Paul R's 97 Tacoma

[Paul R]

I love this sight and I have learned a ton and hope to get out and meet lots of you out on the trails :) I figured I would post up my truck and introduce myself.

Paul Rossiter
Logan, UT

Make, Model & Year of Vehicle-
1997 Toyota Xtracab Tacoma

Engine-
3.4 stock V6 120k miles

Suspension-
Front - OME 882 Front Coil Springs
Rear - OME Dakar CS 046R A/B Rear Leaf Springs

Wheels and Tires-
32" MTR's on black steel 15" wheels

Other-
ARB Front Bumper w/ Hella 500 lights
Rock Sliders w/ rock lights
Safari Snorkel
Yaesu FT-7800 Dual band HAM radio
Mombasa Roof Top Tent on custom built bed rack

I think over all this truck will suit me well for what I want to do with it. I needed something to get out and be outside more and something to entice the wife to want to go as well I am striving to create something that is relatively affordable, capable, and comfortable. This by no means is meant to be extreme rather a solid start on an expedition/exploration rig that would easily support vehicle dependant travel.

So far I have been really impressed with it after its maiden voyage, it did decent on the trail, the tent works great and the wife loves it. http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

My future list of mods are:
On Board Air
Rear bumper with some better protection and perhaps a swing out tire carrier and jerry can holders
Lockers/gears
More comfortable seats or seat covers
Winch
Dual Batteries
Aux. Fuse and relay block
Car PC with GPS Navigation

Here is how it looked when I bought it:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2258037835_0d93da7aca.jpg

And here is how it sits now:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/2358554947_666c2069ed.jpg

Here is one with the tent up:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2359388898_7d89b58677.jpg

[cruiseroutfit]

Lovin it! :cool:

[Cackalak Han]

Nice truck

[Paul R]

Thanks! :cool:

[Willman]

Welcome Paul!!

Nice rig!

;)

[Streakerfreak]

Welcome and that's a great Tacoma:wavey: . Well it's a Tacoma so of course it is great.

[kcowyo]

Nice truck. You have all the right stuff to enjoy the middle of nowhere.

You live in a great area too. The Cache Valley is one of my favorites around here.

:campfire:

[sami]

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x311/jason_goates/Wasatch%20Cruisers%20Snakes%20Run%204-12-08/100_0393.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x311/jason_goates/Wasatch%20Cruisers%20Snakes%20Run%204-12-08/100_0353.jpg

Thought i'd add afew :)

[p1michaud]

Very functional mods to date. :safari-rig:
Nice looking Tacoma.


Thought i'd add afew :)
I was wondering about this rig when you posted the pics in the Wasatch Cruisers on "The Snakes" (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13898)thread. Well done.

Cheers,
P

[sami]

Ya, Paul's a good egg.. In fact, his head is somewhat egg-shaped.. But that's another story.

Years ago I peer pressured Paul into buying an '84 22r'd Xtra cab pickup, and building it up. Now that that monstrocity is long gone, he found himself this sweet truck. The sale of the '84 funded the accessories, and i'm jealous. Since I got him into four wheeling, i think i should be paid some royalties or fees of some type.

Right? ;)

[Paul R]

Since I got him into four wheeling, i think i should be paid some royalties or fees of some type.

Right? ;)

I was into wheeling long before I met you I just never owned anything to wheel ;)

I think my wife would say that you should pay me for the amount of money it makes me spend...:shakin:

[Paul R]

Very functional mods to date. :safari-rig:
Nice looking Tacoma.


Thanks!
I hope to build a rear bumper like yours and Nic's in the future :)
I have gleaned lots of inspiration off the site!

[Paul R]

It has been a while since I updated this thread and I recently changed quite a bit with it so I figured it is time for an update :)

Replaced the Hella aux. lights with the $100 HID lights so far I have been very impressed and happy with them much more light :D

Installed blue seas fuse box and yellow top (still no dual batteries but not too much draw either)

Swapped rear end for a TRD locker

Placed canvas canopy over bed and mounted RTT to top (this has been a huge upgrade because instead of only having 15 inches in the bed under the frame for the RTT I actually have storage again


Other projects currently under way:

255/85R16 BFG MT's

Creating shelves in a arge military storage box for spares, tools, fluids, and survival kits.

Possibly an aux fuel tank (If I get more time and money)

pics later :)

[Overland Hadley]

Placed canvas canopy over bed and mounted RTT to top (this has been a huge upgrade because instead of only having 15 inches in the bed under the frame for the RTT I actually have storage again


pics later :)

Photos would be great!

[Paul R]

Here is a crappy cell phone pic as I just finished the canopy I haven't taken it out yet. I will post better pics when the tires are on hopefully sometime this week :)

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff330/PaulRossiter1/Truck/IMG00010.jpg

[DenCo40]

Cool rig!!

[sami]

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x311/jason_goates/Random/0901081458.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x311/jason_goates/Random/downsized_0901081458a.jpg