2018 Tundra SR5 - Sleeper Build

Well guys-figured i should start a thread here for some progress shots and updates.

My plan with this truck is to make it as capable while maintaining stock form (we will see how long this lasts)

Below is the list of parts I plan to utilize:

Suspension:
Icon Billet UCA
King 2.5 Ext. Travel Coilover w/ adjusters
King 3.0 Rear 3 Tube Bypass
Total Chaos Bump Stop Brackets
King short stroke 2.0 bump stops
(Deaver U748 or custom Deaver AAL for weight management)

Wheels:
Icon Compression 17” - Bronze
LT315/70R17 BFG KM3

Lighting:
SDHQ A-Pillar Brackets
Baja Designs XL80 Amber
Baja Designs Squadron Sport Amber Wide Chase Light

RTT/Bed Rack:
Smittybilt Overland RTT
@KB Voodoo Steel Max Modular Rack 10”x58”

I will do my best to keep this thread updated with pictures as I have time.

Cheers!

Purchase day- Baby gets a real back seat in dads truck.


Christmas gifts...?


1/29/2018 Progress Shot:


6/1/19 - Camping - Alabama Hills, CA


8/2019 - Mammoth Lakes, CA


12/2019 - New Rubber - LT315-70R17 BFG KM3



01/2020 - Rago Dash Mount

 

Welcome from NC!

 

welcome from CA. solid parts list you've got there, stoked to see it come together

 

Nice parts list Kevin. I've always felt that the back seat of the Tundra keeps my girls as safe as possible on the roadways.
In my mind, now going on my 4th set of UCAs, there are only 2 that I would recommend. TC and MCM. Can't wait to see what you go with.

Edit, now going on 5th set of UCAs.

 

I hadn’t actually sat back there until yesterday at Joshua Tree while I was feeding our daughter-very roomy and it did indeed make me feel safe.

If you don’t mind me asking, which UCA’s have you had and what made you move onto different ones?

I’m worried that what I had in mind may be one of those you have installed and gotten rid of...

 

First were Camburg BJ and they induced (too much IMO) a lot of caster and I think I may have damaged the steering while running 'em
Second were Icon tubular with the Delta Joint. While the DJ is very cool the arms themselves are flat out WRONG. Myself and a friend have both found it impossible to get a proper alignment, too much camber, not enough caster. Icon's solution: cut the inner tie rods. WTF? How 'bout you guys just start making 'em the right length? Placed on top of the third set, MCM, Icon's are +/- 3/8" too short.
The third, MCM, are great. The eccentrics are fairly neutral with 0* camber and 4- 4.5* of caster.
The 4th set are TC 'cause I'm going long travel. So, including OEM it'll be 5 sets total. Just don't tell my wife. lol

 

Thanks for the detail. No worries with spilling the beans to the tower.

I have been eyeing the icon billet arms... I won’t be cutting my tie rods though. We’re you running them with 3.0 coilovers? I have seen the tie rod issue with the larger coilovers.

 

You won't have the issue with the billets 'cause they've got heims. Doesn't matter what shock you're using with the Icon tubular. The UCAs are too short. The distance from the truck frame to the Delta Joint is +/- 3/8 too short. That's why they say cut the inner, it's to make up for their being too short and allow you to hit your 0 camber. The ONLY UCA that necessitates/ recommends cutting the inner. The eccentric bolts in the LCA can't make up, don't have enough adjustment, to make up for their error.
My tie rods never hit the shocks and I've got a CB steering kit which makes that distance even closer. That's a matter of caster. 2 ways to adjust caster. Most aftermarket UCAs move the uniball back toward the cab, thus increasing caster by moving the top of the spindle back. (Look at a Camburg UCA and the rear arm is straight-ish, the Icon has a notable bend forward. Therefore Camburg yields more caster) The other adjustment is in the LCA and moves the bottom of the spindle forward thereby increasing caster.
So, what's it all mean for you? Nothing....LOL
With the heims on the billet arms you should tons of adjustability.

 

yard sale ? PM me @831Tun

 

That was a very long and informative post. I actually laughed at the end.

That was my thought track with the billets is the added adjustability and the ability to adjust on the truck (not sure how easy it is beings that the adjustment is tucked back in the wheel well/fender liner area) but nonetheless, plenty of adjustment.

 

No kidding. Pick a color, any color!

 

Well I’ve got my install set for the AM. Still undecided on tires so I’ll be riding on stock tires until I make up my mind.

Leaning towards the Falkens once I can find someone who has them in stock. Will update once I see the final product.

 

Install of UCA’s, coilovers, and rear bumps is complete.

Falken Wildpeak AT’s should be in this weekend and then just have to find some time to get them on. Decided to go with 295/70R18. Hoping for minimal rub if any!



Try to ignore the stock shocks in the rear. Still waiting on funds for the rear and for me to make up my mind with the set up.

 

Initial post updated

Tires were installed this morning - loving the added rubber! Can’t wait to get it back on the dirt and see how they do. Maybe even some snow this weekend should our So Cal mountains get it.

 

It’s been a nice solid month of enjoying the set up. With the upcoming camping season among us-I places an order for the @KB Voodoo Max Modular 10” x 58” bed rack to throw a RTT, awning and other accessories on.

Will update with photos once it’s installed.

 

How did this setup affect your gas mileage?

 

The tires? If this is what you’re referring to my city took about a 1 mpg dump as did highway. I haven’t gotten a good long highway trip but my 30 mile commute to work is right around 17 mpg now

 

So you have 2.5 lift in the front? Anything in the back?

 

Other than the king bumps in the rear I have not touched it. Plan to do Deavers and Shocks once I get around to it.

 

Popped by @sdhq_offroad this Saturday while in Phoenix. Took my daughter with me and I know she’s mine because she went straight for the Baja Designs XL80 kit.

Needless to say I was impressed with the crew there and the vast assortment of parts that I don’t need but will find a reason to pick up.

Still trying to decide whether to go switch pros or sPod for the light panel. I’ll update the initial post once I get the XL80’s installed.

 

Got the KB Voodoo/Max Modular bed rack installed yesterday while the power was out in our neck of the woods.

Hoping to get the RTT test mounted sometime this weekend.

Here’s a sneak peek:

 

Just finished wiring my sPod, Baja designs XL80’s as well as mounting the squadron sport as a chase light.

Still need to tackle the chase light wiring (trying to avoid going through the firewall again but i think I may have to)

 

Making a pit stop at King today. 3.0’s are soon to be on the truck

 

6/3/19

It has been a bit since I posted here but we took a road trip up to Alabama Hills this past weekend. Our daughter was feeling much better this go around and we made it through the whole weekend (great success).

Here are a few shots from the trip:

 

Been a while since I posted here - no new updates other than the venom 250 muffler and exhaust chop I did early on in the summer.

I’m thinking of upgrading my wheel and tire set up to 17” wheels and some new rubber 35x12.5x17 (General X3’s or Falken Wildpeak MT’s).

What do you guys think about the machined method 315 on the truck? I can’t find any photos of them on a tundra in the machined finish but did find it on Method’s web site.

let me know what you guys think....

 

Love your setup. I'm looking at a black Tundra right now to purchase and you have a lot of the same mods i'd like as well. I really like the wheel choice with those methods, i did a quick photoshop of your truck with them. Looks killer if you ask me. Obviously the tires are a good bit larger on that Silverado though.

 

Luv the family outdoor adventures pics, especially the gorgeous mountains in the back ground. What is the retail cost on the Tent Bed???

 

I’m not sure how I missed this but thank you. I dig this look too but might be headed in a different direction with some Icon wheels - mostly because they come in +25 in the 17s.

 

Well things changed drastically. Black Friday sucked me in and picked up a set of icon compression-bronze for the tundra. Heading to the shop in the AM to get the new KM3’s (315/70R17) on.

cant wait to see the results

 

Sneak peak of the new tires and wheels....