ROTM: Jacket's 2006 Tacoma

[Jacket]

Let me get this thread going with an intro, and then go from there.

2006 Tacoma TRD 4x4

1GR-FE 4.0 V6, 5 spd Auto, Toyota RR E-locker, TRAC, DAC

This Tacoma is my 3rd Toyota truck - a '92 4Runner and a '00 4Runner have come and gone. I joined MUD to start researching Cruisers, as my plan is to pick up an FJ40 as a part-time driver/money pit/fixer up'er. But here's the story of the Tacoma...

 

[Jacket]

When I first bought the truck, my initial plans did not include a major build up. I babied it, gave it baths, and did some minor mods.

But it didn't take long for the build bug to take control, and I got busy with the basics so I could do more and go farther.

Suspension was first:
OME heavy 885 (then 886) springs
OME N140S struts
Alcan AAL
OME N182

out with the old, in with the new

 

[Jacket]

Tires, sliders

The OEM BFG's are ****, so the next step was improved traction, and better ground clearance. I opted for the KO's as a better overall choice for a DD - 285/75/16. That size tire has a tendency to rub the upper control arm and the body mount, so I needed a wheel with more back spacing. I weighed the pros and cons of steelies versus alloy, and ultimately chose the AR Chamber in 16x8. After all, black is the new bling! I still had a bit of rubbing on the fender plastic to deal with.

Now with the length and incredibly long wheel base of these new Tacomas, rock sliders are an absolute necessity. There are several strong choices out there, but I got a really good deal on a set of Demello bolt-on sliders, and I couldn't be more pleased with them so far. They've taken a ton of hits, and saved my rocker panels more times than I can remember.

Note that while these wheels are nicely built and durable alloys, they don't respond well to rock rash....

 

[Jacket]

Bumper, winch, top

I wheeled the truck a bit with this setup, but realized pretty quickly that I needed more protection up front, better angles, and a place to mount a winch.

Next functional mod was something that would allow me to pack up the truck for camping and keep all the gear dry, but could also be easily removed for when I needed to load up my trail bike into the bed. Tonneaus didn't offer enough room, and fiberglass shells are heavy and cumbersome, and then I found that Bestop was making a bed topper for these Tacomas. With the same amount of dry storage as a fiberglass top, and the lightweight and portability of a canvas cover, this thing is perfect. It's 99% waterproof, plus it offers the option of folding the top down without completely removing it. One of my favorite mods so far.

The front bumper selection at the time was pretty limited for the new Tacomas, and I wasn't willing to be patient and wait to see what would come. And since it is my DD, I couldn't afford to leave it with a custom shop for a couple weeks and have one built.

So I went with the tried and true ARB. It's not the lightest bumper out there, and it doesn't have the best approach angles, but it's solid, well-built, and gets the job done.

Soon after I mounted it up, I picked up a Warn M8000, and ditched the steel cable in favor of some Viking off-road synthetic line, and replaced the stock rollers on the fairlead with a set of delrin rollers. Dropped at least 20lbs off the front end.

The front OME 885 coils I was running are rated at 590 lb, and are known to sag over time, especially with a lot of extra front end weight. So I opted to switch these out for the OME 886. Rated at 660 lbs, the are compatible with most of the racing coilovers being sold for heavy duty applications, and so far my 886's have held the front end weight well.

 

[Jacket]

Etc Mods

Additional Mods to date

- IPF aux lights
- All Pro E-locker actuator skid
- Cobra 75 CB
- Front sway bar removed
- Extended rear diff breather to gas cap

- Hitch plug relocated to bumper

- Redline hood struts

- 2 extra D-rings in the bed
- Maplights wired to illuminate when doors open/close

What's next:

Custom Rear Bumper by Armorology
BudBuilt belly skids
Total Chaos uniball UCA's
2M radio

 

[BlueHZT60]

Dang Dang, Darn - - - I promised myself I wouldn't............ even to the point of purchasing street tires for the 05' Taco.

But, I'm developing a good excuse to built the Taco a bit - not like the diesel 60, but just a bit. I'll be recycling my GW check if/when it ever gets here. Bob

 

[Mars]

Looks great man. Very cool to see a new truck being built to be used. Keep it updated when you get the bumper/skids/UCA's!

Do you have photos of your maplight setup and how you wired it?

 

[Jacket]

Thanks man. The map light mod is one I stole from another forum not long after I bought the truck - basically splice into the dome light wire, and run a lead through the headliner to the map light console. The lead wire runs through a transistor, and is spliced into the wirigin that powers the map lights. So basically the map lights illuminate every time the dome light is illuminated.

I'll see if I can grab the link and post it here.

 

[Jacket]

Misc wheelin pics

And the fruits of my labor....

 

[Jacket]

More?

 

[Jacket]

Thanks man. The map light mod is one I stole from another forum not long after I bought the truck - basically splice into the dome light wire, and run a lead through the headliner to the map light console. The lead wire runs through a transistor, and is spliced into the wirigin that powers the map lights. So basically the map lights illuminate every time the dome light is illuminated.

I'll see if I can grab the link and post it here.

Setup on the back of the maplight console looks like this. The transistor and heat sink are in the middle top of the pic, and two wires are coming out with quick disconnects (to the map light, and to 12v power). The third wire goes to the map light power.

Details here:

Double Cab Map Light mod (New Method)

 

[CID 96]

Holy cow Jacket!!! You do wheel your new truck pretty hard. What is your overall impression off-road. Visability? Wheelbase? Flexability? etc.

Sid

 

[Jacket]

Thanks Sid. I've been VERY impressed with this truck. Between the web-wheelers and the older Tacoma owners, one would be led to believe these trucks can barely make it down a dirt road without falling apart. I take my truck off-road with Land Cruisers, Tacomas, 4Runners, Rovers - and I think most folks are surprised at how easily this truck negotiates tough terrain. For me, the key is to work within the trucks limitations and your own comfort level, and in these circumstances my truck has never failed me. The truck is big, long and lacks front end flex, but this should come as no surprise. I don't expect it to wheel like an FJ40.....

But on the plus side the rear locker works great, the rear end flex is good, and the powertrain is strong, efficient and reliable. It's comfortable, and a great truck to take on extended camping trips. I take it on difficult trails, but I never abuse the truck or take it on obstacles that show obvious risk for body or mechanical damage. The storage (with a bed cap) is extensive even with the short bed, and I can pack the 4 of us and a ton of gear into the truck with no issues. There are situations where I'd love to have the wheelbase of a 4Runner or Land Cruiser wagon, but for me its about what works most of the time.