Build Thread: Sixstringsteve's 2002 Tacoma double cab: Carlos

[sixstringsteve]

Here you go Colton.

 

[Coco]

Thanks Steve! Plug and play still, or did you have to splice in the wires?

 

[sixstringsteve]

I used the pump from the 85 and just spliced the two wires into the stock pump wires. I wasnt able to use my low fluid sensor but I don't care. No lights or codes with that sensor disconnected.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I got the skid plate installed this weekend, just in time for the quarterly training day.

This rig is just about done. I'd like to do the following before my Rubicon trip later this year:

- replace lower BJs (just for peace of mind)
- install rock lights
- install tranny skid
- extend rear diff breather
- beef up the front recovery points

It's great to see the build finally winding down. It's taken me on a lot of great trips, and it'll be nice to have it ready to go for any future trips without needing any mods.

 

[sixstringsteve]

One piece of gear that has really impressed me is the RTT. I wasn't loving it the first 3-5 times I took it out. I didn't know how to set it up quickly, and it was cold in the winter. Now that I've put a good 15+ nights in it, I absolutely love it for multi-day camping. For single overnighters, I don't think it'd be worth the $ over a good ground tent. The convenience of having all my gear up in the tent and not in the back of the truck is the main reason I love it. I can keep my pad, bags, and pillows in the tent, which keeps all my bedding dry no matter the conditions.

My wife loves it too. I really am surprised at how much I love having the RTT. The only other solution I'd look into is a flip-pac rear shell. Those are sweet. I haven't been around them much to know their pros and cons, but I love how much room they have, and how much storage you get with one. Then again, they're about 3x the cost of a RTT, so until I have a family big enough to outgrow the RTT, I don't plan on getting one.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Today I swapped in some 4runner seats. It's not a direct swap, you need to swap seat frame rails too. Here's the tutorial:


http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum...d.php?t=141220

[video=youtube_share;1RPC4dKmKGs]http://youtu.be/1RPC4dKmKGs[/video]


Seats are in:

These seats are much more supportive, sit an inch higher, and have a lumbar adjustment on the driver's side. I still wouldn't mind some Scion XB seats some day, but these are a great alternative.

 

[Panos]

love it, how are you liking the suspension after you have put some miles on it now? I am debating what suspension to put on my DC.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I could not be happier with the suspension. Even if the ome setup was 3x the cost, i would still run it. The spc UCAs are probably why I like it so much.

For the type of driving I do, I can't imagine a better setup.

 

[Panos]

sweet, i will be buying something in the near future and for the price OME is really hard to beat, I will be getting the upper control arms for sure. I just cant decide if I want more shock or not, meaning a remote resi like the billy 5160 or fox. However your truck did drive very well when I drove it.

 

[sixstringsteve]

you're welcome to drive it again anytime. If you're doing lots of whooped out sections and you're worried about shock fade, a remote resi may not be a bad idea. But for DD on the streets in the winter, it's tough to beat an OME setup. My Icons were pitted and needed to be rebuilt in less than 8 months on my last double-cab. My OMEs are still going strong after 2 years, thousands of road miles, and thousands of off-road miles with no hint of needing to be replaced.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I just got back from a trip to the Rubicon with some other buddies in doublecab tacomas. It was a challenge, but all 3 of us drove the 700 miles there, wheeled the 'con, and drove the 700 miles back without any issues. No winching, no straps, no damage. This rig turned out just the way I wanted it to. Extremely capable, but still able to do 85 on the freeway.

 

[LT.]

With as happy as you are with it, you still thought about selling it? Why?

LT.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm not doing a ton of rock crawling anymore. If I were to sell it, I'd get something a bit more friendly on the street. Even though this will do 85 on the freeway, I don't NEED 35's. A stock tacoma would take me 98% of where I'll be going in the future.

 

[Maverick]

I'm not doing a ton of rock crawling anymore. If I were to sell it, I'd get something a bit more friendly on the street. Even though this will do 85 on the freeway, I don't NEED 35's. A stock tacoma would take me 98% of where I'll be going in the future.

How do you know where you will be going in the future?

 

[sixstringsteve]

based on this past year, the Rubicon and HITR are the only trails I've needed a modified rig for. And I don't plan on doing those trails anytime soon (if ever).

 

[193kyle]

Here's the way I see it Steve: your truck drives great on the street, you can still wheel easy trails with a built rig, you can't wheel difficult trails with a mild rig. Keep your truck!

 

[sixstringsteve]

I haven't posted it for sale, it's just a lingering thought in the back of my mind...

 

[Maverick]

based on this past year, the Rubicon and HITR are the only trails I've needed a modified rig for. And I don't plan on doing those trails anytime soon (if ever).

And there are no other trails you'd like to do? You don't like being prepared for whatever you come across? (obviously within reason, like excluding the Hammers)

What's the motivation to sell it? It's DIALED; very capable across a pretty broad spectrum. I would think that now you'd just drive the wheels off it and just make little refinements here and there as needed. Or is it more about the thrill of the build?

 

[193kyle]

I know, but those lingering thoughts turn into for sale ads really fast!

 

[Rock Taco]

Dont do it cause I cant afford it right now!