Off Road Build with DIY and Production Mods on 37’s

Got my short little video up (my truck is dirty cuz it goes on dirt)

https://youtu.be/TMtXUvvcCxw

 

Awesome that you got to be the test rig for them! Even cooler that their plate covers all 4 on your new truck. The 2.5 gen version leaves the 2 rear cats a bit too exposed for my liking. They do address this in the one low review on their site that points it out, but their eventual solution is to charge us again for added pieces. I get that you gotta make money, but they aren't cheap to start with.

Not sure how I feel about having to lift the transfer case/transmission to install it either. Seems like removal for service might be difficult. I know it's not the same, but have you removed yours at all? Any word on difficulty to pop it on and off with the right tool?

 

The transfer case didn’t need to be moved, this just bolted right on. With the tool I’d say 5 minutes to take it off or less

 

Right, the transfer case lift is for the 2.5 gens. Sorry I wasn't clear on that.

 

My 3 gallon Rotopax’s are finally here and I just mounted them. @KB Voodoo racks come ready for the mounting hole patterns for Rotopax which makes the install a breeze. DM me for a discount, best racks on the market. Between the Modular add-ons like the gear lockers, bike racks, cargo tray, tonneau cover brackets, no one compares

 

Are you running dual batteries or have you upgraded you stock battery to run all the accessories?
Wondering what group will fit in the stock battery tray

 

I have not changed my batteries yet. On my last build I opted for the X2 AGM Battery from Batteries Plus. AGM’s can drain to 50% and bounce back just fine which worked great for me, and ultimately was cheaper, lighter, and easier than a dual battery set up. I’m going to look at a Group 31 as CBI has a battery mount that fits it, if our tundras have something smaller stock. But I need to see still what size our trucks come with! Haha

 

I have been researching the same, in my previous 4runner I also ran a X2 27F which ran my fridge for days.
The only New tundra I have seen with an aftermarket battery is the Xoverland Tundra, on their Tundra build youtube video, they show a group 31 in the stock tray but with extended terminal (maybe from slee offroad) due to the positive and negative being on opposite sides.

 

Good info

 

I organized a getaway weekend for 42 rigs that whittled down to 24 rigs due to crazy rains on the Thursday before. It was the same system that drowned Death Valley with flash floods this past weekend. But we had a great time at Leavitt Lake CA, 9600’.

 

Here is how the @KB Voodoo ProMax rack looks on a Tundra with Rotopax and a locker. PM for discount codes to get your rack

 

Following. Great build and great build tread.

 

Looks like fun! What site do you usually organize things like this on?

 

www.overlandbound.com

It’s a forum based community to get like minded people out adventuring. So it really doesn’t matter what people drive, just that it’s capable. There’s sort of two halves to the website, the main page with calendar showing all the events regionally, the second half being the forum portion which has a ton of learning, gear, and trip based info.

 

I've heard you mention that forum in some of your videos and went over there looking for the plans for your original pull out kitchen. I'll have to stop being a lurker and actually sign up. Thanks!

 

Yeah the original DIY is there under the DIY forum. I’m actually going to be selling my DIY unit, but it’s missing the innards, but the shell is complete

 

Great build so far, man!

 

I might be interested. I'm gonna be rolling through Cali in December after I get my Super Pacific and could pick it up. Dunno if you wanna hold it that long tho

 

Dave, awesome build thread!! I am located close to you, and an OB member. Hope to join one your trips in the future.

 

How has the Westcott kit performed for you? How is the ride on road and off road? Any issues with the geometry at all? I know they say there isn't any issue.

 

It serves its purpose and my cv boots and front axle are doing fine, I was just under the truck to check this morning. It lifts the truck nicely but nothing beats a real suspension lift. My Tacoma with kings, uca’s, Deaver lift springs ate bumps like nothing else

 

Till I find a full suspension set up that I like I opted for airbags. They are the LC80 bags that go inside of the rear coils. They were the Firestone 4164 bags that are normally $100 and they happened to have some “like new” ones for $46. So I figured why not.
Firestone 4164 Coil-Rite Air Helper Spring Kit

$126 Firestone 4164 Coil-Rite Air Helper Spring Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008K5BO84

I decided to unload the rear axle and cut the spacer at 2 bumps instead of 3 and put it together without dropping the axle completely.



I used a sawsall with a long aggressive wood blade




The air hose fit through the Westcott Designs 2” rear spacer. A tip, if you are struggling to line up the holes you can put a coat hanger wire up through the bottom then slide the hose over the end of it and push it back down through the spacer and bump stop. It will follow the wire though as the hose wants to curl.


I squeezed out the air and slid the bags in. Btw the passenger side is a little tighter to cut and slide the bag and airline due to the junction boxes on top of the frame rail.


I snaked the airline under the truck to the bed side. BE SURE TO NOT PULL THE AIRLINE TOO HARD WITHOUT UNCOILING IT OR IT MAY KINK. I have my compressor plumbed to the air Chuck on the driver’s side so I made sure the valves were close enough to just plug the ARB chuck in and then regulate the pressure to match. Pretty easy

 

Great write up! Will come in handy

 

waiting on someone to make a better cat shield (test pipes)

 

What’s missing from the current offerings?

 

Nothing there to steal at all of course lol

 

Hey @PapaDave418 are there advantages to a 17" rim over an 18" rim? Curious why you chose the 17"?

 

Two reasons, rubber and availability. Every inch helps for off road and sidewall, granted it’s not much of a difference between 17” and 18”. 17” tires are more common than 18” for availability, like when I’ve gone to Baja. That doesn’t apply for most people, but harder to find an 18” tire there.

 

Sweet. Being nerdy I wireloom the air lines to the fill plugs. I think it looks cool. YMMV.

 

I like it too, not pictured but I loomed all the hoses