CoveyRise 2012 Tundra Build

Figured I'd start a build thread for fun. I had a 2016 tacoma before this, but we found out my wife was pregnant, so a few months ago we started looking for tundras. With three dogs and a kid coming, I knew the crewmax would be the right fit.

Found this 2012 with about 86k miles. It had some stuff done to it already- some I liked, like the topper, new 295/70/18 mastercraft mxts, and automatic running boards...But some stuff I didn't love, like the aftermarket exhaust, spacer lift, wheel spacers. The bumpers were okay to me.

Here's what it looked like when I bought it. October 2023.


The day after I bought it I took it elk hunting- about 2.5 hours on dirt roads down to the spot. It was nice to be in a full size again, until the trails got tight! Day 1- put a few pin strips on it. Oh well.



I also quickly realized that I needed extra gas for longer hunting trips. I got 2 harbor freight jerry cans and cut a piece of spare aluminum I had from an outdoor kitchen table for a mount in the bed.


Dog kennels fit in nicely. They are tied down with NRS straps (just not in this picture).


I did a few cosmetic things, like debadged the sides and removed the Bushwacker flares. While they provided good coverage, I just am not a fan of the pocket style flares. I also had some bad paint rub behind them. A shop buffed them out as good as they could, but I still have a few spots where they couldn't correct the paint.



From there, I took advantage of a Black Friday deal and bought Dobinson IMS struts and 610 coils. Shop here did a great job on the install, but installed them on the 2nd clip setting instead of the bottom like I asked. Oh well, it is mostly level. I plan to get Coachbuilder Shackles soon to bump up the rear a little bit more to get the rake back.

Huge difference on dirt. Love the front setup so much. When I do the Coachbuilder shackles I'll also replace the rear shocks (currently stock with an AAL from previous owner).




I really like the look of slightly lifted trucks with OEM wheels, but I didn't want to run wheel spacers. The previous owner did not install Spidertrax or Bora spacers and went with some unknown brand, so I really wanted to get rid of them. The 295 Mastercrafts were brand new when I bought the truck and touched the UCA without the spacers, so I decided to get new wheels.

I decided on FN FX Pro wheels in matte gunmetal. 18x8.5" and a +18mm offset. They turned out great.



Upcoming:
- I have a full set of marathon seat covers on order, but they won't get here for another couple of months. I had the front seat covers in my tacoma and I loved them. I can't wait to get them on both the front and rear seats.

- The stock headunit is pretty awful. It is super choppy when I take calls and just feels outdated. I'd like to get apple car play. I'll likely get an android unit like a Joying 10.1" soon, as long as I can retain my SWC.

- Front window tint

- Coachbuilder shackles

- Rear shocks- either Bilstein 5160s or Dobinson IMS rears.

- Mud flaps (If they will fit with the 295s)

 

I ordered a set of the RekGen Trophy Sport mud flaps and they came in today. I had to run to the pressure washer to get all of the ice build up off the wheel wells before installing in the nasty weather. I only got the rears on. I tried the fronts, but I rub where the bottom-most screw goes, near the body mount. I'm trying to decide if I modify them or not. That will have to wait until some nicer weather.

The rears look good though!

My marathon seat covers are cut and in production. Should be here soon.

 

Got the front flaps on today. Cut them using a jig saw on low speed. Used a cardboard template to get the clearance right. I had to ditch the metal bracket on the backside that was used as reinforcement, but they seem sturdy enough.

 

Got the Marathon seat covers in today and installed them this afternoon. I had a set in my 2016 Tacoma and I forgot how much of a PITA they are to install. The rears still need some work, but the fronts went on easier. I will massage out those wrinkles in the seats in the next few days once I sit in them some. I still need to put the console cover on as well. The instructions are horrible and you'll cuss a lot, but once they are on they are great. My last set held up great with 3 dogs.

 

Got my front windows tinted yesterday. I had the same ceramic tint on my Tacoma and loved it. I think this cleans things up a bit on the outside.