Yotapilot's 2001 Tacoma DC Build

[YotaPilot]

Well I guess it's about time I started a build thread since I have made some progress on my truck. So here it is.

Goal: To build a reliable, somewhat off road capable (no rock crawling) truck that is able to support self sustained remote camping for about 1 week.

AS OF 5 May 2014
Purchased: Summer of 2012
Truck: 2001 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab SR5 TRD
Engine: 3.4L, V6 all stock
Tires: Cooper Discover AT3 235/85R16
Wheels: 16" TRD Off Road Wheels powder coated black with SpiderTrax 1.25" spacers
Front Suspension: Sway-a-way 2.0 Coilovers
Rear Suspension: OME Dakar Leaf Springs, Bilstein 5100 shocks, OME HD Greasable shackles and bushings
Armor/Protection
-ARB Bull Bar
-Custom made rock sliders
-Husky floor liners front and rear
-Cover king ballistic seat covers
-Front Bug Shield
Air: ExtremeAire Magnum Portable OutbackCompressor
Storage
-DeeZee Bed Box
-BIY Bed drawers
-Leer Shell
-Yakima Basket
Recovery
-Warn M8000 with Masterpull Line
-Hi-Lift
-ARB Recovery Straps
-TREAD recovery ramps
Sustainment/Camping
-NorCold MRFT 40 on Engel Slide
-Oz Tent RV-3
Navigation/Entertainment
-Ram X Mount for iPhone
-JVC Bluetooth receiver
Electrical
-National Luna Dual Battery Manager
-Blue sea fuse block
-KC 8" Driving Lights
-ScanGauge OBD 2
Fuel/Water Storage
-2 Scepter 20L Water Can
-1 Scepter 20L Fuel Can

Future Projects
-Rear Bumper
-Snorkle

 

[YotaPilot]

Evolution in Photos

The day I bought it


Camper Shell Installed


Rack and Top Case Installed



Removed stock running boards and installed custom sliders. Painted with rustoleum bed liner.
Unpainted:

Painted:


Installed AVS bug shield and window vent shields



Then I drove the truck from Northern California to Corpus Christi, TX stopping at Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, and White Sands along the way. I was towing a U-Haul so I was very limited to where I could drive. The only "off road" driving I did was in White Sands.

 

[YotaPilot]

New Wheels and Tires. Found these on craigslist already powered coated with near new Nitto Terra Grapplers. I couldn't pass up the deal. These wheels have less backspacing than the 1st Gen TRD wheels, so the tires rubbed slightly on the frame at full lock. After the spacers and lift there was no rub at all.



Lift install. SAW 2.0 Coilovers, OME Dakar Leafspings, Bilstein 5100 Shocks, OME Greasable shackles and bushings, spidertrax wheel spacers, and extended brake line.
Front


Rear



Old vs New


Install Complete. After some adjustments and settling I ended up with ~2" in front and ~3" in rear.

 

[YotaPilot]

My latest project is my bed organization system. Below are pics of version 1. I have yet to install the dual battery set up. The house battery and fuse block will go behind the fridge. The center section top is removable via 4 bolts to allow transporting of my bike. Eventually I will mount the compressor on the right size of the fridge. The center section will hold two of the small action packers with storage on the side for my Eureka camp table.

 

[YotaPilot]

Now I just need to go on a trip and get some actual off road pictures. I am trying to make a trip out to Big Bend in January.

 

[Derek24]

Nice truck! I always had a soft spot for the older 4 doors. I like you use of space, seems like that what you need to do with those trucks. Keep the pics coming!

 

[YotaPilot]

I finished my dual battery setup last night. Below are some pics. It's the national luna kit. Overall I am very happy with it. The only problem I had was the location to install the intelligent solenoid. It fit perfect (but tight) on the driver's side fender wall, but I was only able to get the top two screws in. It is very secure though. Everything seems to be working well right now.

Next I'm waiting on my fuse block and extra 12v plugs so I can wire up the fridge and other accessories.



Custom made battery hold down and tray.


The wires pass through a firewall gasket to get into the bed.


Battery location with fridge removed so you can see it.


Controller mounted in the cab with velcro.

 

[YotaPilot]

With everything installed in the truck minus the fridge, I took the truck on some local trails to test out the suspension and make sure everything was secure.

Everything seemed to hold up great and I am happy with how the truck, tires, and suspension performed.

 

[shmabs]

Nice looking double cab, in silver no less!

Being that you are moving to a somewhat salty enviroment are you concerned about corrosion on the front coil overs? Coming from the northeast i have seen what road salt does to them, and now that my job has me living on the coast, im concerned about what the salt air might do to coil overs. Up here in way northern CA, i think that the lower heat helps us, but somewhere with salt air, heat and humidity might accelerate the process.

I love the adjustability, ride height adjustment and rebuildability of coil overs, i just don't know about the increased maintenance with them. I guess a light oiling could keep most of the corrosion at bay.

Thread hi-jack over....

Mike

P.S. you aren't by chance a coastie?

 

[YotaPilot]

Nice looking double cab, in silver no less!

Being that you are moving to a somewhat salty enviroment are you concerned about corrosion on the front coil overs?

I love the adjustability, ride height adjustment and rebuildability of coil overs, i just don't know about the increased maintenance with them. I guess a light oiling could keep most of the corrosion at bay.

P.S. you aren't by chance a coastie?

Mike,

I'm not too worried about the salt in Corpus Christi. If I lived on the beach I would be more concerned, but I live about 4 miles inland. Plus it's pretty windy here so I think it keeps the air pretty clean. After driving on the beach or a big rain I always try to rinse off the bottom of the truck and give the coilovers a good rinse. This should keep the corrosion at bay.

Not a Coastie....Marine.

Justin

 

[skrillah]

What type of Thule rack system is that? Just their basic set up? cost?

I need to get one for my shell, and have been debating on the particular system to go with it. Good looking truck!!

 

[YotaPilot]

What type of Thule rack system is that? Just their basic set up? cost?

I need to get one for my shell, and have been debating on the particular system to go with it. Good looking truck!!

I have the following Thule products that make up my rack system:
-TP54 54" Tracks
-460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack
-ARB53 AeroBlade Load Bar (This is the 53" version, I may have the 60", I don't remember)
-602 Ascent 1100 Cargo Box (This holds my OzTent)

Everything was purchased and installed by Rack N Road in Sacramento. I think the total cost of everything with installation was just over $1,000.

I went back and forth about tracks, artificial gutters, or hard mount and I decided on the tracks because of the adjustability and if I ever remove the rack, the tracks have a clean, stock look to them. These are also what the shell companies use if you buy a rack with a shell.

 

[YotaPilot]

:box:

 

[YotaPilot]

APEX Bumper

I got a call from Estes (Freight Shipper) this afternoon that my bumper had arrived. So here is what it looks like.
I got it all cleaned up and painted. I will attempt to mount it up tomorrow and post updates.

In the box


All pro did an ok job of boxing everything up. The small rectangle piece (not sure the name) was just loose in the box and the skid plate was between the bumper box and the pallet it was loaded on for shipment. I think the skid plate may have been exposed to the air because their was some rust on it.


Before Paint


Primered - Rustoleum self etching primer


Painted - Rustoleum Truck Bed Coating. I really like this stuff. It goes on like normal spray paint, but has a grippy texture, almost like skateboard grip tape.


Laser Cut Logo. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm kinda wishing now I would have asked them not to do it, but too late for that.

 

[Zam15]

Primered - Rustoleum self etching primer
View attachment 136677

Is it bad that I really like the color of the primer? Nice bumper.