Lightweight Tacoma Build

[Combat Chuck]

Utility beds are heavy, very very heavy.

you are right about that one. I'm designing one that's really just a flat bed with boxes framed-out, and the "skin" will be FRP

The original pickup bed weighs around 300lbs. So that can be deducted from the utility body weight.

Moving this discussion to its own thread. Sorry for the hijack Matt!

 

[Hayes85]

Are you lifted at all? I see you have 235/85r16, do they fit stock? How much has the ride suffered with the E rated tires?

 

[liljlandon]

BTW, please tell me if I'm wrong about a winch on my rear bumper

You are. Those are not rated to hold the load a winch will put on it. If People put on the class III - V hitches because the stock bumper is not up to the task, why would you consider wincing off of it? If I'm "unstucking" someone, I make damn sure I don't touch the factory bumper.

Put a 2" receiver on the front/back and get a cradle that mounts into them. One winch, multiple recovery options.

helping the government read my mind on a daily basis

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Thanks for that info landon, I'll start looking at some options

I do not have any lift, those tires fit stock! They are noticeably heavier than stock tires due to being 8-ply. This mostly just affects the feel of braking and slightly changes your acceleration. With a V6 I don't think you'd notice much difference in acceleration. Its acceptable with the 4 cyl though. If you have the V6, I'd do some measuring vs a 4cyl (like on a Toyota lot) for clearance, I have noticed even with the stock tires that every time I parked next to a V6 (even TRD Off-Road), my truck sat 1'' higher *shrug*

The ride is actually better with those tires than stock, they're not loud and they are grippy as all-get out even on dry roads.

 

[Hayes85]

Thanks for that info landon, I'll start looking at some options

I do not have any lift, those tires fit stock! They are noticeably heavier than stock tires due to being 8-ply. This mostly just affects the feel of braking and slightly changes your acceleration. With a V6 I don't think you'd notice much difference in acceleration. Its acceptable with the 4 cyl though. If you have the V6, I'd do some measuring vs a 4cyl (like on a Toyota lot) for clearance, I have noticed even with the stock tires that every time I parked next to a V6 (even TRD Off-Road), my truck sat 1'' higher *shrug*

The ride is actually better with those tires than stock, they're not loud and they are grippy as all-get out even on dry roads.

good to know. I have a 4 cyl regular cab, so it will be the same height.

 

[liljlandon]

Thanks for that info landon, I'll start looking at some options

Reading my reply, I came off as a bit blunt. Sorry.

You could mount a nice thick plate to your frame and put the lead on the stock bumper.

helping the government read my mind on a daily basis

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Looking at getting a roof rack for my Hi-Lift, shovel, and maybe some other light stuff.
There used to be a factory setup for the Access Cab but apparently they only offer that for the double cab now.

I looked at a Thule setup that will run around $350, I just dont like that it hooks onto the top of the door + rain gutter rather than using my factory mounts.

Thoughts?

 

[Combat Chuck]

Diamond Rax.
Support a fellow mudder, and you'd be buying a great product!
Untitled Page

 

[RiverRatMatt]

As far as I can tell they just have stuff for old school rain gutters?

AFAIK that won't work for my truck... :/

EDIT: I sent them a message via the "Contact Us" option; I'll post here what I find out!

 

[rusty_tlc]

Looking at getting a roof rack for my Hi-Lift, shovel, and maybe some other light stuff.
There used to be a factory setup for the Access Cab but apparently they only offer that for the double cab now.

I looked at a Thule setup that will run around $350, I just dont like that it hooks onto the top of the door + rain gutter rather than using my factory mounts.

Thoughts?

Something like this?

Rhino Rack - Roof Racks for TOYOTA Tacoma 2dr Pick Up Access Cab 05 On

 

[Jacket]

I don't think you'll find something to fit into the factory channels unless you are willing to customize. The off the shelf solutions are gonna involve towers that use the "door hooks."

If you look at what Tim is doing with the 100 series towers, you might be able to customize something like those towers into the Tacoma channels.

 

[freewheeling frank]

Have you thought about 255/85/16s? Should fit stock suspension just fine if you chop your body mounts. Might not need to do that, even. quite a bit lighter tire than the 285/85/16 but a tiny bit taller giving you nice ground clearance. And not a tire that makes you stick out in the crowd too much. If you are trying to stay inconspicuous maybe a hand winch (not just a come a long) would be a good solution and allow you to winch from either end. But I would not attach to the bumper - always to the frame. And you might check out the softopper cab height bed tops. or Bestop's. Inexpensive and light.

 

[robinhood4x4]

So far I have:

- Yellow Wire Mod - the stock truck has LSDs in front and rear, but they get disabled when you go into 4-low. This mod tells one part of the computer that the truck isn't in 4-low and thus you retain your LSDs.

I haven't been keeping up with tacomas lately, so maybe something has changed, but as far as I know, no US spec truck has ever come with a Limited Slip Differential in the front. I think what you are referring to is the mod to prevent the TRAC (or A-TRAC) system from disengaging when you shift into 4-low. TRAC is an electronic braking system which simulates a LSD, but is not a true LSD.

 

[JMHAZ]

Matt, your instincts are good. Think long and hard before loading down your truck with sliders, winches, etc., especially if your aims are overlanding rather than rock crawling. The farther away from stock you move, the more likely you are to suffer mechanical consequences. Not a big deal on a local trail; a real pain in Chile.

I would go no larger than a 255/85/R16 tire. As Frank mentioned, they're inconspicuous, give you a bit more clearance, but won't stress brakes, the engine, or the rest of the driveline. With the tire size you have now - which is a good one too - I wouldn't change diff ratios. With 255/85s it might be worth it, but just keep in mind you're stressing your drivetrain a tiny bit every time you go up in tire size and weight, and reducing drivetrain strength a tiny bit every step you take toward lower diff ratios.

A cab-level shell would be a versatile addition that would maintain fuel economy. You can make a platform inside suitable for sleeping while being able to keep much of your gear underneath and inside, away from pilferage and rain.

Get a good dual-battery system, and a fridge. That will go a long way toward making you independent, and the extra battery adds reliability rather than diminishing it as so many other mods can.

Way, way too many people think they need just one more accessory or modification before tackling the Big Trip, and they wind up never leaving. Meanwhile, my friend Lorraine drove from the U.S. to the tip of South America in a $750 Chevy van. Don't fall into the trap!

 

[GloryBigs]

This would take care of a few issues:
https://www.allprooffroad.com/05tacomatrailarmor/tacomabedracks
You could mount a rack on top, a hammock to a tree or a roof top tent, you can mount your hi-lift to it and also spare fuel/water containers. It is "Grey" as it looks like a contractors rack to the masses.

Sliders are the first thing needed for anyone who offroads. They should be on the list under "needs" not "wants". The higher they mount, the better off you will be.

The front and rear need some sort of protection, lots of manufacturers out there. After tons of research I went with these...
Front (with Warn M8000 Amazon.com: WARN 26502 M8000 8000-lb Winch: Automotive ): https://www.allprooffroad.com/05tacomatrailarmor/05tacomafrontbumper
Rear: Relentless Fab 05+ Cut bedside high-clearance bumper - Tacoma World Forums

Consider skids - stay away from heavy plates - again after lots of research I decided AllPro has the right balance between strength and weight

 

[Combat Chuck]

This would take care of a few issues:
https://www.allprooffroad.com/05tacomatrailarmor/tacomabedracks
You could mount a rack on top, a hammock to a tree or a roof top tent, you can mount your hi-lift to it and also spare fuel/water containers. It is "Grey" as it looks like a contractors rack to the masses.

Sliders are the first thing needed for anyone who offroads. They should be on the list under "needs" not "wants". The higher they mount, the better off you will be.

The front and rear need some sort of protection, lots of manufacturers out there. After tons of research I went with these...
Front (with Warn M8000 Amazon.com: WARN 26502 M8000 8000-lb Winch: Automotive ): https://www.allprooffroad.com/05tacomatrailarmor/05tacomafrontbumper
Rear: Relentless Fab 05+ Cut bedside high-clearance bumper - Tacoma World Forums



Consider skids - stay away from heavy plates - again after lots of research I decided AllPro has the right balance between strength and weight

Sliders should never be optional. I totally agree that they should be the first mod on any truck a good slider is cheap insurance against expensive body damage.

I really like Allpro and Budbuilt for armor.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Thank you all for the input, JMHAZ I think you're right. Next mod looks like its going to be a dual battery.

I'm still not decided on either
A.) Canvas Top
B.) Hard Top
C.) Cage top like the All-Pro linked above.

I dig the All-Pro rear bumper, which is the first I've liked. The front looks like it might be what I'm looking for too. How common are custom front/rear bumpers on newer trucks down south?

Still not sold on sliders. If I got body damage, it'd just make me fit in with the locals more, IMO. I think sliders are probably pretty rare on newer trucks down south, aren't they?

I'm also thinking about debadging my truck aside from the front and putting a TOYOTA sticker on the bumper (think all Toyotas before 2000-ish). I like that look more and I think it'd blend more.

 

[Hayes85]

Still not sold on sliders. If I got body damage, it'd just make me fit in with the locals more, IMO. I think sliders are probably pretty rare on newer trucks down south, aren't they?

Bash a door jam in hard enough the door wont open and you'll be kicking yourself in the ass for not getting sliders. I'm just saying... Sliders are like insurance, I hope you never have to use them but you'll be really happy you have them if you need them. Sliders are fairly cheap, I am getting mine installed for 350, that's parts and labor.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Bash a door jam in hard enough the door wont open and you'll be kicking yourself in the ass for not getting sliders. I'm just saying... Sliders are like insurance, I hope you never have to use them but you'll be really happy you have them if you need them. Sliders are fairly cheap, I am getting mine installed for 350, that's parts and labor.

exactly. There's "body damage" where you get a dent or a chaffe on the side of the truck from scuffing something, but the there's actual physical damage done when the full weight of the truck comes down on a tiny strip of 16 Ga. sheet metal that's twice-folded beneath the rocker, you will be buying a new floor, rocker and door.

I haven't gotten intimate with the new Taco's, but my little First-gen Mini has the fuel lines, brake lines, speedo cable and e-brake cable on the passenger-side exterior, hugging the rocker. All it takes is a wet tire on a smooth rock in the middle of nowhere to ram my baby down on something hard to break any one of these.
If I lose my fuel lines, I'm down for maybe fifteen minutes while I'm grafting on some spares, if I lose my brakes, I don't carry flared-fitting hard lines as spares - I walk out.
If I lose my parking brakes, there goes hill-starting with my clutch.
If I lose my speedo cable (already have) I drive by the tach.

So any damage to the under-belly could range from ho-hum, to debilitating.

Third-world camoflage? Back into a post, swap in an off-colour tailgate, go brush-crashing prior to departing or don't drive a vehicle that hasn't been released in numbers on the South American Market.
Honestly, Toyotas are among the most stolen and vandalized vehicles in any country, so if somebody wants yours bad enough, a dent and a decal won't persuade those who intend to take to leave you alone if they want it bad enough.

 

[Jacket]

I had a soft top on my Tacoma, and I loved the lightweight weather protection and ease of removal when needed. But for that, you get something that basically offers no security for your gear packed in the bed of the truck. So if you are traveling either around this country or abroad, just keep in mind that anywhere you park the truck you'll have no security for your valuables.