ET the Expedition Tundra

[trikebubble]

After taking a serious look at where we want to go with our adventures in the future, and how we want to get there, I made the decision to put the beloved Xterra up for sale, buy a 2014 Tundra TRD Off-Road and start in on a new build.
My eventual goal is to build a rig that will go off-road anywhere I can stick it, cover long,long miles on both paved and gravel surfaces in comfort , have space for our 2 dogs, have the ability to tow our travel trailer with ease when required, and .....hopefully within the next year.....be a good platform to load a four wheel camper onto to "supplement" our adventures.

She is fully stock right now. So far I have ordered:
- ADS Racing coilovers w/adj. reservoirs and rear piggyback shocks w/triple bypass'from MCM Fab.
- MCM Fab UCA's also from MCM Fab
- OME Dakar leafpack, Toytec adj. rear shackles, diff drop, carrier bearing drop, and Firestone Airbags from Toytec
- Daystar airbag cradles from Amazon
- Method Double Standard wheels w/295 70R 18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers from Discount Tire.

Will update as goodies begin arriving in and I get to installing them.

 

[trikebubble]

- reserved.

 

[darthyota]

Check out @dblack's build he has already started down the path you're on

 

[trikebubble]

I installed the ARB
compressor yesterday. I sure appreciate the added room in the engine bay to stuff things in, and the easily removable switch block as well.

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[trikebubble]

Cleaned up and painted left side calipers today. Will do the right side next weekend. Trying to tinker away at little things while I wait for the suspension and tire/wheel package to arrive.

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[Scout]

Nice.. I'll be keeping tabs on this..



"and my ties are severed clean
The less I have the more I gain
Off the beaten path I reign"

 

[trikebubble]

Made a quick run across the border to pick up the wheels and tires from the drop ship place.

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[darthyota]

Real or faux beadlocks?

 

[trikebubble]

Method Double Standards. Faux. . . but I can still pretend. Ha.

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[trikebubble]

I picked up the remaining suspension goodies from across the line yesterday. ADS racing shocks and coil overs, and MCM Fabrication UCA's.
I'll be starting the whole install in mud September once the heat calms down a bit. Trying to remind patient is proving difficult.

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[trikebubble]

We've also made an appointment to meet with the Canadian Four Wheel Camper folks in Vancouver in early September, with a mind to sort out and order a Hawk model.

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[CFTAdventures]

Still have no idea how you can be so patient with putting the suspension on! Is it a 3" coil over? You will be very happy with the performance of the ridge Grapplers, I love these tires!

 

[trikebubble]

Still have no idea how you can be so patient with putting the suspension on! Is it a 3" coil over? You will be very happy with the performance of the ridge Grapplers, I love these tires!

The heat of the summer, intense all consuming smoke from the forest fires, and may Father's rapidly declining health kept me from the build this past summer. But yes, it was extremely difficult to remain patient.

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[trikebubble]

So, advancements in suspension have been initiated. I replaced the stock suspension with the shiny new goodies this past weekend. I will be (hopefully) adjusting the front ride height down an 1" or so this weekend, along with finishing the airbag install and the installing the carrier bearing drop spacer.
She's booked in for an alignment next week, and then will be ready for some Thanksgiving weekend camping fun.
Next in the agenda will be the Southern Style Offroad Slimline bumper (on order) which will house a Smittybilt 12K winch (also in order) . I've also ordered a Hitchgate with dual fuel can and Hi-Lift jack, and am trying to make up my mind in what sliders to order. I'm leaning towards the Slee Off-Road ones, as they provide a solid flat surface so that dogs can't get a paw stuck in them anywhere.
Our long term adventure life goal rig is now finally starting to take shape.

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[trikebubble]

My Wife and I have also ordered a Four Wheel Hawk model camper. We visited with Gary, the Canadian rep, who was simply fantastic and so very informative, and helped us figure out what we needed (and equally important what we did not need) . We are looking at a delivery date somewhere in late winter or early spring.... which again is really testing my idea of what it's like to be patient.

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[CFTAdventures]

Looks great!! Got to love how aggressive tundras look lifted. That ADS kit looks so beefy! Keep me posted on performance! You will not be disappointed with the Ridge Grapplers by far the best tires I have run on any 4wd.

I just orderd a set of white Knuckle sliders, it was a tough call between that and the Slee off road. I like the fact that the hitch gate is not a permanent application, have not seen many on Tundras.

A trailer to! Man you are going all in! My wife and I were looking at these new smitty bilt scout trailers looks like a great deal for what you get.

I can't wait to get back from Miami to see how my truck turned out with the 37s! Little concerned through because the shop is having a hell of a time getting it aligned properly with the icon upper control arms.

 

[Scout]

you getting all this shiney stuff and here I'm happy with installing my Bilstein 5100's later today.. Along with rotors and pads..Def. watching this thread through progression..

 

[trikebubble]

I ordered the 700 front coilover option, knowing that I'd be putting a bumper and winch on the front. Since it will be a couple months before the bumper arrives, I decided to lower the front ride height a bit.

I've "successfully" used this redneckery method on the Xterra in the past, so I thought I'd try it again on the Tundra. I removed the wheel, weaved two 1000 pound ratchet straps through the upper part of the coils, then jacked up from under the LCA to tension the spring. I then secured and tightened the ratchet straps, then lowered the jack to release the tension enough to spin the ride height collar. Worked like a charm.

Once the bumper and winch and sliders are installed I'll likely have to re-adjust the ride height again. I'll be tackling the rear airbag installation this weekend.

 

[trikebubble]

My winch and spare wheel were delivered yesterday. This is really starting to come together. We also found out our FWC Hawk order went to the production line today.

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[CFTAdventures]

Good stuff man! Excited to see the finished product!