My Trailhunter finally arrived: Initial impressions, couple pics, planned build

[elturco]

I do also have a topper on my 24 OR and the biggest issue I have is the fact that there are no options to upgrade the springs on the truck to support the added weight (300 pounds). So the truck now sits about 3-4 inches lower. I believe that the TH has stiffer springs to support the batteries and also I am under the impression that the TH sits about 3 inches higher than the OR trim but no on can confirm. So my search continues for an option to make my truck sit higher again (back to the original height before the added weight).

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[Nation1024]

I have had my bronze oxide, 6' bed TH for about 2 weeks now (ex-2017 Limited, short bed). I love it and I agree with the bulletpoints made by OP and yes, that the snorkel noise is a thing but I take it in stride. I landed on a TH because its the ONLY way to get a 4th gen crew cab with hybrid engine and 6' bed. So I'm fine with the snorkel noise and look forward to potential aftermarket dampening.

Right now my biggest challenge is learning about all the operations and functions from the textbook that is the owners manual!! I still dont know how to turn on the bed camp lights. Also there are easter eggs everywhere........did you know there is morse code in the windshield edging?!

 

[myrr]

Do the TH rear seats still fold up (even though the battery is there) to have a flat platform? Or are the seat cushions fixed and the only option is to fold the taller portion down semi-flat?

 

[2ndGen2TrlHntr]

Do the TH rear seats still fold up (even though the battery is there) to have a flat platform? Or are the seat cushions fixed and the only option is to fold the taller portion down semi-flat?

They fold up to access the battery but there is a pin you have to pull before they come up. There is some space in there, but I wouldn't store much because I'm assuming you want to keep the space free for air flow.

I just had a guy do a camera relocation in the bed and he posted a quick video (linked below) that shows that part. I'll be posting more about that once it's done as well.

 

[2ndGen2TrlHntr]

Quick update. I just got the first "fun: mod done today. Bigger tires. I went with the Falken AT4 in a 295 x 70 x 18 which is 34.26 compared to a true 35. The shop confirmed with pictures (one below) that it will in fact fit underneath. I only bought 4 initially to make sure it fit and now bought the 5th and will have them put on next week when I get back from having the Lone Peak installed. It does hang down a bit further so a bit more chance to rub it, but shouldn't be too bad. With that size spare it's pretty closer to the Panhard bar, but it still clears it. Pics don't do it justice, but it looks sick now and a hell of a lot meaner than the factory tires. I posted a few vantage points, but even the side profile you can tell they do not really poke out anymore. They fill in the wheel well more and look good.

I can also confirm that the tires that come on it are super wimpy. They are very flimsy and you can easily push in the sidewall. They definitely look more aggressive than they actually are. If you are planning to do any real off-roading I would highly recommend at a minimum changing out for a better tire.

 

[VermontTaco]

Quick update. I just got the first "fun: mod done today. Bigger tires. I went with the Falken AT4 in a 295 x 70 x 18 which is 34.26 compared to a true 35. The shop confirmed with pictures (one below) that it will in fact fit underneath. I only bought 4 initially to make sure it fit and now bought the 5th and will have them put on next week when I get back from having the Lone Peak installed. It does hang down a bit further so a bit more chance to rub it, but shouldn't be too bad. With that size spare it's pretty closer to the Panhard bar, but it still clears it. Pics don't do it justice, but it looks sick now and a hell of a lot meaner than the factory tires. I posted a few vantage points, but even the side profile you can tell they do not really poke out anymore. They fill in the wheel well more and look good.

I can also confirm that the tires that come on it are super wimpy. They are very flimsy and you can easily push in the sidewall. They definitely look more aggressive than they actually are. If you are planning to do any real off-roading I would highly recommend at a minimum changing out for a better tire.

Awesome looking setup! Looks so much better with those tires. Stock suspension I assume? Did you have to remove/cut anything out?

Also, is that the OEM roof rack or something different?

 

[myrr]

Interesting regarding the rear seat and TY for the video - mainly I wonder how easy it is to remove or fold the seat up to for the doggo to use occasionally. And maybe put some sort of platform there to give him a place to sit.

 

[2ndGen2TrlHntr]

Awesome looking setup! Looks so much better with those tires. Stock suspension I assume? Did you have to remove/cut anything out?

Also, is that the OEM roof rack or something different?

Very minimal trimming. The shop showed me what he cut off and it was a tiny amount. Yes stock suspension. I am sure I’ll need a beefier rear spring when it’s built (in the next few weeks) but they don’t exist yet.

Rack is the Up Top Overland Kilo rack. See page 2 of this thread for some more pics and details.

 

[2ndGen2TrlHntr]

Quick update with pics: We road tripped out to WA from CO (~2,500 miles round trip) to pick up the Lone Peak and finally exposed the truck to some dirt/light trails on the way back. We just got back tonight so keeping this short, but I'll post more detail up later. Spoiler: I love the truck and think the LP is going to be awesome for us!

I really hope the aftermarket comes out with a heavy duty rear coil spring ASAP. It rides great still, but it's definitely a bit squatted down in the rear and will be even more in the coming weeks as I build out the remainder of the bed. Anyone with a 4th gen that plans to do a bed buildout will be in the same boat.

 

[JustPassingBy]

Quick update with pics: We road tripped out to WA from CO (~2,500 miles round trip) to pick up the Lone Peak and finally exposed the truck to some dirt/light trails on the way back. We just got back tonight so keeping this short, but I'll post more detail up later. Spoiler: I love the truck and think the LP is going to be awesome for us!

I really hope the aftermarket comes out with a heavy duty rear coil spring ASAP. It rides great still, but it's definitely a bit squatted down in the rear and will be even more in the coming weeks as I build out the remainder of the bed. Anyone with a 4th gen that plans to do a bed buildout will be in the same boat.

Very nice looking truck. If you don't mind, what is the overall height, excluding/including the camper roof bars as it stands?

I'm considering what my options might be in order to fit a truck with camper into a garage with a 7 foot high entry. I guess sticking with standard diameter tires and standard as opposed to the "tall" version of the LP camper would also help but sizing yours helps with estimating wiggle room, albeit I'd need to potentially factor in fitting stronger springs down the road that would lift it back up a bit.

 

[DeadSetMonkey]

Excited to watch your build unfold. Keep updating! I have the same truck. And the same general plan! I’ll copy yours!?

 

[DeadSetMonkey]

This is a bit late but I wanted to post a few updates. I picked up my Trailhunter last week and have now owned it for a little over a week. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review, but below are a few bullet point thoughts and comments so far.

Overall I have nothing but amazing things to say about the truck and those waiting it is 1000% worth the wait. I will address one negative below.

• Background: I just sold my 05' Tacoma TRD Offroad that was built out. I also have a 2018 Audi S5.
• Driving: I absolutely love the way the truck drives. The low end torque is incredible and it now has plenty of available power. it is absolutely effortless to accelerate and passing people at highway speeds is now significantly easier (maybe too easy). I would say that it feels "quick" for a truck.
• Comfort: My wife and I find the seats and cockpit to be very comfortable.
• Cabin noise: With the windows up the truck is extremely quiet. I will address the windows down separately.
• Color & overall looks: I cannot emphasize how beautiful the Bronze Oxide is and the truck in general. I could not be happier with how the color looks in person. I have had a few people talk to me about it and they all love the color. It's also been neat seeing a few people that know what the Trailhunter is talk to us and comment as we're driving by. It's not a head turner like a Ferrari or anything (haha), but for those that know what it is it's been cool to see their reactions.
• Build quality: The build quality is amazing. As compared to my second gen there is literally no comparison. It feels more like a German car (in terms of engineering quality and thought put into everything) than what I was used to before. I have not looked or ever considered buying any of the "competitors" and after buying this I have no plan to. It was worth every penny.
• Cost: $64,455 out the door; The dealer I bought from doesn't charge ADM's or add any extra crap to it so it was bare bones besides the mud guards.
  • $62,900 MSRP
  • $60 Mud Guards
  • $1495 Delivery, processing and handling fee
• Negative: With the windows down I find the snorkel to be incredibly obnoxious (very loud under almost any acceleration) and an oversight by their engineering team in my opinion. If given the option I would have omitted it. I don't mind the way it looks or its function, but the noise is in my opinion going to be tough to live with. I have not had a chance to get offroad yet but I am guessing that in a steep situation under constant acceleration it will have a nonstop swooshing sound. I am almost positive that the aftermarket will have some solutions/ideas to make it quieter in the future, but for now I will live with it and likely get used to it somewhat. I am not trying to blow this out of proportion, but I do find the truck amazing in literally all other aspects and highly refined, but this is a bit of a miss in my opinion.
  
  Build: I will post progress pics as I build out each of the phases below.
  • What I've done so far
    • ARB rack removal
    • Ceramic window tint: 70% windshield, 15% front windows, 70% rear windows (this brings the rear to 20% and front to 15%, to the naked eye it matches and was as close as you can get). I am very happy with the way it turned out.
    • UpTop Overland Roof rack: This is mainly for aesthetics, but also air flow for our camper.
  • Next phase(s): I am based in the Denver area so most of the build is being done here locally with the exception of the Lone Peak.
    • 09/10 new tires -- Next week I'm putting 295 x 70 x 18 Falken Wildpeak AT4 tires on (this works out to being a 34.3). The shop I went to thinks that it might be possible to fit the tire underneath. I hope that's the case, but I will update everyone when I take it in on the 10th.
    • 09/13 Lone Peak Camper install-- Next week I am driving out to WA to get the Lone Peak Camper installed.
      • My buddy out here has an LP Camper and we've camped with him quite a few times now so I've been able to see it in action and love the design, size, quality, and price point.
    • 09/16 - 09/27 drawer and camp kitchen buildout by Air Down Gear Up: My truck will the first 4th Gen Tacoma (first Tacoma in general) install and I think is going to turn out amazing.
      • Air Down Gear Up is a competitive/alternative option to Goose Gear. The prices are very similar as well. They are based just north of Denver and so far I have had an excellent experience working with them.
    • 09/30 camper buildout by Juniper Overland: This is a pretty extensive build with details below.
      • 130w solar panel mounted to Lone Peak
      • Red Arc goodies (2000w inverter, TVMS Prime kit which includes Red Vision)
        • Everything will be wired through the Red Arc system and be able to be controlled either through Red Vision or the app.
      • National Luna Lights (5 total)
      • National Luna Fridge/Freezer
      • Dakota Lithium 135ah battery
      • Outlets (USB C & USB A)
      • Proper Heater install (I already have this from my previous build)
      • 12 gallon water tank + pump
• If all goes according to plan I will have my truck fully built out by the first week or so of October.

Pics below: I have several starting with when I picked it up through where I am now in terms of "build out". The ones with it on the fork lift were at the shop that's doing the tires testing the flex to see what size tire we could get away with before requiring any bump stop or suspension changes as well as what size spare we could fit. I did not have the sway bar disconnected. I definitely could fit 35's without issue, but that will likely not fit in the spare location. This would be the only other minor complaint. If Toyota is building this thing to accommodate bigger tires then why didn't they increase the ability to carry a bigger spare. The pic of the snorkel piece I am assuming is what the QC hold was all about. I saw someone else post about it as well. The piece in my hand was sitting in the back seat and you can see rivets/attachment pieces on the one that is installed.

 

[DeadSetMonkey]

Does LP interfere with navigation/radio/etc? The roof antennae now covered by the bed platform?

 

[2ndGen2TrlHntr]

Does LP interfere with navigation/radio/etc? The roof antennae now covered by the bed platform?

I am not sure to be honest. I don't use the regular radio or navigation. I use Car Play exclusively for navigation and music. The truck does announce you as you cross state lines ("welcome to Washington") and on our trip out to get the LP and back it was still very accurate. That would be using the trucks navigation so I would guess no issue with navigation but maybe radio is affected?

 

[2ndGen2TrlHntr]

Excited to watch your build unfold. Keep updating! I have the same truck. And the same general plan! I’ll copy yours!?

Haha thanks and will do! If you follow either Air Down Gear Up or Juniper on IG they are posting reels fairly regularly. There is one that I just saw this morning Juniper just posted. The Juniper work should be done by the end of the week.

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