TacoChaser-sneak peek

[elcoyote]

We've just started working on a project vehicle we are calling, for lack of anything better, the TacoChaser. Our buddy Matt has a wicked '02 Taco with a solid front end conversion running on 37s. He was planning on building a tube frame Ute bed when a spark was ignited by a few tape measures...yep, you guessed it, a Chaser body is exactly as wide (at the fenders) and as long as the standard Taco bed. More steel & sparks later you are looking at the rough first fitting of the mating frame.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will lower the mating frame to the stock body mounts 3". New shock mounts have been incorporated into the mating frame to accomodate the longer shocks. We are fabbing side steps that can be used as steps or in this case, support for the fuel & water can mounts. The fenders will be dropped about 6" to meet the bottom of the steps. The Chaser body will be fitted with a tailgate, a lid on gas struts, roof rack with a 5" deep basket that will have mounts for a hi-lift, axe & shovel. The rear of the rig will be fitted with LED lights (not the ones you normally see on a Chaser) and a back up flood light. Additional mods in the planning are a water tank underneath the frame and a slide out tray at the tail gate opening.
We're having a lot of fun with this!

[p1michaud]

Cool!
Thas is going to be a very interesting fab project. Will it have fuel and water can holders on both sides? It's nice to see innovative builds.

Cheers :beer:,
P

[kcowyo]

I thought this was a thread about Pacifico. :friday:

These looks like a really fun and unique project. Great idea over a ute tray and big points for originality. I'll be watching this thread for updates. Too, too cool.

:clapsmile

[elcoyote]

Thanks folks. Yes it will have cans on both sides. We'll have to measure the Pacifico carrying capacity....one bottle at a time :xxrotflma

[articulate]

I thought this was a thread about Pacifico. :friday:
:) With all due respect to the project, I could think of a sicker joke about a TacoChaser and I'm surprised you - of all people - went the PG-rated route.

I could see an AEV Brute or RoadArmor Summit SUT with this kind of a back end, too.
:costumed-smiley-007

[elcoyote]

Mark, you are a twisted, twisted man....that's why we love you!

[devinsixtyseven]

Yeah, I was thinking of that movie Kill Bill myself. Moving right along...

That's a great looking setup. Any concern about leaving the H2O and fuel cans potentially exposed to debris from the tires? Particularly the fuel can, with the opening toward the tire. Will they be completely masked by the fender?

Is the chaser frame narrow enough to keep the tires from rubbing on the sides at full twist?

Looking forward to seeing the results.

-Sean

[elcoyote]

The fuel & water cans are within the width of the wheel wells and protected. The mating chassis is the same width as the Taco chassis so we do not forsee any rubbing problems. It was surprisingly easy to make this adaptation because the dimensions between the Taco & the Chaser are so similar.

After we complete this project, we plan to look into doing the same to other mini truck platforms including the Taco double cab. A Brute would be cool too....hmmm, got the gears going again.

[Andrew Walcker]

Beyond cool!!!:jumping: Can't wait to see the AT Utility Bed w/ Stakesides;)

[CLynn85]

Very cool. I was considering an M101 canadian trailer body for a jeep ute once upon a time, but this is waaaaay cooler.

[devinsixtyseven]

The fuel & water cans are within the width of the wheel wells and protected. The mating chassis is the same width as the Taco chassis so we do not forsee any rubbing problems. It was surprisingly easy to make this adaptation because the dimensions between the Taco & the Chaser are so similar.

After we complete this project, we plan to look into doing the same to other mini truck platforms including the Taco double cab. A Brute would be cool too....hmmm, got the gears going again.a brute would be really freaking cool :D.

i'm getting confused at the "chassis" part...you mean the chaser and taco frame are the same width, or the chaser body is the same width as the taco frame? i mentioned it because my stock width rear axle and 35x12.5s rub the side of the stock wheel well when it's twisted up, and he's running a significantly larger tire. granted i have a tundra but i suspect the dimensions are similar.

whichever, it's gonna be good :D.

[elcoyote]

To clarify, there is a frame that fits on the Taco bed body mounts. It is 40" wide whereas the Taco frame is approx 43" wide. Matt has not had any rubbing issues that I know of, even with the factory bed. I think this may be due in part to his wheel offset and spring over conversion. I'll have to check but I think he has a set of spacers on his current rear end to match the Jeep Grand Wagoneer front axle mod.
I am not familiar with how the Tundra is set up. Is yours spring over or under? This may have something to do with the rubbing, so might wheel offset.
At any rate, we plan to have the Taco Chaser in the booth at the upcoming ISE show in PHX on March 9-11. If you're in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by, meet Matt and bring a tape measure.

[TACODOC]

Nice idea... I'm watching this one! :drool: :lurk: :drool:

[blupaddler]

Very nice.


The possibilities with this are very exciting. Being able to put the Chaser or even the Horizon on most/any pickup would be very cool.

:bowdown:


:safari-rig:

[Desertdude]

Nice idea EL... and good lookin

A new TacoChaser kit is born :punk03:


I got my eye on you :coffee:

[oly884]

To clarify, there is a frame that fits on the Taco bed body mounts. It is 40" wide whereas the Taco frame is approx 43" wide. Matt has not had any rubbing issues that I know of, even with the factory bed. I think this may be due in part to his wheel offset and spring over conversion. I'll have to check but I think he has a set of spacers on his current rear end to match the Jeep Grand Wagoneer front axle mod.
I am not familiar with how the Tundra is set up. Is yours spring over or under? This may have something to do with the rubbing, so might wheel offset.
At any rate, we plan to have the Taco Chaser in the booth at the upcoming ISE show in PHX on March 9-11. If you're in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by, meet Matt and bring a tape measure.

I'm very interested in this given that I'm planning on building a permanent mount for my camper to my truck.

The bed is nice to have, but there is a lot of unused space, especially when the camper is on the truck.

I may be bothering you for some simple measurements once this starts to get near completed.

[gillti]

:REOutArchery02: So cool, what a fun idea!
tjg

[BajaTaco]

That is rockin!

I am already seeing visions of a Horzion with RTT on the back of a chopped FJ...

[Wanderlusty]

In regards to the Taco, some fiberglass bedsides might help unify the look, as the Chaser sits kind of high. Just for looks though.

In regards to the same on an FJ, I bet it could be snuggled down inside the lines of the body and look super awesome.

[toyrunner95]

thats awsome, i swear the guys on here anve some of the most unique and wicked ideas. whish i werr smrt liik thaat:elkgrin:

[elcoyote]

Ah, only if we had a donor FJ 45 or a Brute to play with...any offers?

The whole assembly will be dropped down so we'll see how it looks before it's finished. We thought about some panels to fill out the wheel wells too in case it looks too weird.

[DenCo40]

Can't wait to see it finished!!:friday:

[elcoyote]

That is rockin!

I am already seeing visions of a Horzion with RTT on the back of a chopped FJ...

Baja, scary thing is that preliminary measurements lead us to think that fitting a Horizon to a Taco double cab will be a slam dunk as well!

[Andrew Walcker]

:drool: :drool: :drool:

This is better than daytime TV:lurk: My problem is I keep surfing at work to check up on this thread:violent-smiley-031:

[devinsixtyseven]

To clarify, there is a frame that fits on the Taco bed body mounts. It is 40" wide whereas the Taco frame is approx 43" wide. Matt has not had any rubbing issues that I know of, even with the factory bed. I think this may be due in part to his wheel offset and spring over conversion. I'll have to check but I think he has a set of spacers on his current rear end to match the Jeep Grand Wagoneer front axle mod.
I am not familiar with how the Tundra is set up. Is yours spring over or under? This may have something to do with the rubbing, so might wheel offset.
At any rate, we plan to have the Taco Chaser in the booth at the upcoming ISE show in PHX on March 9-11. If you're in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by, meet Matt and bring a tape measure.Sounds like a slam dunk for sure :D. My wheels have a pretty deep backspacing for the tire width, 4.5" but it's a 12.5" wide tire on an 8" wide rim. Tundras come spring over from the factory, but with the axle width they gave us on both trucks, I don't think they ever expected us to do the things we do :smilies27.
We'll definately drop in when we're in PHX! Katie has relatives there, we're waiting for the el cheapo ticket deals ;)...or a long stretch of vacation to bring the truck.

Dunno if this will help but it's an idea...I found a place that sells scrap sheets of polycarb in various hues and thicknesses. 1/8" is easy to work with, and looks like it'll make great liners for wheel wells and for covering the gap between the frame and anything on top, so less crud gets in the spaces. They're asking about 3$-6$/# for scrap sheet depending on color (clear vs opaque), might be someone in PHX with a similar deal. These guys are Colorado Plastics, I'm sure they'll ship but local is easier. The stuff is great...nothing sticks to it easily, and it's fairly easy to work with. Much more durable than the "Lift Lips", tho those are good quality as well.

[DaktariEd]

Yowza, Mario!
That's a great concept idea & vehicle! :victory:
I can almost see a Ute vehicle similar to what the Aussie's do, integrating a custom touring unit to the bed/frame of the Ute. Awesome stuff!
Could be a whole new direction for you guys!

:sombrero:
Ed

[datrupr]

Mario, this is GREAT! I am going to be at the show again this year to drool over your trailers, and now to see the TacoChaser in person. Awesome!

<<<Hi-Jack>>>

Who all is going to the Sportsmans show in Phoenix again this year? Perhaps we could do another dinner get together one night after the show again?

<<<End Hi-Jack>>>

[BajaTaco]

Baja, scary thing is that preliminary measurements lead us to think that fitting a Horizon to a Taco double cab will be a slam dunk as well!

A long time ago when I was just kicking cans in the street with a guy named Scott... I tried to convince him to mount his old VenturCraft (http://www.expeditionswest.com/vehicles/ewvehicles/VenturCraft/index.html) onto the back of his double-cab Tacoma. Obviously, it never came to be, and he ended up with something even more cool, but it was fun thinking about it.

This is great stuff! I encourage you to take it all the way :clapsmile

[blupaddler]

Wow, now there is REALLY a reason to buy a Tacoma.



So, for those of us who either don't feel like driving to Phx or can't. We do we get to see this marvelous creation for ourselves?

:26_7_2:

[flyingwil]

Baja, scary thing is that preliminary measurements lead us to think that fitting a Horizon to a Taco double cab will be a slam dunk as well!

That was where my mind jumped to... Want to try it?

[elcoyote]

Wow, what started as a whim has turned out to have generated quite a bit of positive commentary! Thanks everybody for your input and encouragement.

Today we got our frame back from powder coating and we'll be doing a pre-completion assembly to fit wiring, lid, rack etc. Next week Scotty will take the whole assembly to Sacramento to meet up with Matt and install the assy on the Taco. We're really stoked about how it's going.

This whole project has us planning all types of scenarios revolving around what we think people want in an expedition rig conversion. We've tried to boil it down to concise summary and we think it goes something like this:

Light weight yet heavy duty 4x4, short to medium wheel base, narrow to medium wheel track, secure and practical storage, food prep & preservation, sleeping accomodations, diesel motive power and global parts availability.
Yes we could add all kinds of other criteria to it but those would be accessories. To us, this is the basic form.

[elcoyote]

So, for those of us who either don't feel like driving to Phx or can't. We do we get to see this marvelous creation for ourselves?

:26_7_2:

Although Matt is currently residing in Sacto, he may move down to SoCal in the near future in which case his rig would be available to see at our shop in Upland, CA. Depending on how this project wraps up, we hope to make it a regular product and you'll see lots of it on our website.

[elcoyote]

Okay, here's a pix of the near completed TacoChaser body, ready to mount on Matt's Taco.

[gillti]

guess you guys got to work after I left there today:p
Thanks Mario for checking out the trailer, and for taking the time to talk and hang out. I appreciate it. Can't wait to see the taco chaser in person!
tjg

[BajaXplorer]

Watching this thread with great interest.
BX

[Desertdude]

its been 4 days... we're jonezin for more detail/photos :peepwall:

[Andrew Walcker]

ELCoyote-

Starting to get the shakes, must see more pics of the TacoChaser:drool:

[elcoyote]

Okay, just a teaser here...Scotty holding up the 4 way LED brake, turn & tail light we will be using. Very bright. Scotty will be mounting up the body to the Taco this weekend. I promise more pix on Monday. What do you think of the utility work light on the back?

[Andrew Walcker]

Is that a Hella El Matador work light? If it is than I have a buddy who has had very good luck w/ it! Looks awesome! Are you going to wire it in w/ the back-up lights?

[OverlandZJ]

Beautiful.... :bowdown:

I imagine this would fit well on an MJ also.. :sombrero:

[devinsixtyseven]

I like that LED signal lamp. Where's it from?

[BajaTaco]

Matt is going to get stopped and asked questions very frequently...

Mario, it is looking very snazzy! I like the rack and the work lamp very much. I'm looking forward to the new pics next week.

:lurk:

[elcoyote]

Good eye Andrew! The work light is a 55 watt Hella Matador. It is set up as a work light only. There will be a seperate set of back lights.

Beleive me, mounting on a MJ has seriously crossed my mind. I've got a set of silver panels here in the shop looking lustfully at my mine!

The signal lamp is from Innovative Lighting, PN 253-4400. More at www.innovativelight.com

I would agree with you Baja. Originally Matt wanted to build something that would attract LESS attention from the local authorities because of wheel well and fender compliance issues with his chopped Taco bed. Now with the conversion, albeit compliant, he will probably draw even more attention! I guess he better behave :rolleyes:

The look is starting to remind me of the WWII Dodge Power Wagon ....hmmmm YotaWagon????

[toyrunner95]

MORE PICS!!! i need new desktop backgrounds!! hahaha this thing looks awsome! what kind of rack is that, you may have said already. those look like thule bars am i right?

[elcoyote]

The rack is a Surco Safari 7250 (72"L x 50"W x 5"H) . We set it up with a full set of floor slats, 4 cross bars, shovel & axe carrier, hi-lift carrier and a tire carrier. When assmbled correctly with a bit of loctite, it's a pretty stout system.

[pskhaat]

Ah, only if we had a donor FJ 45 or a Brute to play with...any offers?
I have an FJ40 I'd be willing to let you play with...Seriously. You can take it back when you're in PHX for the Outdoor expo. There's got a be a few FJ40s floating around with rotten beds (mine's not actually) that people might consider doing something different.

[toyrunner95]

The rack is a Surco Safari 7250 (72"L x 50"W x 5"H) . We set it up with a full set of floor slats, 4 cross bars, shovel & axe carrier, hi-lift carrier and a tire carrier. When assmbled correctly with a bit of loctite, it's a pretty stout system.



where did u get it?

[elcoyote]

where did u get it?

We're a dealer

[XXXpedition]

great build-up...
wish i could build something like that at home...
sven

[elcoyote]

Scotty & Matt's work over the weekend went well despite foul weather and electrical gremlins in the Taco. The top of the rack falls a few inches below the cab. Since this Taco has a 3" body lift, it's safe to say that this will be flush with a stocker. The combination of the body lift and 6" of spring lift & shackles makes this Taco look insane! The rack could easily be replaced with a roof top tent and still have approximatelty the same roof profile. We've still got a bit of work to wrap this up such as completing the electrical, dropping the fender wells down and installing the can holder/steps. Other mods in the works before showing at ISE in PHX are new sliders & mudflaps. What's really cool about this whole build is that it will result in an easy bolt on kit for any Taco.

[gillti]

So Freakin' cool!! Great work!
tjg

[mountainpete]

So Freakin' cool!! Great work!


:iagree:

[bigreen505]

:smileeek: Wow! Well, if your goal was to attract less attention I would say you failed miserably. That is beyond cool.

[toyrunner95]

thats..... hold on i need a dictionary, remarkable and awe inspiring.

but why did u make it so tall? last truck i saw that tall took off his roof rack on a low branch.

nifty tho.

one suggestion....






more pics!!!

[kcowyo]

Nice work! Can't believe how quickly you got it all together.

:bowdown:

[Andrew Walcker]

SO NICE!!! Man, that is really nearing the ultimate expedition / crawler rig! Sounds like you may be going in the direction of a kit?

[DaktariEd]

Wow...you guys must have had a blast!
Looks great! :wings:

[xcmountain80]

Wow that is awesome. I never really thought about how the Taco and the Chaser could be joined but man my hats off to you, great job!!


Aaron

[Solid Taco]

This just spoiled my plans on a rack with a RT tent over my bed. It is jaw dropping cool.

[OverlandZJ]

Very nice Mario!

[elcoyote]

Hey folks, just a little update here. We finally got the lights converted over and installed this afternoon. As you can see from the pix, the fenders have been lowered 4" to match up with the front of the Taco. The LED lights are super bright, so bright that the brake lights flooded out my camera. I am showing pix with the shop lights on & off so you can see the difference between day & night.

Tomorrow we'll get the can carriers mounted, new mud flaps & decals. Then it's off to the Phoenix ISE for show & tell. Hope to see you there if you're in the neighborhood.

[Desertdude]

I am liking that... hope to see you out at the show

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Here's an Australian diesel 45 for the cause Mario. I can have it delivered to you from Reno. Jereme

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/new45rightprofile.jpg

[Redline]

I was wondering if you would consider doing 'that' to the FJ45 diesel?!



Here's an Australian diesel 45 for the cause Mario. I can have it delivered to you from Reno. Jereme

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/new45rightprofile.jpg

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

You know me J. I'm a selfless :victory: kind of guy. If that is what I have to do to help a guy out in need than have at it. My father travels to redlands ca about twice a month. So, the transportation is not an issue. Might make for a really kewl SEMA rig next year. Especially with your Optimus stove somewhere in the display.

[jeffryscott]

Excellent work guys - there is some exciting stuff going on between this build and the campa build ... very cool.

[elcoyote]

Excellent work guys - there is some exciting stuff going on between this build and the campa build ... very cool.

What a coincidence! I guess great minds think alike.

[elcoyote]

Here's an Australian diesel 45 for the cause Mario. I can have it delivered to you from Reno. Jereme

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/new45rightprofile.jpg
It's a thought. Thanks for the offer. We'll have to talk more about this after the show.

[kcowyo]

I love this build, that thing is so unique and tough looking. I have no doubt from your rep that it will stand up to all kinds of trails and use.

Not trying to be a naysayer or poo-pooer, but other than Uwe, I don't know anyone tall enough to be able to see and reach in the box. Are the fenders strong enough to support a person's weight or is there a step to climb up on and retrieve the gear from the box?

[elcoyote]

I love this build, that thing is so unique and tough looking. I have no doubt from your rep that it will stand up to all kinds of trails and use.

Not trying to be a naysayer or poo-pooer, but other than Uwe, I don't know anyone tall enough to be able to see and reach in the box. Are the fenders strong enough to support a person's weight or is there a step to climb up on and retrieve the gear from the box?

Keep in mind that this is an insane build of a Taco. It's on 37" tires with about 10" of lift. The height of the lip of the box and the tailgate opening is the same as where it would be on a stock bed. So under normal circumstances, entry into the box is relatively easy. The fenders are stout and I can put my weight on them (170 lbs) but I wouldn't jump up & down on them. There will be a combination step and can holder mounted fore & aft of the fender to aid in access.

[kcowyo]

Keep in mind that this is an insane build of a Taco. It's on 37" tires with about 10" of lift........There will be a combination step and can holder mounted fore & aft of the fender to aid in access.

Copy that. That might even be a stretch for Uwe.

Why am I not surprised that you guys have a plan for easier access? Again, loving this unique build! :jumping:

[Andrew Walcker]

elcoyote, looks awesome!!!

[elcoyote]

Went out to play today....

[DaktariEd]

Mario,
Have you decided whether to do this as part of your product line or are you just messing around?

[elcoyote]

Mario,
Have you decided whether to do this as part of your product line or are you just messing around?

Our intention is to add it to the product line if there is enough interest.

[Martinjmpr]

Interesting design. That bed kind of makes me think of a military M37 or M715.

[Scott Brady]

More details on the bed replacement module from Adventure Trailers and loads of pictures:

http://expeditionportal.com/news/TacoChaser.html

http://expeditionportal.com/news/news_images/AT/TC_crop_lo.jpg

[OverlandZJ]

Wow is that a beautiful machine!

:beer:

[CaliCruiser]

Man Matt's truck has really evolved over time. I have wheeled with him up here im Amador County a couple times. This truck is awesome man, and great work to everyone involved in the project.

Dylan

[edgear]

After we complete this project, we plan to look into doing the same to other mini truck platforms including the Taco double cab.

That is an engineering work of art!! And I might just have a Tacoma D-Cab for you to test it out on ;)
Although I might have to find a replacement daily driver if it needed to be in your shop for a long time!
:bike_rider:

[elcoyote]

We finally got the can mounts in place. They fit nicely between the cab & fender and are tucked in with the body line. They use both the factory body mount and 3 bolts into the mating frame. The 10 gauge material is pretty stout and should take a hit pretty well if Matt gets into one of those "How did this happen?" spots.

[Andrew Walcker]

That looks about PERFECT!!!:jumping:

[njtaco]

Mario - great job! I'm finally catching up on this thread, and the release of the "bed replacement module" in ExPo News.

Any photochops of this product on a more conservatively altered Tacoma? (Like mine? :) ) I'm thinking along the lines of 32-33 inch tires with 2-3 inches of lift? I'll check your site next...

Again, the TacoChaser looks great.

[The BN Guy]

Wow! Dunno how in the holy crapola I missed this thread! I absolutely love the concept! Very cool idea guys!

[Davids90toy]

for the back part. how did u make the trunk like thing and is it possible to do a sleeping spot on top that rises with a crank sort of like a tent trailer?
And is it street legal the way that you have it right there?

[Martyn]

for the back part. how did u make the trunk like thing and is it possible to do a sleeping spot on top that rises with a crank sort of like a tent trailer?
And is it street legal the way that you have it right there?

The box on the back is the body from one of our Chaser trailer, see www.adventuretrailers.com, truck module section. The box is mounted onto a sub frame that fits on the mounts for the stock bed.

Right now the Taco has the cargo box removed and is running regular roof rack cross bars. We have one of our tents on it. The tents you are referring to are made by Autohome www.autohomeus.com

the Taco-Chaser is all legal and above board.

[elcoyote]

TacoChaser got a 10 lb propane cylinder mounted today for upcoming backcountry fly fishing trip and Pyramid Lake Adventure. Next mod is a 19 gallon water tank.

[Tucson T4R]

You guys do great work! What a sweet set up. Nicley done.:clapsmile :clapsmile

[erod]

that rig is sooooo cool! noce work on the new mounts. any worry about the propane getting knocked into off road? super clean set up...keep the pics comin':Wow1:

[Redline]

Mario:

What's the story about that 'Serengeti' tent? :-)

James

[elcoyote]

that rig is sooooo cool! noce work on the new mounts. any worry about the propane getting knocked into off road? super clean set up...keep the pics comin':Wow1:

It has a huge backer plate on the inside of the box. It is an inch within the fender and of course on the TacoChaser it's about 4 feet off the ground!
A lower support bracket is being fabbed next for the tank

[elcoyote]

Mario:

What's the story about that 'Serengeti' tent? :-)

James

The Serengeti was a sample. The fabric, design and sewing quality are excellent but the base & ladder leave a lot to be desired. We tried to negotiate with the maker to merely import the fabric and we would build improved bases and ladders stateside but we could not get to a price point that made sense.

You'll get a chance to look at it at Pyramid and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[DaktariEd]

Terrific product development! :wings:
Looks great Mario & Martyn!

:sombrero:

[Redline]

I'm looking forward to it :-)


The Serengeti was a sample. The fabric, design and sewing quality are excellent but the base & ladder leave a lot to be desired. We tried to negotiate with the maker to merely import the fabric and we would build improved bases and ladders stateside but we could not get to a price point that made sense.

You'll get a chance to look at it at Pyramid and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[pete.wilson]

Hey

I have to admit; I really like the looks of the Taco Chaser, only one thing. How about a slightly bigger one for full size trucks american trucks. Have that in a 6.5'-7' length and slightly wider 4' or so. The fenders on the chaser need come out flush with the sidewall of the tires. But I love the overall concept. Anyone know the rough cost (used to be about $4K).

[TACODOC]

I would REALLY like to see this on an 05+ Tacoma... in fact, we were discussing this very thing in Saline Valley this weekend. I think it could be the ultimate Overland Tacoma mod.

Mario, if you need a test rig I'll volunteer. Seriously.

[SEREvince]

I love it!

Any provisions for mounting a RTT and a spare tire in the 35"+ range? Besides on top of the cab. Did I miss it?

[elcoyote]

Just to clear up the discussion here about the truck bed conversion for the 2006 Double Cab Tacoma that we started awhile back. Yes it had been put on the back burner in late 2007 because we were far too busy with trailer production and there was not enough time to complete R&D projects. We already have a donor truck for this experimental platform, the owner of which I am not at liberty to reveal. You'll know soon enough. As in all R&D projects, while the vision may stay generally the same, how to acheive it can change dramatically. We are currently involved in experimentation with composite materials in our quest to reduce weight, improve mileage, improve insulation quality and enhance strength. Should our testing prove out to our satisfaction the the bed conversion as well as numerous other AT products will be made from high tech composites in the near future. I am not at liberty to divulge the type of composites at this time.

[Any provisions for mounting a RTT?]

Already done.

[TACODOC]

Just to clear up the discussion here about the truck bed conversion for the 2006 Double Cab Tacoma that we started awhile back. Yes it had been put on the back burner in late 2007 because we were far too busy with trailer production and there was not enough time to complete R&D projects. We already have a donor truck for this experimental platform, the owner of which I am not at liberty to reveal. You'll know soon enough. As in all R&D projects, while the vision may stay generally the same, how to acheive it can change dramatically. We are currently involved in experimentation with composite materials in our quest to reduce weight, improve mileage, improve insulation quality and enhance strength. Should our testing prove out to our satisfaction the the bed conversion as well as numerous other AT products will be made from high tech composites in the near future. I am not at liberty to divulge the type of composites at this time.



Maybe this is Scott's new adventure vehicle for the upcoming South America trip???

:lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk:

[calfj60]

I am very intersted in this....looks really good...any pics of one on either a newer double cab or on one with less lift???

[IronSmiles]

I don't know why I'm just now seeing this thread but holy taco thats a sweet rig! Taco's are my secret affairs to my XJ haha. If I had a taco, that would be exactly what I want.. Great build and thread! :luxhello: