2018 Tundra+FWC Build

I thought I'd start a build thread for my new truck that I'm piecing together. This first post is going to be long to get out the back story, and then I'll just post updates as I go along.

As I mentioned in my new member intro thread, I recently picked up a new 2018 Tundra TRD Sport double cab in Super White. I've always preferred a bigger cab to a bigger bed, but this truck is going to be a purpose-built off roading and camping machine that will eventually hold my new slide-in Four Wheel Camper (FWC) when it finally gets here in July, so I needed a 6.5 foot bed. I ordered my FWC built to my specs back in April so I've been spending the time since then getting the truck and planning out how to set it up. If you're not familiar with Four Wheel Campers, they are lightweight, low profile slide-in campers that are built specifically for serious off road use in mind. They have an all aluminum frame and are meant to flex with the vehicle through the rough stuff. And they pack down super small, something like 8 inches above the cab. But on the inside, we'll have a king size bed, kitchen, dinette, etc.

I camp a lot for someone with a full-time job. Usually 50-60 'bag nights' per year, mostly in the intermountain west, and most of that in the deserts of the Colorado Plateau (Utah, Colorado, Arizona). Nearly all of those nights are spent sleeping under the stars. Setting up a tent is a nuisance that I usually only resort to if there is rain or bugs or my wife just wants it up. Most of my bag nights are without her as she is more of a fair weather camper so the ground works fine. But back in March we were out at Toroweap on the north rim of the Grand Canyon and there was a short bed truck with an FWC in it camped nearby. I dug it, and the wife did too. No setting up a tent, no packing all the same stuff every trip. Just grab some food and clothes and hop in the truck and go. Perfect!

So we placed the FWC order and I told them to build it for a 2018 Tundra DC that I didn't yet own. I just didn't know which one. Off to the dealerships! So I've never been into white vehicles. But when I saw this built out TRD Sport at the dealer, I fell in love. I know the faux hood scoop is a bit controversial, but have always loved it.

The first bit of inspiration for my build:




The only problem is that they'd cut a lot of corners on the build just to sell it for a premium. They claimed $8k in extras, but when I asked for exact details on the lift, etc., I found out it was just a block kit, no suspension upgrades. Yet they seemed to be adding on about $3k for that. That and they weren't budging on price like they would on regular trucks on the lot.

So I decided I'd just get the standard TRD Sport and do it myself, how I want it, with the suspension I needed for the weight of the FWC. But there was a bonus - the one I found also had the factory installed TRD Dual Exhaust. A feature I was super stoked to have. It's a good thing the dealer didn't know how bad I wanted that or my price would have most certainly been higher. On my F150, I always felt a little dirty that the engine purr you'd hear was actually a bullshit noise pumped through the speakers. This truck just sounds freaking awesome to drive. My old Tundra sounded great too, but this is so much better. Anyway, here it is the evening I took it home from the dealer, just a few weeks ago.



More to come...

 

First things first, I ordered leather with heated seats with some store credit I negotiated with the sale. I also added the TRD embroidery. That's getting installed on Tuesday. Pics coming...

I also started doing some minor stuff like black lettering added to the tailgate 'Tundra' imprint and I peeled off the red TRD Sport stickers and put on some TRD Off Road die cut stickers. Yeah, I know, it's not a TRD off road... yet. One goal I have on this is to get as monochromatic as I can on the exterior. Get rid of all the chrome and red that I can. Black emblems are also on order.




Then I went to work figuring out the suspension I needed. Ultimately I took the advice of the local Salt Lake area people I talked to and got an Old Man Emu 3 inch lift kit installed. That included all new shocks, new coils, new leaf springs in the back as well as an add-a-leaf to accommodate the weight of the Four Wheel Camper once I get it. That just got done a few days ago, and I love it already. The ride is so much smoother, even the little concrete seam bumps on the freeway. It does look a bit off with my stock wheels and tires though. The back is sitting a little extra high with the add-a-leaf. It should level out with the camper in.


Around the time I ordered my lift, I also decided on my wheels. Thanks to this forum, I picked the Icon Rebound wheels that are not yet released. I pre-ordered them through @sdhq_offroad and am waiting patiently.

For tires, I'm going with BFG All Terrains but I just heard today that the KO3's are due out in June so that might throw a wrench in things. I'm also not locked on what size I want. At first I thought 33's. Then 34's. And then today I was at my brother's place and we rolled a 35 he had laying around up to my wheels and I was sold. So yeah, I think I'm getting 35's now. But what width??

Yeah, that'll fit nicely...



Another thing I've settled on is picking up the SDHQ sliders. I plan to order these in the next day or two.

And that catches us up to where I'm at now. Here's what I'm currently working on:

- LineX Bedliner
- Researching light bars. I want to install it behind the lower bumper grill like the one from the dealer in the first post
- Seriously thinking about changing out tail lights to reduce the red but I don't want them to look too aftermarket
- Tint

And things I'm pondering on:

What to do about spare if I go with 35's. From what I've read that won't fit underneath. A lot of people that get FWC's that stay in the truck full-time get a new rear bumper with swing out tire carrier. That's a thought.

Please chime in if you have thoughts or ideas. This is the first truck I've ever gone down this road with and I want to make it amazing.

I know I'm forgetting a million things. More later...

 

I love it. Hello from St. George.

 

Following this build

 

You may need cab mounts chopped to fit 35s. I have the OMEs and can fit my 295s that measure 34.5". Close enough.

 

Following, Nice start!!

 

Sweet sport! Love mine too. I had to remove the bedside TRD sport decal as well. Thinking about something lighter and just one color.

 

Beautiful truck and color choice!

 

The one I put on is dark grey and silver metallic and I think I'm going to take it off and do an all grey one. It looks great except for when the metallic catches the sun, and then half the graphic almost disappears against the white. But in a way that's actually pretty cool too. I'll probably leave it for a while.

 

Great to know. Thanks. It looks like the BFG All Terrain KO2 "35's" are actually 34.5" in diameter, so that sounds like it will work.

 

Coming along very nicely, I will subscribe and see what happens next

 

Got leather installed today. Katzkin with heated front seats and TRD embroidered in the seat backs.

I also pulled the trigger on my @sdhq_offroad sliders. Coming right along...

 

Looking good

 

Hell yeah! Looks awesome! I had Katzkins in my Tacoma, great leather.

 

Welcome from New Jersey, looks like you have it all planned out! Will be cool it see it come together.

On a side note, when you figure out the lightbar situation, I will be pulling the behind the grill adaptors from Rago Fab when my new bumper comes in. They are yours for a deal shipped if interested.

 

Very interested! Let me know when you're ready and I'm all over it. Thanks!

 

No problem, as soon as the bumper comes in, should be by end of the June.

 

I think most are actually 34.5”, regardless of the manufacturer.

 

This should be sweet! One thing you will want to consider with every mod you do is the functionality vs weight as you will really be pushing the payload for the Tundra. I know the Tundra and Tacoma are popular platforms for the 4wheel campers, but even with an empty camper and passengers in the truck you may be near max capacity. Bumpers, sliders, etc. will complicate things.

All that being said, there have been a few times where I have wondered if I should have purchased a double cab for the sole reason of adding a 4WC

 

Great point. I've been thinking a lot about that which is one reason why I went with SDHQ sliders since they are lighter than average, as well as the aluminum skids. I still wonder a bit if if I should have done either. I've read quite a few accounts now of people being over weight with the same rig once they get everything loaded for a trip but they seem to manage with the upgraded suspension and possibly air bags in the mix. The only alternative to heading down this path that I could think of was to buy another Ford or something else along those lines. I'll take my chances with the Tundra!

 

Looks great! If it was possible to get dual climate control in the SR5 (for the wife) I'd have gone that route and upgraded to Katzkins. I'm not really impressed with the leather in the Limited...

 

Update time, and then I need some help!

First, what I've been doing over the last couple weeks...

Minor stuff: I installed a wireless charger in my console lid, and I pulled off the chrome badges and replaced them with black ones.

 

And then the LineX bed liner went in. Amazing what a difference that makes in looks alone.

 

And then after what felt like an eternity, my wheels and sliders showed up this week. Waiting for the new Icon Rebounds was worth it. I went with the Titanium. I love the contrast of the black and white on my truck, but I just liked these better than all black.



My first view of what they were going to look like...


Boom! I went with BFG All Terrain KO2 285/75 R17, so basically 34's. I was kind of sad to find out they still rubbed. More on that in a minute.



Dusty and need a cleaning, but they still look great after rolling on the stock 20's with street tires for a while.


The wife isn't so sure about how high the truck is getting now with the tires and 3 inch lift. I think she said something about steps?


25mm offset. Just the right amount, IMO.


But then there's the rubbing. It was hitting the little plastic drop down piece on the front on turns so I took it off. In the driveway it looked like it would clear, but now when I'm driving it's still rubbing. Any tips on how to deal with that? I'm not sure how exactly I can cut or remove more plastic right there...

 

And now for the latest, and where I'd really like some help if anyone out there can offer it. I tried to install my SDHQ sliders tonight and ran into a lot of problems. I followed the directions perfectly but I can't get my gas tank to shift away far enough to get bolts in to save my life. Any tips on that? I unfortunately had just filled it but I can still move it around, it just won't move away the extra inch I need to get a bolt in alongside there.

Also, on the passenger side, it seems impossible to get the last outside bolt in due to a metal plate that comes out from the frame right there. I'll call SDHQ tomorrow and see what they say.



But at least I get to look at them like they're mostly installed now. Love it.



Side note: I was a little concerned about the warning on SDHQ's website that they don't recommend shipping the powder coated sliders due to damage to the finish. I figured it's not far and did it anyway. I got them, and the protective packaging was all intact and perfect, no damage, but underneath there was still damage to the powder coat that clearly happened prior to shipping, but I guess not much to be done about that since I was warned. Any tips on touching up a powder coat surface like this?

 

The sliders are a PITA to install, but you don't need to move the gas tank. Follow the directions exactly and it will work. For the bolts near the gas tank you have to install them when the slider is forward and tilted down before putting them in position. You may have to remove what you have done so far and start over to make it work. Good luck....the truck is looking bad ass!

 

Jeeeez this thing is beautiful. Really great choice in wheel/tires. If my ‘13 wasn’t damn near paid off I would almost want to trade in for one like this.

 

Had the same issue with that bolt. Without pulling the slider all the way back off and slotting the hole, I see zero way to get it in there. I left it out for now. I mean the rest of the setup is extremely solid. I dont feel as if it would be a massive change In stability with it.. let me know what they tell you please! TIA

 

Truck is looking great!

Some tips after I installed my SDHQ Sliders. Drop the tank down on some jack stands and you can shift it enough. I ended up rounding the hole a bit where the cab mount gets in the way on the passenger side. It has a washer so I don’t see a problem rounding the hole a bit.





Before I touch up my screw ups with my drill lol. Kept jumper out of the hole

 

Nice build nice rig!