“Old Man” truck build...AKA Whiskey

“Old Man” build - AKA Whiskey.....2014 “1794” CM 4x4

Just a little background on my build. I upgraded to from a Toyota Tacoma in December 2017, I enjoyed the truck as a daily commuter, but it did not work very well for my needs. Unlike most other builds on this forum, I was not looking for a dedicated off road/overland truck. I wanted a solid/dependable truck, that would be comfortable for longer trips (as myself and my wife like to travel and explore), and be able to tow a travel trailer in the future. I have always been a GM/Ford truck guy, but in the past several years the dependability and resale value of these brands have took a nose dive.

I test drove a 1794 Edition earlier last year, but was not in a position to upgrade till a coworker offered out the blue to purchase my Tacoma. As soon as the deal was done, I knew exactly what I wanted, and was just as fortunate enough to find a 2014 “1794” in the Sunset Bronze color with less than 30k miles at a dealership locally.

I initially was going to leave it pure stock, but thanks to this forum and other pages, that has somewhat changed. The reason I called it my “Old Man” build is a couple reasons....first off, I saw a post on another page, in which a member referred to 1794 owners a “Grandpaws” and “cowboys” because of the trim package that it comes with. Second I was recently discussing my upgrades and planed upgrades with a co-worker and he commented that “I will have the best Old Man truck in the parking lot”. So thats it....OLD MAN build, but I would not have it any other way. It fits perfectly for my needs, since it’s used primarily on paved roads with the occasional forest service roads/trails when I want to go camping, hiking or fishing.

Well I guess it’s time to get on with the meat and potatoes of the build....

Current setup...


Day of purchase....

[bold text...completed upgrades, all others are planned]

Wheels/Tires/Suspension:
Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks (Front only; set @ 1.57 middle setting)
—Upgrade to top setting
Cooper Discover A/T3 (275/60R20)
TRD rear sway bar
TRD front sway bar
Coachbuilder 1” shackles
TRD 18” Rims
285/65/18 load E rated tires

Exterior Upgrades:
IONIC PRO series 5” curved chrome nerf bars
Metra 8” Stubby Antenna (looks only)
S.F. Products “TUNDRA” tail-gate stamp inserts (Chrome)
FireStik 5’ Antenna
Midwest Can Co. 5-gallon fuel Jerry can
Bed mounted fuel Jerry can holder
Rail mounted fire extinguisher
Window vent visors
Hood protector
Spray in bed liner
Tyger Tonnaeu cover
Bull bar (chrome)
x2 KC lights
Upgraded headlights
Upgraded fog lights
Front bumper center valance (black SR5 style)
Front grill insert (black SR5 style)
Chrome rear bumper end caps (w/ parking sensors)
Bed lighting kit

Interior Upgrades:
POZEL center console organizer tray
Vehicle OCD center console organizer
JDM ASTAR interior LED lights
Cobra CB radio
Drivers side pillar handle (O’SH*T handle)
Toyota OEM “1794” floor mats
ESP plastic rear storage unit
Kenwood Excelon DNX694S stereo
********* Audio upgrade w/ Front and Rear Door Speaker add

Towing upgrades:
Tekonsah P3 trailer brake controller
ESP P3 brake controller mounting panel
Aftermarket fully functional tow mirrors
Rear airbag suspension kit
On-board air compressor

Performance upgrades:
Dual exhaust (TRD or Dirty Deeds)
DAP tuning
38 Gallon fuel tank
TRD Big brake kit
TRD air intake
TRD oil cap
TRD radiator cap




Just some random pics for your viewing pleasure...

 

One of the first upgrades was to purchase items to organize the very cavernous center console
POZEL center console organizer tray and Vehicle OCD center console organizer

 

I love the 1794 interior. Looks great overall!

 

I would love to see your wheels powder coated...I want to have done the exact same way

 

I then went out and purchased a couple exterior cosmetic items. I replaced the stock antenna with a Metra 8” Stubby (looks only, as I only use XM or Spotify for my music selections). I also added tailgate stamp inserts by S.F. Products in chrome. If possible I will replace these with a different brand in the future as these are more stainless steel color than bright chrome.

 

A couple interior upgrades included JDM ASTAR interior LED lights (by far most PIA upgrade so far), I updated the start and off screens on the radio and filled in the “TUNDRA” letters below the radio using a silver sharpie

 

The first real upgrade came in the form of a pair of IONIC PRO series 5” curved chrome nerf bars that I picked up from a co-worker.

 

My most recent and most expensive upgrade so far happened this past Friday with the addition of Cooper Discover A/T3 (275/60R20) tires and Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks, I only installed them on the front and set them on the middle setting (1.57”), this would allow the clearance for the slightly larger tires and provide a slight level while maintaining a somewhat stock appearance.

 

Sweet rig, Randy! For the record, I am far from a grandpa nor a cowboy.

 

How do you like the ride of the Billsteins?

 

So far good, my truck does have a slightly stiffer ride since the upgrade, I am not sure if it’s the shock, the stiffer AT tires or a combination. I specifically set them on the middle setting, because I read and was told that that the top setting definitely makes for a rougher ride quality.

 

They’ll loosen up some

 

Finally got around to another upgrade, thanks to the GREATEST wife in the whole world. My wife picked up the TRD rear sway bar using her employee discount. I installed it this afternoon and immediately noticed the improvement as soon as I pulled out of the driveway.

 

Looks good

 

You will feel a big difference right away !!

 

Added a CB radio, unfortunately I found out they are kind of useless nowday, but hey this is the “old man” build. So why not a little nostalgic piece to a truck

 

Loving your truck, the brown kind of fits the "old man" image lol.

Any thoughts on changing the wheels?? Personally I think the factory 20's are too much wheel/not enough sidewall. Sadly the wheel selection on these trucks kind of sucks IMO, they don't use the same bolt pattern as every other Toyota truck. Seems likes there are A TON of options for black wheels, from clean to gaudy, not much in terms of a kind of traditional style wheel in chrome though, you know something like this IMO would look good on your truck with the right dish/offset . . .

 

Thanks, I really like the look of the stock 18” TRD rims (and they are dirt cheap, since everyone seems to get rid of them). So when this set of tires get close to needing replacement, I plan on swapping them out with 18’s. As far as bolt pattern, maybe I am missing something...are you saying that a stock 18 will not work?. They are both 5 bolt. Sorry but could not see your images either.

 

Welcome from NC!

 

Tundras use a 5 bolt pattern, I think its shared with the 200 Series Land Cruiser. Tacoma, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser have all used the same 6 bolt pattern since the mid 00's to the new trucks. Lots more wheel choices for those trucks. I was thinking something kind of like this, you like chrome and want to keep sort of an old school look, these style wheels with big beefy tires look the business IMO. I don't know if anybody does something like that for the Tundra.

 

1794 isn't only an old man truck. I'm 35 and love my Bronze mica 1794! Plus it's a head tuner. Your build looks great!

 

Maybe it’s because I grew up in a cow town, but I love the 1794’s! Not sure how brown leather makes it an “old man” truck

 

From another old guy, I'm diggin' it.

 

I was talking more about the brown paint. Seems like all those old 70's/80's Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, Mercury, Ford LTD etc land yatchs were painted brown and driven by an old man/woman.

 

This "old man" loves the 1794! The interior, in my opinion, is somewhat outdoorsy, yet very classy.

I wish one would have fit my budget (paid cash) when I was shopping as it is by far my favorite Tundra.

 

Get your Ham ticket, we can talk on our way to/from work.