cbechtold's Expedition Tacoma Build

  • HTML tutorial

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

Hey guys! I've been working on my '01 Tacoma for a few years now and figured that I should share the build here for others to see. The Tacoma has been on a few trips, and I'm still learning more and more about the Tacoma every day. If you want to read from the beginning when the truck was still stock, then I'll leave a link to my TacomaWorld build thread.

TW Build Thread: https://goo.gl/RCQ5TH




Picture from:08/11/2018

Background:

Hi! My name is Cory and this is my 2001 Toyota Tacoma. I picked up my Tacoma back in Early January 2014. Initially, I wanted to keep things tame, but let's be real, we all tell ourselves that. Originally, I told myself that I was going to do "basic" mods. Needless to say that went out the window real quick. At this point, I'm basically building a rig that does it all. I'm actually not trying build the Swiss Army Knife of Tacomas, but at this rate, it'll probably happen. So in the meantime, I'm just enjoying the build process, fixing problem and repairing things as it comes along. Feel free to tag along and say "Hi" on the trail if you see me.

Current Modifications List:

Engine/Drivetrain:
- 3.4L V6
- Stock TRD Gearing (4.10)
- Automatic Transmission
- TRD E-locker Rear
- OEM Exhaust
- OEM Air Intake
- Diff Breather Mod
- Wotefusi 167 Series Hilux Snorkel

Suspension:
- ICON Vehicle Dynamics Standard Travel Front Coilovers
- ICON Vehicle Dynamics Rear Shocks
- ARB 4x4 Accessories Old Man Emu Dakar Leaf Springs with D43XL AAL
- RevTek Front Differential Drop Kit
- ARB 4x4 Accessories Old Man Emu Bushing
- RuffStuff U-bolt flip and lower shock tabs
- Custom 25" Extended Rear Brake Line
- BAMF BPV Bracket
- 4crawler 2" Wide Axle Relocation Plates (3/4" setting)
- Swaybar Delete

Tires/Wheels:
- Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs w/ Kevlar Tires (33x12.50R15)
- Cragar D-Window Wheels (15x8)
- Full-size Spare
- Dorman Wheel Studs (90942-02079)

- Wheeler's Offroad 1/4" Wheel Spacer


Armor/Protection:
- Relentless Fabrication Front Plate Bumper DIY Builder Kit
- Relentless Fabrication Wrap Around Rear Plate Bumper DIY Kit
- Homemade Swingout (
CaliFabrication addition for RotoPaxs)
- Demello Off-road Hybrid Rock Sliders
- Relentless Fabrication 3/16" IFS Skid Plate
- Homemade 1/4" Belly Skid

Interior:
- Sony Bluetooth Receiver with App Remote (MEX-BT3100P)
- Paranoid Fabrications Din Switch Plate (6 switch holes)
- WeatherTech All-Weather Floor Mats

Exterior:
- Overland Bound Member Emblems (2x)
- Colour Matched Grill
- Bedlined Fender Flares
- Debadged
- Homemade Bed Rack 2.0
- Tepui Autana Sky RTT
- RotoPax 2 Gallon Gasoline Pack
- RotoPax 2 Gallon Water Pack
- RotoPax Mount, Extension, and Lock
- Homemade Hi-Lift Mount
- Diaz Fabrication Devil Horn Emblem

Lighting/Electrical:
- Nilight 18w Cree LED 3" Square Flood Lights (2x)
- Nilight 18w Cree LED 3" Flush Square Flood Lights (2x)
- Blue Sea Systems ST Blade Fuse Block - 12 Circuits with Negative Bus & Cover
- OTRATTW Switches
- Wired 12v Socket in the Bed

Recovery Gear:
- Warn M8000
- MasterPull 5/16" Superline Black Winch Line
- Factor 55 Fairlead
- Factor 55 Flatlink
- 48" Hi-Lift X-treme Jack with black handle keeper
- Maxtrax MKII Recovery Boards

Miscellaneous:
- Trimmed fenders for wheels
- Slider cut back to clear for wheels while turning
- Windshield Wiper Fluid Reservoir made from 2" ABS Plastic Tube

And this is where it all started. Completely stock, very clean and 222,XXX miles on it.



Photo from January 5th, 2014.
 
Last edited:

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

Last couple weekends have been consisting of building a belly skid for the truck.


IMG_2159
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2160
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2161
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Belly skid is built out 1/4" steel and the cross member is 2"x2"x3/16" with some 3/16" plate that bolts to the frame. In theory, it shouldn't break or bend, but I'll put the skid through its paces this summer when the real fun wheeling starts.
 

Art

Rank IV
Launch Member

Advocate II

1,293
Woodinville, WA
Member #

4593

Love these dual cab tacoma's. I wish they had enough room for my whole family and I would go that direction. Down the road if I dont go with a new 4Runner it would be a new Tacoma.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cbechtold

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

Love these dual cab tacoma's. I wish they had enough room for my whole family and I would go that direction. Down the road if I dont go with a new 4Runner it would be a new Tacoma.
Can't go wrong with the 4Runners. I really love the look of the 5th gens. Tacomas are real nice as well, though I'll admit the 1st gens are on the small size. It's the small trade off though for having a narrower body for the tight/narrow trails. Nonetheless, both are excellent platforms.
 

Boort

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,779
Colorado
Member #

9314

Cory

Sweet rig, I just finished reading your build threads. Are you still enjoying the ICON / OME Dakar Leaf Springs setup? I'm considering that setup for my 97 Tacoma. How do they ride on the highway after +/-2 years? How have they been for adjusting as you've added your bumpers and skid plates?

Boort
 

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

Cory

Sweet rig, I just finished reading your build threads. Are you still enjoying the ICON / OME Dakar Leaf Springs setup? I'm considering that setup for my 97 Tacoma. How do they ride on the highway after +/-2 years? How have they been for adjusting as you've added your bumpers and skid plates?

Boort
Thanks! The suspension still handles great and I love it. Only adjustments I've made have been the addition of a 4crawler axle relocation plate to push the rear axle back to stop the rubbing, and the D43XL AAL to compensate for the weight in the rear. Other than that, I've adjusted the front coil overs a little bit for the weight, but it's still solid. The only thing I wish I had was remote reservoirs on all 4 shocks, but it hasn't bugged me to I haven't bother with it.
 

Boort

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,779
Colorado
Member #

9314

Cory

That's great to hear. I assume that the Remote reservoirs are more for off road than on?
Now if Only I can find a shop around here that sells the Icon setup who knows Tacos instead of Jeeps.

BoorT
 

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

Cory

That's great to hear. I assume that the Remote reservoirs are more for off road than on?
Now if Only I can find a shop around here that sells the Icon setup who knows Tacos instead of Jeeps.

BoorT
Correct, the remote reservoirs are for off road usage mainly.
 

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

Did an overnight trip to Usal Beach with a member off Tacoma World. Usal Beach was beautiful and is definitely an area I'll be heading back to when it warms up.


IMG_2186
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2191
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2193
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2196
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2197
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2200
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2206
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2204
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2211
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2214
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2215
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2217
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2218
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2220
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2221
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2223
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_2224
by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr
 

cbechtold

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,616
Pleasanton, CA
Member #

3752

  • Like
Reactions: ASNOBODY