

[Nuclear Redneck]

I weighed just my truck yesterday. It had a full tank of gas, just like when I weighed the truck and trailer.

Front Axle: 2860 lbs
Rear Axle: 2220 lbs
Total: 5080 lbs

The tongue weight of the trailer was 380 lbs. I got that by subtracting the rear axle weights. Also, that means that my Chaser wieghs 1480 lbs empty. Well, without fluids.

Is my math right or am I doing something wrong? The Chaser has an Eezi-Awn 1800 and Engle mt 45 in it, nose box with two AGM batteries, two at gas can holders with gas cans (empty) and the 19 gal water tank (empty).

If my math is right then once I add water and fuel to the equation the trailer will weigh 1700 lbs. Seems heavier than I expected.


I weighed the Tundra today with the Chaser attached.

Chaser has two batteries in it, 1800 EziAwn and Engle 45 fridge. No water or gas in the tanks.

Truck was full of gas, but otherwise empty.

Front Axle: 2740 lbs
Rear Axle: 2600 lbs
Trailer Axle: 1220 lbs

The truck pulled the Chaser with no problem. I couldn't see the trailer using the side view mirrors. It looks small compared to the truck, but that's ok.

If I feel industrious I'll find out the tongue weight tonight and figure out my bare weight for the truck.

[TACODOC]

Congrats on the new accessory... looks like you have room for a few more in that Tundra! :hehe:

[Nuclear Redneck]

Congrats on the new accessory... looks like you have room for a few more in that Tundra! :hehe:
Thanks, there has been some talk of further expansion. We'll see.

[Nuclear Redneck]

Driver's Side:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_2125.jpg

Passenger Side:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_2123.jpg

Size check:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_2130.jpg

Frame Welded:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_2131.jpg



Duane at Techtafab did an excellent job of welding these sliders from scratch. I had him install the sliders level so they would be better steps and the boss approves.

I have two issues:

1) Got to decide how I want to coat the sliders. Bedliner type stuff or rattlecan with some skateboard tape on the top for grip?

2) When the truck crosses anything that makes the frame twist, the pinch weld hits the top of the slider tube welded to the frame. I think I should use my dremel and do some trimming to provide clearance and touch up the pinch weld with some paint to prevent rust. Any ideas would be welcome.

Also, got my Scangage and Prodigy installed:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_2133.jpg



Not entirely happy about the scangage placement. It may be moved soon.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_2134.jpg

[bigwapitijohnny]

These do look nice! Let me know if you decide to go with the bed coating...Any thoughts about plating the top?

Regards,

BWJ

[Nuclear Redneck]

These do look nice! Let me know if you decide to go with the bed coating...Any thoughts about plating the top?

Regards,

BWJ

Katherine seems pretty happy with just the tubes. Some sort of non-skid material will go on the top of the tubes. I don't think I'll install a plate.

Thanks for pointing me in Techtafab's direction.

[Nuclear Redneck]

WARNING!!!

Scott Brady and fellow chromepobes should not read further!:PROFSheriffHL:











I got a box today:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_6518.jpg

All of the pieces:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_6519.jpg

Low Profile:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_6520.jpg

Shiny!!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/taterobinson/Truck%20Mods/IMG_6521.jpg

The cover is from Diamondback. Its rated to carry 1600 lbs. It's lockable and fairly watertight.

I like it!

[jim65wagon]

Oooh! Shiny! See, coming from a musclecar oriented world, I like chrome! There, I said it. I have no plans for the future of dechroming anything. Oh and the sliders, scangage and prodigy are cool too!

How easy does the prodigy install?

[RoundOut]

That is a very stout looking cover! Me likes (if it comes in black, :hehe: , ah, heck, we could always spray some Rhino on it).


.

[devinsixtyseven]

Great to see another Tundra buildup! :D

Well guys, whether ya like chrome or not, if he lets me put my cooler under that shiny cover I ain't saying no :elkgrin:. Seriously, I bet you'll have the coolest bed temps of anyone, with that cover!

I have a suggestion on the slider attachment...put a scab plate on the frame to support each leg of the sliders, then box the leg to the scab plate. Unsupported legs have a nasty habit of twisting the frame like Tedd's did back in the day LOL!

Check out "Colorado4Wheeler", at Tundrasolutions.com, he wheels his D-Cab as well :D.

Your weight calcs look correct to me, or else I'm making the same error.

-Sean

[Nuclear Redneck]

The prodigy is very easy to install...once you scour the internet looking for a picture of the pigtail plug Toyota installed under the driver's side kick panel.

My pigtail had a dummy plug in it and appeared to be fully installed and not a free pigtail.

Devinsixtyseven, I'm thinking about the gussets you mentioned, not sure yet if I'll do it though. This rig will not get any hard core wheeling, I just wanted something stronger than the typical tube step stuff.

Roundout, you can get the cover Line-X'd. They have some sort of deal with Line-X. I have thought about getting it covered, but in a light grey or something. I don't want a extra large oven, although that would be one way to do the camp cooking while you are on the trail.

Cheers,