Builds Meet "Billy." Pappy's TRD-OR 6MT

[pappy]

I guess it's time to introduce my Gen4. Long story getting this truck. For two months I attempted to get my local dealers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe to find what I wanted. They were only interested in selling me what I didn't want off their lot. So, I started sending out queries out-of-state. Durango Toyota to the rescue. They found what I wanted in 2 hours! Problem was, it was schedule for production, and had not been built. Truck was ordered Jan 8th (which happened to be my late wife's birthday). I took delivery on March 23rd.

Why "Billy?" The truck is named after Captain William Dampier. He was a 17th century explorer, maritime entrepreneur, and naturalist. He is given credit as the first person to sail around the world 3 times. He introduced avocados and guacamole to Europe. His adventures were an inspiration for Jonathan Swift's book Gulliver's Travels, and his natural history writings inspired Darwin. He is also considered to be a "pirate who loved plants." As a botanist, I thought the name was fitting.

The truck is getting built for long adventures lasting at least 3 weeks. I've been exploring out of my 1985 4Runner for 37 years, and it's time for something new. The Tacoma needs to be capable, but not Canyonlands capable. That is what I have the 4R for.

• 2025 Toyota Tacoma, TRD Off-Road, 6MT.
• Dirtbox Overland canopy camper. Interior evolving.
• Dirtbox 270 awning.
• 13 gallon water tank (Front Runner) with pump.
• Victory 4x4 Rear Bumper with gas and tire swing out.
• C4 Fabrication front bumper for my old Warn XD9.
• Victory 4x4 sliders.
• Zamp Solar 190W solar panel, with room for one more.
• Renogy 30A controller, with bluetooth.
• 100Ah battery in camper. Powers the camper lights and outlets, fridge, and water pump.
• 285/70-17 Falken Wildpeak AT4 Tires on stock rims.
• Alldog Offroad front springs on stock Bilstein shocks.
• Rear Dobinson springs. First (C59-819V) set compensated for the weight, but no lift. Second set (C59-821V) gave me lift, but not enough.
• Goosegear rear seat delete. Back seat delete houses a 50Ah battery that runs a second fridge, and ham radio.
• Ham radio is a Yaesu FTM-150. Radio is mounted on the dash to a ICS dash mount. Antenna is a Comet mounted on the top of the Dirtbox.

First shake down run on the New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Route.

There is no lift in the front, and the 819V Dobinsons in the rear. Second shake down run in southern Utah.

50Ah battery and DC-DC chargers in the rear seat delete. One charger runs off the engine when I'm driving (relayed). The second is switched and lets me charge the Li battery off the starting battery if I'm camping and not driving. Starting battery can be charged off a suitcase solar panel.

C4 Winch Bumper.

 

[pappy]

Solar stuff. 190W Zamp Solar. The panel on the roof of the Dirtbox. There is space for one more should I need it.

100Ah battery and fuse block in the camper. Plus, my little Dewalt blower.

Renogy 30A controller, with Bluetooth.

SAE input to the camper.

 

[pappy]

The Victory 4x4 rear bumper. The swing-outs blocked the backup camera mounted to the tailgate handle. I've been messing with how to resolve this issue. I bought another camera, and tailgate harness from Toyota, and teased out the camera cable from the harness. I've been through several iterations, and I'm still working on this solution, but so far I think this will work.

 

[aztoyman]

NICE setup! Your poor 85 4Runner is going to feel abandoned.

 

[pappy]

I did a few things on the C4 bumper I figured I would document here. I made two modifications to the bumper before the install. First, I installed a SAE port on the front of the bumper so I could plug in my Zamp Solar suitcase panel without having to pop the hood and connect with alligator clips. Since the winch controller connector was not accessible I bought a Warn extension cable (Warn is proud of that cable ... $$$$$) and mounted that to the front. I also clocked the gearbox housing so the handle was accessible.

SAE solar port on the passenger side of the bumper.

Warn extension port.

Clocked gearbox handle.

 

[gnob]

I did a few things on the C4 bumper I figured I would document here. I made two modifications to the bumper before the install. First, I installed a SAE port on the front of the bumper so I could plug in my Zamp Solar suitcase panel without having to pop the hood and connect with alligator clips. Since the winch controller connector was not accessible I bought a Warn extension cable (Warn is proud of that cable ... $$$$$) and mounted that to the front. I also clocked the gearbox housing so the handle was accessible.

SAE solar port on the passenger side of the bumper.

View attachment 3927350

Warn extension port.

View attachment 3927351

Clocked gearbox handle.

View attachment 3927352

you don't think those are going to get smacked?

 

[pappy]

you don't think those are going to get smacked?

I'm not really concerned. I don't plan on wheeling this heavy.

 

[pappy]

A couple of changes. First, I ditched the Dobinson 819V springs and replaced them with the 821V. I still didn't get enough lift for my liking, so I installed a 1/2" spacer too. I can live with this for now.

Second, I had a lot of wind noise with the Dirbox camper. Mostly at the back window. I had been looking at options, and decided a roof rack with an air deflector might work. The only two options I could find that were low profile enough to potentially fit between the camper and the top of the cab were Front Runner, and Prinsu. While at Overland Expo in Oregon I paid a visit to both companies. As luck would have it Prinsu had a rack at the booth for Gen4 Tacomas. I bought it ... event discount plus no Oregon sales tax. A camp neighbor helped me install it (kind of a PITA with the camper). Bottom line, it fit, but it was tight. When I came home I cleared the rack under the camper.

Did it help with the wind? Yep, a whole lot. It also appeared to improve gas mileage noticeably.

 

[aztoyman]

So is the 85 retired or will you use different trucks for different adventures?

 

[pappy]

So is the 85 retired or will you use different trucks for different adventures?

Two different uses. The 4R will be used for adventures where I know the terrain will be challenging. Like just about everything in Canyonlands. The Tacoma will be for longer "road trip" adventures where 4WD and clearance will occasionally be needed. The Tacoma can also haul a lot more gear, and has more space.

 

[pappy]

A couple of upgrades.

A month or so ago I went to Canyonlands. Well, Canyonlands has lots of sandstone ledges that catches everything underneath. My trailing arms got snagged pretty good. Solution was the install of DV8 skids.

The other improvement was the trackbar correction kit from Dr. KDSS. With the lift in the rear I had a nice angle on the trackbar. This kit leveled out the bar.

 

[aztoyman]

Did you feel the difference with the track bar correction?

 

[pappy]

Did you feel the difference with the track bar correction?

I haven't driven it yet. I'm also curious if I notice a difference in handling.