Tim's Barcelona Red Build: Sasha

Since I've decided to actually keep this old gal for the long haul, I figured I'd do a build thread on her.

I picked her up for about $18k out the door in January of 2022 with 175k miles. SR5 with a TRD Off-road package and a good service history for $18k wasn't too bad in my book, especially with pandemic prices still abound.

A few months go by and I do my first oil change, and get a proper look underneath. The only rust is the exhaust bolts, which is to be expected, but other than that, she's extremely clean.

I decided that the 180k mile Bilstein 4600's needed replacing, so I got a set of 5100's for $400 and currently run them with a coachbuilder shim on the driver's side to correct the lean. They ride rough, even with C rated 35's, but they did the job of being a good replacement.

Later I replaced my headlights with a set of AlphaRex Luxx G2 headlights and they've been amazing so far.

Currently I've got a Bilstein 6112/5160 setup on order as well as Freedom Off-road UCAs and will order a Toytec Add-A-Leaf soon. My goal is to have a good over landing, mild off road, and tow rig. I daily my NA Miata that should be finished with a 1.8 engine swap soon and that will be taking daily duty soon. But until then, I get to deal with 12mpg city. At least this Tundra is reliable!


Anyways, here's some pictures! Can't wait to see what the future brings!


The night I brought Sasha home.


A few days later.

Before the 5100's and wheels and tires


Set at the top height, 2.25" with AlphaEQUIP Echos 17x8.5 with 315/70r17 Wrangler Territory M/T tires.




And now of course the TRD grill and headlights. I'm seriously in love with how this truck is coming along!




I can't wait to have the 6112/5160 setup! Until I can also afford a 5.29 re-gear, I'll be sticking to 35's for now.

 

Off to a killer start!

 

Thank you! I should also be picking up a camper shell this weekend, so that'll help a lot with the adventure aspect of this truck.

 

Nice! Dig the bronze on red.

 

What offset are those wheels? Any trimming needed for the 315s?

 

They're +35 and actually no trimming needed. I just reshaped the front fender a bit with a heat gun and removed the front bumper flaps and cleared just fine. I'll be up sizing to 37's tomorrow with my new lift, so I went ahead and got a BMC done using the SDHQ plates, so we'll see how that goes.

 

Good to know. Debating my next tire size. Looking forward to seeing your truck with the 37s!

 

Same here, should look and perform damn good is my hope!

 

I gotta say, the 6112/5160 setup with 37's is the way to go! BMC was done with the SDHQ plates, and there's only minor rubbing on the fender liner at full articulation. Other than that she clears no problem! Hopefully I can get my shackles from Pro Form Fab soon, so I can get rid of the Cali lean.

 

Did an oil change, differential drop, carrier bearing drop, and clearancing for my 37's. I thought I had enough room near the cab to fit them, but I kept rubbing against the rear fender liner, so I decided to cut a few sections in my pinch welds and folded them over. I then heated up the liner to reform it against the wheel well. Now I've got plenty of clearance everywhere. Now I just need a different front bumper. My current choices are Coastal Off-road, SS Built, or Ironman 4x4. I love the SS Built, but I feel like I'd need full LSK long travel suspension to justify it, and my pockets can't take that kind of abuse

Most likely I'll get the Coastal Off-road bumper because of it's low profile, but the ironman 4x4 raid bumper looks really nice. Decisions decisions...

 

welcome bro

 

So my lift shackles finally arrived and I got some time to throw them on this morning. Before install, I sprayed down the shackles two or three times a day with PB Blaster, and the nuts zipped right off with no fuss. Other than smacking my thumb with a hammer, everything went nice and smooth!

This here is how it was before

 

Now I have just a slight negative rake, and that's exactly how I want it. I can't stand squatted trucks, and having the nose a bit higher than the rear made parking a bit tough. Now it's a much more natural feeling driving experience.

EDIT: forgot to mention, they're 1.5" ProForm Fab shackles. They went in very easily and honestly with the rear being slightly higher it rides a bit better.

 

Welp, $700 and 720 miles later, I've got a very nice Ranch Camper Shell! I've been looking for a reasonably priced used shell for my Tundra for over a year now, and the 720 mile round trip was absolutely worth it! It's a little rough, but the back window struts work, the locks work, and she's sealed up nice and tight! I can't ask for much more than that!

I would like to paint match it in the future, but for now I'm just so damn happy I could get this shell at such a reasonable price!

 

Another day, another chrome delete. After seeing some folks on here running Hooke bumpers, with good results I figured that $500 for a winch bumper couldn't be too bad. Fit and finish was fantastic honestly. Instructions definitely leave something to be desired, however it's four pieces that go together quite easily. I did make a Home Depot run to replace all of the included hardware with grade 8 zinc coated pieces, of which the specs were provided in the instructions amazingly.

I did make a mistake when ordering pigtails for the lights, because I was under the impression that our trucks used H11 connectors for the fog lights, but on mine they're an H10 connection. So for now I'll run without fog lights. For the future, I'll be getting a switch panel, 30" light bar, and a 12k winch of some sorts. But for now I'm enjoying the new look so damn much!

 

Very nice looking truck!

 

Thank you good sir! She's definitely coming along!

 

Great looking truck.

 

Not much has changed, but this truck has been chugging along like it's brand new. I just did the first part of my PCS move to NC, towing about 2,400lbs and had absolutely zero issues along the way. On the way up, I averaged 11.5mpg while doing about 65mph, and then 16mpg headed back going about 70mph. I would definitely like to invest in some 5.29 gears in the future, but for now she's going great!

 

Second and final part of my move is finished. Needless to say I'm very pleased with how this beast did on this trip, with an average of 10.5mpg with an extra 5500lbs loaded up.

However, seeing as my stock leaf springs are 200k miles old, I'm probably going to be replacing them. I'm open to any suggestions anyone has, as I'm open to any replacement leafs. From what I've gathered the ones to get for load bearing are Alcan or Dobinsons. I like Deaver, and their U748 would be an absolute dream of mine, but I've read people say they flatten out relatively quickly. Again, I'm open to suggestions!

Of course my other goals are a 5.29 re-gear, possibly air bags, and a 38gal gas tank upgrade. My dream would be a supercharger, but that's much further down the line.

 

Over Christmas the Tundra turned 200k miles! Just did an oil change and got it realigned. I've had issues with the tire rubbing the BMC when in reverse and in 4wd. My caster was set to just above 2.5°, and the shop pushed it out to about 4.5°, which got it perfect. The steering rack isn't under any stress and the tires aren't getting any extra wear!

My plans for this year are getting a Toytec 3 leaf pack, yellow sumo springs, and hopefully an SS Built Winch Bumper if I can swing it. So long as the Miata doesn't take up my spare income again (or my new XR920)

But damn do I love this truck. Just basic maintenance and she keep chugging along like she's brand new.