2005 Toyota Tundra 4x4 - Concealed Distinction

The suspension package I chose gives me enough room for a larger, more aggressive off-road tire and also increases performance in desert terrain. The Team West suspension package for the Tundra includes front Sway-A-Way 2.5-inch coilovers, Camburg Engineering upper control arms, Sway-A-Way 2.5x8-inch rear reservoir shocks, and Deaver Spring leaf springs. Bill West of Go West Motoring/Team West has been in the business of fine-tuning race suspension systems for a number of years. His experience has led him into assembling race-quality suspension packages for Toyota trucks. I knew it would be a sure bet running the proven setup he has on his own Tundra.

Over time, the front suspension has been put to the test and has always performed flawlessly. The beefy 2.5-inch coilovers are more than enough to soak up rocky terrain, and the geometry and strength of the Camburg Engineering upper control arms with uniballs keep the movement and alignment of the truck in proper form. Under the rear axle, the Deaver leaf springs have been very progressive and respond well combined with the 2.5x8-inch shocks: The truck seems to successfully traverse its way through just about anything.

With the new height of the truck came a new set of BFGoodrich 285/75R16 T/AKO tires and Pro Comp 8023-series black wheels. The 8023-series wheel is a "timeless design with a modern twist" that features a black powdercoated face with integrated diamond-cut StreetLock, clearcoat finish, and a lifetime structural warranty. Considering this truck is not a full-time dirt destroyer, I did not want to hassle with running a true beadlock wheel: This would give my truck race styling without having to lock down 32 bolts when a flat occurs. When the wheels arrived, they came with chrome center caps and lug nuts. On a nice black wheel, these weren't exactly my cup of tea, so I placed a call to Wheeler's Off-Road in Grant's Pass, Oregon, and ordered a set of black center caps and black lug nuts. These components keep everything matching on the wheel and give the truck's shoes an upgraded look.

If you know Tundras then you know the stock brakes are not the truck's best feature. My truck needed a little help and got everything it needed with a set of Baer DeceleRotors. These rotors are OEM replacements that feature cross-drilling, slotting, and a rust-inhibitive zinc coating. DeceleRotors are specifically made to fit whatever vehicle you might have; in fact, when you order yours, you will need to provide your VIN number to be sure they are a perfect fit.

We don't typically spend a lot of time talking about fancy audio systems and sparkling interior accoutrements, but I do need to mention a few found on my Tundra. When my day in the dirt is done, I really enjoy throwing on my favorite off-road DVD, and the Kenwood DDX-7017 head unit provides everything I could ask for in an audio/video entertainment head unit. It has one of the best-resolution 6.5-inch screens I have ever seen, is satellite-radio-ready, will play your MP3s with ease, and also controls my iPod with the addition of a Kenwood KCA-iP500 iPod interface unit that has been wired into the truck's center console. Keeping my favorite music in tune is a Kenwood KAC-9152D subwoofer amplifier, a Kenwood KAC-8452 4/3/2-channel amplifier, Infinity Reference 6002i-series 6.5-inch door speakers, and a Q-Logic subwoofer box mounted into the floor storage compartment under the rear seat and stuffed with two Image Dynamics ID8 V.3 8-inch subwoofers.