 A metal band accepted the...  A metal band accepted the gasket from the factory filter and was reinstalled in its place-after two weep holes in the intake were filled with barbed plastic plugs. |  Along the top of the fenderwell,...  Along the top of the fenderwell, two bolts were removed to free the remaining air duct. The Airaid airbox was installed in its place with a 13mm wrench, connecting to the factory airbox with a short coupling and two hose clamps. |  One more hose clamp tightened...  One more hose clamp tightened the new filter in place and we were ready to fire the truck up. |
 Walker Evans wheels with BFGoodrich...  Walker Evans wheels with BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM2 tires. | 
Before. | 
After. |
From The Driver Seat
We were the guinea pigs for Tuff Country, as this was the first kit shipped, but it all went on in one day-even though it was a long day. A lot of credit has to go to Eryn Bennell at Competitive Edge Motorsports for getting through the lift without any written directions, just a lot of photos. On Tuff Country's end, all of the fabricated parts went on easily, and when we did run into hardware problems, they were on the phone with us to help out. In Tuff Country's defense, the box the lift came in was ripped during shipping. So, the one bag of hardware containing the four bolts and two spacers that we were missing was probably lost en route. By the time you read this, Tuff Country will have comprehensive instructions, as well, which would make the install much easier.
We liked the ride and the look of the Racerunner coilover, but adjusting the ride height was a lengthy process, as the truck had to be jacked up to adjust the coilovers, and dropped down to check ride height. Also, the more the coilovers were cranked, the closer the upper arm got to being in the way. (If only there was a ratchet for the coilovers.) On the trail, the suspension gave the Tacoma more travel in both directions, and the factory offset Walker Evans wheels and 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM2s only contact the sway bar ends just before full steering lock. We didn't have to trim the body for clearance, and they look great on this truck-especially since it will be spending a fair amount of time on the sand, where we know these tires do a great job.