Hardcastle's 2002 Tacoma DC - "blanco"

Hardcastle · Sep 26, 2014

It's about ~500 lbs and my truck rides perfectly level with it. I may end up upgrading the springs but we'll see. I have a few upgrades planned for the camper but for the most part I just plan on using and enjoying it.

Hardcastle · Sep 26, 2014

sixstringsteve said:
Very cool addition, looks great.

Thanks. We're digging it majorly. Currently up near Jackson with my family and wish I had it with me.

juhcohbee · Oct 8, 2014

Very cool truck man.

Hardcastle · Dec 22, 2014

juhcohbee said:
Very cool truck man.

Thanks. I've liked it a lot.

Been really enjoying my mobile home and tacoma a lot this fall/winter. I ended up buying a Trail-Gear low profile bumper with the weld-on light bar. I know people are pretty opinionated with trail-gear stuff but I really like the way it turned out. Appears to be really good quality.

Hardcastle · Apr 20, 2015

A few updates to my Tacoma. I ended up needing/wanting a suspension upgrade and finally decided on OME. I did the full kit with new shackles, greasable pins, and went with the heavy 882 coils up front with the standard leafs in the rear. Rides perfectly level when the camper is off. To help with the Four Wheel Camper weight i ended up adding Firestone airbags with the Daystar cradles. I was REALLY hesitant to add airbags but I didn't see a better option if i didn't want to leave the camper on full time. So far the bags have been awesome.

Hardcastle · Apr 20, 2015

I bought one of those Helton hot shower heat exchangers from Cruiser Outfitters a while back, too. I don't have many pictures but the install is super easy. I plumbed the fittings to the bumper so i don't have to pop the hood when using it. I had visions of me showering naked in the middle of nowhere and some guy thinking he's doing a good deed coming into my camp seeing if i need help when he saw my hood was popped open. At first i just assumed these things would make the cold water a tolerable lukewarm but this thing rocks and gets more than hot enough. I've used it a few times this year and it's super nice to take a shower while camping.

Hardcastle · Apr 20, 2015

I added an ARB awing to the camper.

That's it for upgrades. Here's a few pics from a recent trip.

juhcohbee · Apr 20, 2015

really nice looking truck man. how are you liking the all pro rear bumper? im looking at one for mine.

Hardcastle · Apr 20, 2015

juhcohbee said:
really nice looking truck man. how are you liking the all pro rear bumper? im looking at one for mine.

Thanks. I like the allpro rear bumper a lot. Really well made and in my opinion it's one of the better looking off the shelf options. It needs a rear hitch receiver, though. I've intended on adding one but still haven't gotten around to it. Visibility gets tough with bike hauling duty with only a front receiver.

juhcohbee · Apr 20, 2015

yeah thats my only concern, they offer that relocation kit for the stock hitch, but i feel like it ruins a bunch of ground clearance..

Hardcastle · Apr 20, 2015

juhcohbee said:
yeah thats my only concern, they offer that relocation kit for the stock hitch, but i feel like it ruins a bunch of ground clearance..

It really wouldn't be hard to weld in a receiver behind the licence plate but then you'd also have to remove the plate every time you need it. Seems like there is always a compromise...

Tonkaman · Apr 20, 2015

Ha ha I bet you get funny looks with a bike up front and an empty bed.

I love your setup! How do you like the camper? How much does it limit where you decide to explore? Do you feel lots of body roll?

juhcohbee · Apr 20, 2015

you could get one of those nifty little flip up license plate holder, http://www.extremeterrain.com/rugge...pla&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=&XTID=J14471

Hardcastle · Apr 21, 2015

Tonkaman said:
Ha ha I bet you get funny looks with a bike up front and an empty bed.

I love your setup! How do you like the camper? How much does it limit where you decide to explore? Do you feel lots of body roll?

Yeah i did get some weird looks. I've only done that once and don't plan on it again. That picture was taken right before we loaded the bed up with more bikes.

Thanks for the compliment. I REALLY like the camper and it hasn't limited where I want to go at all. It does limit speed. Obviously the Tacoma isn't a major power house but speed isn't effected too much on the pavement. I have to go a lot slower offroad which took some getting used to. With the heavier springs and air bags body roll is not an issue.

Hardcastle · Apr 21, 2015

juhcohbee said:
you could get one of those nifty little flip up license plate holder, http://www.extremeterrain.com/rugge...pla&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=&XTID=J14471

Thanks. I've seen that before and I may go that route once i put the receiver behind the license plate. I wonder what a cop would say if my plate was pointed at the sky while hauling bikes around.

bryson · Apr 21, 2015

Hardcastle said:
Thanks. I've seen that before and I may go that route once i put the receiver behind the license plate. I wonder what a cop would say if my plate was pointed at the sky while hauling bikes around.

Police would probably say less about your license plate than they would about that bike hauler on the front...

Hardcastle · May 15, 2015

Small update but i finally got around to adding the rear receiver hitch to my All-Pro bumper. I think it turned out pretty good. I rarely tow but having the option will be nice,

juhcohbee · May 15, 2015

thats awesome man, i cant believe all pro didnt make them like this from the factory..

sixstringsteve · May 15, 2015

They used to, then they stopped for some reason.

Hardcastle · Dec 18, 2015

No big updates to report other than i've had a great summer driving this thing all over the place.

This picture was taken in the Sawtooth mountains in ID. I think it was FR-666 headed towards the Hoodoo mine and hot spring.
View attachment 102517

near Bloomington Lake in ID:
View attachment 102526

More nerd camping somewhere in the Uintahs. Maybe Blue Lake
View attachment 102528

I did end up having my flexplate crack. The noise was really loud but intermittent. Sometimes i'd drive it all day and never hear it while other times the noise stayed constant. I continued to drive the truck for about 2 weeks before i replaced it and i'm glad i did because it had almost broke lose. The truck had about 160K miles.

Hardcastle's 2002 Tacoma DC - "blanco"

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

RME Resident Ninja

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member