Much like our readers, we often wonder what happens to the trucks we see being built up in magazines. Is the truck holding up? Are all those aftermarket products doing what they promised? Would the products still be recommendations after jumping, mashing, pushing and wrenching on them for a couple years? This month we wanted to share how our '07 Toyota Tundra SEMA Project vehicle is doing. Although this truck was originally built for a show, we have put it through its paces off-road because that's what we do.
How about the truck itself?
The Tundra has been a pleasure to drive. The top five features that we really love about the truck aside from the aftermarket modifications are the big V-8 engine, back-up camera, shift on the fly 4WD system, cabin space and good towing capabilities (even though we never tow with ours). The Dirt-Tech-built bed cage is now gone because the truck needed to be able to carry our Polaris RZR in the bed, which it does nicely. The L&G Enterprises paint job has held up aside from a few corners where we accidentally scraped a few obstacles in our way. Aside from normal oil change maintenance, the truck hasn't needed the assistance of a mechanic. It's been a great couple years with the truck and depending on how much longer we have the truck you just may see a revamped faster and stronger Tundra in OFF-ROAD soon.
 Volant Intake and Exhaust...  Volant Intake and Exhaust
If you want to turn some heads driving down the road give this stuff a look. The Volant products are well put together and we have had zero problems with them after 30,000 miles. The intake has been solid and through just normal cleaning, the filter has still not needed to be replaced. Volant told us it would last 50,000 miles and so far they have been right. The exhaust has been solid even through a lot of miles in the dirt. What we meant by turn some heads is the throaty grumble shooting out the back end of your truck. It's loud, plain and simple. The tone resembles that of a big block muscle car. If you don't mind scaring small children and annoying old people as you take off from stoplights, give Volant a call. |  ICOM IC-2820H Dual Band FM...  ICOM IC-2820H Dual Band FM Transceiver
We can't express enough how wonderful this little gem has been at the races. The ability to monitor two bands at once is priceless. We tend to keep the Weatherman station on all the time to monitor race progress and emergencies and flip through various team channels on the other. The remote face location has been nice keeping it up and out of the way. The microphone controls can be a little tricky until you master them. Be sure to keep the user manual in your truck just in case you accidentally push a wrong button. |  Lowrance GlobalMap 8200C ...  Lowrance GlobalMap 8200C
It's hard to find anything wrong with this GPS, except for the fact that a color screen and optional second screen RCA outputs are missing. Once you learn the controls, which does take a little time, marking a racecourse or trail is a piece of cake. We found the Lowrance to be more accurate that our on-board navigation system (by far). We don't run many races in our Tundra believe it or not, so we have used this mostly to mark great photography spots while prerunning. After about six months of use we did notice on a few occasions the GPS would stop responding. We stopped by PCI Race Radios to quickly resolve our issues by completing their Baja Race Prep service which includes securing all of interior components on the GPS unit from breaking over miles of gnarly terrain. Since that day we have not had another issue. |
 Wet Okole Seat Covers
When...  Wet Okole Seat Covers
When we picked up our Tundra we quickly realized it was a pre-production model, which meant the interior, was like an 8-year-old's paint palette. Mismatched colors littered the cabin. Two years later these covers still look new aside from one seam in the backseat that is just started to fray a bit. They haven't slipped off and haven't faded from the sun. We have a few complaints though: One, it smells like an old wetsuit inside the truck all the time, and two, during long hot days they do tend to make your back sweat. They are neoprene just like your wetsuit, which means they repel water, which is great for spills but not so amazing for sweat. |  AMP Research Power Step
Although...  AMP Research Power Step
Although you rarely see this product on the truck because of how it hides under the doors it is used over and over every day. Power Steps are one of those must-have items for tall trucks if you don't mind dropping the cash. Aside from the obvious benefits of getting in and out of your truck, simple jobs like washing the roof of your tall truck can be quite the task without a little reach assistance. |  Pro Comp Wheels and Various...  Pro Comp Wheels and Various Tires
The truck is currently sitting on 37-inch Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ tires even though Pro Comp recommends 35s with this suspension. Since we got rid of the front bumper and took the mudflaps off, 37s fit just fine with our 6-inch lift and make the truck look much better. If we had to choose between the Kumho Venture M/T, Pro Comp Xtreme M/T and our new MTZ tires we would have to give the nod to the Pro Comp's. The new 37's look the best but the ride quality of the Pro Comp was better. They offered plenty of traction, good sidewall strength and stayed the most quiet over time. All this time the Pro Comp Series 8128 wheels haven't faded and the realistic looking street lock ring has received plenty of compliments. Most people believe this is a real bead lock wheel. |