Elfine's sloooooow build thread

Hey everyone. Should have started this a while ago, but better late then never. This is going to be my build thread, which is pretty slow going due to funds. Having my two main hobbies be off-roading and competitive shooting is pretty rough on the wallet. Currently living in Pensacola, FL, if anyone round that way wants to do an off road trip, let me know, I am still looking for a localish crew.


One of my first mods was to install the 18" version of the Datin Metal Fab Bed rack. Been on there for about a year, and while I have not used it to its full potential, I have been very happy with it.


Next, I tossed on a bed rail CB antenna mount from Rago Fabrication and Firestick antenna. This mount is going to be replaced with Rago's tail light mount later.

Here is where I installed the CB, not the most pretty set up, but it works well. This is the Cobra 29LX radio.


I needed some sort of more secure phone and tablet setup, so i used the ICS fab dash mount in conjunction with RAM phone and tablet mounts. I also installed a USB port into the dash in order to clean up the charging cables a bit.


Due to the wet terrain down here in Florida, I figured it would be wise to install a rear diff breather. Went with the ARB kit, super fast and easy install.


I also installed the SDHQ ABS guards. Another super quick and easy install. It is more of a peace of mind guard, but it is better to have it and not need it. And they are cheap.


Tossed a Blue Sea Systems fuse block on to the existing fuse block in order to prep for future projects.

Swapped my interior lights for LEDs. Oh, and those are Coverking Neoprene seat covers.

Time to get serious with the armor. RCI engine, transfer case, and gas tank skid. If you are doing this by yourself like I was, a motorcycle jack works great to hold everything in place for you. I also mounted a Hi-Lift XT-605 60" X-TREME jack in the bed with RCI mounts.

MUCH more coverage and way thicker then the original "skid"

Went back to Rago Fabrication for bed channel stiffeners. Required a few holes to be drilled, but all in all it was a simple install.

Ordered a under hood mount from @Bannock452 and installed this ARB twin compressor. Best part about this mount and what separates it from other brands is it has mounting points for the ARB manifold. Here is the link to the mount thread:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/bolt-in-on-board-air-compressor-mount.23769/

Installed the Rago low profile ditch light brackets and 52" roof light bar mounts, along with some cheap Amazon place holder lights. I am planning on running Baja Designs lights, just need to save money or find a deal.
Couldn't find a pre made switch option I like in my price range, so I made my own. Went with OTRATTW two color switches. Super happy with them.



Upgraded my suspension with a black Friday deal on this Icon Stage 5 Kit. Couldn't be happier with how it turned out. The ride is absolutely amazing. Adjusted it to 2.5" of lift. I also installed a diff drop (not pictured).

With my newfound travel, in went ahead and upgraded to some Cooper Evolution MTs in 295/70R18. This has my passenger tire rubbing my Sway bar at full left lock. I have ordered some Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers which should remedy this.


C4 Fabrication Overland bumper with Baja Designs S8 and Squadron Fogs. Warne Evo VR-12s.




AJT Designs quicksand trim and painted center trim.



White Knuckle Off-road sliders installed!

Future plans include but are not limited to:
Victory 4x4 roof rack
ARB Front and Rear lockers
SCS Ray 10 Wheels

Please let me know what you guys think, and what improvements you would recommend. I am always open to new ideas.

 

Very nice. I like everything you have done

 

Thanks! Really appreciate it.

 

Very nice truck! What roof light bar mount is that? Can’t find it on the Rago website??

 

I dont know if you have checked out Quicksand Alley, you will fit right in.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/quicksand-alley.23103/

Also for the interior check out AJT Design

 

I believe they discontinued it, but you can still find it on a few external sites if you Google.

 

AJT is awesome. Been eyeballing there stuff for a while. Just haven't found a gap in the budget yet for cosmetic mods

 

Everything is looking good so far.
When I seen the title I thought the truck may have been white! Sloooow

 

Installed SDHQ brake lines and Spydertrax 1.25" spacers yesterday. Spacers totally fixed my sway bar rub.

 

Had some fun today and actually remembered to take some pics!

 

Looks great!

 

Thanks man. Miss the mountains up in your neck of the woods. Grew up in La Grande. Lot more bugs down here in Florida, and less snow.

 

Gotta love the Blue Mountains.

 

Update:
Got some Spidertrax spacers installed so that the tires wouldn't run the sway bar, swapped out the Icon springs for some 16" 700lbs ones, installed the C4FAB Overland bumper with Warne Evo VR-12s winch, updated the interior, and ordered some White Knuckle Off Road sliders.

 

Took a quick trip out of the house before I lost my mind, but don't worry, I was fairly well distanced.

 

Love this build

 

Excellent build!

I have heard that front lockers on a Tundra are bad? Like you could break something if you are not careful.

Is this BS?

 

Front lockers definitely make it easier to snap a CV, but I haven't heard anything Tundra specific. I will definitely be looking into it now. Thanks for the heads up!

 

You could break something anytime, lockers or not

 

I love seeing the progression.
I am considering a 12 in vs 18in bed rack. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!
If you are going to mount anything above it like an RTT or large storage then I definitely would. Or if you want to put a lot of gear up there. I were buying one now, I would pick up the new one which goes around a soft topper. But I am not planning on an RTT ever.

 

looking good. you can see the body twist on that front shot with the C4 bumper.

 

Love you truck ! Did you have to relocate your winch controller to fit it on to your bumper ?

 

Nope. The whole thing fit perfectly. The clutch lever is even easily accessible.

 

Took on a pretty large step over the weekend with a local Toyota offroad group. Sorry for the crap pics, had to get them from another member, as my camera decided to not save any.

 

Biggish update as I have been lacking on the posts lately. Firstly want to say that I have had my White Knuckle Off-road sliders for a few months now and they are amazing! They have stood up to quite a bit of beating and no bends so far.



My Warn winch got me out of this (while being completely submerged) when I slipped into a hidden rut while wheeling solo. Truck was completely high centered and the winch handled it like a pro.



Swapped the phone arm for one from 67designs. Way more adjustment and I wish I had swapped sooner.



Led a local Toyota off-road group (with one ram tagging along) trail ride. Was a good chance to work on my bush mechanics when a tacoma sheered off a strut.

Next mods are wheels, snorkel, lockers, 37 with new gears. Just need to find a pot of gold or win the lottery first.

 

Love this build. Beautiful rig!

 

You nailed it!! That's everything I want. Well done man!

 

Thanks all. Hopefully the snorkel will be going on in the next few months.

 

Hope everyone is doing well heading into the holiday season. Some updates to the build!

Everyone in my off road group tends to use walkie talkies for comms, instead of CB like I am set up for. After getting tired of my hand held sliding into the passenger floor I decided to go with a more permanent option. After doing a lot of research, I found that GMRS can transmit on the same frequency as FRS (walkie talkies). So I got a license and started shopping around.

I ended up liking the look of the Midland Micromobile

$165 MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

MXT275 because all the controls are on the handset. I wanted the main unit to be hidden, and to be able to remove the handset when not in use. So I got a flush mount RJ45 plug and went to work. Here is the end result.



Next up, I finally got my snorkel installed! Dobinsons is running a 15% all November so I went ahead and pulled the trigger on their snorkel. I was super nervous about cutting, but I threw a metal blade on my jig saw and went slow



I finally finished up in the dark, so no pics. However I did take some the next morning at an off road trip. So here y'all go. Snorkel, and some group pics!