2012 Expedition Tacoma Build in Progress

[devortex]

Very pleased with the progress of my truck to date. Still more to come but I'm managed to get much of the major work accomplished recently. Building the truck to handle extended off-highway touring, I'm not a rock climber but I want to be prepared to handle most situations so that I can continue forward on my treks. Here's the specs:

2012 Tacoma Double Cab - Off Road

Suspension - Icon adjustable coil overs with Icon UCAs up front, OME rear leaves with Icon reservoir shocks in the rear.

Tires - BF Goodrich KM2 255/85R16

Armor - Demello front bumper and hybrid sliders

Recovery - Warn M8000 winch, Hi-Lift, Axe/Shovel, full recovery kit

Racks - Bajarack roof rack, Rocky Mounts bike fork mounts, Thule bed rack (still sitting in my garage)

Coming Soon:
IPF lights for the front
Rear flood light
Roof top tent to mount on Thule over bed (want something aerodynamic and am leaning toward the Autohome Columbus but the $$$$$)
Fridge with removable rear seat platform
Fuel rack for the bed
Air compressor
Lots of small 'creature' comfort upgrades

Today I'll be working on the spare tire area to allow for the 255/85R16 KM2 to fit under the rear. I test fitted it yesterday and I think it'll go if I 'relieve' the exhaust hanger on the right and flatten out the two stanchions that centered the stock size tire. I may need to come up with a manner to hold it tight to the rear (at the hitch mount) so that there is adequate clearance to allow full articulation of the rear axle.

I'm anxious to get out for a trail test but my work schedule is hectic until mid-April. More to come as I continue the process. Here's a couple shots of the current set-up along with one after the suspension but still on stock tires. I'll update the thread with build photos later.

2012-03-04_15-16-57_990.jpg2012-03-10_16-13-53_278.jpg2012-03-10_16-15-34_908.jpg

[enzo]

Looking good so far.

[dorton]

Looks good!

[highspeed]

Looks sweet! Tell me, have you had any of the drive line noise that others have complained about now that you have a lift?

[DblD]

LOOKING GOOD!

Question about front mud flap clearance. Are you having any rubbing issues with your 255’s at full lock or while front suspension is compressed?

Thanks,
dd

[Doc Foster]

Looking nice so far. I too have a 2012 and have been looking at winch bumpers. Did Demello come out with a 2012 front bumper, or is that their 2005-2011 bumper? It looks like it is a pretty good fit, though a bit of gap below the center grill, though it might be the camera angle. The BajaRack looks good as well. Keep us all posted with plenty of pics.

[devortex]

Looks sweet! Tell me, have you had any of the drive line noise that others have complained about now that you have a lift?

Funny thing here...my last rig was an FJ60 with a Vortec/4L60E combo and I chased various vibrations and noises consistently. I figured a brand new Toyota would have no noises/vibrations from the driveline but even stock off the lot there were a few speeds where I felt/heard minor resonance from the driveline. I test drove several trucks, both auto and manual, and discovered the same thing. With the lift, I noticed that some of the resonance (I hesitate to call it vibration because it is so minor) occurs at different speeds than stock. Adding the KM2s increased it very minimally at a few speeds but then I may be confusing that with tread noise.

LOOKING GOOD!

Question about front mud flap clearance. Are you having any rubbing issues with your 255’s at full lock or while front suspension is compressed?

Thanks,
dd

No rub at all with normal driving/ u-turns/ backing up with full lock. I haven't had the chance to really articulate the suspension so the verdict is still out on rubbing at heavy compression.

Looking nice so far. I too have a 2012 and have been looking at winch bumpers. Did Demello come out with a 2012 front bumper, or is that their 2005-2011 bumper? It looks like it is a pretty good fit, though a bit of gap below the center grill, though it might be the camera angle. The BajaRack looks good as well. Keep us all posted with plenty of pics.

The Demello bumper is essentially a modified 05-11 bumper. There are a few gaps but the trim on the '12 truck is so uneven. My initial preference would have been ARB but who knows how long it'll be before they build them for what they perceive to be a small market (tell me again why we don't get the Hilux in NA?) Beyond the ARB, the only small shop that I felt made a strong enough (strength vs. weight) bumper is Demello. The build quality is top notch but I would be happier if it fit the body lines a little better.

[NM-Frontier]

Great looking rig! Let us know how you fit the 255 in the stock spare location, that's been one thing holding me back from going up to those over my 265s.

[Plannerman]

I love the Demello products (have their sliders). Did you happen to weigh that front bumper? I'd love to know, if so.

[mvbeggs]

I also have a '12 that is in the process of being built up. I'm curious how the 255's have affected your gas mileage. How have you corrected the speedo and odometer for the larger tire size?

Rig looks good. I like that front bumper.
I went with Relentless Fabrication for my body protection. (front Al bumper, steel plate rear, steel hybrid sliders) Parts should arrive late May to early June. (loooong lead time on those parts)