The Toyota Tacoma [as of 2026]

The build of the Tacoma changes from year to year. Here's how it sits as of today, with items added in 2025 in orange, and items removed in 2025, grey. I've also added notable maintenance in blue.

platform
2000 Toyota Tacoma - Xtracab 4WD SR5 V6 TRD in Imperial Jade Mica [purchase]

suspension - front
- SPC Light Racing Upper Control Arms (UCAs) [install]
  - update to X-Axis joints [details]
  - revert to polyurethane bushings [details]
  - replace upper ball joints (UBJs) [details]
- ADS 2.5" coilovers w/reservoirs and 650lb springs [install]
  - complete rebuild and revalve [details]
  - Replace rod ends [details]
  - complete rebuild (after 100K miles) [details]
- Kartek 7" limit straps [install]
- Diff-drop kit [install]
- Strongflex Polyurethane Lower Control Arm (LCA) bushings [install]
- DuroBumps LCA rear bump stops [install]
- DuroBumps LCA front bump stops [install]

suspension - rear
- Chevy 63 Leaf Springs [install]
  - 3" lift with a 4-leaf pack [impressions] [adjustment]
- ADS 2.5" smooth body w/reservoirs and 12" travel, in custom mounts [install]
  - [fabrication (the first time, incorrectly)] [fabrication (the right way)]
  - complete rebuild and revalve [details]
- DuroBumps 4.5" rear bump stops [parts] [install]
- DuroBumps u-bolt flip kit [parts] [install]

steering
- Energy Suspension Polyurethane Steering Rack bushings [install]
- New OEM Steering Rack [install]

brakes
- Tundra 13WL disc brakes, and supporting parts (front) [install] [break-in and first impressions] [upgraded hard lines]
  - New brake pads [maintenance]
- Toytec extended rear brake line [install] [since replaced with AdventureTaco extended rear brake line]
- ABS Disable Switch [install]

drive train
- Toyota eLocker (rear, stock)
  - Diamond rear axle housing [install]
  - eLocker failure and repair [maintenance]
- Relocated diff breather [details]
- Nitro gears 4.88 differentials [install] [first impression and break-in] [first oil change]
- Toyota Dyna R452 5th Gear Swap [install] [first impressions] [second impressions]
- ARB air locker (front) [install]
- DuroBumps front diff bracket bushings [install]
- Replaced the transfer case [details]
  - Replaced transmission seal on transfer case input shaft [maintenance] [replaced again, 2024]
- Clutch
  - Replacement [install]
  - Clutch pedal spring replacement [maintenance]
- Replaced timing belt, water pump, thermostat, etc.
  - At 90K miles
  - At 218K miles
- Replaced radiator [install]
- Replaced u-joint
  - Rear shaft, rear joint
  - Rear shaft, front joint
- Replaced center carrier bearing [install]

armor
- Relentless Predator front bumper [install]
- CBI Offroad Fab Outback 1.0 rear bumper with dual swing-out [install]
  - tire carrier failure and repair [maintenance]
- Relentless skids - IFS and transfer case [IFS skid install] [mid skid install] [fixing the IFS mounts]
  - Re-engineering the mid-skid mount [details]
- Relentless sliders with kick out [install] [maintenance]

wheels and tires
- 17" 1st Gen Sequoia Double 5-spoke wheels, painted bronze [install]
  - 1/2" BORA wheel spacers [install]
- 33x10.5" Kenda Klever RT [install] [1st impressions] [2nd impressions]
- Larger ABS fender flares from '01-'04 Tacoma to replace smaller fiberglass flares from '98-'00 Tacoma [install]

electrical
- - Denso 105A Alternator [install]
  - Big 7 Wiring Upgrade [install]
  - LiFePO₄ House Electrical System [component selection] [installation]
    - WattCycle 280Ah LiFePO₄ Battery
    - Victron Lynx Distributor
    - Victron SmartShunt
    - Victron Orion XS 50A DC-DC Charger
    - Victron SmartSolar 100/20 Solar Charger [ original install]
    - TP-solar 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger Kit [install]
    - Blue Sea 12 circuit fuse box [original install]
  - Dual AGM Batteries w/Blue Sea ML-ACR [fab and install] [batteries dying]
  - Bussmann fuse/relay box on custom mount [fab and install]
  - USB charger [install] [replacement due to RFI]
  - Power to the bed rack [fab and install]
  - USB charger installed on dashboard [install]
  - Rewired all accessories with pure copper [details]

lighting
- Headlights
  - 100/90W OSRAM H4 Headlight upgrade + harness [install] [housing replacement]
- Auxilary Off-Road Lights
  - Diode Dynamics SS5 Pro Spotlights mounted in front bumper [install]
- Fog Lights
  - Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro Selective Yellow SAE/DOT Fog lights mounted in front bumper [install] [wired to 4Runner fog light switch on steering column]

communications & navigation
- Homelink garage door opener in headliner [install]
- Uniden XL520PRO CB radio [install] [impressions]
- Firestik FireFly 3' CB antenna [install]
- Kenwood TM-D710GA dual band ham radio [radio install]
- Diamond NMO antenna and mount [antenna install]
- STI-CO ROOF-FT-NITI NMO 2m Ham antenna [install]
- mobilinkd TNC [install] [APRS explained]
- Viofo A119 V3 Dashcam w/hardwire kit [installation]
- Midland MXT275 GMRS radio [installation]
- Dash USB Charger for Navigation [install]

audio
- Kenwood Excelon DMX906S head unit [install]
- RAAMmat sound deadening [materials and prep] [install]
- Front door speakers - JBL Concert Series 521 5-1/4" [selection] [install]
- Rear quarter panels speakers - Kicker CSC65 6-1/2" w/Woofers [selection] [install]

interior gear
- scheel-mann Vario R seats [install] [2 year review]
- Ram mounts [A-pillar install]
- Center console riser to match door arm rest [design and install]

exterior gear
- Warn M8000-S winch [install] [quick connect]
- Custom fabricated bed rack [fabrication] [custom RTT mounts]
- Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT) Mt. Shasta [purchase] [install]
- CBI Frame Reinforcement Plates [install]
- Exped Megamat LW mattress [1-year review] [replacement and 5-year review]
- hi-lift [details]
- Dometic CFX3 45 [purchase]
- Honda Odyssey Windshield Sprayers [install]
- USActionTrax Recovery Boards