New member Gen 1

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
Whoops

Whoops

Active Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2023
Posts
83
Reaction score
237
Location
Santa Cruz
What did you build before? Why Raptor now?
I built a 2016 Tundra. In Tundra speak it's a long travel, pretty much the same travel #s and it's a mid travel in Raptor speak. The Tundra only has 2.25" wide leaf springs (WTF?) Upgrading to Jeff's custom 3" U420 pack is pretty essential and expensive. Guessing fewer than 10 trucks have made the upgrade though. I had to box the frame but beneath the cab it's still C channel. I had a coil bucket brace made (Thanks Kyle Green) to keep the coil buckets from gravitating toward the engine block. That's after having the buckets pulled back out. It's been a great reliable truck, never left me stranded except due to my poor driving that lead to popping the steering rack......twice.
Why the Raptor? I got it for the grape coolers in the seats.
Seriously though, The Tundra is really designed to be a reliable, semi-comfortable grocery getter. You can build it into something else but beefing up one part is just moving the stress to another spot. The Raptor is supposed to be designed for off road, so ostensibly a better jumping off point. The Raptors I've traveled with in Baja have done well and parts, should they be required, are likely a lot easier to find than something for a Tundra.
 
OP
OP
Whoops

Whoops

Active Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2023
Posts
83
Reaction score
237
Location
Santa Cruz
Any updates on truck since you had it?
Yeah, it's supercharged now. Still breaking in new 4.88 gears. There are new Modco wheels and BFG KM3s ready to replace the Methods/ Toyo combo. That will save 10lbs of unsprung weight per corner. There are new SSBC 6pot calipers rear and Wilwood calipers front waiting for me to install. An upgraded Afco intercooler was supposed to ship today, ordered it back in May. I went through the upfitters and rewired everything, changed all the lights, pruned a bunch of old wiring and made a new 3rd brake light with chase lights. Coming very soon I need to run power to the fridge in the back seat area.
 

Big Blue

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Posts
4,273
Reaction score
7,600
Location
USA
Welcome to the forum and sweet truck. Great mod list. Enjoy!
 
OP
OP
Whoops

Whoops

Active Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2023
Posts
83
Reaction score
237
Location
Santa Cruz
Nice. Gonna prerun Baja?
Any pics?
I've got a trip planned for the end of Sept with BK2 Baja, Dustin and Kelly (owners) are exceptionally great people. The plan is for 7 days, wish it were longer. I need to figure out a way to spend more time down there. Once I get the wheels mounted I'll get some pics.
 
Top