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2018 SEMA Show Build

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Builds (2014-2021)' started by incredibillhulk, Apr 2, 2019.

  1. Apr 3, 2019 at 6:01 AM
    #31
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    Step Bar Replacement

    Another simple swap that I did was replacing the step bars. The step bars that came on the truck were a fine platform, but they were completely flat and once the truck was lifted and had tires, you really had to hike your leg up high to get in. Likewise, since Toyota went the route of removing the grab handle from the A-pillar (which I know can be re-added with parts from @Roman), that makes getting in and out precarious.

    I decided to grab a set from my friends at CORD Automotive. You guys all know these step bars as the "Predator" step bars, but this company is the actual manufacturer of them. I don't even think the swap took 20 minutes and I was able to sell the original ones to a person on Facebook who drove all the way from Georgia to get them.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Apr 3, 2019 at 6:14 AM
    #32
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    Blindspot Visibility Cameras

    When I had the A.R.E. MX HD shell installed, I lost a bit of visibility out the back window because I opted for the model with no side windows and side-mount tool boxes on both the driver and passenger side of the shell itself. After driving from our corporate headquarters in North Carolina to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show, I decided I had to do something to get rid of those blindspots, particularly on the passenger side, so I did a live install at our booth of a universal blindspot camera system that we manufacture using our 250-8243 4-camera mirror and 250-8160-BSC blindspot cameras.

    Here's a quick picture of what the cameras look like on the side mirror and the mirror itself displaying the video when the right and left turn signals are activated.



    [​IMG]
     
  3. Apr 3, 2019 at 6:41 AM
    #33
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    Onboard 120V Power

    I want to mention before this post that I have also removed this device from the truck to add to my M101A2 trailer for charging our mobile devices when we're away from power.

    That said, most of the trade shows I attend are outdoors shows. Many of the companies in attendance sell products that don't actually use any power. Think gun and knife manufacturers, grille manufacturers, as well as bumper, lift kits, wheel, and tire manufacturers. I'm usually the only one showing off electrical "stuff" at these shows. My way of getting power in our booth to show off our products for the past 4-5 years has been to bring one or two deep cycle batteries with me and run them until they're out of juice. Doing this means I need to recharge them every night and that typically requires a hotel room which I don't like because a lot of these outdoor shows offer free camping on-site where I get to mingle with other people instead of sleeping in some stuffy cheap hotel just because I need electricity.

    Above I mentioned the Whistler PRO-3700 radar detector. Whistler also manufactures a line of power inverters that convert to 120V power which allows me to run these displays completely off the truck. I mounted their XP3000i 3000-watt model inside the shell and it has some neat features like 3 120V outlets, two USB ports, a digital battery voltage readout, automatic cut-off if the battery gets too low, and a neat remote-mount control switch to turn the converter on and off from within the cab of the truck. Again, the treadplate of the interior toolboxes made the perfect mounting platform.

    [​IMG]
     
    aperezsh, Major, saybng and 2 others like this.
  4. Apr 3, 2019 at 8:43 AM
    #34
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    Hudson Valley
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    Some stuff
    ok. i like these. need to put them on the list. where can i get them?
     
  5. Apr 3, 2019 at 8:47 AM
    #35
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    We can sell them directly. I think the kit is $79 per seat. Feel free to DM me when you're ready.
     
  6. Apr 3, 2019 at 9:40 AM
    #36
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Love the build so far!
     
  7. Apr 3, 2019 at 10:05 AM
    #37
    TXDrifter

    TXDrifter BlueGrass Crew

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    Louisville, KY
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    Hope to see you in November at SEMA. My current build this year is this (Soon to be a wide body):

    upload_2019-4-3_13-0-54.jpg
    Looking forward to seeing a Tundra and then see the many ways I can spend my hard earned money..

    Jeff
     
    drumzdj and incredibillhulk[OP] like this.
  8. Apr 3, 2019 at 10:30 AM
    #38
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    PrInSu Design Cabrack

    With the height of the A.R.E. MX HD shell above the cab, and then with their Ascend roof basket on top of the shell, the truck had some slightly funny lines going on from a purely aesthetic standpoint. I decided to counter that look and add some extra functionality to the top of the passenger cabin with the CBI Offroad/PRINSU Design Cabrack for the 2007-2019 Tundra.

    I'll start by saying that this install isn't for the faint of heart. Unlike the Tacoma and the 4Runner, the Tundra has no pre-drilled and threaded holes in the channel above the doors that runs from the front of the cab to the back. The instruction sheet has you remove the rubber moulding from that track, drill a couple holes near the front to serve as points of alignment for the rest of the holes, completely assemble the rack, use the rack itself as a template to drill the rest of the holes, insert and compress the threaded inserts into the holes you drilled, apply a silicone-type material to prevent water intrusion, and then finish mounting the rack using the included bolts and spacers. While the drilling part sounds easy, you have to keep in mind that you're drilling holes straight towards your side curtain airbags above the headliner and as such need to go really, really slow and not accidentally put so much weight on your drill that the bit slams down through your headliner when it breaks through the metal.

    All that said, I did the install in nearly complete darkness with just a small head-worn lamp in my front yard. If I can do it, so can you - just go slow.

    I opted for the model without a cutout in the wind deflector for a light bar and while there was some immediately noticeable noise/whistling, it's honestly not bad for a truck with mud tires, a Flowmaster exhaust and intake, and how loud I listen to my music.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Overall I'm really happy with the rack and wouldn't hesitate to do another install just like it. I'd probably take the few extra minutes to drop the headliner, remove the air bag, and put up something to catch the metal shavings that fall through, though.
     
    J&ATundra, D4x4TRD, aperezsh and 2 others like this.
  9. Apr 3, 2019 at 10:34 AM
    #39
    BigWalker

    BigWalker New Member

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    Do you think the wind noise would be less noticable if you dynamat the interior roof?
     
  10. Apr 3, 2019 at 10:40 AM
    #40
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    Honestly, probably not by much. I've used sound deadening in practically everything I've ever owned to reduce road noise, but where the whistle seems to emanate from is right at the point where the rack meets the windshield, so I think most of the sound is coming through the glass. And I don't mean to make it sound dramatic. For starters, it's not loud and it's only at highway speeds. And secondly, it's not constant. It only seems to happen when the air hits the rack the right way like when wind is whipping across the road or you're caught in the draft from a tractor trailer.
     
  11. Apr 3, 2019 at 10:48 AM
    #41
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    Rago Fabrication Low-Profile Ditch Brackets and VSM 643

    One thing I always miss immediately when starting a new build is forward-facing LED lighting. While this truck has the factory LED headlamps, and as you saw above I added fog lamps and under-headlamp DRL bezels, none of those cast light half a mile down the road like I like, or off to the side so I can see animals on the country roads where I live.

    With that said, I procured the and 643W quad/cube lamps from Vehicle Safety Manufacturing (VSM is another company my employer owns). The brackets went on as easy as they ever had with the Tacomas that I have built in the past by just loosening one screw at a time on the hood hinge, and the lights and their harness wire directly to the battery. While the lights come with their own round two-position on/off control switch meant to be mounted in the vehicle's interior, I actually re-wired it so that the cube lights power on whenever I trigger the high beam to come on.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    aperezsh and Major like this.
  12. Apr 3, 2019 at 12:52 PM
    #42
    woodcan

    woodcan New Member

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    I don't even have my truck yet and I am excited about all these add-ons I want but don't need. :spending:
     
    aperezsh and incredibillhulk[OP] like this.
  13. Apr 3, 2019 at 1:11 PM
    #43
    DECKEDUSA

    DECKEDUSA New Member Vendor

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    :yes:

    DECKED System looks clean in your sweet Tundra!

    Thanks for sharing the build details with us :cheers:

    DECKED
    www.decked.com
     
  14. Apr 3, 2019 at 7:43 PM
    #44
    16TRD

    16TRD New Member

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    Do you guys have the bezel piece below the headlights led in amber? Id like to tie those in somehow to the blinkers since the oem ones suck.
     
  15. Apr 3, 2019 at 7:46 PM
    #45
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    We do not offer it as a blinker, just a bright white DRL.
     
  16. Apr 4, 2019 at 10:44 AM
    #46
    GreatBigAbyss

    GreatBigAbyss New Member

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    See if you can offer as a blinker, in amber. It shouldn't be too hard...just modify the harness to tap into the blinker circuit instead of DRL.

    16TRD is right, the turn signals do suck. I've had a few close calls because people haven't seen that my turn signal was on.
     
  17. Apr 5, 2019 at 7:31 PM
    #47
    saybng

    saybng Just a member.

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    Method Nv's, falken wildpeak 275.65.20 Dirty deeds exhaust, 5100's all around...nothin fancy.
    I really like that xp3000i, I really like the way you have it mounted, I'm trying to figure out how I can mount that inside the truck. I'm considering on ordering one vs dual battery kit. What do you of it so far?
     
  18. Apr 7, 2019 at 3:07 PM
    #48
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    I like it a whole lot. One thing you need to turn it on and off is this switch. When I have been using it, I plug the switch into the inverter and then just let the switch hang in place while I use it. I plan to extend the wires and see if I can mount it somewhere on the dashboard or center console on my next project.
     
  19. Apr 7, 2019 at 7:41 PM
    #49
    saybng

    saybng Just a member.

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    Method Nv's, falken wildpeak 275.65.20 Dirty deeds exhaust, 5100's all around...nothin fancy.
    Nice! Is it wired directly to battery or another auxiliary battery?..
     
  20. Apr 8, 2019 at 4:53 PM
    #50
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    I'm only rocking the one stock battery presently, so it's tied direct to that. I had a dual XS Power battery setup in my last Tacoma which were charged by a Renogy solar panel. I'd do the same with this truck if I were keeping it longer.

    IMG_0480.jpg
     
    woodcan and saybng[QUOTED] like this.
  21. Apr 11, 2019 at 8:13 PM
    #51
    Major

    Major TTC #0181

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    Stock.
    FINALLLLLY!! The build I've been waiting to see and you did not disappoint, well aside from the selling it part LOL. Thank you! Amazing build!
     
  22. Apr 11, 2019 at 8:17 PM
    #52
    Major

    Major TTC #0181

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    Do you see any problems arising with the side exit exhaust close to the Airdesign?
     
  23. Apr 12, 2019 at 7:43 AM
    #53
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    The tips are actually physically touching the flare but it has not deformed in any way.
     
    Major[QUOTED] likes this.
  24. Apr 13, 2019 at 6:49 PM
    #54
    Tundra501

    Tundra501 New Member

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  25. Apr 14, 2019 at 6:13 AM
    #55
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    Tundra501[QUOTED] likes this.
  26. Apr 15, 2019 at 5:37 AM
    #56
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    Hey everyone! I could use your opinion this Monday morning. I just finished the last trade show and training session that I needed to complete with this truck. Let me tell you - navigating in Newark, NJ with this thing was nerve-wracking :laugh:

    Anywho - I'm thinking of listing this truck for sale at $45,000. What is your opinion on the price? Where do you recommend I post it for sale?

    As an aside, here's some shots of my next build. Let me know if anyone here recognizes this thing. I'd love to know the backstory.

    2f038260-6ab4-4227-bfbe-8ddc87ffd859.jpg
    84f57015-da03-4a0d-b554-4aac0a3c110f.jpg
     
  27. Apr 28, 2019 at 6:59 PM
    #57
    Prostar 190

    Prostar 190 SSEM #9 I would rather be water skiing

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    Great looking build!
     
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  28. Oct 30, 2019 at 12:44 PM
    #58
    SiberianTundra

    SiberianTundra I heard Unicorns get horrible MPG

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    Camper shell, LED lighting VLEDs, Front Camera, Pro Comp wheels. Trd HID LED headlights. ESP storage rear seats.
    I am considering ordering this system. Do you get any discounts that you can offer here ?
     
  29. Oct 30, 2019 at 12:54 PM
    #59
    SiberianTundra

    SiberianTundra I heard Unicorns get horrible MPG

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    Camper shell, LED lighting VLEDs, Front Camera, Pro Comp wheels. Trd HID LED headlights. ESP storage rear seats.
    WOW it is exactly what I wanted to install as well. Man that website has no buy options. How do we purchase ?
     
  30. Oct 30, 2019 at 1:16 PM
    #60
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk [OP] New Member

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    We don't sell our products directly to the public so I unfortunately don't have a way to pass a discount down through our distributors. Thanks for asking though.
     

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