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I bought the Space Taco stock 2 years ago and have incrementally built it out to become a highly capable adventure vehicle. I've learned a lot both from other forums and working through issues as I continue to modify the vehicle and wanted to document the process here for other SR5 owners.
The build won't be complete for another few years so I'll be updating this as more capabilty is added to the Space Taco!
Here is the TLDR build summary in the order of when modifications were made:
Picked up the bare bones SR5, which came with the 245/70/17 TOYO H/T. Also came with the chin strap which I promptly deleted as soon as I got it home from the lot. Removing the chin strap did drop MPGs down from the quoted 24MPG down to 22MPG, but worth the trade.
One other cosmetic modification I made right away was to add the black emblem overlays and the Tacoma inlay. This was the beginning of the Space Taco build!
New Shoes
After testing out the stock Space Taco during the fall and winter in the Colorado Rockies and a Moab trip it was time for the first functional upgrade. I swapped out the TOYOs for 285/70/17 Falcon Wildpeak AT4W C load.
These fit comfortably with the stock suspension and no modifications needed. There was only slight rubbing when the steering wheel was fully cranked. I chalked this up to the +55 offset stock wheels so new wheels made it onto the list of future upgrades.
There was minimal poke on the stocke wheels too.
The Wildpeaks were a great first functional upgrade that improved offroad functionality with increased clearance and significantly better traction. The MPGs took a big dip as these tires are pretty heavy. After install and driving around for months these settled at right around 18MPG.
Truck bed
Another functional addition was adding the RSI Smartcap. Protection from the elements and secure storage.
The Smartcap weighs about 200 lbs. The stock rear springs handled this fine, but once the bed was loaded down with gear (additional 200-300lbs) the rear was noticeably sagging and was a rough ride. Added suspension to the growing list of future mods.
Wheel upgrade
After a full summer and fall of off-roading, including rocky mountain passes and tight switchbacks, it was time to fix the rubbing issue and get a wheel with less offset. I also air down often and wanted a wheel that could reliably air down to 10-15psi with minimal risk of debeading.
Ended up settling with the Method 705 with+35 offset in Titantium. These are beadgrip wheels which allow for airing down to 5psi, but not sure I'm ever going to test that. Never the less, this gave me peace of mind when going down to 10psi.
These solved the rubbing issue as well with the +35 offset. The poke increased to around 1.5inch on both the front and back wheels. Planning to run these for a summer and then decide if aftermarket fender flares are needed to protect the truck body from mud and rocks flung up from the increased poke.
Lifted
After pushing the limits with just the tire upgrade and airing down, it was time for a more significant upgrade to ride quality and offroad capability.
Installed Old Man Emu MT64 suspension with a 3inch lift in the front and 2inch lift in the rear. Front coils were for stock weight and set to the highest preload. Rear coils were for 440lbs constant load. I also upgraded the Upper Control Arms with OME UCAs.
I also added some RCI 20deg sliders with top plates at the same time. I tagged my rocker panels (see pushing the limits) so needed to add some protection as well.
When first installed, the MT64 with these coils and circlip setting had a slight rake. The following measurements are with no gear in the bed, just the 200lb smartcap.
Rear ground to fender height of 41inch.
Front ground to fender height 40.5inch.
I loaded 240lbs of sandbags into the bed to simulate a constant load of 440lbs that the rear coils are rated for. This resulted in perfectly level suspension, so I am considering reducing the front coilover preload to one of the middle circlip settings.
Some comments on the MT64s. These are a significant upgrade over the stock SR5 suspension. Firm with good handeling but also absorbs imperfections and bumps comfortably when loaded. MPGs took a small hit, dropping down to 17MPG.
The one issue I've noticed is an increase in turning radius. I've found in other threads this may be due to some other steering components (knuckle bracket, tie rods) that need to also be swapped out. Still investigating but will likely be swapping out a few more components to complete the suspension upgrade.
The build won't be complete for another few years so I'll be updating this as more capabilty is added to the Space Taco!
Here is the TLDR build summary in the order of when modifications were made:
- Removed air dam
- Black overlays/inlays
- Falcon Wildpeak AT4W, 285/70/17, load C
- RSI Smartcap
- Method 705, Titanium, +35 offset
- OME MT64 w/UCAs, 0lbs/440lbs, 3inch/2inch
- RCI Sliders, 20deg w/top plate
- Drawer system
- Fender flares
- Axle dump exhaust
- Front and rear lockers w/regearing
- Front bumper w/winch
- Rear bumper
- Skids
Picked up the bare bones SR5, which came with the 245/70/17 TOYO H/T. Also came with the chin strap which I promptly deleted as soon as I got it home from the lot. Removing the chin strap did drop MPGs down from the quoted 24MPG down to 22MPG, but worth the trade.
One other cosmetic modification I made right away was to add the black emblem overlays and the Tacoma inlay. This was the beginning of the Space Taco build!
New Shoes
After testing out the stock Space Taco during the fall and winter in the Colorado Rockies and a Moab trip it was time for the first functional upgrade. I swapped out the TOYOs for 285/70/17 Falcon Wildpeak AT4W C load.
These fit comfortably with the stock suspension and no modifications needed. There was only slight rubbing when the steering wheel was fully cranked. I chalked this up to the +55 offset stock wheels so new wheels made it onto the list of future upgrades.
There was minimal poke on the stocke wheels too.
The Wildpeaks were a great first functional upgrade that improved offroad functionality with increased clearance and significantly better traction. The MPGs took a big dip as these tires are pretty heavy. After install and driving around for months these settled at right around 18MPG.
Truck bed
Another functional addition was adding the RSI Smartcap. Protection from the elements and secure storage.
The Smartcap weighs about 200 lbs. The stock rear springs handled this fine, but once the bed was loaded down with gear (additional 200-300lbs) the rear was noticeably sagging and was a rough ride. Added suspension to the growing list of future mods.
Wheel upgrade
After a full summer and fall of off-roading, including rocky mountain passes and tight switchbacks, it was time to fix the rubbing issue and get a wheel with less offset. I also air down often and wanted a wheel that could reliably air down to 10-15psi with minimal risk of debeading.
Ended up settling with the Method 705 with+35 offset in Titantium. These are beadgrip wheels which allow for airing down to 5psi, but not sure I'm ever going to test that. Never the less, this gave me peace of mind when going down to 10psi.
These solved the rubbing issue as well with the +35 offset. The poke increased to around 1.5inch on both the front and back wheels. Planning to run these for a summer and then decide if aftermarket fender flares are needed to protect the truck body from mud and rocks flung up from the increased poke.
Lifted
After pushing the limits with just the tire upgrade and airing down, it was time for a more significant upgrade to ride quality and offroad capability.
Installed Old Man Emu MT64 suspension with a 3inch lift in the front and 2inch lift in the rear. Front coils were for stock weight and set to the highest preload. Rear coils were for 440lbs constant load. I also upgraded the Upper Control Arms with OME UCAs.
I also added some RCI 20deg sliders with top plates at the same time. I tagged my rocker panels (see pushing the limits) so needed to add some protection as well.
When first installed, the MT64 with these coils and circlip setting had a slight rake. The following measurements are with no gear in the bed, just the 200lb smartcap.
Rear ground to fender height of 41inch.
Front ground to fender height 40.5inch.
I loaded 240lbs of sandbags into the bed to simulate a constant load of 440lbs that the rear coils are rated for. This resulted in perfectly level suspension, so I am considering reducing the front coilover preload to one of the middle circlip settings.
Some comments on the MT64s. These are a significant upgrade over the stock SR5 suspension. Firm with good handeling but also absorbs imperfections and bumps comfortably when loaded. MPGs took a small hit, dropping down to 17MPG.
The one issue I've noticed is an increase in turning radius. I've found in other threads this may be due to some other steering components (knuckle bracket, tie rods) that need to also be swapped out. Still investigating but will likely be swapping out a few more components to complete the suspension upgrade.
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