sovat4r
New member
I know this build thread will probably fail in comparison to those already way far advanced from where I'm starting, but here goes.
I was always into building Jeeps and big GMCs, and never thought there would be a day where one of those didn't exist in my garage. However, about a year ago I fell in love with the 3rd gen and picked up a '02 SE. Built her up and have been nothing but amazed at what she accomplishes in both the mountain rocks and coastal mud. Here is how she currently sits:
When it came time for a new build, I honestly thought I'd be starting again with a new '15 Z71, however the introduction of the TRD Pro model and pics of 5th gen builds on T4R.org got me into the Toyota dealership. I loved the TRD Pro and almost ordered one, but then realized there was no possibility to get a few 'must haves', ie. moonroof and KDSS. Aside from the kick ass front end, I could achieve exactly what I wanted, plus more in a Trail Premium. Aside from the 'must haves', I knew I wanted more than the 1" lift that the Pro gives, and found it almost sacrilegious to pay a premium for a TRD suspension that I was going to immediately rip out anyway. Therefore, in early December I ordered a '15 Trail Premium with all options including KDSS, remote start, yada yada. After weeks of anxious waiting, she finally arrived last weekend.
In this 1st week of ownership, I've spent time ordering parts for my initial build effort. In the meantime while waiting for their arrival, I took care of some little things such as Oracle (CREE) 5000k LED headlamp kit, fog lights (tinted yellow) and 35% 3M tint on the front windows.
Parts for my initial build effort are ordered and should arrive early next week (lift, tires, wheels). Install is scheduled for Wednesday, and I'll post pics soon afterwards. Here is what my plan currently consists of:
LIFT: Toytec BOSS system, silver coils, HD rear springs, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks - ordered
UCAs: Total Chaos 96504 - ordered
WHEELS: 17x8 Konig Six Shooter in Graphite Gun metallic color (from my buddy Dustin at FN) - ordered
RUBBER: LT285/70/17 Toyo Open Country A/T II (my reasoning to keep the new one out the hard stuff for a while and leave that to the '02) - ordered
Other miscellaneous items in the plan that I'm still trying to decide upon:
RACK: I really like the Baja 1/2 rack vs. the full type system, but don't want to be left without proper mounting points for my future LED bars. Thinking I better pony up for a full rack system. Also like the DRABBITS rack because it includes adjustable cross bars which are a must for my snow and kayaking sports. One thing is for sure, Thule snow carriers on the factory crossbars create quite the racket and buffet loudly through the sunroof above 50mph so I'll have to figure out something soon.
ARMOR: I'm thinking the TRD front skid for now mainly for the PRO front end look. After a few years when I start putting this one into some tougher situations, perhaps full armor underneath which I'll have to investigate my options. I do need to look into rock rails though and remove the factory running boards...I know srockworks and cbi are great options, but are there any others I should look into?
BUMPERS: I plan to stay stock for now since I haven't really seen a front bumper for the 14-15s that I like with the funky body lines. Plus, I know the rear assembly is a PITA to modify. The one thing I would love is to figure out how to integrate a winch system in that huge space between the radiator and front bumper cover (on top of the front crossmember) then integrate the fairlead and front plate within the huge lower grille area. I love the hidden winch look on the 10-13 5th gens but haven't seen it successfully completed yet on the 14+.
LIGHTING: Of course once I have a rack system to mount upon, I'll pick up the obligatory front curved bar, some smaller side lights, and two for the rear. Need to figure out which of the switch options would work best as I'd like to integrate within my few cabin 'blanks' as cleanly as possible. Might pick up a set of Rigid ditch lights on CBI brackets while I'm lighting the rig up.
A work in progress for sure but hopefully I can get most of this done up front while she has little to no miles on her. I'm sure over time more and more will be added on as I discover new options from this forum.
Stoked for the first major step being installed next week. Will post progress pics as they come.
I was always into building Jeeps and big GMCs, and never thought there would be a day where one of those didn't exist in my garage. However, about a year ago I fell in love with the 3rd gen and picked up a '02 SE. Built her up and have been nothing but amazed at what she accomplishes in both the mountain rocks and coastal mud. Here is how she currently sits:
When it came time for a new build, I honestly thought I'd be starting again with a new '15 Z71, however the introduction of the TRD Pro model and pics of 5th gen builds on T4R.org got me into the Toyota dealership. I loved the TRD Pro and almost ordered one, but then realized there was no possibility to get a few 'must haves', ie. moonroof and KDSS. Aside from the kick ass front end, I could achieve exactly what I wanted, plus more in a Trail Premium. Aside from the 'must haves', I knew I wanted more than the 1" lift that the Pro gives, and found it almost sacrilegious to pay a premium for a TRD suspension that I was going to immediately rip out anyway. Therefore, in early December I ordered a '15 Trail Premium with all options including KDSS, remote start, yada yada. After weeks of anxious waiting, she finally arrived last weekend.
In this 1st week of ownership, I've spent time ordering parts for my initial build effort. In the meantime while waiting for their arrival, I took care of some little things such as Oracle (CREE) 5000k LED headlamp kit, fog lights (tinted yellow) and 35% 3M tint on the front windows.
Parts for my initial build effort are ordered and should arrive early next week (lift, tires, wheels). Install is scheduled for Wednesday, and I'll post pics soon afterwards. Here is what my plan currently consists of:
LIFT: Toytec BOSS system, silver coils, HD rear springs, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks - ordered
UCAs: Total Chaos 96504 - ordered
WHEELS: 17x8 Konig Six Shooter in Graphite Gun metallic color (from my buddy Dustin at FN) - ordered
RUBBER: LT285/70/17 Toyo Open Country A/T II (my reasoning to keep the new one out the hard stuff for a while and leave that to the '02) - ordered
Other miscellaneous items in the plan that I'm still trying to decide upon:
RACK: I really like the Baja 1/2 rack vs. the full type system, but don't want to be left without proper mounting points for my future LED bars. Thinking I better pony up for a full rack system. Also like the DRABBITS rack because it includes adjustable cross bars which are a must for my snow and kayaking sports. One thing is for sure, Thule snow carriers on the factory crossbars create quite the racket and buffet loudly through the sunroof above 50mph so I'll have to figure out something soon.
ARMOR: I'm thinking the TRD front skid for now mainly for the PRO front end look. After a few years when I start putting this one into some tougher situations, perhaps full armor underneath which I'll have to investigate my options. I do need to look into rock rails though and remove the factory running boards...I know srockworks and cbi are great options, but are there any others I should look into?
BUMPERS: I plan to stay stock for now since I haven't really seen a front bumper for the 14-15s that I like with the funky body lines. Plus, I know the rear assembly is a PITA to modify. The one thing I would love is to figure out how to integrate a winch system in that huge space between the radiator and front bumper cover (on top of the front crossmember) then integrate the fairlead and front plate within the huge lower grille area. I love the hidden winch look on the 10-13 5th gens but haven't seen it successfully completed yet on the 14+.
LIGHTING: Of course once I have a rack system to mount upon, I'll pick up the obligatory front curved bar, some smaller side lights, and two for the rear. Need to figure out which of the switch options would work best as I'd like to integrate within my few cabin 'blanks' as cleanly as possible. Might pick up a set of Rigid ditch lights on CBI brackets while I'm lighting the rig up.
A work in progress for sure but hopefully I can get most of this done up front while she has little to no miles on her. I'm sure over time more and more will be added on as I discover new options from this forum.
Stoked for the first major step being installed next week. Will post progress pics as they come.
