A 2004 Tacoma grows up

[Desertdude]

Well it has been a fun journey - learning - reading - wheeling - meeting - and spending cash

I started with a new 2004 Tacoma with 50 miles - it now sports 50K

view various photos HERE

I have installed over several months -Demello tube bumpers/sliders - Warn 9000xp winch - Amsteel synth rope - Alum fair-lead - Donahoe coil-overs - Deaver spring pack - Bilstein 5150 shocks - 255/85 R16 BFG MT/KO's - American Racing 797 Steel 16x8" wheels - Safari Snorkel - Engel 45 fridge/Freezer - Dual Optima Yellow tops - Hell Roaring battery switcher/isolator - 12-volt aux. plugs - Husky Liner mats - Line-x bed-liner - Custom tire/jack mount - Tent Rack - Maggolina Roof top tent - Nato water cans - Expedition Exchange nato can mounts -Garmin 276C GPS - XM SkiFi - iPod - Cobra 19dx CB

Next up - Helton Water heater/Shower ( on order) - Downey Aux. gas tank - Re -gearing front and back - ARB Locker up front - remote fridge temp gauge - Assorted clamp mounts on the tent rack - a few more recovery items - Spare parts - Rack behind the driver seat for electronics - bed drawer system ( maybe)

[Jonathan Hanson]

People on this site are producing the most impressive expedition-ready Tacomas I've ever seen. This is surely one of them.

[Suty]

DD, I must agree with John. "I'm not worthy" Your Taco is a really well thought out and super clean. Scott and you have set the Bar High for the rest of us. I hope to get myself there in the future. Like Harleys you can never finish with your mods. Tu Compa, Suty

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Dude!.......SWEET!!!!

Very SWEET RIG Dude!

Great job!

Now excuse me while I go wype the drool off my face!!!!....hehe

[Nullifier]

Really nice rig. I was just talking about a rack like that one on your bed. I want mine to come back all the way to the tail gate and have a canvas cover. I would also love a tent like yours. My challenge is that boating is such a big part of my existance I can't go with out my canoe.

Once again that is some great outfitting.

[Desertdude]

Thanks guys!

Maggiolina makes a new model ( which I did not want to wait for) that is slightly higher by 2" and has rack mounts on top for such things - it is called the Grand Tour - autohome.us is importing as we speak and the container should arrive in Nov sometime.

The Airland tent ( you see above) will be discontinued and replaced with a less expensive model the Airlander - and the upgraded Grand Tour

I am desperately trying to keep my CG as low as I can - with the spare tire- water cans- and soon to be Aux Gas tank I should be back in balance.

After a short camping trip last weekend - the Maggiolina is a real high class way to sleep outdoors - the mattress it comes with and the pillows are first class comfort - The bedding all stays inside the shell- along with a few clothes - I can now enjoy a great nights sleep anywhere anytime.

[The BN Guy]

Those are quite slick! Too bad we already have a decent tent and too bad we don't get to even use it enough.

BTW DD, your rig sure has come a long way!

[bluerunner]

DD- very nice and very clean!

Very good design.

[BajaTaco]

Wow - I like all the new stuff since the last time I saw it! Very well rounded! I love those Maggiolinas - very cool.

FYI - it is my understanding that you can use a drill motor to make cranking the tent up as easy as pie - might be a cool trick for you since you probably have a drill motor in that toolbox pretty often

[Desertdude]

Thanks Chris I am on the road more than I am home. The Tacoma has been a great asset to me

here's a funny story - I was at CSC trail clean up at Fossil Springs we we all hanging out and talking - I decided to offer a show and tell on the tent - the second I pulled out the crank - 12 guys said in unison -"you can hook that up to a battery drill" and they are saying this to a guy who builds for a living and has a Dewalt in his hands more than a fork

Moral of the story - I decided some things are left to the romance of a hand crank