Table of contents for YOTA 2025 in TREAD

The 2023 Toyota Tundra, finished in Lunar Rock paint, is more than just a truck—it’s a carefully crafted machine built to conquer whatever lies ahead. Owned by ARB 4x4, this Tundra has been meticulously outfitted with a range of upgrades designed to maximize its potential. Under the hood, the Tundra houses a 3.4L twin-turbo V-6 engine that reliably delivers power. While the engine remains largely stock, it’s the carefully selected modifications that elevate this truck’s performance, making it a true off-road contender. The transmission and transfer case, both factory-installed, work in tandem to provide seamless power delivery and traction management, but it’s the addition of ARB components that truly set this build apart. At the front, the ARB Desert front bumper immediately catches the eye. It’s a practical upgrade, offering…

The Tread Edition Tacoma has reached its final form. The last time we checked in, the truck had just received a fresh wrap, the Body Armor 4x4 HiLine front bumper was installed alongside a WARN winch, and the NYTop full carbon flares were locked into place. If you’re just tuning in, here’s a quick recap of everything that’s gone into this project. The first step was dialing in the suspension, wheels, and tires. A Stage 4 kit from ICON Vehicle Dynamics with 2.5 bypass shocks set the foundation, providing the performance needed for both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The truck sits on Dirty Life 9303 DT-1 17x9 wheels, wrapped in AMP Terrain Attack RTs in 275/85R17, a combination that transformed the Tacoma’s handling and overall feel. With the suspension…

When you think of COAST, you probably think of flashlights. If you’re anything like me, that’s the first thing that comes to mind. But COAST is more than just flashlights. In fact, they got their start with knives—a legacy that continues alongside their industry-leading lighting solutions. From high-quality knives to cutting-edge flashlights, COAST has been a blue-collar staple for over a century. Let’s dive into their story and highlight some of their standout products. A Legacy of Innovation COAST’s roots trace back to 1919, when Henry Brands, a pioneering knifemaker in the Pacific Northwest, launched the company with the invention of the Salmon Fillet Knife. This wasn’t just any knife—it was a game-changer, with a fillet knife on one end and a cleaning scoop on the other. It’s no exaggeration…

Belltech’s first release for the 2024 Land Cruiser will be this rear anti-sway bar. Belltech sway bars are engineered and manufactured in Clovis, California, with cold-formed solid steel. It offers three-hole adjustability to fully customize your preferences whether you’re traveling on pavement or on the trail. This bar improves safety, quick maneuverability, and enhances overall handling. OE SWAY BAR REMOVAL BELLTECH ANTI-SWAY BAR PART NUMBER: 5585 SPECIFICATIONS: 1.125-INCH DIAMETER FINISH: POWERCOATED INSTALLATION TIME: 45 MINUTES WARRANTY: LIMITED LIFETIME BELLTECH SWAY BAR INSTALLATION KIT COMPONENTS 1/8-INCH REAR ADJUSTABLE SWAY BAR TWO PIVOT BUSHINGS TWO PIVOT BUSHING BRACKETS GREASE PACK INSTALLATION TOOLS JACK JACK STANDS 17MM SOCKET SOCKET WRENCH RESOURCE BELLTECH.COM…

You’ve seen the amazing photos Evan Walsh of Blackhat Studios has captured over the years. We’ve published his work on our pages many times before, but while you were drooling over his exciting still images, have you ever wondered how he reaches the vantage points he shoots from? Most of the time, Evan’s photo locations are not easily accessible in a regular passenger car. Chances are high that he followed his 4WD subjects to these remote destinations in his own killer ride—a 2006 Toyota 4Runner that he has built into an absolute long-travel beast over the course of 4 years. What else would you expect a hardcore off-road photographer to mob to the ‘office’ in? When’s the last time you saw a 4Runner hauling ass through the desert? Not very…

When truck enthusiasts hear the term “bolt-on” or “easy installation,” many will roll their eyes and may even back away from the claim, as they know it’s seldom true. While some performance brake kit installations can be a bit difficult and time-consuming, we want to show you in this installation that the AERO6-DM front kits from Wilwood Disc Brakes are not that difficult and do not take too much time at all. Besides some possible backing plate trimming (varies depending on the application) and brake line bleeding to finish the installation, they truly are bolt-on. AERO6-DM 6-piston calipers were designed to directly mount to OE spindles to provide a large-capacity brake torque solution with large diameter well-vented rotors for heavyweight and extreme-duty vehicles. These direct mount kits for trucks and…

As we all know, upgrading the front bumper on these newer rigs is a must. Getting rid of the flimsy plastic front bumper on the TREAD Edition Tacoma and upgrading it with Body Armor 4X4’s HiLine front winch bumper and high clearance wings seemed like the right choice. The install was straightforward. The only part that was a little stressful was cutting the front plastics for the high clearance wings (a week before SEMA). It turned out to not be a big deal after all (I was just overthinking it). With a little help from my buddy Jason Sorenson from Straight Auto Restoration, we had it knocked out in no time. This upgrade really changed the look of the truck and added some great functionality.…

We’ve all spent endless hours online searching for local and not-so-local trucks listed for sale. Even if we don’t necessarily need a new pickup, there’s no harm in looking, right? In theory, the practice of doom scrolling through classified ads is innocent enough, but every now and then things can quickly escalate past the act of window shopping. Before you know it, you just might find yourself hitting the road with an empty trailer “just in case” the truck in question is in fact too good of a deal to turn down. Even if the seller’s description is incorrect or simply misleading, there’s still a chance that truck is following you home whether under its own power or hitching a ride on that car hauler. Impulse buying a hell of…

We are always looking for ways to level up our trucks, and one of the fastest ways to add protection is to beef up the bumper. Body Armor 4x4 makes that super easy with the Pro Series II Rear Bumper. The engineering and design of this bumper made the installation process a dream. Follow along as we upgrade Project Tread!…

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner, wrapped in a bold green, has seen more transformations than most vehicles experience in a lifetime. As part of ARB 4x4 Accessories’ fleet, this 4Runner has gone through three different build stages—each designed to keep pace with the latest products and shifting market trends. From the original red paint to its current green wrap, this vehicle has been a canvas for innovation and a tool for exploration across some of the most challenging terrains. ARB has always been at the forefront of off-road enhancements, and this 4Runner stands as a testament to their commitment. At the front, the vehicle is equipped with an ARB Summit front bumper—a component that not only provides protection, but also serves as a platform for additional lighting. The bumper, along with…

I was incredibly fortunate to receive an invitation from Toyota to hang out at what the company affectionately calls Camp Toyota. At Camp Toyota, I tested the most off-road capable Tacoma and Land Cruiser models in the mountains of West Virginia while enjoying the scenery, the trails, and, of course, the vehicles themselves. The Vehicles Through all the fun on the West Virginia trails, I was going to test out an impressive lineup of the Tacoma Trailhunter, Tacoma TRD Pro, Land Cruiser First Edition, standard Land Cruiser, and a Land Cruiser 1958. I actually drove the Land Cruiser 1958 from my home in southern Pennsylvania to the trail/camp location of Twin Mountain Off-Road Adventure located at Old Fields, West Virginia. The drive from my home to the location was about…

I travel a ton with my truck, and one of the things I’m always looking for is a better way to organize, store, and protect gear from the elements. The new YT8 system from DECKED is the perfect answer to all of those needs. The company made the buildout to install super quickly and easily by yourself in the driveway of your shop. Not only is it super functional, but it looks great as well.…