Black Truck; 2011 Tacoma PreRunner Build

[desertjunkie760]

What's up everyone!

Long time forum member of another Toyota forum but wanted to start something here for this new build of mine. Build threads aren't the most popular on that particular forum, hoping we have some good conversations here.

A little back story, I picked up this truck from a friend who was going through some major life changes. I originally installed the Dirt King 3.5" LT kit with DK spec King C/Os, Marlin Crawler LCA gusset kit, and spindle gussets for her. At the time, she was planning on building the rear up as well and make a moderately capable prerunner but plans changed as time passed. Eventually she listed the truck for sale and I had the inclination to finish it... so here we are. Originally, it had a tube bumper that was built in a garage by some very novice DIYers (2nd pic). I call it the "ugliest prerunner bumper ever," the first thing I did to the truck was remove it.

My goal is to use this project as a way to further develop my fab skills and shock tuning knowledge. Hopefully I can build a decent little sleeper build that'll rip.

To date, the below has been done.

• Dirt King 3.5” LT kit
• Front: Fox 2.5" C/O & 2.5" Bypass
• JD Fab SUA Kit
• Rear: Fox 3.0 x 14" (3 Tube) R/R
• Marlin Crawler LCA Gusset Kit
• McNeil 4" Front/Rear Fiberglass
• Method 703 17" wheel
• Toyo Open Country A/T III; 285/75/R17
• Custom Front Prerunner Bumper

 

[desertjunkie760]

Front shocks & glass are the next parts that will be installed.

 

[UR_Mawm69]

hell yeah man! good start!

 

[dwphoto]

ohhh dang ! nice dude! Look forward to progress..?

 

[desertjunkie760]

Thanks! We'll see how it goes. I've been lagging a bit between trying to finish school and lack of motivation to dedicate time on this project but hopefully the front is wrapped up here soon.

 

[desertjunkie760]

The real debate is what kind of front bumper do I want to build? I'm leaning towards something like the below with some changes. A buddy and I have been going back and forth on the valance though. He's not a fan. I think it works but maybe there's something better out there?

 

[Turboyota]

I vote anti-valance. They always seem to resemble rookie highway patrol mustaches…

 

[desertjunkie760]

I vote anti-valance. They always seem to resemble rookie highway patrol mustaches…

Haha. I don't know if I can unsee that mental image now.

Have any builds to reference with bumpers that you think look good? Most of the prerunner style bumpers I've seen on a Tacoma without the valance look like they have a massive underbite. Pick your poison I guess.

 

[Turboyota]

Haha. I don't know if I can unsee that mental image now.

Have any builds to reference with bumpers that you think look good? Most of the prerunner style bumpers I've seen on a Tacoma without the valance look like they have a massive underbite. Pick your poison I guess.

Check out Kalil Fab

 

[Sterling_vH111]

What's up everyone!

Long time forum member of another Toyota forum but wanted to start something here for this new build of mine. Build threads aren't the most popular on that particular forum, hoping we have some good conversations here.

A little back story, I picked up this truck from a friend who was going through some major life changes. I originally installed the Dirt King 3.5" LT kit with DK spec King C/Os, Marlin Crawler LCA gusset kit, and spindle gussets for her. At the time, she was planning on building the rear up as well and make a moderately capable prerunner but plans changed as time passed. Eventually she listed the truck for sale and I had the inclination to finish it... so here we are. Originally, it had a tube bumper that was built in a garage by some very novice DIYers (2nd pic). I call it the "ugliest prerunner bumper ever," the first thing I did to the truck was remove it.

My goal is to use this project as a way to further develop my fab skills and shock tuning knowledge. Hopefully I can build a decent little sleeper build that'll rip.

To date, the below has been done.

• Dirt King 3.5” LT kit
• Dirt King Secondary Shock Hoops
• Dirt King Spindle gussets
• Marlin Crawler LCA Gusset Kit
• Cab Mount Chop

I'm planning on installing the below. Parts are either on hand or on order.

• McNeil 4" Front/Rear Fiberglass
• Fox 2.5" C/O & 2.5" Bypass
• Planning on building a new custom front prerunner style bumper
• Wheels/Tires? (TBD)
• JD Fab SUA Kit w/ Fox 2.5x14" 3 tube bypass

View attachment 10217

View attachment 10218

Im missing something... This looks like most the prerunner bumpers in socal..

PS. hey there ! another place I've run into you.

 

[FasterNU]

to me... the valences can only look ok if they are trimmed quite a bit to flow with body line. Typically see them looking way too bulky and out of place. like the rookie CHP's moustache. haha

 

[desertjunkie760]

Im missing something... This looks like most the prerunner bumpers in socal..

PS. hey there ! another place I've run into you.

Oh hey there!

You're not wrong! I adamantly will not be running that ugly thing on this truck though. lol

 

[desertjunkie760]

to me... the valences can only look ok if they are trimmed quite a bit to flow with body line. Typically see them looking way too bulky and out of place. like the rookie CHP's moustache. haha

I agree with you but I feel that the valance is easier to trim than setting a tube perfectly in location to match the body lines. More forgiving if you will.

 

[desertjunkie760]

Hey everyone! it's been a minute since I've been on the forum but I have updates!

Got the truck back together and a shakedown complete. Did a quick day trip to Superstition and had a blast. Need to make some valving changes to the shocks but overall I was stoked with the progress.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHjD37UJqmm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

[desertjunkie760]

Then moved onto building the front bumper. Not complete but again happy with the progress.

 

[badlinesgoodtimes]

oh dang! it's been bit for sure. Welcome back.

 

[desertjunkie760]

oh dang! it's been bit for sure. Welcome back.

Ha, yeah. Life has a habit of getting in the way.

Turns out I don't have as much free time as I thought I did...

 

[desertjunkie760]

Time to update the build thread!!! Lots of progress has been made but not a lot of updates on the forum.

For my wheel & tire combo I chose to go with the Toyo Tires Open Country AT III in 285/75/17. This unique tire size allowed me to fit the largest possible tire without having to significantly cut for clearance. The C load allows me to keep the weight down as much as possible and obtain a good ride quality.

These paired with Method wheels 703 bead grip wheels in machined finish again allows me to keep the weight down while maintaining some kind of bead retention, even while aired down.

 

[desertjunkie760]

For the rear of the truck, I decided to go with the JD Fabrication SUA kit with their frame brace & shock mounts.

The kit allows you to gain the performance of SUA without loosing nearly any bed space. They also eliminate the inverted shack and the massive boat anchors associated with the inverted design.

The shock mounts offer enough clearance to fit a 3.0 x 14" external bypass when using a 2" wheel spacer. I chose to run a Fox 3.0 x 14 (3 Tube) bypass w/ remote resi in a standard layout. Although a piggyback shock is preferred, the R/R allowed me to run a large body bypass without a custom tube layout.

The kit claims 17" of wheel travel, although I doubt I'm pulling that much. I ended up with 13" of shock travel, sacrificing a little bump due to the slightly longer collapsed length of the Fox shock. I never confirmed the final wheel travel number came out to be.