Overland Bounders,
This is day 2 - That means the tires got dirty on day 1 and now its time to build the capabilities of this 2008 Tacoma TRD Sport. I have some ideas along with some questions. I'll post as this build develops, but I see the most of the work on this rig coming through the next 12 months.
Background - Purchased this 2008 TRD Sport from a friend Jan. 2017 bone stock. I want to increase the capabilities of this truck for overlanding. This must be done without the Frankenstein look with a mind to balancing weight (I'm an SUV guy who hates the loose end of trucks) and keeping the truck flexible for daily use (keep weight and extra bolt-on stuff to minimum . . . for now).
Here's where I'm at with thoughts and reviews:
Auspicious Osprey
This is day 2 - That means the tires got dirty on day 1 and now its time to build the capabilities of this 2008 Tacoma TRD Sport. I have some ideas along with some questions. I'll post as this build develops, but I see the most of the work on this rig coming through the next 12 months.
Background - Purchased this 2008 TRD Sport from a friend Jan. 2017 bone stock. I want to increase the capabilities of this truck for overlanding. This must be done without the Frankenstein look with a mind to balancing weight (I'm an SUV guy who hates the loose end of trucks) and keeping the truck flexible for daily use (keep weight and extra bolt-on stuff to minimum . . . for now).
Here's where I'm at with thoughts and reviews:
- 2.5" Toytec lift with Eibach springs and Bilstein 5100 front
- Eibachs are awesome
- Blew a 5100 already and not stoked on that. Installed it correctly and got a factory replacement (Thanks to BilsteinLifts.com)
- Did not change out UCA's at first and got a lot of road wobble, walking and uneven tread wear.
- Camburg UCA's
- They rock! Corrected the lift camber and ride.
- Add-A-Leaf, rear shim and Bilstein 5100 rear
- Shim was to correct the rear diff angle and works well
- 5100 on rear are fine
- I do not like the Add-A-Leaf. They move around inside the leaf group and begin to rub on the leaf coupler. This creates a squeak that is annoying. I'll put in a new leaf set in the future.
- N-Fab steps
- Got a good price and my wife wanted something to help get in the cab.
- Nice for the mall but not for where I want to go with this build.
- Got a good price and my wife wanted something to help get in the cab.
- Flowmaster Super 40 Dual exhaust
- I'm a V8 guy stuck in a V6. What can I say?
- I did see a good performance gain.
- Sound is good. Not a V8 but also not a rice burner or overly annoying.
- It is louder than stock and I may DynoMat the floor and back cab in the future.
- Throttle Body Riser
- Good throttle response and performance.
- K&N Intake
- Good throttle response and performance.
- May not have been the best choice. The filter is in a cool air surround but not fully enclosed. Will need to either find or fab an enclosed box if I go to a snorkel.
- BakFlip Bed cover
- I like it a lot but this will influence me on how I make this build.
- Superwinch 9500 - synthetic
- I have the winch and am moving towards the bumper.
- Would have liked the Warn but maybe when this one blows up.
- I have the winch and am moving towards the bumper.
- U.S. Offroad Winch Bumper
- I'm set on this bumper. I don't like the full fab bumpers for this "stealth" build. It comes with D-rings which are needed for recovery on this truck. Bad stock recovery points.
- ARB front and rear lockers
- Going for it!
- ARB Dual Compressor
- This is where it gets sticky because I'm not set on the mounting location. Options and questions.
- Under the hood. Looking passenger side firewall. Does anyone make a mount for 2008? Slee has one for 2014 and it looks like it will work.
- Inside the cab rear storage. This is my least favorite spot. I would like the cab to be free of the noise and preserve storage space.
- Passenger rear fender. I can see a spot right above the rear leaf spring that will work with a little fab and wire harness extension. It is a little lower on the vehicle than I would like. Any issues with dirt, grime, or water with these units?
- Under the hood. Looking passenger side firewall. Does anyone make a mount for 2008? Slee has one for 2014 and it looks like it will work.
- This is where it gets sticky because I'm not set on the mounting location. Options and questions.
- Dual Battery
- I like the Genesis right now. Comes with everything I need but a volt meter and packages in one spot.
- Any other suggestions?
- I like the Genesis right now. Comes with everything I need but a volt meter and packages in one spot.
- Power management
- Putting some thought into Spod but the bills are racking up. It sure would be great to simplify switching and wiring. Spaghetti wiring is not a great idea.
- Any other suggestions?
- Putting some thought into Spod but the bills are racking up. It sure would be great to simplify switching and wiring. Spaghetti wiring is not a great idea.
- Roof Rack
- I'm leaning to the Prinsu Design rack. Slim and integrates well with existing lashing systems using T bolts.
- Any other suggestions?
- I'm leaning to the Prinsu Design rack. Slim and integrates well with existing lashing systems using T bolts.
- Armour - Skids and sliders
- I like Pelfrey built but build cost is getting up there.
- Are you guys staying simple with the front or are you running it through the Trans?
- Over the gas tank too?
- Any other suggestions?
- Bumper and Swing Away Tire Carrier
- I like the Pelfrey Build. Hidden hitch is a must.
- This would be my least prioritized mod right now, but this does accomplish some valued improvements.
- Weight moves further back on the truck.
- Clearance improves in rear.
- Fuel storage, HiLift, Maxtrax, fold down table
- Recovery points
- Weight moves further back on the truck.
- Any other suggestions?
- I like the Pelfrey Build. Hidden hitch is a must.
Auspicious Osprey
