Build Thread and Initial Thoughts on my new Tacoma Off Road

[TacoFreak]

@Romer I look forward to seeing your Taco built out and wheeling on the serious stuff like your LC.

You can ignore the negative comment from the pet troll we keep under a bridge.

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[Romer]

Curious with the amount of off-roading you do, why you didn't get the SDM option?

Was your decision to go with pizza cutters based on the spare underneath or other considerations?

The only place I had to remove the front sway bar or at least it was an issue was the Rubicon. I find as I get older I like challenging trails but not as hard core so I don't see the need for me. I did look to see if I could retrofit it later on and the youtube videos said you could. I always am open to changing my mind. I haven't had an issue with my 200 series, but that has the KDSS system. Before that I had an IFS 100 series LC and it wasn't an issue then either. However, if it was available on the trim I picked with the same delivery, I likely would have gotten it.

This video played a big part of my decision. Bear in mind the stock truck comes with a 10.4 inch tire. This is only 0.4 thinner. The spare was an extra benefit in my evaluation. If the narrower tires would not perform as well (per sources), then I would have gone with 285 70 17's like others have done. This video and other sites convinced me I may actually get better performance. If true, then a win-win with the extra benefit of the spare that I should find out in a couple of weeks. Next week I am going to Ouray in the Land Cruiser. Doing Imogene, Ophir, Black Bear, Alpine Loop, Corkscrew and maybe squeeze in something else . That is why that will have to wait.



With tires, if they don't do well you can always change them later.

 

[TrustButVerify]

Just a little about me so people know where I am coming from. I lead trails at National Events in Moab and Ouray and have been doing so for over 20 years.

I bought my first Land Cruiser in 1979, a 1974 FJ40. I have been a moderator on IH8MUD for 20 years.

I have done the Rubicon

Flat Nasty in Missouri

Black Hills

Lots of trails in Ouray-lead several every year

Many Trails in Moab- lead several every year

Lots of places throughout Colorado

I have an off road camper I bought from Australia - I take all over

I also have an RTT I take on trips the camper isn't allowed (by permit) like the Maze

and lots of other trails

I am setting up the Tacoma to be able to go the same places I take my Land Cruiser. This is why I chuckled when it was commented my Tacoma would be a Grocery getter

I love the classic land cruiser. Just a beautiful vehicle. I wish we could get them here.

 

[hemlockz]

Wow that's a nice deal, worth driving from Idaho for! It looks like they still have a couple Bronze Oxide and other Offroad Premiums in stock, 3,700 off! Unless they didn't take yours off the site yet I've been browsing all year and its probably the best deal I've seen. Any other extra taxes or fees come up at signing?

 

[Romer]

$399 doc fee and 34 other fees. I worked with them not to take state tax as I will pay it locally when I register the vehicle. Fredy Diaz was my salesman

Mine isn't on the site

 

[Omega351]

Have any direct side shots with the new tires?

 

[Romer]

Have any direct side shots with the new tires?

What I took so far is in Post #10. Ill see if I have time before I head out to Ouray. Taking the Land Cruiser.

 

[Bronze Oxide]

That bronze oxide color is perfect on the new Tacoma! Congratulations on your new truck!

 

[Romer]

There were two things I didn't like. The short exhaust and the lack of a full size spare. I wouldn't feel comfortable offroad with the smaller temp spare. The exhaust would get smacked and damaged the way it sits

So I removed the back end of the exhaust and installed Toyota part #PT226-35241-AA, offroad tail pipe. It did remove the resonator and I will have to see how the exhaust sounds

I bought a stock TRD Off Road RIM even though the tire would fit on the steel rim. I also bought the same tire I replaced the stock ones with, a 33.1" tire 255 80 r17

Looking at it now, it does seem to sit a bit to the right side. It is in there tight with no movement so that is OK. I haven't tried to adjust it.

The other benefit is the exhaust does not run near the spare tire. I will put these away until I am fully satisfied before getting rid of them

 

[Romer]

I installed the faceplate and also the microphone using zip ties for the microphone holder

Thinking of running the main unit under the rear seat. Still pondering.
I ran the wires from the engine bay back to the rear cab, but haven't hooked them up yet. Left the fuse out of the fuse holder for safety

I ordered the ditch light brackets from Victory offroad for the antenna mount

 

[Romer]

There have been a few Tacomas that have broke the shock top. ICON had one and did some testing and came up with a fix. This is all documented in other threads and I am just repeating here for completness


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn2Be4jAj_w


I ordered a set as looks like cheap insurance and they do look robust and easy to install.

The video shows the problem and how to install the fix. I wonder if the 250 has a similar design

 

[Romer]

On a separate topic. I am used to parking Land Cruisers with Bull bars and a bit shorter wheel base. With the shape of the hood, it is a guess where the actual edge of the fender is, but I will get use to it. Takes time to become one with the vehicle

I am glad I got the premium as the birds eye view can engage any time with the push of a button and it lets me know when I am good between the parking lines. All the cameras and algorithms are pretty cool

The safety sensors are real good at letting me know when I am close to something and automatically turns on the camera view.

The rear cameras look for traffic on the sides in a parking lot and pedestrians and display the item and direction with arrows. They will even brake if it thinks you won't in time backing out with a car coming up the lane

 

[maxx075]

On a separate topic. I am used to parking Land Cruisers with Bull bars and a bit shorter wheel base. With the shape of the hood, it is a guess where the actual edge of the fender is, but I will get use to it. Takes time to become one with the vehicle

I am glad I got the premium as the birds eye view can engage any time with the push of a button and it lets me know when I am good between the parking lines. All the cameras and algorithms are pretty cool

The safety sensors are real good at letting me know when I am close to something and automatically turns on the camera view.

The rear cameras look for traffic on the sides in a parking lot and pedestrians and display the item and direction with arrows. They will even brake if it thinks you won't in time backing out with a car coming up the lane

They'll also brake for you backing out your garage too

 

[Romer]

I researched the Various Taco Slider products for the 2024 and there were quite a few. I settled on the CBI Step Sliders

I compared the clearance height to my 200

Taco- Stock offroad suspension

200 Land Cruiser at 17.5" Similar Step sliders

If I want to even it up, a 2" lift will likely do the trick. No plans to do that now as the Land Cruiser is my primary wheeling rig and this for the short term at least will be for light wheeling

I also got the RCI Skid plate. My two requirements were access to the filter and oil drain without having to remove the skid plate. Interesting that you have to remove a TRD skid plate on the Trailhunter for oil; changes. Although, after installing it it is obvious the oil will hit the top of the plate when the oil first starts coming out so I ordered a Fomuto valve. Thinking the next time I change it, I can wrap a foil cone around to direct the flow and then install the valve. It is a well built plate and I am happy with it. I got the Aluminum one and considering the rest of the set. The Taco is nice that after the engine the componets are more recessed higher into the frame reducing the possibility of damage.

 

[TacoFreak]

I like those sliders @Romer - I bought the RCI sliders, but these look a bit nicer to me. Really like the RCI skid plate, although I will most likely keep the TRD one on my Pro. I might have to consider the rest of the RCI set one of these days. I agree about liking how they tucked things up, making the mechanical bits safer, but you can never have too much protection.

Thanks for sharing that.

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