Critique my (hypothetical) winter build plan?

Below is the sketch of what I would like to aco.plish this winter, as far as a mild build out of my new-to-me Tundra.

I invite any recommendations and critiques of the vision outlined below.

This thread is being started to gather further research fodder, I am using the search function as you read this, so all recommendations and descriptions of personal experiences are welcomed and appreciated.

Platform of build:
2000 Toyota Tundra SR5 4x4
4.7l. 130,000miles

Stock. Militantly maintained.

Primarily a DD. Light to moderate overlanding/off roading. Zero plans for rock crawling.

Off Road Use: BLM land, USFS roads, light trail. Non-improved, semi-improved, paved roads.

I want the traditional 2" front / 1" rear lift. I want to lift, without having to do geometry mods other than a diffdrop.

Either stick with stock 16" alloy rims, or source a set of five steeley rims when time to replace current tires. Maybe five spare tire rims? I prefer tall/narrow tire sizes to tall /wide.

"Glasslite" Topper needs new window struts.
Truck bed needs tie down /load securement capability improvement.

Topper roof rack solution. Needed specifically for awning attachment at this time. Future capability for rooftop use would be nice.

Eventual installation of Trulock LSD if needed.



I would appreciate thoughts on the above. Recommendations for tried and true/trusted systems for the lift/suspension upgrade or the topper roof rack specifically.

Anything foundational missing?

 

“If it ain’t black, it should be.”

 

Alas, it's not. More of a Welches grape jelly color.

 

Tis a shame to offer such a low mileage and well cared for FGT to the salt gods of winter. Build looks reasonable, Steelies with 255/85/16 pizza cutters would be cool. Not sure how well the skinnier tires perform in the winter, not sure if the plan is for this to be your winter rig, or just a winter project. Lots of good info in here for all of your project ideas. These trucks are capable of what you are proposing in stock form. The modifications will give some additional clearance and allow for a taller tire should you wish.
2" front lift is easily achieved for a little or a lot of money depending on what route you choose. Bilstein 5100's are an easy and cost effective means of getting the 2". Many run without the diff drop, definitely need better CV joint clamps with the increased driveline angle to keep from slinging grease.
Very few toppers are "rooftop" capable. They are not designed for much weight. Could fab an external rack to go outside of the topper to support rooftop activities.
Can't go wrong with a locker. Except in winter on slick roads. Nice to be able to actuate the locker so it can be turned on and off.
Good luck with your build and welcome to the FGT club.

 

If you don't want to mess with anything other than shocks skip the rear lift and do 5100s on the 1st or second notch. It'll level it but you'll still be able to get it aligned properly.

@Professional Hand Model has his set this way I believe.

 

Mine are on the notch up from the bottom most.

 

Excellent. Thank you.

 

Thanks for this response. This is exactly what I was hoping to get back.

 

Here is a thread with pics and measurements for visual studies.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-big-is-yours-measure-up.46186/

 

Say now!!! There is a thread I hadn't seen yet. Very helpful!

Thanks!

 

Welcome, John! You said ‘militantly maintained’ , and I thought of @Professional Hand Model. He’s checked in here and given you the lift info, but check out his ‘chronological’ build for inspiration and ‘how-to’ maintain or restore your 1st gen.

I agree with most of what this guy suggested:

... and you can check @Casper421 ’s thread for info on the CV angle fix. Skip the diff drop. Just my opinion; to defend it, I’d be telling you to read up all over this forum. But with a 2” lift, I’d play with the CV angle instead of a diff drop.

And, to clarify the above, the problem with over-topper racks isn’t the limited weight the racks support, so much as the limits of what the topper will support. You should definitely be able to support an awning though.

Finally, we like pictures generally. But especially when I guy walks in and tells us he’s got a Welch’s purple truck parked outside. Please post a photo so we can...

... start planning your tailgate mural.

 

Thanks!
This is what I'm working with.

 

Blurple seems to have become a rare color these days.

 

I like that color...

 

It's growing on me.

 

Its just different... So many are a variation of Gray, Silver, Tan, etc...

 

One would think the "nick-name-ing" would come easy....its not.

 

"If there is a blurple, the good Lord kept it hidden for a reason."

 

Had a buddy in high school. He looked like a human Yeti and his vehicle was a Honda CRX. How he fit inside remains a mystery to this day. Anyways, he choose to paint it and for some reason he choose a blue/purple(think more purple than blue). We gave him so much hell. It was dubbed the purple people eater.

 

Purp, purpetrator, Grimmace, Barney, I kinda run out of steam too.

 

Lol...
We had a bong named that back in high school.

 

See!?

 

Periwinkle.

 

Throw some gold wheels on and call it Kobe

 

Follow up on winter upgrade:

I'm bouncing between three lift/levels.

1) ARB/OME 3"/1" lift/level with AAL.
2) Toytec ultimate lift
3) Eibach coil overs/rear shocks with AAL

I'm looking for 2.5"-3" lift slight rake, no armor, no bumpers, stock rims. Tires are currently 265 75r 16. Looking hard at the afore mentioned 255 85r 16 but current tires are still plenty good.

Out of the three options above, help me narrow things down a bit?

 

Off subject I had a 90 Honda crx lots of room due to only a 2 seater seat went way way back great for tall people damn I miss it and them days build sounds great I’m listening to all the advise thanks

 

Update for posterity:

Friday I should get "Barney" back.
When picked up from ATLR here in Denver, it will have the following.

New OEM LBJ
All fluids flushed and replaced.
New plugs and wires
Oil change
New filters all 'round
New carrier bearings
Timing belt
Water pump
Belt tensioners
OME coilovers up front for 2.5" lift
OME rear shocks
Icon Progressive AAL (1.5" lift)

I'm dropping nearly what I paid for the truck in all this. Based on the low milage on the truck (130K mi) I think this will be an excellent platform for our needs.

 

I dig that color...I think it may be the rarest on FGTs

My best friend in HS has a CRX that I drove regularly (he was 6'3, I'm 6'0). It had more leg room for the driver than any car I've ever driven. If the seat was all the way back, I could barely touch the steering wheel and pedals...no way in hell I could drive it safely.

Wish I'd seen your post on Jan 17th, but just some info to keep in mind before you get the truck back. Some who have gotten that front lift have reported 3.5+ inches up front and some who have gotten that the Icona AAL (@FirstGenVol comes to mind) have reported next to no lift because the directions are to remove the overload leaf and the remaining stock springs are so worn after 20 years so that the AAL just brings it back to normal. Now, this may not be your experience, and I hope it isn't....but if it is, don't worry but keep a couple things in mind.

1. If the front lift is too high, it will settle, but only 1/4-1/2 inch. If it's still too high for you, then you can get shorter OME springs and keep the shocks and resell the springs.

2. If they removed your overload leaf, make sure they give it to you, so you can have it re-installed if the AAL does not give you the lift you expected.

Hopefully, you'll get it back and it will be exactly what you went. Looking forward to seeing it.

 

Thanks for all this.

Yes, I knew of the possibility of being slightly "over-lifted" in the front.

The guys doing all this work, (I could never do this amount of work in the time these guys are) are highly recommended by others local to me here in Denver. They are true offroad Toyota guys, and several are tundra owners across the various generations. The last thing I said before turning over the keys was..."a little stink bug posture is fine, pre-runner is NOT!"

Based on my interaction with them, I'm reasonably confident that the truck I get back from them will be exactly what I'm hoping for. Maybe even better.

Thing is, when I lamely tried to explain what I wanted done to Cam at ATLR, he knew exact what I wanted and more importantly, why.

Barney is a DD truck, but is also the platform my wife and I use for overlanding and getting deep off the beaten path.

DD-70-75%
Offroad- 30-25%

We get out into the wilderness nearly every weekend from April to October-ish.

April 1-5 will be canyoneering in Utah and will be shaking Barney out during that time.

I'm seriously crawling the walls to get Barney back. Once he is back in my driveway, that will signal 3 weeks left until I can get my ass out and into the wilds.

Tick, rock.

Why does time move so slow?

 

@Madcapwoodwright if they haven't already installed the ICON AAL, I would ask them to leave the overload spring in place. Otherwise you likely won't see any lift. If they follow the instructions ICON sent then they will remove the overload spring. Might be worth a quick call to them.