Nice job with the emissions. That can often be a scary proposition. I need new mats. The original rubber ones are worn out. I'll have to pick up new ones.

Speaking of Tundras, I'm keeping an eye out for a good used one. That is my favorite truck. Does your one handle the camper well? Many have recommended either a Ram Cummins or at least a Chevy 2500 truck with the bigger (6.0L, I think) V8 to handle a camper or tow one even.

there!! finally some mild tech, instead of just piles of random parts laying on my driveway ;)

I love the Tundra. If you read thru my huge Thread on Expo, i cover a lot of its issues.
Load capacity is an issue on all 1500 trucks when your talking about carrying a camper. Know that you WILL exceed your rated carrying capacity on all camper choices. FACT.
That said, some carry better than others with simple upgrades, some don't. I think the Tundra carries loads exceptionally well with airbags. The truck has a silly huge rear axle and 10.5" gears, the drivetrain is solid.
Choosing the correct camper for you is very important. It has to make you happy and comfortable. We love our Northstar popup. It is loaded, but still nimble and low COG to take offroad. Some peeps need a much bigger camper, some are happy with the sparce offerings in 4WCampers. I have many friends of both persuasions.
If you find yourself heading towards bigger style camper, i would not even consider a 1500. Just get a 3500 and be done. Big is Big, know that you won't be out deep in the backcountry off anything but main dirt roads.

Towing-
My Tundra tows great! It sucks the gas, but tows excellent.



hope that helps some. feel free to ask any specific questions

Great picture. Thanks for the info. I'd rather go a bit light but some space and amenities would be nice (for the boss at home, so she can go too). That is why I am doing some research and saving in the meantime If I go used, the Tundra is my top choice. I'll have to beef it up for sure, and with airbags, it may end up being the top choice.

Unfortunately, domestic trucks (well, the Titan too) still cannot match the overall reliability of the Tundra. That keeps me going back to the Tundra. If I buy new, I'm a bit more at ease with the Chevy HD trucks and the Dodge Ram Cummins...at least I have warranty. Still...much to think about. I'll go find your thread on Expo. I have much to learn about this topic.

'10 Tundra CrewMax - Expedition Portal
NorthstarTC650-n-Tundra - Expedition Portal

Brilliant threads. I spent 30 mins looking through but will go back to read more. I think I made it halfway through...maybe.

Good stuff...really makes me feel like buying a truck but am trying to not be impulsive. A 12-14 low-mileage Tundra could be perfect but people often pay too much for them and owe too much on them, around here anyway.

Now that smog is done
Installed an intake. Need all the Air i can harness living at 8000'
Love the AFE DryFlow Filters, have had one in my Tundra for a few years and they work excellent, no oil into the throttle body, a High quality filter that is easy to clean.
Underdog Racing Development
Pulls most of its air using the same OEM snorkel location out of fender well, has an addtl. opening into front of box for added air. Not sure id go as far as to call it a CAI, but thats what everyone like to call them
It LOOKS GOOD, SOUNDS nice, sucks AIR!!



leaves a little more room behind it than the OEM box for something fun





A little preventive maintenance while I'm playing with the intake:
Rutech Air Induction Pump Bypass Kit- a Plug-n-play solution



Read plenty about the 4.7 air induction system issues. The VVTI secondary air induction pump failures. Might as well not put myself thru the headache. Can be a simple annoying noise or check engine light/ codes thrown/limp modes, or the valves stick open and you can't start your rig without digging deep. No bueno.
Simple harness, plugs inline at the AFM sensor plug on airbox, took 30seconds to install. Didn't install the block-off plates as my valves never stuck open.
No changes noticed yet.
P1441,P1442, P1444, P1...- Solution Toyota engine codes ? Rutech Solutions

Changed out the Lead-Acid battery for something that won't throw nasty juice all over the place when your bouncing thru the desert
Group Buy discount was nice. I have one in our 5th gen and it is very nice. Absolutely direct fit.
Northstar 27F. Lots of JUICE- for cold starts and running accessories like our ARB Fridge.



Used the OEM battery tiedowns mated with a steel battery tray from JEGS. perfect fit, durable and secure.



Todays projects all in place!

battery tray i used
JEGS Performance Products 10217, JEGS Battery Trays | JEGS Performance Products

The gas cap that was on your truck when I bought it was not OEM and it had the same issue. Replaced it with OEM right at 2 years ago. You would think it would last longer than that.

I'm liking where this build is going. Subscribed

Yeah, I knew it was a Toyota cap, thought it was original though based on how firm the seal was. 2 years is a bit short on lifespan.
I put a thin coat of Silglyde on the new caps gasket to try to keep it pliable, would think gas is gonna take it right off though.

Uhhhh, these aren't gonna fit?
Seem to b ok going straight on flat ground.

Need to make some room!

Getting a lil hand! Accessing parts is sometimes best left in the hands of the pros in the know. Or who they know

Glassworks Unlimited
Best product, hard service. If you want a set and don't want to ride on a washing machine for months, find a shop that has an amazing relationship with them
DMZ fabrication, Jeff, is one of those places. DMZ got it done and quick. http://dmzfab.com
Had Jeff instal them as well, for that perfect fit
Now I just need a bumper and some paint to get a more useable space that looks and works amazing.
Baby steps it seems

been busy stripping down and prepping!

nasty Missouri salty roads have gotten in. So the cleanup, which i will add is NO FUN, has begun to cleanup the frame
step 1- expose it
step 2- wire wheel and sanding wheel grind it, remove as much rust as i can manually
step 3- treat the cleaned frame with Duplicolor Rust Convertor coat https://www.jbtoolsales.com/duplicol...nverter-11-oz/
step 4- quick prime coat
step 5- topcoat in gloss black with POR15 TopCoat and Eastwood Extreme Chassis Black Extreme Chassis Black® High Gloss 14 oz. Aero - Best Chassis Black formulation Available with Eastwood

heres the nasty. my ocd cannot handle this stuff!!







also prepped some for the suspension. picked up some TC Cam Gussets. One of the oem gussets is already blown out and needs to be replaced, might as well beef it up



tabs tacked on the backside


and fully burned in. PS- I'm no pro welder, but nothing has ever fallen apart! YET


now, LCA's come off, then i gotta knock off the old ones and burn these on. All in good time.


Upgrading the brakes at the same time. Fronts were already upgraded to 5th gen calipers when i got the runner, but no treatment was applied so they are covered in surface rust.
Heres the rear 5th gen calipers. Picked up a set of loaded calipers from Centric.
Now ill remove the rust from the fronts and paint all 4 all purdy.



anyone looking to pull some rust. THIS stuff is amazing. Evaporust!!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M0TLQ66...X1RRACGFYESN2S

been using it for a couple years, it WORKS. soak your part for a day, wash it off with water, done. Paint. You even can reuse the stuff forever, just pour it back into the bottle till you need it again.



after shots coming