Backslider's 2020 Cavalry Blue XXXL Station Wagon

Not going to go crazy with this one. Lift, wheels, tires, and some upgraded lighting all on order. Don't plan on spending too much time off the pavement, but wanted something big, comfortable, and powerful to haul the family around in when we're NOT on one of our week long, no cell service excursions.

On my to do list:

• Lift (FBG/Bilstein/BDS/Fox) Coilovers, UCAs, long AAL, Fox 2.0 rears - Done
  • Changed to Fox 2.5 + reservoirs and DSC adjuster on 5.6.2020
• Wheels KMC KM542 18x9 +18 in matte black - Done
• Tires Mastercraft Courser MXT 295/70r18
  • Cooper Dioscovered AT3 XLT 295/70r18
• Diode Dynamics PRO SAE fogs in amber -Done
• Winjet smoked black housing tail lights - Done
• 3rd brake light replacement
• Ceramic coating - Sitting in a box, waiting for the time to complete.
• Front and rear dash cam
• TUNDRA tailgate insert - Done
• LED front turn signals - Done
• Remove all badging (may keep bedside decals) - Done
• Window tint - Done
• Hypertech Speedo Calibrator
• RRW V2 Sliders - Done
• Full interior LED upgrade
• Full exterior LED upgrade (have ordered some parts for this)
• Black exhaust tip
• Buy a boat

3.25.20

2020 TRD Sport in Cavalry Blue bought new with 15 miles on the odometer.



Wanted to start a build thread and update over time so I can have a clear record of everything I've done, when it was done, etc. I got lazy with the last one and wish I would have kept some of that information.

4.2.2020


Winjet tail lights arrived. I had these before and had zero issues. These ones had a small quality issue - the tang for the right side turn signal was pushed inside the housing. When I removed the socket from the housing to inspect, the base of the tang was damaged and unusable. Used the socket from the OEM headlights and it fit fine. Will contact Winjet/vendor to see if they will send me a replacement socket.







4.3.2020

Got it back from the guys @ Fat Bob's Garage. These guys are amazing - their products are good, their service is good, their staff is talented. Best shop.

Installed lift, wheels, tires. Truck rides better by far than stock, and much better than my old Tundra too. Doesn't look too bad either.



Stopped at the movie theater to take a couple pics on my way home. Wanted to stop @ the GSL State Park but everything is closed because of Covid-19.






4.4.2020

Added and removed badges.



4.5.2020

Got my wax on late last night. Wanted to hit the 4runner this morning but the sky wouldn't clear up and I didn't want to risk it.





4.6.2020

Installed Diode Dynamics amber pro fogs and LED turn signals (SUCH A HUGE IMPROVEMENT)

Also removed the front license plate bracket that the dealership installed. %&^* aholes drilling into my front bumper.



5.6.2020

Fox 2.5 with reservoirs and DSC adjusters installed. Feels insanely good at surface street and highway speeds. Have been playing with the compression settings and think I have it dialed in where I like it for daily use, which is 1 click over half way toward firm with slow speed, and about 1/3 of the way up on fast speed. Eats up road bumps, panel pavement highways, and crappy roads better than any truck I have driven to date. Corners exceptionally well.



6.23.2020

Quick spray off at the carwash, drove fast to dry.




7.22.2020

Finally received my Relations Race Wheels sliders. Install went quickly by myself. Look pretty good and seem really stout.

​

10.28.2020

4900 miles on the truck. Swapped out the Mastercraft MXT tires for Cooper AT3 XLT in 295/70r18. Very happy with the Coopers!

​

 

Welcome from Oregon!

 

welcome back !what happened to the old Tundra ?

 

Sold it just under 2 years ago to rapidly pay off certain types of debt. Credit cards, student loans, one car payment..

Now it's just the mortgage and a car payment.

 

​

 

Updated OP with lift and tire info

 

Truck is looking awesome. Love you quickly the build is evolving...

 

Thanks! It helps that I lurk here a lot and have a lot of inspiration (read "bad influences) from everyone here!

 

Classy work. I’m taking notes.

 

Definitely going to follow this thread. It looks great so far. I bought mine at the start of March and had to special order it but it is the same color and TRD Sport. Did you buy the lift kit through? I have been debating on a couple different options.

 

It's the Vated Predator Strikeforce kit from Fat Bob's Garage. I upgraded to the Bilstein shocks and got the Zone UCAs. Also did the long AAL for the rear.

Just to let you in on a little secret - I had a 2016 Tundra, and the first lift I put on it was the Fat Bob's Garage kit. It ran fine on and off road.. I do forest trails and maybe some medium difficulty stuff at most. After having it for a year I had some extra cash, "upgraded" to a more expensive kit from a brand that is very popular around here. From the very first day I regretted it. Ride quality suffered, bed shook like crazy on the freeway around 65mph. I called this company for support and even complained on these forums and basically got no support.

Fat Bob's has always gone above and beyond and their products and pricing are fantastic. If you're local I would ordered through them every time, even for parts that aren't theirs. If you're not local, this lift kit is an amazing bang for your buck, and if you're not doing SERIOUS offroading this is going to be more than enough for you, with a very comfortable on the pavement ride.

https://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/toyot...orce-suspension-package-2007-2019-p33239.aspx

If you have any questions call and talk to Marc. Let him know I sent you and he'll take great care of you.

 

Updated OP with badging/debadging information.

Highly recommend these tailgate insert letters: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q2HZDKF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are made of metal, very high quality, and because they are raised they give a very different appearance that the standard insert decals. They're 1/5 the cost of some of the stickers out there. Very happy with this purchase.

 

Welcome from Utah, your build looks great!

 

@Backslider do you have any rubbing with that size of tire?

 

I did, but removed all mud flaps and did a cab mount chop. If you go that route, I highly recommend getting it done locally in Utah either by Noah Taylor in Sandy or in Layton @ Fat Bob's Garage. Both do great work.

 

@JOrnelas



Man... I took this truck out to Lone Rock / Skull Valley area for a nice drive before doing any upgrades - found some mud, played a little, immediately came home and sprayed the heck out of the undercarriage.. Still keep finding West Desert dust all over everything.

 

Yes, I’ve had that same experience.

 

Jumped right back in! Looking great!

 

Truck is looking great.

 

Man...I have to admit I used to not be a fan of that color. I have since changed my mind. Your truck looks great!!! Very well done.

 

Thank man, I appreciate it. Honestly I wasn't too sure about it either but when my wife didn't like it I knew it was the color for me!

 

LOL nice! My previous Tundra was inferno and I miss that truck dearly. I really appreciate the more unique colors anymore. Enjoy that badass truck!

 

@Backslider thanks for all the info and shop recommendations. I'm up in Wyoming, but get down to SLC fairly regularly, and it's good to see work from shops in the area.

 

Welcome from East TN! Truck looks great!

 

Glad it's useful to you! Fat Bob's is a great shop, they will always take great care of you and do awesome work. If you go in there for anything talk to Marc and he'll take great care of you.

 

Hark! A package hast manifested!

 

Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro Fogs are pretty dang alright.

Headlights only:



Headlights and fogs:



Fogs only:



As you can see the beam is amazingly wide and long, with a very crisp cutoff. The cutoff is even shorter directly ahead of the vehicle. My phone makes lights look brighter than they actually are at night, I think it's a software enhancement/cheat to get brighter photos at night. They're not quite this bright to the human eye, but still really great.

 

Neglected the Tundra and did a full detail on the 4runner today.

She has lots of scratches and little bruises - but she's still pretty.

​

 

Seeing that pretty red (Is it Barcelona Red, or one of the others?) almost makes me wish I had done a 4Runner. At some point, I might have to get one to go with the Tundra. I'll be forever broke because of mods......

 

Yeah, Barcelona Red. Wasn't my first choice but my wife loved it and it's really grown on me since.