"Exit Plan" - 2018 Barcelona Red Platinum

That’s the nicest red truck I have ever seen! You know, when you look at something and say “that be my dream truck and the mods I would do”. Not kidding, that’s a gorgeous red, Platinum trim, light stock TRD wheels; modest suspension, ceramic etc you have planned. I wouldn’t decal such a clean design. I have the same tires but I would go smaller next time with lighter rims like yours. Yes, I’d add a DiamondBack, sliders, tint match the front windows to the back. I’d also OEM square bezel and DIY Rigid the fogs (I did already, amazing practical upgrade for night driving) and get a 2019 Pro grille. The new Pro’s don’t come in red and that be a unique look. Anyways, I’m just dreaming, do what makes you happy, that’s number 1.
Enjoy!

 

I've been messing around with how I can make a set-up to haul 4 bikes (or at a minimum, two) with a Diamondback cover and still keep the functionality of the cover. I've heard really good things about the One Up racks trays, and so been brainstorming about how I can use those in conjunction with a cover to haul bikes and gear securely.

I've been thinking two options:

1. Use a SE cover and the One Up rack van trays. These would utilize a van tray on the front and rear sections of the folding parts of the SE, attached the L-track sections I mount on the cover. These are the trays: https://www.1up-usa.com/product/van-tray/

The problem with this is the trays would basically mount at the full length of the panels of the cover, running parallel with the truck. Since the front wheel goes a bit beyond the front of the tray, I'm pretty sure it would hit the cab.

A potential way to mitigate this would be to use a wheel chock on the front L-tracks, and then the van wheel tray on the rear. Wheel chock like this one: https://rbcomponents.com/collections/chocks/products/l-track-bicycle-wheel-chock

The thing I don't like about the wheel chock is it's not as low profile.

Overall, this would be the idea:

 

Option 2:

Use a Diamondback 180 cover, and mount the One Up roof racks onto T-slot rails that I mount on each panel.

Roof rack: https://www.1up-usa.com/product/roof-rack/

This way, I could have two racks per panel (I think), and still have the panels open with the racks on in place (but no bike, obviously). Something like this....

 

Thanks man! And agreed, I would like some tint, and some improvement to lighting, but overall, I'm stoked. I've pondered the TRD pro grill, but the honeycomb is growing on me, and the cost of the TRD pro grill with TSS is just a killer.

 

Man, that is one sweeeet color. If I couldnt get a PRO, I would have went your way as well. The mods you did are tasteful.

 

Ok, a kind of half-ass update here....

Over the weekend:

• LED interior lights finished
• LED brake/reverse lights installed
• LED puddle lights
• Oh shit handle driver's side done
• Tacoma TRD shifter set up (not sure if it's a keeper...yet)

and more importantly.... an impulse buy in the shock department! Went for the 6112/5160 set-up. Plan is to run them on the middle setting, or next lowest. I don't want much lift, just level, and my goal is performance with minimal extra wear and tear. Since I've already cleared my tires, no need for much lift (in my mind).

I had originally planned to keep suspension stock, but I changed my mind. I was concerned going aftermarket would cause me warranty issues down the line, which I'm sure it will, but I'm also pretty sure that if I run this stock Platinum suspension on anything but pavement it's not gonna last too long.

I also am not too thrilled with the body roll and overall handling, so I'm hoping this suspension is worth the money. If not, I can always go back to stock (for a price...)

Hopefully, it'll be here at the end of this week.

 

I also have commitment and indecisiveness issues.... so here is proof

 

@cantle if you want to get rid of body roll get the trd rear sway bar. Made a huge difference. On ramps felt much better with them. Keep in mind that they will hurt articulation off-road though.

 

I'm hoping this suspension set up gives me a compromise on both ends of the spectrum. I figured try this, then if it's still bad I can try the sway bar. Seems like most people are happy when they upgrade the shocks, so Ifigured it was a worthwhile investment.

 

Aright, kinda lame update, but here it goes....

I got the bedliner in, some little details like a Tacoma TRD shifter, phone mount, etc. I also threw in the Tech12Volts sub replacement. Total game changer, and for $200 my sounds system actually has some depth.

I know everyone will say I'm nuts, and after having a major shipping delay on my 6112/5160 set-up, finally getting the stuff, seeing it in person, and thinking more..... I decided to return the set-up. I just didn't feel like the fit, finish, and function of the Billies was working with what I had planned for this build. I didn't want to lift for the sake of lifting/leveling, and I *really* want to only put components on this rig that I would feel confident in taking with it all the way to the end. I plan on keeping the truck until the wheels fall off, and feel like the choice in mods should reflect that.

Due to the above, I'm starting to lean towards an Elka system with SPC UCAs, or Fox 2.5: Both of these offer dual zone compression adjustment, ability to run a small level, and are rebuildable - things that I think would be clutch for my dual use/daily driver needs. Being able to make quick adjustments for long highway pulls or desert runs is super cool in my mind.

It's a significant investment, and as a result, I'll need to save my pennies for a while. The good news is I'm happy with the truck as is, and this would just be icing on the cake. The Elka system seems to have a nice attention to detail with billet clamps, etc.

Upcoming plans:

• Elka/Fox Suspension with clickers
• KB Voodoo Bedrack or crossbars
• Potential bedslide
• Shitload bike racks
• Ditch/Bed lights

 

Little update action here.... but not much seeing as I just finished my move from CA to CO. While this wasn't much to tow, the Tundra pulled it like nothing. Great power up the passes, but I was wishing I had that Elka suspension installed



One the trip (with Uhaul), I stopped by ESP trucks and snagged a long-box from Earl @havasubud . I gotta say, you can't go wrong with this thing. Early is a stand-up guy, and the product is top quality. I really appreciate the attention to detail on the heavy duty locks, powdercoated seat rails, and overall clean install.

Only thing I would change is the floor mats... .I would go without full coverage with this to make it a bit "cleaner" where the box sits. I took some pictures to show the install process.

 

Finally got to my new digs too... which is a great change from CA for me (mountain kid at heart).

 

Where did you get the door handles and the caps?

 

@SparksParts

 

God you made it safe to Co. Was great meeting you.

 

Good looking truck!!!

 

Great install pics of that beautiful esp storage. I definitely want the long style like you installed! Truck looks great too, congrats on the move to Colorado!

 

very nice

 

Awesome truck!!! I have a 2013 Barcelona red crewmax tundra and the red color is amazing! I have had people ask me if it had been repainted.The color just glows! I debaged my tailgate and sprayed the side decals and the Toyota emblem in the grill matte black to see if I liked it. I am going to remove them and buy the actual matte black decals. The black decals on the Barcelona red looks really good.Your truck is really amazing!

 

Thanks man! I love the red too.... I'm looking at doing some protective film and coating just cause I love the color when it shines.

I'm still a bit on the fence about what to do next. A suspension upgrade would be great, but I think anything more than a little level and the wheels/tires I have would look a bit too small. That would send me down the rabbit hole, and I really love how it drives right now (aside from the stock suspension).

Going to try and keep the "factory" look and spec. of the build going for now and see what happens.

Chris

 

Go for the long box man. The cost is more, but the space savings and overall look are great.

Feels good to be back in that mountain air!

 

Well.... shit. I come outside to this in the morning..... no note, nothing. Some people suck.

 

https://www.colorlugs.com/products/lugcap-21-23mm


Sorry about your front bumper cover, I had to replace mine a few months back when I hit a deer. Easy fix. The most annoying part is getting it painted to match.

Above is a link to a cheap mod that I have done to my truck, I like how it turned out. We basically have the same wheels.

 

That's good to hear. How much did the cap cost you?

 

To be honest i forget, i do remember it cost me 100.00 to have them paint. The whole bill was under 500.00. I also had to get a bumper valance. I will look for the paperwork. I get discounted pricing from my dealership just because of a long relationship was a bit cheaper then vendors here but not by much.

You can get the part from @romam but will need to still get it painted.

 

Cool. To be honest, for 500 or so, I might honestly consider just putting that towards an aftermarket bumper. I can live with this for a while, and it'll probably happen again. My sensor seems fine, and the light still works.

 

You would have at most 250 for bumper cover a repaint.

Enjoy being back where you want to be brother. I have family in Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs and Aurora. Haven’t been to Colorado since I spent a winter season at Keystone. I will never forget it but I feel the same way you do about hometown. Good luck

 

Yea, that is actually really cheap. I'll just do it, but the bumper sounds more fun (jk)!

I'm pretty damn happy with the truck as is right now. Adding a bedrack or similar, and honestly I think I'm just gonna run it. No reason to mess with a daily driver that is doing me right and totally covered under warranty.

And thanks man. Just to put in perspective how much happier I am here... if this had happened in CA I was so high-strung I would have freaked out. Today I just shrugged, decided to fix it one way or another, then went out for a hike in the sunshine and didn't see a damn person.

I'm happy. Not the *exact* town I grew up in, but it's the one I used to know and I feel like I've been waiting to come here for the last ten years.

 

If you don't mind me asking where did you buy the Tacoma shift knob from and did it come with the knob and leather looking TRD boot as well?

Thanks in advance and sweet looking Platti man!

 

Hey sorry dude I didn't see this until just now!

I bought the boot and shifter off of Ebay. It was just a general TRD boot that I tucked under the trim, and the Tacoma TRD Pro shift knob. You have to trim the bottom platic off of the shift knob, and then double sticky (VHB) the boot to the shifter once theaded on.

Hope that helps! The shifter was expensive, but the boot was like 10 bucks. I really like the small knob.