JTdiRtyD ever changing build, trip reports, and BS thread

[JTdiRtyD]

Traded a 2020 Tacoma TRD Pro for a 2022 Rubicon Diesel. I "hope" to keep this updated with progress as I build the truck, but I often times don't stop to get photos of what I'm doing while I do it.

MN based. My buddy and podcast co-host "overland" a bit and are working our ways into longer self sustained trips. We typically find ourselves in the western US, mountains and desert canyons are preferred, but we are trying to explore else where. Currently building this truck in preparation of Alaska and Canada trips in the coming few years.

Plan was to keep this build modular, meaning I can remove all the camping stuff when we aren't camping, but that's no longer the case. It's quickly becoming a permanently set up overlanding rig.

CURRENT SETUP: (will update as changes are made)

Suspension/chassis/drivetrain:
- AEV Dualsport RT with HD springs
- Bilstein 5100s
- Method 703's
- Toyo Open Country AT 3, 315/70r17

Interior:
- DIY rear seat delete platform
- House battery

100ah LiTime Lithium battery​

Renogy 20a DC-DC charger​

- Bulletpoint accessory mounts
- Amazon special overhead molle panel
- Midland MXT275 GMRS
- Amazon special door net replacement cubbies
- Coverking Headliner
- 3WLiners Floor Liners

Exterior:
- Mopar Steel bumper
- Rough Country Pro Series 9500k winch
- Factor55 Flatlink E
- Amazon special fender extensions
- Midland Micromobile GMRS antenna, fender mounted
- Rebel Offroad XPLOR Half Height Bed Rack
- DIY bed rack enclosure panels
- TopOak Vision L RTT
- Maxtraxx recovery boards
- 2 Gallon diesel Rotopax

Coming Soon/In-process:
- Redesigned bed rack/half height canopy
- drawer build for bed
- relocate house battery to bed


When purchased:

Currently:

Sponsored

 

[Freems]

Hi all, pretty new here. Just traded a 2020 Tacoma TRD Pro for a 2022 Rubicon Diesel. I "hope" to keep this updated with progress as I build the truck, but I often times don't stop to get photos of what I'm doing while I do it.

MN based, we take trips a few times a year to various places. Mountains and deserts are preferred, but we recently got hooked up with a good group of folks that wheel the Ozarks so we are hoping to start making some trips there. We try to stick to moderate trails as we still have to drive home. Planning some longer trips up the Dalton and Dempster highways in the near future.

The end goal:
"Modular" build as this is my daily driver and it likely wont fit in the garage with the the RTT once completed (7ft door problems). Capable of multiple days without resupply.

Removed from Tacoma and waiting to be installed on the Jeep:
-RC 9500lb winch, syn line
-110ah dual battery setup, 20amp DC-DC charger
-Wolfbox rear view mirror/camera

Current cart items:
-LOD Signature mid width front bumper
-DD SS3 Pro yellow fogs
-Method 703, 17x8.5, 0 offset
-Falken Wildpeak AT4W, 35x12.5

Planned for future:
-Trail cam retrofit
-Leather seat retrofit

Still researching:
-Rear bumper. Honestly don't care for the looks of most of them. I do have my eye on the Icon Pro.
-Suspension. Full kit or just springs? Undecided. Leaning towards Fox 2.5 Elite through Accutune.

DIY stuff:
-Single side bed drawer/kitchen. Drawings in progress. Easily removed when not needed.
-Rear seat delete platform. Will house fridge, DC-DC charging, electronics charging, etc. Drawings not started.
-Modular extruded aluminum GoFastCamper style cap/rtt. RTT will be removable when not in use. I built a similar cap for my Tacoma but with a welded steel frame, but never finished the tent. The cap turned out great but I don't know that I want to do another steel frame, so this time around I'm designing an extruded aluminum frame. Plans are close to done, or at least to the point I can start with the frame, I just need to work with a buddy to review and machine out the corners.

View attachment 406236

View attachment 406237


Cap I built for the Tacoma
View attachment 406238


Hopefully I can keep this thread updated with progress AS I work on things, but It will most likely end up being big updates of multiple things I already 2 months prior lol

Welcome! Enjoy the ride. Great looking steel frame work on the toy.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Few updates.

What you cant see:

I got a Tazer Mini. Finally no more forgetting to press the stupid ESS button.

What you can see:

Picked up a used Decked system for $600. I was originally going build a drawer setup with one side the kitchen and the other side storage, then I changed my mind and was going to build just the kitchen side, but then this popped up on marketplace. Not as easy to build a kitchen into, but I have an idea for a simple stove platform attachment for it. Also need to bring the truck in for LineX.

I also recieved my Topliner kit and got the front panels done. I installed 80mil sound deadening mat under the Topliner. Theres a very clear difference in wind noise between the front and rear now. Hopefully get the rear done soon, but it's been too cold.

I also got new shoes! Method 703s with 315/70r17 Toyo OC III tires. First time running Toyos, I've always been a Falken fan, but decided to give these a try.

And finally, as you can see in the photo above, installed a Grimm Offroad bull bar on the front bumper. I have a plate and winch waiting, but want to get suspension sorted before those go in.

Oh, and DD SS3 Pro yellow fogs.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Got a few things done.

I finished my rear seat platform. Fridge and personal bags will be stored on the platform, and my second battery system will be installed under the passenger side. Under the drivers side will be more storage. Sprayed with Herculiner.

On the back wall will be some charging ports, but I'm still working out how I want to do that. I don't want to cut anything, so I'm thinking of printing new covers for whatever that cover is in the upper corners, and having all the charging ports on those. (if that doesnt make sense, you'll see what I mean when I start that project)

I also picked up a JCR bed rack, soft topper, and half roof rack. It came with the gull wing side plates, traction boards, Rotopax, shovel, axe, hi-lift, and Milwuakee pack out mounts. Bought this from the same guy I bought the Decked drawers from. I got it all for $1,000! My original plan ws to build a GFC topper/tent, and I still plan to, but I couldn't pass this deal up and I can use this for trips and take my time building the setup I really want.

Next up on my radar is the dual battery install and suspension. Still need to pick up a lipo battery before I start that, and I'm thinking AEV Dual Sport XP for suspension.

 

[RodRecket]

Nice build so far! Fellow MN here, Rochester specifically. Any good trail rides come up let me know!

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Nice build so far! Fellow MN here, Rochester specifically. Any good trail rides come up let me know!

Thanks! I'm up in Brainerd.

I was just looking at your build thread and see you recently swapped suspension. You still have the AEV Dual Sport RT laying around that you're looking to move?

 

[RodRecket]

Thanks! I'm up in Brainerd.

I was just looking at your build thread and see you recently swapped suspension. You still have the AEV Dual Sport RT laying around that you're looking to move?

I did, it sold within a day of posting. I do have a couple of other items I can't use that are brand new in box if you're interested. Metalcloak rear diff skid, MC sector shaft brace, and datin shock skids. PM if you're interested and I can send some pics/details.

I do have a set of the mopar extended lower control arms that you can have, they are now collecting dust and I won't be able to use them.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Fun story update, I'm still active on the TacomaWorld forums and received a PM today... he bought my old truck! Dude drove to MN from NJ to pick it up!

It's a small interwebz

 

[Freems]

Fun story update, I'm still active on the TacomaWorld forums and received a PM today... he bought my old truck! Dude drove to MN from NJ to pick it up!

It's a small interwebz

With that kind of gusto it’s a good bet it went to a good home.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

With that kind of gusto it’s a good bet it went to a good home.

I've chatted with him a little more. He manages a performance shop for euros, has a 4Runner as a family car, bought the Taco to build for himself and adventure trips. Pretty excited that the truck already has a tune, suspension, and regeared to 5.29s.

I see you're from Boise. I was just out there last week for work and may have an opportunity to land a job out there in the future if they get approved to open a bunch of positions. How is the Boise area? I stayed pretty close to downtown and the airport, seemed like a decent area. Everything was clean and well kept it seemed.

 

[Freems]

I've chatted with him a little more. He manages a performance show for euros, has a 4Runner as a family car, bought the Taco to build for himself and adventure trips. Pretty excited that the truck already has a tune, suspension, and regeared to 5.29s.

I see you're from Boise. I was just out there last week for work and may have an opportunity to land a job out there in the future if they get approved to open a bunch of positions. How is the Boise area? I stayed pretty close to downtown and the airport, seemed like a decent area. Everything was clean and well kept it seemed.

Great news about the old rig…Boise is a great place, it’s been home base forever. Good luck on getting the gig here, btw, Micron will be adding about 5K new heads as soon as the new structures are finished. DM if you make it, and I’ll drag you through some of my favorite trails, desert mountains to the south and pines mountains to the north.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Finally installed the rear half of my topliner. Had to remove the JCR rack and softopper first, didn't have help to lift the hard top off so I just flipped it over on the bed and did everything there. Same as the fronts, 80mil sound deadening down first.

JCR rack is back on the truck, but need to decide if I want to notch out the decked drawers to clear the soft topper linkage or just not use it. If I do use it I need to get new clamps made as well. The JCR setup is temporary until I get my enclosed half rack setup completed, so not sure if notching the decked is really worth it, but I also don't want the bed filling with snow to then melt all over the garage floor so...

 

[Freems]

Finally installed the rear half of my topliner. Had to remove the JCR rack and softopper first, didn't have help to lift the hard top off so I just flipped it over on the bed and did everything there. Same as the fronts, 80mil sound deadening down first.

JCR rack is back on the truck, but need to decide if I want to notch out the decked drawers to clear the soft topper linkage or just not use it. If I do use it I need to get new clamps made as well. The JCR setup is temporary until I get my enclosed half rack setup completed, so not sure if notching the decked is really worth it, but I also don't want the bed filling with snow to then melt all over the garage floor so...

Looks Great!

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Man, it's been a minute!

Not much to report on things I've done to the truck, but my plans have changed. I sold the Decked system, I sold the JCR racks, and I sold the RTT that I had.

I didn't like the Decked system. Too much wasted space, couldn't hardly use the drawers for anything. I can see it being great for small items like fishing gear and tools, but there was no good way to utilize it for the gear I have.

The JCR rack was nice but too tall, and the soft topper just wasn't working for me. I sold it all to a guy that was building a truck to head into the middle of the Yukon for a few months.


The new plan:

I need to fit in the garage without removing an RTT, so I decided on the Rebel Offroad XPLOR half rack, and I'm drawing up my own enclosure panels for it. Rebel sells their own panels, but they are ridiculously expensive for some powder coated .125 alum that doesn't even seal up against the elements. The panels I'm designing are similar but will seal up easily and I'm adding an access door to a cubby that will house my Auxbeam panel, two 12v sockets, and two 12v SAE connectors. Hopefully have these designs sent out next week to a local shop to cut and bend, and then off to powder coat, and should be half the cost, if not less than Rebels panels. The only thing I'll buy from Rebel is their rear door because it works well with the tailgate.

Current Fusion 360 drawing of enclosure:

While at MOORE Expo I also ordered a 4x4 Colorado Alto Mini RTT. Hopefully see that in the next few weeks. Once mounted it should sit about 2" higher than the cab, so even after a 2-3 inch lift I should still fit in my garage.

I'm also going to build my own cargo slide. I plan to mount my 200ah house battery system, MOORFLATE compressor, tool boxes and kitchen stove slide out to the cargo slide. I have a layout in my head, but haven't started building it in Fusion360 yet. Still debating whether or not I want built in water or just keep some 5gal jugs with one of those drop in suction pumps. If I do go with built in water, I was thinking of a 11-13gal tank in front of the slide with a quick disconnect for shower head or pour spout. I don't know if the work is worth it to design and install that when we haven't NEEDED it, but think it would be nice to have.

Lots going on, lots of designing and thinking happening. Hopefully have some progress updates soon!

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Finally have some things to start working on.

Panels are here! I did screw up on the rear door and used the wrong measurement for the tailgate width, so I'll have to fix that. I think I have an easy fix without needing to have a new piece cut.

Working on wrapping it all right now but waiting on the rest of my wrap (I thought I had more than I actually did).

Couple other projects coming up:
DIY bed slide
Altering rear seat delete with side access
100ah house battery built into rear seat area (revisited)

Not many photos yet, more to come.

Sponsored