2024 TRD OR - "Budget" Overland Build

[CuriousTaco]

Backstory
Finally posting a more formal introduction after passing 1k miles and getting the build going. Joined a waitlist about a year ago after cross-shopping nearly every vehicle imaginable. Traded in a Grand Cherokee V8 due to growing concerns about reliability and the fuel efficiency was pretty terrible. Previously had owned a Canyon Denali long bed diesel, but it was uninspiring and lost faith in GM reliability. The ultimate goal was to find a comfortable, reliable, somewhat efficient vehicle to do some mild overlanding and occasionally tow/haul. Considered new Canyon, new Ranger, 4Runner, Tundra, etc. Will never consider a Jeep again..

Test Drive, Initial Concerns, Purchase
We were nervous following our test drive because the ride in the TRD OR didn't feel great, realizing afterward the tires were definitely overinflated as mine was delivered with 50psi several weeks later. Dealer had no clue. Dropping the tire pressure quickly solved those concerns. We were also surprised how small the 5ft bed felt with the larger proportions of the 4Gen and questioned how usable it would be for camping and overlanding. Switched my deposit from TRD OR short bed w/ upgrade pkg to a base TRD OR long bed w/ 14" screen and heated seats. Purchased through the Costco Auto program and paid a few thousand below MSRP.

Impressions so far
The entire platform has exceeded expectations! The ride is so much more composed and comfortable than the air suspension I'd gotten used to in the Jeep. It's also significantly quieter than the Jeep at all speeds despite the Jeep having double paned front side glass. I'll keep this section short as there's so much information out there covering the truck. Absolutely zero regrets and looking forward to putting the Tacoma through its paces! 100% worth the long wait!

Local to the PNW.. really haven't seen many 4Gens yet. This past weekend drove past an Underground TRD OR w/ roof rack and bed rack on I90 near Snoqualmie Pass. If you read this (or anyone who has the same build) truck looks awesome!

Current mods as of 7/12/24

• Exterior: RB20 Slim running boards, Bak Revolver X4s, DD switchbacks, 30% tint, tailgate letters
  • Removed: Cali Raised ditch lights (w/ EOM switch)
• Interior: screen protector, DIY wireless charger, Carista mods
• Overland: Roofnest Condor 2, 8" BillieBars, bed stiffeners, DIY 12V outlet in bed

Future mods as of 7/12/24

• Short term: bed mat, Tuxmat, Binize
• Long term: JB4, 1-2" lift w/ AT4W or KO3, DIY heated steering wheel, audio upgrade, sound deadener

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[Mykale220]

Great write up man, thank you for taking the time. I could be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure that the 2024 does have both an increase in sound dampening materials throughout the cab, as well as sound resistant glass (pretty sure only on the front windows though).

 

[CuriousTaco]

Great write up man, thank you for taking the time. I could be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure that the 2024 does have both an increase in sound dampening materials throughout the cab, as well as sound resistant glass (pretty sure only on the front windows though).

I believe you're right, but I think it's only with the premium packages and limited trim.. could be wrong though. Either way huge improvement!

 

[Mykale220]

I believe you're right, but I think it's only with the premium packages and limited trim.. could be wrong though. Either way huge improvement!

ah yea, could be. I have the premium so maybe that’s where I remember seeing or hearing it.

 

[PUMPKINKING]

Cool setup!

 

[navid]

Never really thought about purchasing through Costco Auto Program. How were you able to save a couple thousand through the program and would you recommend it?

 

[CuriousTaco]

Never really thought about purchasing through Costco Auto Program. How were you able to save a couple thousand through the program and would you recommend it?

It's basically a referral program. Fill out a form on Costco's website and they will funnel you to the nearest participating dealer. The intent is to streamline the purchase process by Costco negotiating the purchase price on your behalf. At the time of purchase the dealer provides you a pricing sheet showing more detailed info like invoice price, employee price, Costco price, MSRP, etc. There's other incentives listed on the website that might be region-specific like discounts on service and parts.

Using the program does make the trade-in negotiation a little more challenging as they attempt to recoup some of the money lost through the program discount.

Yes, I'd recommend using it if you're a member. The only thing that makes it tricky is you're locked to specific dealers and may have a tougher time finding a specific vehicle spec. I had to wait longer as a result.

I believe the structure has changed throughout the past few years. My understanding/experience has been:

• Pre-pandemic
  • more participating dealers
  • pricing slightly above invoice (cost) and employee pricing
• During pandemic
  • fewer participating dealers
    • dealers marking up vehicles were dropped from the program (or stopped participating)
  • max price was msrp
• Post-pandemic
  • still seems like fewer participating dealers, but may start to see shift soon as inventory continues to rise
  • price is less than MSRP again, but may not be quite as favorable as pre-pandemic

 

[CuriousTaco]

Going to post a somewhat lengthy update here because I've added several products since the last update and I've mentioned comments about these in other threads..

TL;DR -

• BillieBars customer service is outstanding
• Realtruck (Bak) changed their tonneau mounting design and customer service is bad
• The final setup somehow fits and functions as planned, woohoo!
  • Bak X4s Revolver + BillieBar 8" High Brackets w/ standard mounts
• Installed RB20 Slim running boards (mounts took 2 extra weeks to show up)
• Installed DIY power in the bed Blue Sea 4366

Before we even bought the 4G, we purchased the RTT and had a vision of how we wanted to build it out. Our lifestyle lended us to needing a solid lockable storage option for the bed and not tanking gas mileage with it being my daily. After researching the 3G forums, the most practical and secure option for our situation was the BillieBars + Bak Revolver X4s combo.

• Tonneau cover criteria
  • above average security (no soft covers)
  • bed access with RTT installed at mid height (no tri folds)..
  • not eat into bed space (no retractable)
• Bed rack criteria
  • keep RTT close to roof line
  • tonneau cover compatibility

As we most of us have since learned, Realtruck has poor customer service and order fulfillment transparency. I originally ordered the BillieBars with Bak-specific brackets anticipating having to relocate the bed rails like they did with the 3G Tacos (and apparently OEM 4G tri-fold). After 6 weeks finally received the X4s and learned they changed the mounting hardware and no longer required relocated bed rails. The Bak-specific BillieBar brackets are no longer compatible with the 4G Taco because of Bak changing their design!

This is where BillieBars came in CLUTCH!! We were about to head out on a 1,200 mile trip and needed to figure out a solution asap. Dozens of pictures and emails later, Billiebars sent out custom bars + standard brackets without hesitation and arrived in time for our trip. Because of how the new Bak X4s tonneau cover mounts are inset inside the bed (decreasing bed width at the rails), shorter BillieBar bar lengths were needed. Mind you, I have no presence online as an influencer. Just a normal guy trying to make this setup work and seemingly one of the first to do so. BillieBars went above and beyond to make this all possible in such a short period of time.

We considered multiple different fitment options to get the Billiebar brackets to pass through the tonneau rails and this route seems like the easiest way to go about it. I used 1/4" thick x 1/2" wide weatherstripping between the tonneau cover mount and tonneau cover rail to fill the void. A shim was also needed behind the BillieBar bracket to help it stay flush to the mounting rail. I expect BillieBars will probably be working on a similar solution for this. I haven't done a water test yet, but I'm confident it's very water resistant knowing no covers are 100% wateproof.

Edit : The tonneau cover rolls under the rearward bed bar, but does not have another clearance to roll under the forward bed bar. I can access ~80% of the bed with it rolled up, but at least everything underneath is still usable storage space. Pictures in next post.

I have many detailed photos I'm happy to share if specific questions arise, but here are some of the end result! Super happy with how it all came together!

 

[CuriousTaco]

A few additional photos actually showing the tonneau rolled up:

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