Grant Willbanks Third Gen Tacoma Build

Build of the Week: Grant Willbanks’ Fully Kitted 3rd Gen Tacoma

We’re kicking off 2021 with a build we’ve been itching to share — Grant Willbanks, of Arkansas Offroad and Backwoods Adventure Mods, and his “built-to-the-bones” third-gen Tacoma.

If you’re in the market for a sleek, trail-ready bumper for your third gen, you’ll definitely want to check out Backwoods Adventure Mods. But for now, let’s dive into Grant’s impressive setup.

Modifications

Suspension

• King 2.5 Remote Reservoirs (Front & Rear)

• Camburg UCAs

• Dobinson L59-112-R Heavy Duty Leaf Springs

• Wheeler’s Offroad U-Bolt Flip Kit

• Wheeler’s Super Bumps

• Wheels & Tires

  • 17" AEV Dualsport Crestones w/ Silver Protection Ring (x5)

  • 285/75/17 BFGoodrich KM3s (x5)

  Exterior

  • Pathfinder 2" Amber Pod Lights

  • Pathfinder Rear Flush Mount Lights

  • TRD Pro Front Grill with Raptor Lights

  • ARB Safari Snorkel w/ SyKlone Precleaner

  • Front Runner Camper Shell Rack (Low)

  • Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack (Low)

  • Backwoods Adventure Mods Prototype Hardshell RTT

  • 2 Gal Water & 2 Gal Fuel RotoPax

  • NB Expeditions GARB Bag

  Armor

  • Backwoods Adventure Mods Hi-Lite Front Bumper

  • Backwoods Adventure Mods Hi-Lite High-Clearance Dual Swing Out

  • Full RCI Aluminum Skid Plates

• Recovery

  • Warn VR-12s Winch

  • Warn Shackles

  • Factor 55 Fairlead & Ultrahook

  • Maxtrax

  Interior & Bed

  • Color-Matched ARE Classic Camper Shell (with Windoors)

  • Full Decked Drawer System

  • Full LED Canopy Lighting

  • Alu-Cab Tilting Fridge Slide

  • Dometic CFX 45 Fridge

  • DIY Portable 500w Battery System

  • 100w Portable Solar Panels

  • Plano Storage Bins

  • Clazzio Full Leather Seat Covers

  • Chrome Delete Kit

  • Midland MXT275 GMRS Radio

  • Midland Handheld Walkies w/ Custom Mounts

• Performance

  • Nitro 4.88 Gears

  • Pedalbox Throttle Controller

  Future Plans

  • Sliders

  • Pelican Storage Case on Roof Rack

What is the most unique or surprising mod you have done to your Tacoma?:

• Most Surprising Mod

  “The camper shell. Having a water-tight bed is a total game changer — gear stays clean, dry, and out of sight. The ARE Windoors make accessing every inch of the bed effortless, especially paired with the drawer system. It’s made camping way easier… and cleaner.”

Meet Grant

Hailing from Northwest Arkansas, Grant is a professional graphic designer, marketer, and content creator behind the Arkansas Offroad YouTube channel. His off-road journey began with a 1984 Toyota Pickup, then a 1977 International Scout II, and later a Jeep TJ that became one of the most recognized in the scene.

Today, his focus is squarely on Toyota — a platform he’s grown to love for its reliability and versatility. Outside of wheeling, Grant’s hobbies include mountain biking, dirt biking, and RC scale crawlers — basically, if it’s got wheels and dirt, he’s in.

Favorite Trails

Grant’s backyard is the Ozark National Forest, offering diverse terrain, rocky climbs, deep mud holes, and countless water crossings. With views worth every mile and only 90 minutes from home, it’s no wonder he rarely wants to leave Arkansas.

Why the Tacoma Community Rocks

“The diversity of builds and the support people have for each other. Tacomas are like the Honda Civic of the import world — endlessly customizable. People push each other and manufacturers to innovate, and Toyota’s reliability keeps these trucks at the top.”