ZColorado's Rock Crawler, or something - A Build Thread

2013 Tacoma TRD Off-Road
6 Speed manual, Rear Differential Locker


Most recent photo first:
RMTR 2024 - (Photo By Cannon Neva)



I have been 4wheeling and rock crawling for at least 20 years now. I started with a 1989 Jeep Wrangler. Transitioned to a 1994 Toyota pickup with dual cases, SAS, 35" tires, F&R lockers but with the 3.0 motor. Great offroad, but not fun to drive on road.
About a year and a half ago I rode in a well built 2007 FJ Cruiser and immediately started shopping for a Tacoma. The ride quality of a modern IFS vehicle sold me.




I am heavily inspired by Ripcord's Spruce mica build. After wheeling with him and seeing his build in person it was all the right combination of road friendly and offroad ability. His DIY Wedge Camper is also in my plans.

Build Details:

Suspension:

Basically an Accutune Stage 5 kit​

FRONT:​

-King 2.5 Extended length Remote Reservoir W/ Adjusters - KRS25001-119A-EXT
-SPC 25470 Upper control arms
-Durabump Bump stops
-No Sway bar
-Total Chaos Spindle gussets - Fastenal 11507056 low castle nuts (Newer SPC ball joints apparently solve this problem)

REAR:​

-King 2.5x12" Adjustable - KRS-PR2512-SS-A
-Archive Garage shock relocation towers - 2.5x12
-Archive Garage U-bolt Flip & Bump Stop - ARG-UB-001-4
-Icon RXT leaf springs - ICON-51101 - 2nd option
-ToyTech (Crown) extended brake lines
-Archive Garage Hammer Hangers
-DIY cross bar

Wheels

-Method MR703 Bronze - 17x8.5 0/4.75"
-Spidertrax 1.25" spacers rear
- 0.75 Bora spacers front, Not enough backspacing on these wheels to clear SPC uppers. 0.75" is best to limit rubbing in my setup.
-315/70-17 Goodyear Duratracks
-Body Mount Chop to clear
-Fenders trimmed 3" - Fender and Flair

ARMOR:
RCI full skid package w/ exhaust re-route -
CUSTOM T-case skid for Ecocrawler
RCI Gas Tank skid
RCI Catalytic converter guards
C4 Fabrication Overland bumper
-Extreme LED X6 light bar
-Amazon special fogs
All Pro Aluminium rear bumper - **Relentless fab high clearance rear bumper planned**


Other:
-NWF EcoCrawler
-4.88 Gears - ECGS
-Harrop/Eaton front locker
-Cowl induction mod
-Color matched sport grille surround
-Pro grill - cheap ebay model
-Dasaita android headunit
-Front camera ($12 cam and a custom mount)
-Meso Customs overhead console switch mount
-Meso Customs - Custom overhead console ham radio mount - fits Yaesu FTM400
-Pelfreybuilt RMTR mount - custom fuse and relay box
-Sound deadening - Doors and back wall
-Hypertech speedo calibrator
-Alpicool LGT50 fridge w/ direct battery connection
-20lb CO2 tank - DIY exchange tank ($10 swap in my area)

 

First wheeling trip to Moab was a blast. We started with Steel Bender. I did not get a lot of photos.

Ouray in 2023 for the 1st Rocky Mountain Toyota Roundup

NWF ecocrawler!

Super clean shift install thanks to an FJ shift boot

(Thats not me in the photo)

 

Another held for future posts

EDIT:

Things I have added that I need to update with pictures.

C4 Front bumper
Used FB Marketplace aluminium rear bumper (all pro)
Hammer hangers (Marketplace bargain, Thanks Chris!)

Recent-ish photo:


New ECGS diffs, I chose 4.88's and a Harrop for the front.


Added a Guild Gear internal 110v outlet. Super easy.


Custom skid plate based on the BAMF cross member, this is to clear my NWF crawl box. I drew up the skid plate in cad and had a local waterjet place cut it. Was a surprisingly easy process.



Rocky Mountain Toyota Roundup - 2024

Rocky Mountain Toyota Roundup - 2024

 

Badass truck! This thread needs more photos (building and wheeling)!

 

Overhead switch panel pic?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/meso-customs-ftm400-overhead-console-radio-install.716249/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overhead-switch-panel.742448/

 

That is sweet