CoveyRise 2012 Tundra Build

Figured I'd start a build thread for fun. I had a 2016 tacoma before this, but we found out my wife was pregnant, so a few months ago we started looking for tundras. With three dogs and a kid coming, I knew the crewmax would be the right fit.

Found this 2012 with about 86k miles. It had some stuff done to it already- some I liked, like the topper, new 295/70/18 mastercraft mxts, and automatic running boards...But some stuff I didn't love, like the aftermarket exhaust, spacer lift, wheel spacers. The bumpers were okay to me.

Here's what it looked like when I bought it. October 2023.


The day after I bought it I took it elk hunting- about 2.5 hours on dirt roads down to the spot. It was nice to be in a full size again, until the trails got tight! Day 1- put a few pin strips on it. Oh well.



I also quickly realized that I needed extra gas for longer hunting trips. I got 2 harbor freight jerry cans and cut a piece of spare aluminum I had from an outdoor kitchen table for a mount in the bed.


Dog kennels fit in nicely. They are tied down with NRS straps (just not in this picture).


I did a few cosmetic things, like debadged the sides and removed the Bushwacker flares. While they provided good coverage, I just am not a fan of the pocket style flares. I also had some bad paint rub behind them. A shop buffed them out as good as they could, but I still have a few spots where they couldn't correct the paint.



From there, I took advantage of a Black Friday deal and bought Dobinson IMS struts and 610 coils. Shop here did a great job on the install, but installed them on the 2nd clip setting instead of the bottom like I asked. Oh well, it is mostly level. I plan to get Coachbuilder Shackles soon to bump up the rear a little bit more to get the rake back.

Huge difference on dirt. Love the front setup so much. When I do the Coachbuilder shackles I'll also replace the rear shocks (currently stock with an AAL from previous owner).




I really like the look of slightly lifted trucks with OEM wheels, but I didn't want to run wheel spacers. The previous owner did not install Spidertrax or Bora spacers and went with some unknown brand, so I really wanted to get rid of them. The 295 Mastercrafts were brand new when I bought the truck and touched the UCA without the spacers, so I decided to get new wheels.

I decided on FN FX Pro wheels in matte gunmetal. 18x8.5" and a +18mm offset. They turned out great.



Upcoming:
- I have a full set of marathon seat covers on order, but they won't get here for another couple of months. I had the front seat covers in my tacoma and I loved them. I can't wait to get them on both the front and rear seats.

- The stock headunit is pretty awful. It is super choppy when I take calls and just feels outdated. I'd like to get apple car play. I'll likely get an android unit like a Joying 10.1" soon, as long as I can retain my SWC.

- Front window tint

- Coachbuilder shackles

- Rear shocks- either Bilstein 5160s or Dobinson IMS rears.

- Mud flaps (If they will fit with the 295s)

 

I ordered a set of the RekGen Trophy Sport mud flaps and they came in today. I had to run to the pressure washer to get all of the ice build up off the wheel wells before installing in the nasty weather. I only got the rears on. I tried the fronts, but I rub where the bottom-most screw goes, near the body mount. I'm trying to decide if I modify them or not. That will have to wait until some nicer weather.

The rears look good though!

My marathon seat covers are cut and in production. Should be here soon.

 

Got the front flaps on today. Cut them using a jig saw on low speed. Used a cardboard template to get the clearance right. I had to ditch the metal bracket on the backside that was used as reinforcement, but they seem sturdy enough.

 

Got the Marathon seat covers in today and installed them this afternoon. I had a set in my 2016 Tacoma and I forgot how much of a PITA they are to install. The rears still need some work, but the fronts went on easier. I will massage out those wrinkles in the seats in the next few days once I sit in them some. I still need to put the console cover on as well. The instructions are horrible and you'll cuss a lot, but once they are on they are great. My last set held up great with 3 dogs.

 

Got my front windows tinted yesterday. I had the same ceramic tint on my Tacoma and loved it. I think this cleans things up a bit on the outside.

 

It's been a minute since I've been on here.

I finally chopped off the Flowmaster exhaust that came with the truck and had a shop get me back to stock. Best money spent for me.

I installed the Road Active Suspension HD system last weekend. I gained about 0.5" and it's so much better towing. Very pleased. I also installed Old Man Emu rear shocks (old stock shocks are in the picture, didn't get a photo of the new shocks in).

I'm going to switch up my tire setup soon to more of an RT/AT.

 

Hunting season has taken a bit of a toll on the truck. Lots of scratches that I need to buff out, some paint chips, and just signs that it's seen a lot of dirt roads over 4 months. Ripped a mud flap off, etc. I'm starting to fix it back up. All good, that's what trucks are for.

In December I ordered a front bumper from @STravis/SOB Fabrication. They look incredibly well built and I'm excited to get it in. His bumpers require the valence piece that was taken off when the previous owner installed the Smittybilt bumper, so I have that valence and all of the associated hardware coming in tomorrow. It was a lot more than anticipated!

My battery terminals and hold down needed a lot of attention, so I just replaced it all with SDHQ stuff.

I have a Dr. Colorchip kit in and will fix up the paint chips when temps get warmer.

My tires are starting to get pretty bad- the plan is to get UCAs and then slap on 285/75/18s in the Spring.

That's all for now!

 

New tires yesterday. Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT. Stayed with 295/70/18 for the ease of knowing they fit.
I was getting so fed up with my old tires- Had they rebalanced twice and rotated and they still made my truck feel like it was vibrating to death. Now it's smooth.

I have a grill on order to get it color matched when I get my valence bumper sprayed.

Husky X-Act floor mats front and rear ordered.

 

Nice set up. How are you liking those Cooper Strongholds so far?
Just ordered me a set and should be here on Wed.

 

So far, they have been great, though I’ve probably only put 600 miles on them. Very quiet in town with a slight high pitched hum on the interstate. I am taking a 8 hour trip in the truck this week so I will know more about their interstate manners.

 

Incredibly impressed with the fit of the Husky X-Act Floor Mats.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Took delivery of my bumper today and dropped it off at powdercoat.