Florida Tacoma build

[Nullifier]

Hello all this some info about my rig. I bought her from a used car lot for $3500.00 a year ago. Long story but in the right place at the right time is all. This is my first 4X4. I have been building hotrods and bikes for about 12 years and the thought of a nice toyota truck was always in the back of my head. I own an outdoor shop here in Florida so having a vehicle that could get me to remote lands was always something that I really needed.

When I got it the Taco was a stock as could be 225/75/15 street tiresis what it had. It did however have a super clean underchassis, no rust or body damage, and a solid 2.7 motor. I wasn't really sure what to do with it since I hadn't really planned on finding a truck so quick but yo know how that goes.

I found a local club and went to a meeting that week and on the following Saturday I went on my first ride. Florida's most challenging place called the pit. An old limestone quarry that eats up vehicles left and right. Needless to say after some nerve racking trails and watching a Jeep go end over end 4 times that day I was hooked.

I have spent most of my time building the rig with stuff that wouldn't poin me down in any direction since I wasn't sure what my 4x4 niche would be. I have studied learned and driven the hell out of this truck and had a blast. Based on my ourdoor background and passion for travel expedition outfititing has always had the most appeal so no suprise I have finally mapped out a plan for the truck.

This is my truck on a trip to the everglades OHV area near Everglades City not to long after getting it. I had only put on sliders and racks. Even those little 225 were on it for this trip![IMG][/IMG]

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This was taken on that trip and set the tone for the day. I stalled out do to an usealed disributor and got stranded in this for about 5 minutes. The water was over the seats in the cab by the time I got pulled out it was hilarious! The worst part was I had ordered a snorkel from 4WPW 3 weeks earlier and it never arrived until the a day after we got back. LOL! Needless to say the snorkel and a sealing of the electrical stuff happened ASAP. [IMG][/IMG]

After that week we started on armour so a custom rear bumper was first since I had no rear pull points then a new front winch bumper and 8000# ramsey winch. My friend Damon and myself built these parts from scratch along with a custom skid plate.

[Nullifier]

After that week in the Glades we started on armour. Since I had no rear tow point the rear bumper was first. THen a front to inclde an 8000# ramsey wicn and a set of lights.

The next pic shows the truck ready to go to Tellico OHV. We finished the Front bumper a day before and left for Tellico untested. It took a beating but performed flawlessly.
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[Nullifier]

The next two pics were taken local. The first about 10 minutes from my house at a place called articulation alley. The second in the Ocala national forest about a week after the 4th hurricane past through last year. Just thought it was agood pic.[IMG][/IMG]
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I have added Beard suspension seats, 31" BFG muds, hella lights,GPS,CB complete S.S. exhaust, and several other little gadgets that you can't see in these pics. I have some cool upcoming projects including a custom Electrical box in bed with OBA inverter, dual batts etc, planned very soon. I'll write up when I get that built. Hope you guys like my write up.

[Desertdude]

welcome! your truck has come along way nice armor -

That is a great stuck in the water photo

you Flrorida dudes have some jungles to trail through

[bluerunner]

Welcome! and very nice work!

Lets see an interior shot please.

Looking at replacing my seats as well.

[Desertdude]

one with the water inside

[Scott Brady]

What a great looking truck, with lots of thoughtful modifications. Very well done.

I love this picture!


So, now that you have all of the cool off-road goodies on there, what are your camping plans? Tent, Roof Tent, Trailer, Camper?

It will be fun to follow your build.

[kcowyo]

Those are some good looking bumpers, nice job! The bottom of those sliders show they're earning their keep too.

I look forward to seeing what else you have in store for this cool rig -

[datrupr]

Great looking Taco, and those home made bumpers are perfect! You should consider going into the bull bar/bumper business. I know what you mean though, once the 4X4 bug bites, you are hooked . Welcome to the board.

[Nullifier]

What a great looking truck, with lots of thoughtful modifications. Very well done.

I love this picture!


So, now that you have all of the cool off-road goodies on there, what are your camping plans? Tent, Roof Tent, Trailer, Camper?

It will be fun to follow your build.

Whats funny about that pic, and I just realized it, is that was the last ride with the factory antenna. Had a tree branch come down on me mid day and snapped it off LOL.

Right now we use a 3 man tent with retactable fly. I am looking at the os tent though it is really neat. Just have to come up with a good mounting plan.