2009 TRD Pro Build.

I recently got my Tacoma as a replacement for my FJ Cruiser which I had for nearly ten years, and which had been totaled by a speedy driver and an icy road. The FJ had been a passion project of mine ripe with trial, error, and great memories. This new Tacoma has big shoes to fill by way of utility and sentiment.

I bought the truck bone stock and knowing I was adopting a squeaky pulley somewhere an allegedly bad carrier bearing. That said, the price was negotiated to an amount I could stomach so I brought it home. I felt good about this particular model. Before the FJ, I drove a '00 Tacoma. It was white, extra cab, TRD Off-Road, V6, 5 speed. Essentially the same truck, just one generation older. I had modest plans for that truck but was perhaps distracted by my enlistment or other hobbies. It remained stock and I ended up selling it to a roommate after a promotion and a desire for something newer which led me to the FJ.

This new truck feels like an opportunity to re-visit the modest plans I had for my first gen Tacoma while implementing lessons learned from my time in the FJ and outfitting it to support my current hobbies and everyday life.

Phase one involved a combination of getting the truck up to par mechanically and cosmetically. In addition to a new carrier bearing, one of the u-joints, both CV axels, and both front wheel bearings have been replaced. Factory Bilstein 4600s have been swapped for 5100s, the front being paired with Bilstein mid-duty coil springs set on the second spring seat which got rid of the forward rake and leveled the truck. The ride quality is sublime, though I've become to suspect that my squeaky pulley is my throw-out bearing. Planning an entire clutch replacement very soon as the truck approaches 200Kmi. Was fortunately able to fit the FJ's Volant intake into the Tacoma's engine bay. Cosmetically, my approach was, "if there was a TRD Pro model in 2009, what would that've looked like?" I decided that in addition to upgraded shocks and a leveled appearance, the '09 TRD Pro would simply be a combination of the Sport and Off-Road models. My hatred for chrome had a lot to do with this decision. I replaced the front grill with an OEM color-matched honeycomb option and added some TRD flair via a subtle grill badge. The side and tailgate badges were plasti dipped black as well as the side moldings. Factory clear foglights were swapped for yellow ones cause I find that yellow cuts through snow better and because I like a little JDM vibe. Lastly, I bought and installed some color-matched rear bumper covers made by Bumpershellz. I was sceptical but I'm very happy with how it turned out. Managed to also squeeze in a new antenna, seat covers, steering wheel cover, shift knob, TRD license plate frame, dash cover, and window & hood visors.

Phase one is complete for the most part, that is to say I've checked the 'up to par' box. There's a few other things I'd like to do in the 'TRD Pro' vein, such as painting the rims and some interior goodies, but next will be the clutch replacement.

Phase two includes just a few things I'd like to get done before winter comes. That'd be new tires and a sand bag holder. The bag holder won't be too difficult, a couple 2x4s and some screws oughta be enough to keep the weight over the rear axel. Regarding tires, I've gone back and forth between staying at my current size and spacing them out slightly or sizing up to a 33in 'pizza cutter' tire. Either way I'm strongly considering the Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx. If I remain at the 265 size (32.0in), I'll space em out just a bit to give it a little bit better stance. That'll also negate me from having to buy five, as I could use my current spare if needed. My main hesitation about sizing up is that my truck may not be leveled out enough to avoid having to do any trimming or body-mount chopping. This inspired the 'pizza cutter' idea; running a 255 which're about 10.5in wide (same as my current tires), versus running a 285 which're about an inch wider. This saves a lot of space in the wheel well, but I'm still on the fence. This brings me back to the aforementioned tire selection. Of the 255/85r16 tires I've considered, The S/T Maxxs are the smallest coming in at 32.8in. This, in addition to their great reviews, gives me warm fuzzies about sizing up. Getting those two boxes checked as well as the clutch replacement ought to have me set up well enough to confidently get me to work in the winter.

Phase three will be outfitting the bed with a topper, rack, lighting, and sleeping & storage options. I'm between a traditional color-matched fiberglass campershell or a black bed rack/soft top hybrid by Wildtop. I think the Campershell will look cleaner and do better in the snow, but the Wildtop will be more affordable, comes with a rack, and the canvas top is removable for wintertime snow while maintaining the weight bearing rack. Either way, I plan to buy a lightweight & foldable sleeping rack, some MOLLE racks for internal bed storage, some LED lighting, and a storage option for recovery gear.

Phase four requires a winch mount integrated into the factory front bumper, a winch that'll fit said placement, and an upgraded battery to power it all.

Some other upgrades I'd like to make, but'm not sure where to prioritize em include rock sliders, an upgraded head unit, off road lights, exhaust, and a rear seat delete.

I'd like the rock sliders to be flush-ish. I'd at least like them to look like a factory option, nothing too gawdy. The head unit will just be a simple double din touch screen. It's gotta have android auto or at least android phone mirroring. I want to maintain my old school/non-LED stance as I did with the FJ, so for the offroad lights I found a bar that mounts just the same as an overhead LED light bar, but allows for the mounting of individual light pods. Going to use my two amber Hella 450s from the FJ on the outsides and four Hella 450s clear flood lights on the inside. Should be pretty neat. Would also like to replace the faux LED rear tail lights with the earlier OEM red ones which'll offer an older school vibe. For exhaust I've decided to go with a Borla Pro-XS muffler, black tip, and custom cat-back piping. Feel like that will be slightly more aggressive than a TRD exhaust. I'd also like to do a rear seat delete via a Goose gear option. I'd just delete the rear seat behind the drivers seat, leaving an option for a third passenger or my dog in a pinch. That'll give me a few more in-cab storage options.

Mix in some miscellaneous bulb replacements, radio and antenna mounting, spark plug replacement, fluid swap, a full-complement on the brakes, and some interior TRD/Toyota swagger.

Im hoping that'll all give it a subtle bug out/response/weekend warrior vehicle vibe built upon a capable yet premium, 'TRD Pro' platform. I'd like it to remain mostly stock and mostly OEM. In my experience exploring and daily driving the FJ, I don't feel the need for a major lift, big tires, or loud exhaust anymore. I'm happy and confident with the performance, capability, and reliability of these Toyotas they come from the factory. Beyond slightly bolstering wintertime driving capability via a level and some tires, they suit my needs as is. I also enjoy maintaining power and fuel economy by taking the modest, close-to-factory route. Hoping to build something to support my long list of hobbies, interests, and obligations. Wintertime work commute, Search & Rescue response, emergency preparedness, offroad exploring, dog days, shooting, hiking, kayaking, camping, biking, and snowboarding are what it'll be used for. Glad to have the new truck taking shape and to finally have a written out vision for it.

Happy to field any questions or consider any advice. Thanks for reading.

[First picture is of my first gen Tacoma and my FJ Cruiser circa 2016 in Minot, North Dakota. Next is some damage the FJ suffered.The rest show the progression of my current Tacoma so far.]

 

Good plan!