The Family Fun Rig

I bought my first truck in January 2021 before used vehicle prices skyrocketed and have been using this forum ever since to help me think through modifications. As a desk jockey by day, I've enjoyed having a hands-on hobby doing DIY projects on this truck. Along the way, I've had the chance to do many trips with family and friends that make me feel less guilty about the money I've spent. The kindness and generosity of this forum has made a big difference in me undertaking this adventure.

Starting Point
2008 Double Cab SR5 4x4 5.7 (as of January 2021)

Photos (as January 2025)

Photos (as May 2025)

Modifications (as of May 2025)

• Suspension / Tires
  • Eibach Pro-Truck Coilover Stage 2 Kit (set at ~2.75 inch lift in front)
  • Icon RXT Leaf Pack (set at Option 1)
  • Icon Delta Joint Tubular Upper Control Arms
  • DuroBump Bump Stops
  • Toyo Open Country RT Trail 285/75/18
  • 1" Wheel Spacers
• Armor
  • Ironman 4x4 Raid Front Bumper
  • SOB Fabrication High Clearance Rear Bumper
  • Demello Hybrid Rock Sliders
  • RCI Engine Skid
  • RCI Transmission / Transfer Case Skid
  • RCI Rear Differential Skid
  • RCI Gas Tank Skid
• Electrical / Lighting
  • Auxbeam 8 Gang Switch Panel
  • Morimoto XB Headlights
  • AlphaRex PRO-Series LED Tail Lights
  • 2 x Ironman 4x4 3.2" 40W LED Cub Lights, Flood (mounted to bumper)
  • 2 x Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro Fog Lights (mounted to bumper)
  • 1 x Ironman 4x4 32" Bright Saber LED Dual Row Light Bar (mounted to bumper)
  • 2 x Ironman 4x4 3.2" 40W LED Cub Lights, Spot (mounted to CBI Ditch Light Brackets)
    
  • Matt Gecko LED Camper Shell Light Kit (note: I don't recommend this light kit as it requires adhesive to keep the LED light strips in the ceiling of the camper shell and it falls apart with modest heat)
  • Sony XAV-AX6000 Receiver
  • Backup Camera
• Utility
  • Ironman 4x4 Frontier 12,000lb winch w/ synthetic rope
  • Snugtop Camper Shell
  • Rhino Rack Heavy Duty Cross Bars
  • Rago Fabrication MaxTrax Bed Rail Mount (+ MaxTrax of course)
  • ICS Dash Mount
  • Kammok Crosswing Awning

Modifications Pending Installation

• Chase lights - I have some Diode Dynamics SSC1 Sports and Rhino Rack brackets, just need to find the time
• Rear bumper lights - Ordered some Baja Designs S2 Flush Mount lights, awaiting delivery and installation
• Spare Tire Mount for the bed (since my high clearance rear bumper cannibalized my OEM spare tire mounting location)

Future Potential Modifications

• Rear e-locker - I probably should make sure I get into places that I really need this before pulling the trigger
• Steering wheel with audio controls

Dilemmas / Questions

• I ended up upgrading my rear leaf pack to Icon RXT set to Option 1. However, I'm unsure if I'm within a safe range for my rear Eibach shocks for full droop. So I need to take it easy until I determine if I'm either safe or if I need a longer rear shock (or limit straps).

Build Philosophy

• This truck is not a daily driver, so I should be getting out and using it with family and friends often to justify continued investment / upgrades.
• The build should meet my most likely needs, not reduce risk to zero or make unlikely use cases possible (i.e. diminishing returns on investment matter).
• I should attempt modifications myself whenever possible for the purposes of learning and family fun!
• Since I like going on more narrow trails, pinstriping is a fact of life and I'm not going to overinvest in the pure aesthetics of my truck (e.g. grille upgrades, chrome deletes).

 

Welcome to the forum from OKC! Longer shackles are fine, but you need a taller bump stop set to prevent the longer shackles from forcing the springs into negative arch as they flex if you don't want destroyed springs. If you want lift and with your shell load I would suggest Dobinson's HD 5+2 leaf packs. Again taller bump stops too. You might also check out Roadmaster Active Suspension. I run the HD kit, Dobinson's leaf packs, and Yellow Sumo springs for bump stops. Bilstein 5160 W/Res. Shocks also. All in all have almost 1 3/4" of rear lift and it don't really sag when loaded and loaded some more. Enjoy the family fun!
Edit: If you lift the rear add a brake line relocate kit and a little bit of driveshaft carrier bearing drop too.

 

Welcome from CA

 

I updated my tires to 35s! Went with the Toyo Open Country RT Trails in 285/75/18. Going to take the truck to an offroading trip in Sedona for Thanksgiving, will see how the new tires do.

 

How are your 285/75/18s doing? I have 18x8.5 +18 wheels and want to try 285/75/18s, but worried about rubbing the body mount. They look great on your truck, love the height.

 

hi @coveyrise12 I am happy with the 285/75/18s so far. I am not getting any body mount rub at all. I have stock wheels but added a 1 inch spacer to try and eliminate rubbing on the front sway bar. Unfortunately it still rubs at "super full lock" but it doesn't impact me at all with road driving and seems rare when I'm off-road.

 

So I finally got around to installing an aftermarket bumper after ~4 years of ownership. I was stalling for a while due to cost, but during a 2024 Black Friday sale I pulled the trigger on the Ironman Raid Front Bumper. Technically it is listed as only being for 2014-2021, but thanks to @APalmTree I had the confidence it would fit my 2008. My truck's paint is terrible, so my objective with this bumper isn't that it looks cool, but rather that I have better clearance and approach angles. Oh and a bonus is that it has a winch tray (and the winch was "free" with the Black Friday sale -- but it's on backorder so it isn't installed yet).

 

Looking good! I will keep preaching that even the manufacturers don't know which trucks their bumpers fit on. I have never seen the Ironman winches not be on backorder so hopefully, they are making some batches up and will get you taken care of.

 

Such a nice front bumper

 

Thank you!

 

Ok this past weekend, I got around to installing my rear bumper from SOB Fabrication! Thank you @STravis! I'm really happy with how it turned out. Definitely an adventure doing my first modification of the body panels on my truck. Ending up using a jigsaw and angle grinder to make room for the bumper.