Kevin Boortz's 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: Capability, Protection, and Performance

When it comes to creating an off-road vehicle that can stand up to any challenge, Kevin Boortz’s 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is an exceptional example of vision and precision. Built for rugged adventures, this Tacoma’s comprehensive upgrades showcase not only the vast potential of the TRD Off-Road platform but also Kevin's dedication to ensuring his truck is capable of handling the most demanding trails with ease.

From top-of-the-line suspension components to essential armor, the modifications Kevin has chosen for his truck make it both a formidable off-road warrior and a reliable companion for overlanding. But what really sets this build apart is how each upgrade complements the other, resulting in a truck that’s as balanced as it is capable. Whether you’re navigating technical rock crawls, conquering sandy dunes, or cruising the backcountry, Kevin’s Tacoma is engineered to get the job done.

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road, in Silver Sky Metallic, starts as an already impressive off-road platform. With its 3.5-liter V6 engine and Toyota's proven 4WD system, it’s equipped to take on a wide variety of terrains right from the factory. However, Kevin's build takes this solid foundation and elevates it to a whole new level, adding top-tier components designed for serious overlanding and off-road enthusiasts.

Armor: Bumpers, Skids, and Sliders

One of the first things Kevin focused on was ensuring the Tacoma’s most vulnerable parts were well-protected. After all, off-roading exposes vehicles to all sorts of obstacles, and the last thing you want is a busted skid plate or broken rocker panel slowing you down.

• RCI Offroad Steel Skid Plates (with Exhaust Re-Route): Underneath the truck, RCI Offroad steel skid plates provide tough, durable protection for critical components. These skids help prevent damage to the exhaust system, which has been rerouted to optimize clearance and provide better articulation during rough climbs and descents.
• C4 Fabrication Sliders: On the sides of the Tacoma, C4 Fabrication rock sliders offer excellent protection when navigating rocky trails. They allow the truck to slide over obstacles without scraping or denting the bodywork. These sliders are built tough to handle the abuse of off-road adventures.
• Relentless Fabrication Hybrid Front Bumper: The front bumper is a hybrid design from Relentless Fabrication, combining a sleek, modern aesthetic with serious off-road capability. This bumper offers protection for the truck's front end while providing an ideal platform for mounting accessories like winches or lights.
• Bay Area Metal Fab High-Clearance Rear Bumper: The rear bumper was also upgraded with a high-clearance unit from Bay Area Metal Fab. This upgrade helps the Tacoma clear obstacles in the rear while maintaining a clean, functional look. It’s ideal for off-road scenarios where ground clearance is essential for avoiding rock strikes or other debris.

Suspension: Front and Rear

Suspension is one of the most important areas of an off-road build, as it determines how well the vehicle can handle uneven terrain. Kevin’s Tacoma is equipped with a suspension system that balances ride comfort and extreme durability, ensuring the vehicle can tackle whatever trail lies ahead.

• JD Fabrication +2.25-Inch Long Travel Front Suspension Kit: The front suspension setup includes a +2.25-inch long-travel suspension kit from JD Fabrication. This kit greatly improves wheel articulation and overall suspension travel, giving the Tacoma more flexibility when traversing uneven trails.
• FOX 2.5 x 8-Inch Coilovers with Dual Speed Compression (DSC): To provide precise control and a smooth ride over bumpy or uneven ground, Kevin’s Tacoma is equipped with FOX 2.5-inch coilovers with 8 inches of travel and DSC (Dual Speed Compression) adjustability. This feature allows Kevin to fine-tune the suspension for different types of terrain, ensuring the best possible ride quality and performance.
• DuroBumps Bump Stops: To prevent the suspension from bottoming out during extreme articulation or heavy impacts, Kevin installed DuroBumps bump stops. These help cushion the suspension and prevent damage to the truck’s components.
• Total Chaos Spindle Gussets: The Total Chaos spindle gussets add reinforcement to the spindles, ensuring greater durability and strength when tackling rocky, challenging trails where high stresses are placed on the suspension.
• Deaver Expedition Stage 2 Leaf Packs: The rear suspension features Deaver’s Expedition Stage 2 leaf packs, designed to handle both heavy loads and tough trails. These packs provide excellent support while improving the truck’s overall ride quality, especially when off-roading with a load.
• Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2.0 Rear Shocks: The rear shocks are Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2.0 units, which offer excellent control and support for the rear end of the truck. Together with the front suspension, these shocks create a suspension system that’s capable of handling demanding trails with ease.
• Marlin Crawler Cam Tab Gussets: To strengthen the vehicle’s frame and prevent issues with the cam tabs during extreme off-roading, Kevin added Marlin Crawler cam tab gussets. These gussets provide additional strength and support, ensuring the frame remains intact during intense use.

Drivetrain: Locked and Loaded

When it comes to off-roading, power delivery is just as important as suspension. Kevin’s Tacoma is outfitted with a drivetrain designed to handle steep inclines, slippery surfaces, and obstacles with confidence.

• Yukon Gear & Axle 5.29 Gears: Kevin opted for Yukon Gear & Axle’s 5.29 gear set, which provides a lower gear ratio to improve torque and climbing ability. This is especially useful when navigating steep inclines or when extra power is needed in low-speed off-road situations.
• Toyota OEM Rear Electronic Locker & ARB Front Air Locker: The Tacoma is equipped with Toyota’s factory rear electronic locker, which helps provide additional traction on slippery surfaces. The front axle also has an ARB air locker, giving the truck better traction when climbing difficult obstacles or traversing uneven terrain.
• JD Fabrication 934 Front CV Axles: The front CV axles from JD Fabrication are designed for extreme durability, allowing Kevin’s Tacoma to handle the toughest trails without fear of breaking an axle or losing traction.

Wheels and Tires

To ensure optimal traction and durability on all types of terrain, Kevin’s Tacoma runs a serious wheel and tire setup.

• Falcon T8 Seeker 17x9 -38 Offset Wheels: These 17x9 Falcon T8 Seeker wheels with a -38 offset are the perfect balance of strength and clearance. They offer both durability and aesthetic appeal, allowing Kevin’s truck to perform without compromise.
• BF Goodrich 35x12.5R17 Tires: To complement the wheels, Kevin installed BFGoodrich’s 35x12.5R17 KM3 tires, known for their off-road prowess. The 35-inch diameter and aggressive tread pattern offer superb traction in all conditions, from muddy trails to rocky climbs.
• Wilco Offroad Spare Tire Bed Mount: The spare tire is securely mounted in the bed using a Wilco Offroad spare tire bed mount, ensuring it’s always ready to go when needed, without taking up valuable cargo space.

Lighting

Off-roading often means navigating trails in low-light conditions, whether early in the morning, at night, or in areas with poor visibility. Kevin’s Tacoma is equipped with a range of powerful lighting options to ensure maximum visibility no matter where the trail leads.

• KC HiLiTES Gravity Pro 6 Lights on Roof Rack: The roof rack is equipped with eight KC HiLiTES Gravity Pro 6 lights, mounted using YotaMafia brackets. These lights offer exceptional illumination, allowing Kevin to see the trail clearly even in the darkest conditions.
• Baja Designs Squadron Pro Ditch Lights: For wider visibility around the truck’s edges, Kevin added Baja Designs Squadron Pro ditch lights. These lights offer a broad beam pattern, perfect for spotting obstacles off to the sides while navigating tight trails.
• Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Fog Lights: The Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport fog lights provide additional forward-facing illumination, ensuring Kevin can clearly see the trail ahead, especially when driving in fog or heavy dust.
• Baja Designs S1 Reverse Lights: The Baja Designs S1 reverse lights are mounted to the rear, providing excellent illumination when reversing in low-light environments, ensuring safety and visibility while backing up.

Additional Features and Accessories

Beyond the essential components, Kevin’s Tacoma is equipped with several other features designed to enhance both performance and convenience.

• ARB Single Compressor: The ARB compressor makes tire adjustments a breeze, ensuring the correct tire pressure for optimal traction in any terrain. This compressor is perfect for airing down in sand, snow, or mud, and airing back up when the terrain smooths out.
• DRT Fabrication Cab Mount Relocation: This modification allows for greater suspension travel and clearance by relocating the truck’s cab mount, improving articulation and reducing the chance of any interference with the suspension during off-road maneuvers.
• Injen Cold Air Intake: The Injen cold air intake system boosts engine performance by providing cooler, denser air to the engine, improving power and efficiency during off-road excursions.
• Warn EVO 10-S Winch with Factor 55 Flatlink Winch Shackle Mount: For recovery situations, the Warn EVO 10-S winch is mounted to the front bumper. With its 10,000-pound capacity, it can help get the Tacoma (or another vehicle) out of tough situations. The Factor 55 Flatlink shackle mount ensures the winch setup is secure and ready to go when needed.
• Prinsu Roof Rack: For added utility, the Prinsu roof rack provides ample storage space for extra gear and overlanding equipment, such as tents, tools, or extra fuel.

Kevin Boortz’s 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is a shining example of a purpose-built overlanding and off-road vehicle. With its combination of protective armor, advanced suspension system, powerful drivetrain, and carefully selected accessories, this Tacoma is ready to tackle anything from steep mountain climbs to remote desert roads. Each modification has been chosen for its ability to complement the others, creating a balanced, capable, and reliable truck that can handle the toughest terrains and conditions.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your own build or simply admiring a well-executed off-road truck, Kevin Boortz’s Tacoma stands as a testament to the potential of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road when it’s outfitted with the right components.

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