ive enjoyed this build. As an overlanding fan and a fellow Tacoma owner im a big fan of your tray and considering getting 1 for a tray/canopy tent setup
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The Australian market has some really sweet overlanding trays for Tacomas. They’re spendy, but nice.
This build is nickel and diming me, for sure. I could’ve saved a bundle if I had the tools and knowhow to do the fabrication myself.
In reference to what I said about the tray, I think this is going to be a failure point. Not necessarily the welds, but those bends. I anticipate stress cracks once I take it on a bumpy road with the tanks 3/4 full. That said, it’s not like the tanks can go very far if there is a failure there.
The racks loaded up “properly” (the extension ladder is just sitting up there for display; no straps yet)
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You’ve done an amazing job on absolutely everything Alex. The attention to detail couldn’t be any better.
If that little bend is bugging you I would just have them run a vertical weld on the side. In all honesty I’m surprised they even left that little tab on there. I would’ve cut it off and welded all the way around it. Like you said though, it’s not that big of deal and will be fine. It’s such a minor detail I wouldn’t worry about it.
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Thanks man. Tbh, the part that bothered me most was not using all the available height to drop the tanks (and their center of gravity) lower.
But then I took a closer look under the pan, and realized that they would’ve had to re-route the gas fill to make room for that. And I think at around 10 hours into the build, they were probably starting to look for ways to save me some money on the project. Which was much appreciated.
I’m really very happy overall.
Next year I need to focus more on marketing/business optimization and less on equipment. I stayed very busy this year, and it was much better than any year previous. But I really want to push pw’ing to generate more than half of our income. This year it was right around 36%.
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If you get on the tray and step into recess does it feel strong? I think you are right to question the integrity of that little welded tab.
Is there any bracing between floor of recess and tray rails?
I’ve stood on the tray and bounced up and down a bit. It doesn’t inspire much confidence.
I’m sure the shop will stand by their work. In the even that it does fail, I think instead of having them repair the existing pan, I’ll ask for a credit towards building a deeper one with a little more reinforcement. And by then I hopefully will have sorted out the fuel filler issue.
And no, there isn’t currently any bracing between the pan and the rails. It’s all just suspended by the lip
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You know already, but you gotta fix that. Outstanding work though.
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Really good looking build! How does that ladder go up, the one that’s laying flat? I understand how the pegs fit in the ends, but how do you put that up against the house? Do you just build it from the bottom up and balance it?
Thanks!
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So i just read the adenture of Truck Norris and it’s a pretty awesome read. There’s a ton of useful information and details on here. Awesome build and thanks for the post.
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Nice vid illustration.
The first 5-10 times on that thing, I’d be praying the whole time.
I’m sure I’d get use to it after awhile.
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I pray every time I have to use all 4 1/2 sections, lol
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Nope, not happening. Id use that for decoration on the truck.
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Ok, not made for fat people, check!
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You my friend have a great weighty pair if you use that thing frequently!
A whole new respect for us winder warshers, huh?
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That I do.
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Good lord man! Hope you have a mighty good lock and chain on that beast.
