2012 RCSB Adventure Mobile

Hey Tundra Folks! After a long search, I'm proud to introduce this grey unicorn!

OE Details
2012
125k miles
Magnetic Grey Metallic
5.7
4wd
Bench Seat, Column Shift, Vinyl Floors, Steel Wheels, Manual Windows and Locks

How she came:



Me
Grew up in NC and GA. I've previously owned a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero, 1997 Land Cruiser, 2016 4runner, and currently also drive a 2012 Lexus GX460. Living in Denver, CO.

Intended Use
Off-roading to cool camp spots is my primary purpose for the vehicle. The truck is also extremely useful for day-to-day hauling tasks like helping friends move, etc. If future funds allow, I'd love to get a pop-top camper shell.

Planned Mods - (Completed mods in green. Date and details link.)

Engine Performance
OTT Tune
Dirty Deeds Full Header Back Exhaust

Suspension
Front Swaybar Removal - 6/2/24
OME BP-51 Shocks - 6/5/24 Review
Deaver F58 Rear AAL - 7/10/24
TRD Rear Swaybar - 7/10/24

Wheels / Tires
Rock Warrior Wheels - 5/9/24
Maxxis Razr AT 35x11.5r17 Tires - 5/9/24
Spare Tire Bracket Trimming to fit 35 - 6/5/24

Armor
Budbuilt Skidplates 3/16 Stainless Steel
Custom Rock Sliders

Lighting
TeqCustoms Quad LED Projector Retrofit

Drivetrain
Re-gear to 5.29 - 2/3/25
Rear Eaton E-Locker - 2/3/25

Audio
Joying 10.1 Headunit

Aesthetic
Sidestep Removal - 6/5/24
Stubby Radio Antenna - 5/16/24
Ceramic Windshield Tint (80%)
Color Match Grill

Convenience
Decked Drawers v1 - Installed by previous owner Review
Soft Topper - Installed by previous owner
Tailgate Handle Backup Camera
Drive Monitor Buttons (Temp, MPG)

 

OME BP-51 REVIEW

Install

Pro
+ Clear instructions for install and compression / rebound setting guidance

Con
- Unnecessarily quirky / finnicky reservoir clamp mount design
- Unnecessarily quirky / finnicky rear shock shaft guard mount
- Trimming of rear upper shock mount bucket required to clear 90* reservoir hose banjo fitting
- Ride Height. The kit is described as providing a 2" front lift. I netted 3.5". To be fair, the RCSB is hundreds of pounds lighter than the Double Cab or CrewMax so the 2" prediction is probably more accurate for those platforms. Given the detail provided in other aspects of OME's documentation, it would be nice if they gave a recommended preload height for all three cab configurations.

Usability

Pro
+ Much longer service intervals than the typical race shock offerings from Fox, King, etc.
+ I've read that OME is very responsive to warranty issues and generally just sends out a replacement shock rather than making the customer deal with a protracted repair process

Con
- Adjusting rebound and compression on the shock body is much less convenient than via clicker knobs commonly seen on other adjustable shocks. Not impossible, but it's not something you'll be able to do frequently on the fly.

Ride Quality

This is ultimately why I bought the shocks and chose to accept some of the frustrating aspects above. I am still narrowing down my preferred compression and rebound settings, but the ride is already very good even before a proper alignment. Previous shock experience that I'm comparing these to is twin tubes from TJM and Dobinsons, as well as Dobinsons IMS monotube shocks.

So far they are doing an excellent job of soaking up potholes and washboard roads while still minimizing body roll and preventing harsh bottom / top out. I'm on stock bumpstops. I've intentionally hit several of the same expansion joints and potholes with the BP-51s and the Dobinson IMS. IMS manages the bump well and recovers quickly, but there is still some harshness on initial impact. By comparison, the same impact is barely felt with the BP-51s.

 

DECKED DRAWER V1 REVIEW

I wanted to love the Decked drawers. I have aluminum drawers in my GX460 that have been a game changer for organization. Decked is a very cool company and I appreciate their innovation and design goals.

Pro
+ Waterproof
+ Very smooth drawer slide operation
+ Creates a completely flat surface above wheel well height
+ Ideal for organization of smaller items, especially when Decked's line of custom fit drop in boxes, cubbies, and dividers are used.

Con
- Weight. Over 200 lbs.
- Shape. The drawers have angled sides and indentions in the floor for the rollers the drawers rest on. This makes the space less usable than the the total capacity would suggest.
- Extension. The drawers don't extend fully, so roughly two feet of the drawer is always underneath the covering and very hard to get to.

Conclusion
For me and the things I carry, a lot of space ends up being wasted. A given box or bag sits in the middle of the drawer area, and the remaining triangle shaped space to each side created by the angled walls is often un-used. I will keep experimenting with different packing configurations to try and overcome this, but that is my initial experience.

Taking price, weight, and flexibility into account some translucent bins my friend found at the Container Store seem superior for my camping use case.

All that said, Decked has released a V2 which addresses 2 key issues: The drawer interior is now much more rectangular and the drawers extend out much farther reducing dead space in the back. Definitely worth a look depending on the size and shape of things you're hoping to carry!

 

SOFTOPPER REVIEW

 

I see your past vehicles have all been covered wagons, SUV’s. Kinda curious as to why the jump to RCSB? I’ve done the same thing. I still have a 12HT 60 series and 13BT 74 series land cruisers. But they are almost 40 yrs old and can’t be driven in winter just cause road salt.
I just got a 2010 RCSB so am watching what you do. I’ve been a big fan of OME suspensions for 25 yrs. I just won’t use anything else on those trucks. They know how to build suspension kits.
As far as drawers go. I have used soft canvas bags for years for everything from tool bags to sleeping bags, food included. Packable, flexible, light weight. Some boxes when required, but minimal.
Anyhow thanks for all the really good info and your insights. Looking forward to following along. I expect to save money at your expense, so thanks for that ahead of time!

 

Hey @Cruiserpilot,

Those are some very cool cruisers! But too cool and old and unique to risk damaging at this point, like you say.

1. It's extremely rare that more than 2 people are in my vehicles, me and my girlfriend. I found myself always resenting the space taken up by 2nd and 3rd row SUV seats, and also worrying about damaging the interiors with sharp / dirty / wet items. The RCSB gives me incredible power, easily accommodates 35s, and a huge "blank slate" storage area that can be dirty or wet without concern. We also have future dreams of a pop-up camper shell like a Tune M1.

2. Checkout @socalexpeditons truck. He and I seem to have very similar intentions.

3. Happy to offer advice where I can. If you let me know your intended use case for the truck I can share some recommendations to suit.

 

I’ve never had the rear seats in my 60. Generally travel solo. It’s been too long since I
last had my ‘87 F150 which had a nice high rise canopy. I’m not tall so sleeping crossways
in the back is easy with any cap. The tundra is definitely wider, so should I cap it I’d sleep
easy back there.

 

Following. Love your ideas and explanations! I’ll update with my build someday!