ToyLC 2018 1794 CrewMax build

This will be a build thread to share what I’m doing and hopefully help others to know what works, what doesn’t and what it looks like if selecting similar components.

I’m starting my build all while thinking I should wait and buy a 2020 Pro vs. spending more on this truck. However, I’m a bit of a researcher and I like a great deal, so it’s likely it will be a little while before getting the 2020.

Ok, the basics.

2018 Tundra 1794 CrewMax in the only vehicle color for me, white.
Currently stock, but will be doing the following pretty quickly and have ordered a few parts already from Roman and a relatively local dealer in NC.

• Door handles and mirror caps with flat black.
• TRD rear sway bar
• Driver side grab handle
• ReTrax cover
• Linex for the bed
• Toytec/Radflo 3/1.5”
• SPC UCA’s
• Cooper AT3 XLT’S (295/70R18’s) on Stock TRD wheels...NO Spacers (subject to change, but that’s the goal)
• BMC if needed, trying not to...but am prepared to
• N-Fab side steps
• Bora 1” spacers
• TRD Cold air intake
• TRD Pro center caps

I’m debating about painting existing grill, or replacing with TRD Pro grill.

I’ll grab the next few post as place holders. I work a lot, so updates may be slower than I’d like. I’ll take care of the easy modifications, and use others for the more time consuming ones, like the lift. I’ve done all my other builds over the years myself with a couple of friends, but don’t have the time to do it all right now.

More to come.

 

I’ll start with the the obligatory day I bought it and got it home pics. I could not find what I wanted locally in NC, apparently Southeast Toyota knows what is best for customers...who knew. I ended up ordering from Koons Tyson Toyota and flying to get it. I wanted NON FFV and could not order it from local dealers in NC.

Dealership shot.




Day I brought it home.



Received the NFAB steps and put them on.







Also received some goodies from Roman and was able to get the driver side handle installed.







Was also able to get the linex completed which turned out pretty nice.





More to come

 

So I managed to get a few more items completed.

Installed the ReTrax roll cover.



Another view...disregard the LC200 sitting to the side


So far, I'm a fan of this cover, though it took 3 deliveries to get one that had not been damaged by UPS running forks into the side of the box.


Also managed to change the chrome mirror caps and door handles. Again, thanks to @Roman for the customer support.

 

Alright, finally able to get spacers installed and tires mounted. Here are some pics of what my build looks like today.

Shout out again to ApexOverload in Greensboro/Brown Summit NC for a fantastic job on the Toytec/Radflo install.


Front spacers factory stud length was no problem. Rear factory studs were 2-3mm past the spacers, luckily the factory wheel has a relief which accommodates this small amount as I did not want to trim the studs.




SPC UCA'S and Toytec/Radflo Coilovers


Toytec Boss with remote resi






Even with the wheel spacers installed i still rubbed the skid plate so I bent it up on both sides about a 1/2 inch. I also had to heat and shape the front fender mudflaps and the rear fender liner towards the inside near the body mounts. It’s still very close, but clears full lock forward and reverse.

I’m loving how it looks now and the ride of the Toytec/Radflo system is very good and much more controlled than the stock TRD suspension.

I’m currently running 42psi in the newly installed Cooper Discover AT3 XLT'S, but I believe I’ll be adjusting that a bit lower after chalk test.

 

Welcome from CO. You found the right forum to find out what works and doesn't work.

 

Welcome! White...

 

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Welcome from Florida Panhandle

 

Ok, added a few of some of the progress.

 

I’m about to find out if stock TRD wheels work with Cooper 295/70R18’s, I’m afraid I’ll be one of the unlucky ones that require new wheels or spacers to clear the SPC UCA’s

 

Ok, so...on my truck the Cooper AT3 XLT’S (295/70R18’s) on Stock TRD wheels...do NOT, fit. With mild articulation/droop the top of the tire gets within 1/16” of the SPC UCA, and at full lock, the front inside edge hits the TRD skid and is really close to the front sway bar.

I’ve ordered Bora 1” spacers, which I’ll install next week, thank you @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc for shipping same day, greatly appreciate it. I’ll trim skid if needed.

Then I’ll be back at Discount Tire for another install attempt. It also looks like I’ll have to remove the front splash guard, this is even after installing @Coachbuilder1 1/2” bumper spacers.

Shout out to Apex Overload in Greensboro/Brown Summit NC for a fantastic job on the install of the Toytec/Radflo suspension kit, great communication from Josh and Jillian. If you are anywhere near the Triad area of NC, I’d recommend them...I’m pretty picky and don’t recommend lightly.

I’ll post more pics in a few days when I'm back in town.

 

My oldest daughter just had our first granddaughter so I was out of town a few days. I’m not 50 yet, so hearing “grandpa” jabs from folks at work seem a bit odd...but she’s a cutie.

I’ll update with the lift pics in the next couple of days.

 

Updated initial post with TRD items I just ordered thanks to the 40% off sale

 

Here are a couple more shots of the white fleet

 

So I received a few more goodies from @Roman to put on the truck as part of the 40% off sale.

Center caps




I'm sure they will look better when the truck is cleaned



Question for everyone with the 295/70R18 Cooper Discover AT3 XLT's....has anyone had any challenges getting them balanced well? I've been to Discount twice in 2 weeks and I am going to have to go back at least a 3rd time. They improved on the last time, though, they said a lot of weight when I asked...but I still have a "shimmy/shake" around 68-74mph range in the rear end.

 

Any luck with the shimmy and the tires?

 

No, not yet. Going to try to get back there this week. I’ve never had a bad tire or tires but i suppose there’s a chance this is the issue.

 

Just a quick update, Discount Tire balanced the original set of Coopers 3 times, then replaced with another new set and still couldn’t balance them to alleviate the vibration. At the end they believe that the isssues were due to the Bora spacers.

I then swapped to Nitto Ridge Grappler in 285/70R18’s and we will see how they do the next day or so. If issue persists, I’ll try removing spacers and see if that gets rid of the vibration.

 

So after the Nitto Ridge Grappler in 285/70R18 I still had a vibration and ended up ordering new wheels. I also went back to the Cooper AT3 XLT’S (295/70R18’s). I now have 4 TRD wheels with TRD center caps and lug nuts as well as 4 1" Bora spacers for sale if anyone is interested.

Wheels are: Vision Fury 18 X8.5 5-150 +25 offset

Here is what it looks like now.







Hope this helps some others. I am rubbing a bit again now with the change in offset, so I'll do some more plastic work in a few days to try and resolve that, it appears to be primarily the front mud flaps.

 

Funny, our home fleet is made up of Toyota and a Wrangler too. 2 Highlanders, one Tundra, one JKU Rubicon. Nice work!

 

Thank you...Sounds like you have done a great job yourself!

 

Welcome from Cypress, TX... Your truck is coming along great.

 

Thank you...I'm looking at RBP or AMP steps now and see which I like best.

For the AMP, I really don't care for connecting to the OBD port, but I've not researched enough at this point to know if that is required on my 2018.

 

Really like the stance of your truck. Great job on mods thus far. Are you going to replace the chrome grill and bumper caps?

 

Reading is hard.

Sub'd to keep updated. The mods on my '15 white 1794 are coming along slowly, so I'll live vicariously through you for now...

 

Nice looking truck. If you have not purchased the CAI yet. I would save the money and put it in to a Super Charger.

 

Do you still have the bora spacers for sale??

 

I've already purchased and installed it, I have too many "toy" wants to spend $6+K on a super charger at this point

I do, they are in excellent condition, if you are interested let me know I'll get them to you for $175 shipped.

 

Just saw your post. I ended up buying a pair directly from bora. Wish i would have waited a few more days for your reply.

 

Looking good!