TwoTrack's '05 Tundra

Latest Pic: February 6th, 2016



The Goal:

This will be a long term build focused on getting my family and I outdoors. The main deciding factor for going with a 1st gen Tundra was the 4.7’s proven track record (and the insane prices of used Tacoma's). My overall goal is to keep a low key stealth look and to maintain factory reliability. All while making it capable enough for our needs.

The History:

My first, and previous, vehicle was a 2wd Ford Ranger. I had a lot of fun in this truck and took it places it had no business going. I learned a lot in the 5 years I owned this truck, the main thing? Buy once, cry once.



And this is who prompted the upgrade in the first place.



It’s impossible to fit a carseat in a Ranger, trust me, I tried.

The Tundra:

Finally the Tundra. It’s a 2005 phantom grey pearl 4x4 AC. It has the SR5 package with optional LSD out back. Purchased on April 7th, 2014 with 150,340 miles:



Mod List:

• Rear diff breather extension
• 2.5” OME lift
• 255/75r17 BFG KM’s
• Pioneer Stereo Upgrade

Future Mods:

• Camburg UCA's
• Sliders
• Rear bumper
• Hidden Winch

 

The first mod came after dunking the truck in some watery mud. I decided extending the rear differential breather would be smart.

I ordered the following parts:

Toyota Union Part#

$8 90404-51319 Toyota Union - 90404-51319

90404-51319 - $7.50
10' 3/8" ID Fuel Hose - $12.18

Here you can see the stock breather on the axle:



I removed the stock breather and replaced it with the Toyota union:



Installed the fuel hose over the union and secured with two zip ties:



I ran the other end of the hose into the brake light housing and installed the stock breather. It was filthy and not venting very well. I initially thought that I was going to have to get a new one, but after letting it soak in warm water and using an air compressor to blow it out we were in business.



And there you have it. A simple and cheap, yet effective, first mod.

 

Thank you, more to come!

 

Looking good

 

There are quite a few options out there for aftermarket Tundra suspensions. I have always drooled over the OME suspension options Toyota guys get. Which is why I was disappointed to find out they didn't offer anything for the 00-06 Tundras. Through lots of research I found that Slee had pieced together a kit and that the people who had tried it, had great results. I was sold.

The following parts were used:

2x 90004 shocks
2x 885x coils
1x Toytec front diff drop
2x 1.5" Deaver AAL
2x 60091 shocks
1x Toytec BPV bracket

I spent my Independence Day with my brothers installing everything. From what I can remember everything went pretty smooth. The worst part was having to cut out the rear shocks.

OME vs OEM


After cutting the tops off the rear shocks. Used a 12" blade on a sawzall.


Front before.


Driver side front done.


Starting passenger side.


Tearing down the rear.


Rear complete.


All done and sitting on the stock 265/65/17s.


Overall I've been very happy with this suspension, its been perfect for our needs. The front settled some and the truck has an ever so slight stock rake now.

 

Obviously it looked pretty goofy on the stock size highway tires. I had my mind made up to get a set of BFG AT's since they did so well on the Ranger. But I ended up finding a set of Rubicon takeoffs on CL basically brand new. All 5 for $800, I couldn't pass it up. I snatched them up the same day.



And promptly had them mounted.




The tires are BFG KM's in 255/75r17 and fit the truck nicely I think. I didn't have much clearance from the stock UCA so the skinny tires helped. Camburg UCA's are on the short list though.

 

Nice another first gen!

 

I wanted to throw this out there for anyone else that might want to use the OME coils.

I ordered all the independent parts from Toytec and had the struts assembled once they arrived. If you're going to get new top plates and isolaters vs using the ones on the truck I highly suggest you pay the extra $100 and let Toytec assemble them for you. You won't save anything by doing it yourself and it's just not worth the hassle.

With that said, if you find that you must do it yourself the isolaters you'll want to use are Energy Suspension 9.6104. These are made for the 1st gen Tacoma (and earlier pickup) but fit the Tundra top plate and sit inside the OME spring perfectly. This also applies if you are using the OME coil with the adjustable Bilsteins.

My truck has 150k miles and spent a few years in the rust belt. I opted for a new top plate and isolaters because of the terrible condition they were already in. In my opinion when changing coils you should change the isolaters but that's just my 2 cents.

 

Hung out with some TacomaWorld guys last weekend.



Listening to the stock UCA's bottom out on the coils was pretty harsh. It's time for some uni-balls.

 

Since first buying the truck the three chrome strips on the front have always bugged me. I love the more finished look the Limited's have with the color match. I've never done any type of body painting before but figured if I messed it up I could find a replacement easily.

I prepped by masking off the entire grill and removing the strip on the bumper. I then sanded the chrome to a dull finish.



I then used the Dupli-Color Perfect Match system, starting with 3 coats of primer, 3 of color, and then 5 clear.



Another thing that had been bugging me was the faded headlights. I had tried to restore them which helped a little for about a month. I bit the bullet last week and ordered up new housings.







The new housings make a world of difference. The last of my cosmetic changes was debadging.





Between those three mods I think it looks much cleaner.

 

looks good, nice work!
I've recently bought a 2003 Tundra Limited TRD, with original suspension and 265/75/16 tires... ugh. the suspension is a little squishy for my liking and as a an ex-owner of a 1st gen tacoma, i've always liked the idea of an OME set up. Toytec has the same kit you used, but i'm wondering how you feel about the ride quality and height gained now that its been a few weeks after install?
would you say 255/75r17 are as big as the OME kit allows?

 

First on the suspension, it was a night and day difference from the worn out stock. The height has been perfect, just over 2.5". The suspension is bullet proof and really shines on washboard's. I wanted something low maintenance and rock solid. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing.

Second, with the stock wheels and UCA's I don't think you could go any wider. You would rub the UCA. My next tire will probably be 255/80/17 which is a true 33. I don't expect any issues, maybe the pinch weld. With the right wheels you could go taller and wider for sure.

 

I spent the weekend replacing the front brakes. I rebuilt the calipers which was pretty straightforward thanks to Speedy.

The following parts were used:

Brembo 25534 Rotors
Akebono ACT976 Pads
Toyota Rebuild Kit 04479-60081
Disc Hardware Kit (Guide Pins/Anti Rattle Springs)