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COSTMAN13's 2003 AC Tundra

Discussion in '1st Gen Builds (2000-2006)' started by costman13, Mar 19, 2021.

  1. Mar 19, 2021 at 8:56 AM
    #1
    costman13

    costman13 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2021
    Member:
    #60600
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cam
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2003 AC Tundra TRD 4x4
    OME 2885, Nitrochargers, SPC UCA, Wheelers AAL, Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags, Method 701 & 285/75R16 Toyo Open Country AT III
    Hey all,

    I've recently began gathering parts for my 03 AC Tundra 4x4 TRD and was able to get them all on yesterday, so I figured I'd start a build thread. I'm not much of a step-by-step guy, but it is nice to have a running record of mods and maintenance.

    I bought this truck last November with 175,000 miles to replace my Astro Van camper I had built out, lifted and made true 4x4. It was a fun project, but I've always been a Toyota truck guy...

    (See previous my 2001 Tacoma build HERE)

    I replaced a few maintenance items right away - all four 02 sensors, new idler pulley, tensioner and pulley, serp belt, etc... But nothing major.

    The tires were in great shape - 265/70R16 Toyo Open Country AT II - a first for me. I've always been a BFG AT KO2 guy...

    IMG_4405.jpg

    Being that this truck was to replace my "camper van", it needed a camping situation fast. My girlfriend and I spend many more nights than most camping, skiing, fishing, etc... So the hunt began.

    Enter 2002 Four Wheel Camper Eagle

    IMG_3853.jpg

    F85846D9-BF1F-4079-BAD8-94354FE30539.jpg

    This is my second FWC Eagle (see 2001 Tacoma build on Expo). They are awesome and lightweight campers. Though lightweight, this truck still handles it so much better than my Tacoma ever did - even without any suspension mods.

    Now that we've had the camper, the truck needed suspension; the rear end was bottoming out on every speed bump / pothole and the overall drivability could be better. The FWC will not live on the truck full time, so I have stayed away from a full leaf pack in the rear.

    How it sits today -

    OME 2885 coils
    OME Nitrocharger shocks (front & rear)
    SPC Upper Control Arms
    Trail Gear Diff Drop & Proportioning Valve bracket
    Wheelers Offroad 3 leaf progressive AAL
    Firestone RideRite Airbags w/ Daystar Airbag Cradles
    Method 701 16x8 - 4.5" Backspacing & 0 Offset
    285/75R16 Toyo Open Country AT III (10 ply / LR-E)

    IMG_4418.jpg

    Being that I've liked the Toyo Open Country AT II's so much thus far, I decided to go with the new AT III's. First impressions of these tires are great. I would say better road manners than the KO2's, but we'll have to see about the offroad performance...

    While the truck was apart, I also replaced both CVs (split boots, dry joints), cam bolts, lower control arms and sway bar links.

    I'm excited to get the camper back together (another small project) and on the truck! I can't wait to feel how much better it handles the weight.

    More soon,
    Cam
     
  2. Apr 8, 2021 at 9:45 PM
    #2
    costman13

    costman13 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2021
    Member:
    #60600
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cam
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2003 AC Tundra TRD 4x4
    OME 2885, Nitrochargers, SPC UCA, Wheelers AAL, Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags, Method 701 & 285/75R16 Toyo Open Country AT III
    Not much of an update, but I finally got the camper back on and went camping...

    The truck handles the weight of the camper so much better with the new suspension / 10 ply tires. I'm very happy with everything so far.

    IMG_4489.jpg

    I'd really love to add an onboard compressor. Any recommendations as to Viair vs ARB? It seems the ARB is the standard.
     
  3. Apr 9, 2021 at 1:45 AM
    #3
    81 TOY

    81 TOY New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2021
    Member:
    #59950
    Messages:
    214
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Larry
    Vermont
    Vehicle:
    2008 Limited Crew Max
    Nice looking truck!
     
  4. Apr 9, 2021 at 6:47 AM
    #4
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2020
    Member:
    #40572
    Messages:
    8,915
    Gender:
    Male
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2000 Limited TRD AC 4X4 Thunder Grey 270k miles. 2019 Limited TRD CM 4x4 Cement Grey 75k miles
    2000: Bilstein 5100's 16x8 589's with 265/75/16 and 1.25" spacers Flowmaster 50 series over the axle dump Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE topper 2019: ARE topper with full Bedrug kit and Vortex rack TRD shifter 1.25" wheel spacers (I like to live dangerously) Red tow hooks for that +15 grip bonus
    Such a nice example of FGT doing it's thing. Great job with the build, good looking truck.
     
  5. Apr 9, 2021 at 8:01 AM
    #5
    costman13

    costman13 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2021
    Member:
    #60600
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cam
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2003 AC Tundra TRD 4x4
    OME 2885, Nitrochargers, SPC UCA, Wheelers AAL, Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags, Method 701 & 285/75R16 Toyo Open Country AT III
    Thanks guys!

    I don't think I'll build it quite as much as my Tacoma. No bumper this time around... At least for awhile. I was somewhat enjoying the grandpa truck vibe of it being completely stock, but it was somewhat impractical given the weight of the camper and places I generally go.
     

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