Build Thread The Ick Overland Build

[The_Ick]

We’ve had a 2025 IG for about a month now and it’s time to get busy with the mods.

I had a well built Tacoma for about 8 years that we spent days traveling in and nights sleeping in. I had to sell it a few years ago to get a full sized diesel and we’ve missed exploring ever since. My son and I spent so much time running dirt roads and camping together.

The wife has been through a bunch of vehicles in the past few years. When she started making noise about not liking her current car I wanted to get her something more fun.

We are in south central Utah so there is a million things to explore within a few hours of the house. Our currently planned trips are Death Valley end of February 2026, Moab Grenadier gathering in May, Ouray Colorado in June 2026. Our biggest trip we are planning is a multi-month trip to Alaska summer of 2027.

Already done is the Fox steering stabilizer and increasing the caster to 2.5 degrees. It’s helped the wander but I might try to increase the caster a little more.

Owl Vans sliders installed. The install is easy probably have less than an hour total including unboxing. And they’re already dirty.

Grenadier USA center console replacement. It looks great, so much better than OEM. Not sure it’s worth the money as far as actually improving the cup holders.

Leitner 3/4 roof rack with load bars. I think I will be adding an additional load bar for the weight. Also picked up today a used Roofnest RTT today. We always slept in the back of the Tacoma so I knew I wanted a quick sleeping solution.

I’m a little fanatical about phone mounts and electronics organization. Still have to add a bunch of power outlets but that will come soon. Tiny Rig Co devise holder and Bulletpoint mounts.

Arb single compressor on a Mule Off-road mount.

Parts currently on their way or waiting for install: front bull bar, Fox shocks, Switchpros 9100, Leitner sidekick panels with extra fuel storage, Alpha 50 charge controller and lithium battery and solar, Bluesea aux fuse, full set of skids and diff skids, Domitec fridge, misc interior storage, rear drawer system built by me, 270 awning, exterior scene lighting, Starlink.

Phase 2 future mods: LRA fuel tank, winch, forward lighting.

 

[beefs]

Welcome and nice job Good to see another Queens Red on here.

 

[CRH]

Nice job & perfect place to live so you can are the most of your Grenadier

Just a note of caution, there are some theories on here that adding caster can damage you front drive shaft cv boot. There have been some issues, so don't get overly worried with your new toy. Mainly they are fine but just be careful. I think what I read is 2.5 is at the max spec but some have dialled back to the min of 1.25 (again from memory) as a precaution.

Get out there and start posting your pictures in the random picture posts or if you get some really good ones, in the monthly competition

 

[The_Ick]

Nice job & perfect place to live so you can are the most of your Grenadier

Just a note of caution, there are some theories on here that adding caster can damage you front drive shaft cv boot. There have been some issues, so don't get overly worried with your new toy. Mainly they are fine but just be careful. I think what I read is 2.5 is at the max spec but some have dialled back to the min of 1.25 (again from memory) as a precaution.

Get out there and start posting your pictures in the random picture posts or if you get some really good ones, in the monthly competition

The wife daily drives this so that has been her one main complaint is the steering wandering. I'm trying not to lift the truck if at all possible. But I won't decide until I'm done putting all the weight on it to see where it sits then. I am planning to stuff the largest tire possible (275/70/18).

 

[The_Ick]

It's been all wiring the past few weekends.

This weekend got the Redarc Alpha 50 installed on the GP Factor mount (no pictures yet).

Installed the GMRS and Bulletpoint mount as well as a usb charger attached to the footwell wiring. Also ran the antenna wire to the front just waiting on the bull bar to finish install.

Homebuilt a bracket to install the Switchpros and Bluesea fuse panel. It's not pretty but it fits well. Waiting on the battery to get here so that I can finish wiring it all up.

Also ran the signal wire for the ARB compressor and the front Wolfbox camera wire.

 

[The_Ick]

Installed a GP Factor rear door table and Owl bull bar. The install on both of these is super easy. Less than an hour combined.

This next weekend will mostly finishing all the half complete wiring, installing the lithium battery and finishing the switch pro.

After that will be building the drawers and mounting the fridge. Along with a full set of skids and Fox shocks.

 

[Gxgn]

Hi @The_Ick - can you share how you wired the compressor? Thanks

 

[The_Ick]

Hi @The_Ick - can you share how you wired the compressor? Thanks

Yes the IG makes it a lot simpler than ARB does. Because you don’t have air lockers you can eliminate that half of the ARB harness. If you use the aux switches or a switch panel (switch pro, gram in etc)you only have to connect the signal wire to the ARB harness.

The power supply and 2 ground wires are routed behind the grill over to the passenger side battery connections. This requires taking out way too much of the front of the truck per the Mule instructions. But there is plenty of room to run the wires above the radiator support and skip all that. Then just hook up the red wire from the ARB switch to your switch of choice.

 

[Gxgn]

Thank you, I did check the Mule instructions and it does require to take out a tons of parts - good to know it can be easier than the instructions.