Prelander rabbit hole

[Haulin&Crawlin]

Hey everyone, my name is Graham and I’m over in BC Canada. I’m in the process of a LT build with the help of my friends with my 03 quad cab Tacoma.

For my truck, it started out as a bone stock vehicle. American truck, had 150k Miles, but got it before the Toyota tax got crazy. Wanted something to go fishing, hunting, camping and shuttle mountain bikes with. Came with the factory e-locker which was a big selling feature, but quickly realized I needed to do some work to it if I wanted to keep it in good shape and out last me.

So I started with the classic Bilstine 5100s front and rear, UCAs OME Dakar leafs and some 33s. This made it a little more capable and fun but with that added confidence in the truck I needed some protection and recovery mods. First it was rock sliders, then front bumper, then a winch, then the rear bumper, boat rack, Cascadia solar panel on the hood, some lights.. Took me a few years to get it to this point, but once I got there I wasn’t fully satisfied with the end result and wanted something different, classic. So I did the only sensible thing and I entered “the rabbit hole”

Long story short I chose to go with the LT kit front and rear from Total Chaos, and have been tinkering on this new build with a buddy and the help of some friend for the last couple months. Here’s a couple photos from before the new build started and where we’re currently at.

Hopefully I didn’t bore you all with this novel. Maybe I’ll do a build thread down the road if anyone is interested.

Cheers

 

[dwphoto]

Welcome Dude! looks like you are off to a good start!

Standard evolution of most builds... get it "done" and then decide to do something completely different and cut it up haha.

Are you planning on keeping bed still?

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

Welcome Dude! looks like you are off to a good start!

Standard evolution of most builds... get it "done" and then decide to do something completely different and cut it up haha.

Are you planning on keeping bed still?

Cheers! Yeah bit of a classic for sure!

I’m definitely going to try and keep as much bed and bed room as I can. Obviously will need to build a bed cage to accommodate the rear suspension. There are a few other guys with the same truck and LT builds that I’ve seen and have been asking them a few questions about. Still a few more I need to ask..

I guess I’m building some sort of a “prelander” because it also needs to carry a GFC (which I traded a mtb for, insane deal) bikes, and my little 10ft aluminum flat bottom fishing boat. I know this truck isn’t going to excel at one particular thing but if I can do a bit of everything decent with it then I’m happy. I went with ADV 4.5 glass front and rear, which will still give me a bit of tire poke for the odd tight trail and wheelin mission. I’m thinking I’ll run the bed cage along the sides of the bed where you would traditionally mount the GFC, giving it more strength and durability. Also this way I’m thinking I could weld on the camper brackets to the bed cage for added stability. Also going Ford 9” which seemed like the best play from the research I did. Will match the front track width and should be able to hold all that added load of weight and bigger tires. Hoping to get the thing on the road by March. Fingers crossed haha

 

[dwphoto]

The GFC are super nice.. we were hanging with those guys at KOH for a bit this weekend. Super cool dudes!
Whats the plan for MTB Hauling? Gunna do something off the roof or thinking hitch rack?

We had a little discussion going here...
https://forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com/threads/how-you-move-your-mountain-bike.283/

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

The GFC are super nice.. we were hanging with those guys at KOH for a bit this weekend. Super cool dudes!
Whats the plan for MTB Hauling? Gunna do something off the roof or thinking hitch rack?

We had a little discussion going here...
https://forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com/threads/how-you-move-your-mountain-bike.283/

Yeah they seem really cool. When I first got this truck I seen photos online of Kodas Tacoma with the GFC and I wanted one ever since. Just seemed like the best of both worlds with having a canopy/ tent and being able to possibly mount a boat or canoe up top.

For the bike hauling with this truck I ran a North Shore rack, it’s a classic out here in BC and a fairly reliable set up. I prefer this one over some of the other verticals because of how adjustable they are. I scoped that link, lots of great options out there. I do really like the tray style set ups as well, Thule makes a really good one that we’ve rally’d with and bikes stayed on. They have good ground clearance as well when just the two bikes but the four bike tray style is just too long and will hang up when crossing water bars and stuff like that. Coastal Off-Road helped me with the bumpers and they have been working on something that works with their swing outs but I haven’t seen a final product yet. It would be a vertical carry as well I believe.

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

So it’s been a while since I updated this and I’ve got a question for all the wizards on here. Been slowly chipping away and making decent progress, got my axle all built up and trussed. Got the bed cage built, frame boxed, rear shocks mounted including the bumps, and brakes. All that’s really left now is getting a rear driveline made, mounting the bed and the GFC.

Heres the dilemma/ question that I have. We’ve mounted my axle 4” further back from stock location to allow for a better driveline angle and to clear 37s down the line. I had already ordered my fibreglass before doing this, it’s the ADV mini bed (5.5ft) 4” bulge 3” rise. Now with the axle being pushed back the wheel well doesn’t line up of course. The way I see it is either just cutting a larger portion out of this glass that I have or I order one of the 6.5 fibreglass bed sides and give it a bob. What’s everyone’s thoughts on this? My goal is to keep the tailgate and build onto the bed cage to ether accommodate the GFC.

Any tips ideas or advice would be great! Here’s a couple more build pics as well, cheers

 

[Motiracer38]

Either way you're in for some fiberglass work. Cutting the wheel well open is real tough to look good so you may end up extending the front to meet the cab. A 6.5 bedside would at least give you material to work with to cut down the front and graft back together. A 37 won't fit without cutting out the entire lip anyways, especially with the movement you're going to get from the leaf springs. Find a picture of DWphoto's truck in the air and the tire almost touches the front corner even with it biased rearward at ride height.

 

[dwphoto]

@Dirt Yota what glass was this?

@85Yota what did you have on the long wieny when it still had a full bed ?

its close @Motiracer38

 

[Dirt Yota]

@Dirt Yota what glass was this?

@85Yota what did you have on the long wieny when it still had a full bed ?

its close @Motiracer38

Those were the same ones he has order the dbl cab short bed 4” flare 3” rise or vice versa but from glassworks.

I would think the standard length bedsides would be best route. It may line up with a bit trimmed off if you only need four more inches between cab and wheel well. But I don’t know shit lol

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

Appreciate all the feedback, I think I’m leaning more towards ordering the 6.5ft bedsides and trying to sell my 5.5ft ones before I cut them up and destroy them. Attached a photo of how we were thinking of mounting the fibreglass on top of the rear end of the stock bedside utilizing the stock light buckets. Hopefully be able to bob down the 6.5ft fibreglass bed slides clean enough to do something like this. If that makes any sense?

My next question is which size flair should I go with? Do I need to go 7” so that wheel/tires can suck up inside for max travel or would I be able to get away with only a 4” and possibly a bit of trimming? I seen one other guy with very similar truck build as I’m doing and he has the 4” glass and it is close.

Appreciate all the input!

 

[85Yota]

I have glassworks 4" Front and Rear on my truck originally with the stock 6' bed and camburg kit up front. I ended up with the Mcneil 6" front fenders, Hannemann Supercharger Hood, and Fiberwerx 10" bedsides (which still had to be kicked out on rear to cover the econoline 9" with method wheels and 37's)

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

Been a little bit since I’ve shared the progress on the taco. It’s been a busy summer/ fall for myself and haven’t had a lot of time to get after it on the project. I got to give my buddy Dan the biggest shout out for helping me build this truck. He works two weeks on two weeks off and has two little kids, we work on the truck when our “handlers” allow us to between wrangling the toddlers. He’s just stoked to help and is as eager to see it finished as I am. There’s so many rad people who have been helping me throughout this whole process, Nicole at Total Chaos being at the top of that list also. The off road industry and community is amazing!

Since the last update we have added a few things. When I originally got connected with and ordered my kit from TC I added the secondary shock hoops knowing I’d add these down the road. Well when the lower ball joint conversion came out I of course hit “add to cart” and figured since I’m already paying the shipping and taking the front end apart again I mine as well add the the front triples to the cart at the same time. I also got connected with the good folks over at Baja Designs and will be wiring in a bunch of new lights in the front bumper, rock lights as well as an S Pod to conveniently control it all. The most recent addition to build is going to 37s now instead of later. I found a decent set of 37x12.5x17 KM3’s with a brand new spare for cheap so jumped on those. My Tundra was in need of new tires so the 35 KO2’s so it conveniently worked out.

Still need to get my glass mounted and sorted out on the rear as well as finish the bedcage so that I can mount the GFC. Also need to finish welding in the second shock hoop on the drivers side, then tackle the fire wall tub. Almost a working truck again, starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Motiracer38]

I need a Dan in my life, progress is looking good!

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

Forgot to mention that I’ve also gone to a one piece driveshaft that was built by Pat’s Driveline. Awesome guys, they build a lot of drivelines for the homies, and they gave me a wicked deal. Stoked they put the Stump Vice Racing stamp on it also!

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

I need a Dan in my life, progress is looking good!

Thanks man, we all need a Dan in our lives! He’s the biggest beauty I know, wouldn’t be able to do this without him that’s for sure!

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

Forgot to add this photo with the other one of my new trail bike, the BLGT stem cap was nice final touch

 

[dwphoto]

rad dude! We all need a Dan for sure... I laughed out loud with the "handlers" comment haha so good. I refer to my "handler" as the "Tower" or "Ground Control"

The truck looks good what did you end up doing with the rear glass? I know you were saying you reordered another size?

Oh and dat Stem cap! Thanks for repping man much appreciated

When are you coming down to Southern California again?

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

rad dude! We all need a Dan for sure... I laughed out loud with the "handlers" comment haha so good. I refer to my "handler" as the "Tower" or "Ground Control"

The truck looks good what did you end up doing with the rear glass? I know you were saying you reordered another size?

Oh and dat Stem cap! Thanks for repping man much appreciated

When are you coming down to Southern California again?

Haha, the “Handler” is also a Dan quote that I’ve adopted. I don’t think the “Handlers” like the name so much though

Still trying to come up with a plan for the rear glass. Somehow got sent another set of 5.5ft bedsides but in the 7” bulge this time which I had asked for but when I had put in the second order I requested 6.5ft bedsides. Not sure what happened. Been chatting with them a bit but I think I might be stuck with them. We’ll see what my buddy says, he might be able to make it work somehow but I don’t know how clean it’s going to look. Hopefully don’t get cucked but maybe they will make it right. I’ve got the front fenders and the original bedsides I ordered for sale here back in Canada, couple nibbles but no solid bites yet. Starting to think I might need bigger front fenders with the 37s now so we’ll see. The rabbit hole continues lol

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

Haha, the “Handler” is also a Dan quote that I’ve adopted. I don’t think the “Handlers” like the name so much though

Still trying to come up with a plan for the rear glass. Somehow got sent another set of 5.5ft bedsides but in the 7” bulge this time which I had asked for but when I had put in the second order I requested 6.5ft bedsides. Not sure what happened. Been chatting with them a bit but I think I might be stuck with them. We’ll see what my buddy says, he might be able to make it work somehow but I don’t know how clean it’s going to look. Hopefully don’t get cucked but maybe they will make it right. I’ve got the front fenders and the original bedsides I ordered for sale here back in Canada, couple nibbles but no solid bites yet. Starting to think I might need bigger front fenders with the 37s now so we’ll see. The rabbit hole continues lol

Not sure when I’ll be back out that way, hopefully make a trip out at some point this winter

 

[Haulin&Crawlin]

How we doin everybody, happy new year!

We’re still chipping away on the truck, and finally tackling the firewall tub. The quest for 35s is what got me into this rabbit hole and now here we are fitting 37s. Has anyone here built any custom hydro assist for an IFS build like this? Little concerned for the steering rack but curious to hear what everyones experience and thoughts were on this. Fairly big hole to get 37s to clear, also stoked to be putting in something that’s a lot thicker and safer from sticks potentially coming through. The passenger side top half will be a removable piece to access the heater if it were to ever go. Drivers side has also been cut out.

Also got the new glass in, 7” bed sides and 6.5” fenders. We found some leaf plates that allowed us to push the axle 2” towards the cab. So I think the plan is to just mount the bed another inch or two back to get the alignment right with the axle. This space will probably become an area for a future cage to fit between the GFC and the cab. Also should still have enough room between the cab and the tires for when the axle swings forward. Thinking about adding in a pan hard bar. Might run some spacers to fill out that booty too, she got thick!

Cheers