Summer, 2007
This will act as the build up page for my Tacoma. I purchased it in April, 2006 with just under 2,000 miles. This is the Tacoma then:
As you can see from the picture above, the tires didn't have a "truck" look to them. I went and purchased a set of BFG All-Terrain's (265/70/17) to replace the stock Dunlops.
While researching the largest tire size I could fit on the stock suspension without problems I came across www.ToyotaNation.com. While the site has a ton of helpful info, it also contributed to me spending way too much money on the truck!
The Tacoma didn't come with factory Sat. radio so I had to upgrade the head unit. I purchased a JVC double din unit to take up the large amount of space left by the factory stereo.
As my addiction with the Tacoma, and Toyota Nation grew, I learned how to do many things myself to customize the truck. Thanks to the site I was able to a DTRL mod, a fog light mod and black out the headlights and Toyota grill emblem, this was the result
I really liked the look of my truck at this point, but addictions are never satisfied. I decided my truck still wasn't as aggressive as I wanted it. I purchased a ToyTec lift kit which cosists of 884 coils in the front, and an add-a-leaf in the rear to raise the truck 3 inces. Around the same time I purchased and installed a GrillCraft black mesh grill. I kept painting the front Toyota emblem black, and the paint kept chipping off. That was my motivation for the grill, this was the result
and a front shot. the heads and fogs a luminics pure blue bulbs. the light output sucks, but they look good.
If you look at the picture above you'll notice it looks like my tires are sucked in a little bit. Because I wanted them to stick out beyond the wheel wells, I had to purchase a new set of wheels with different backspacing. I purchased Moto Metal 951b's. This is the result
Here you can see how the tires stick out, achieving my desired effect
I also purchased a set of tinted tail lights from a member of Toyota Nation. In my opinion the stock tails had a pink look to them, and the black was more in line with the theme of my truck. The light output is great, and fingers crossed haven't been pulled over yet. Here is the before & after
After the lift, tires, wheels, etc. my mileage was taking quite a hit. My daily commute is 100 miles roundtrip so I bought a second car. I purchased a 1996 Passat TDI which has been a lifesaver on fuel! It also let me turn my truck into more of a toy since it didn't have to be a daily driver any longer. I sold my All-Terrains and purchased Mud-Terrains in 285/70/17, which thanks to the lift and minimal trimming I was now able to fit. This was result
And a new shot of the rear, had to remove the front mud flaps due to rubbing, so i removed the rear as well
Some other things it has, but not pictured, is a custom one piece driveshaft from Tom Woods. Once the truck was lifted it had vibrations when starting off. The driveshaft cured the vibrations. I also have OME extended length rear shocks and extended length brake lines. Custom mounted portable GPS, Redline hood struts, TRD exhaust, TRD seat covers, etc.
Next page has some fun pictures since my truck has become more of a "toy" Thanks for looking!
