The Illusion of Progress, 15 Tacoma build

[36degreesNorth]

Thanks for checking out my build thread on my 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road Access Cab.

The goal of this build is to have a back-county exploration rig and base camp for hiking mtb and general get away for it all that also still needs to be a truck capable of hauling custom furniture tools ect.

A little background on me. I grew up outside NYC but on a large private estate with miles of carriage trails that you could walk on. My family also owns a 3 season camp in the Adirondack Mountains of NY so I have always love the outdoors. I've done the fully built drive it on and off a trailer wheeling rigs in the past. After a few lean years the rigs trailer and tow pig were all sold. After a few budget vehicles I was finally back in a place to get a newer truck again. At the time I was running a cabinet shop an needed a truck that could move custom pieces to job sites with out issues. I lucked into this 2015 TRD Tacoma at a local dealer in 2016 as every one wanted double cabs and not the smaller access cab. I wanted the bigger bed so it was perfect. Fast forward a few years I've changed jobs so I don't need the truck every day for work but still do some custom woodworking and I have decided that I really need to get out and explore again.

Current set up.



Specs:

Exterior:
Softopper
Bay Area Metal Fab tail light CB Mount with 4 foot Firestick
American Flag decals under the mirrors for style points

Armor:
Stock TRD Offroad paper thin skids

Wheels/Tires:
Stock TRD Wheels with 265 75 16 Fierce Attitude MTs (a little agressive for everyday driving but I got a killer deal on them used with almost no miles)

Interior:
Midland CB (need to mount and wire)
JL Audio speakers to make the ears happy on long drives

Engine/performance:
Removed charcoal secondary air filter
MRBP Catback with turn down before rear axle

Other:
Rear diff breather extension to bed cubby
Hitch mounted D ring shackle

Recovery Gear:
30 Ft Warn snatch strap
Assortment of Shackles

Sleeping/overnight:
Self inflating pad
Coming soon a sleeping platform and pull out drawer.

 

[36degreesNorth]

Few detail photos

The 30ft strap fits perfectly in the rear door cubby of the Tacoma keeping it clean and easy to get to.


Also Something I think is a must on any rig that might see water crossings is the rear diff breather extension and with all the flooding we've had in SC the past few years a good mod for a DD as well.


And finally my new self inflating sleeping pad. I'll be building a rasied platform soon for it and some drawer slides I'll try not to let the furniture maker in me take over too much as this need to function first before style.



And finally the view of Mt Marcy in NY from my family's cabin. I plan on making a trip back up there again as its been way too long.

 

[SubeeBen]

Nice looking

 

[36degreesNorth]

Not a whole lot of progress on the truck this summer as my wife and I have finished our new house and have spent the better part of the last 2 months packing moving and unpacking. Now that we are mostly settled I can start working on the truck again and get a small sleeping platform built.

 

[JCWages]

Can't wait to see what a cabinet maker comes up with for a sleeping platform! :)

 

[Chadlyb]

Few detail photos

The 30ft strap fits perfectly in the rear door cubby of the Tacoma keeping it clean and easy to get to.
View attachment 55367

Also Something I think is a must on any rig that might see water crossings is the rear diff breather extension and with all the flooding we've had in SC the past few years a good mod for a DD as well.
View attachment 55368

And finally my new self inflating sleeping pad. I'll be building a rasied platform soon for it and some drawer slides I'll try not to let the furniture maker in me take over too much as this need to function first before style.

View attachment 55369

And finally the view of Mt Marcy in NY from my family's cabin. I plan on making a trip back up there again as its been way too long.

Give yourself more credit....your lives are busy and you're still getting it done. Truck is coming along nicely....congrats on the new home. Thanks for sharing.

 

[36degreesNorth]

Can't wait to see what a cabinet maker comes up with for a sleeping platform! :)

Thank you. I'm starting to sketch it out now. It will need to be removable so I can use the truck to haul cabinets and other pieces.

Give yourself more credit....your lives are busy and you're still getting it done. Truck is coming along nicely....congrats on the new home. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for the kind words.

 

[36degreesNorth]

Starting to play with some design ideas before I make saw dust.

Modeled in Fusion 360

 

[36degreesNorth]

While not true overlanding as we didn't use it as base camp finally took the truck to the mountains and explored some cool dirt roads. I want to go back and hit a few more spots there is nothing quite like being in the mountains on a dirt road during peak fall colors.

 

[Chadlyb]

While not true overlanding as we didn't use it as base camp finally took the truck to the mountains and explored some cool dirt roads. I want to go back and hit a few more spots there is nothing quite like being in the mountains on a dirt road during peak fall colors.

Beautiful color in front of your truck with that sun in the trees. Thank you for sharing.

 

[36degreesNorth]

Made a few changes to the truck. We have been putting more highway miles on it lately and the big E rating mud tires were just a little much and I lucked into a deal for a full set of 5 255/75/17s JK takeoffs on 4 runner wheels with almost 0 miles. The truck rides a good bit better with them and so far 0 issues with them off pavement and I'm not wheeling this rig that hard. Also pulled out the back flip down seats for a little more room in the cab for gear. I also found that the new stack-able craftsman boxes fit perfectly behind the front seat and are level with the stock storage boxes. Plans; I've ordered a full replacement Molle pannel for the cab back then I'm not sure whats next after that.

 

[36degreesNorth]

How is the soft top holding up? I like that better than a hard side one.

I've had 0 issues with it. Also i like the fact I can remove it in about 5 minutes and have a full open bed. Granted I haven't slept in it yet so your mileage my very on that.

 

[36degreesNorth]

As most access cab/extended cab truck owners know the back seats are a waste of space. being 6'4" no one would ever fit in the jump seat behind me. Also the jump seats and back support take up a good bit of room. So to fix it I jumped in one of the group buys on Tacoma World for a custom cut Molle pannel to replace the seat back. It easily cleared another 3 to 4 inches of floor space and gives me mounting locations in the cab. I did opt to leave the seat belts in place in case of an emergency as I'm not a fan of people in vehicles with out seat belts (being a jr volunteer fire fighter in HS has a funny way of changing how you think about seat belts and helmets)



also did a walk around video of the truck and the "mods" i have done to it. Differently set up with the less is more concept now and proof you don't need a fully kitted out rig to go have fun and much fun as fully built rigs are. Step one is get out there and see what works and what doesn't.