HADDIX'S-03 Tacoma DoubleCab Build

[4Rescue]

Good looking truck mate. This is my FAVORITE Tacoma generation by far. They were still actualy "compact trucks" versus what they've become (the new Taco being the size of the T100 and the first gen Tundra... ) Anyway, I really love these trucks. Congrats on being back in the best brand of 4x4rxfar (always thought that saying was wasted on Rovers ) and on having a new project. You've got a great starting point aye.

I keep thinking about replacing the 4Runner with something more... "practical"??? I think a 4dr. Taco would be best and this gen. is my personal favorite. With a band that's traveling to play more and more It'd be really nice to have something with more power to cruise comfortably and pull the long grades aroud these parts plus enough of a bed to haul all the gear (or most of it) and still have seating for 5 if need be. Currently the 4Runner is a 2-seater as I've removed the bottom cushions and haver the back "flat-beded" as it were. It's great for Whit and I, but it's a pain when you need to take anyone else. I'd personaly leave the canopy on cause it covers up the gear in back.
So a few questions:

What kind of milage are you seeing??? (this truck is a 3.4V6 right???) And... coming from previously owning a 4Runner, how do you like being in a pick-up versus a wagon??? Do you miss the "pass through"?? Any issues in terms of personal driver comfort (I'm guessing it's less noticable being a quad cab with all that room back there versus a standard cab or even an older X-cab aye)??? Oh and something broader: You could get these gen. trucks in a Manual tranny right (thought the old Expeditions West Truck was a manual)??? And could you get the holly grail combo: Stick, Locker and 3.4V6 with a lever-op T-case??? I think either a 4dr Taco like this or a Cruiser Wagon is in my future... don't tell the 4Runner, she just won't understand.

Cheers

DAve

[haddix]

Good looking truck mate. This is my FAVORITE Tacoma generation by far. They were still actually "compact trucks" versus what they've become (the new Taco being the size of the T100 and the first gen Tundra... ) Anyway, I really love these trucks. Congrats on being back in the best brand of 4x4rxfar (always thought that saying was wasted on Rovers ) and on having a new project. You've got a great starting point aye.

I keep thinking about replacing the 4Runner with something more... "practical"??? I think a 4dr. Taco would be best and this gen. is my personal favorite. With a band that's traveling to play more and more It'd be really nice to have something with more power to cruise comfortably and pull the long grades aroud these parts plus enough of a bed to haul all the gear (or most of it) and still have seating for 5 if need be. Currently the 4Runner is a 2-seater as I've removed the bottom cushions and haver the back "flat-beded" as it were. It's great for Whit and I, but it's a pain when you need to take anyone else. I'd personaly leave the canopy on cause it covers up the gear in back.
So a few questions:

What kind of milage are you seeing??? (this truck is a 3.4V6 right???) And... coming from previously owning a 4Runner, how do you like being in a pick-up versus a wagon??? Do you miss the "pass through"?? Any issues in terms of personal driver comfort (I'm guessing it's less noticable being a quad cab with all that room back there versus a standard cab or even an older X-cab aye)??? Oh and something broader: You could get these gen. trucks in a Manual tranny right (thought the old Expeditions West Truck was a manual)??? And could you get the holly grail combo: Stick, Locker and 3.4V6 with a lever-op T-case??? I think either a 4dr Taco like this or a Cruiser Wagon is in my future... don't tell the 4Runner, she just won't understand.

Cheers

DAve

Seems as if we have the same taste in trucks. I love my "mini truck" The 1st gen Dcab is the holy grail of trucks to me. It is an awesome all around vehicle and I like it quite a bit better than my 4runner. At first I did kind of miss the "pass through" but after adding the softopper it almost feels like I have a more utility type of 4runner. Same seating but I have a bed for all the muddy/wet gear. Plus its always nice just to have that truck bed. The cargo area can stay nice and dry while the rest of the stuff is in the back.
I know you would not be disappointed with a dcab taco great all around platform. I do have the 3.4 but it is an auto. They never made the 1st gen dcab with a manual. There have been a few people that have done a swap and its pretty straight forward. I have owned a single cab taco, the 4runner and the dcab taco and I think I upgraded everytime but the 4runner was a close 2nd. It really was a great rig but when I bought it I settled for it. I was really after a dcab tacoma at that time but the 4runner was very clean so I chose it and I had always been a fan of 4runners. I sometimes miss it but I wouldnt go back to a 4runner from this dcab. The 4door taco has everything the 4runner had plus a few more things. Holy grail isn't possible straight from factory as I said they only came in auto but you could get the locker, 3.4 and lever tcase. Thats what this one has! Oh yeah mileage wise I am seeing about 21 mixed driving now before the softopper I could get 24+ with mostly highway.

Dont let the auto scare you away. Its an awesome all around truck and if it bothers you enough you could always swap in the 5 spd.

[upcountry]

I like the 1st gen too, but its not big enough for a family. Its a single mans truck. The second gen can fit two carseats in the back and still have room for the frontseats to be back far enough for me to be ckmfortable on a long trip I'm 6'3" and there no way my family of four would fit in the first gen tacoma quad cab. I know because we used to have one.

But, if I did not have a family I would still have the first gen.

Another note is the 4.0 liter in the second gen is WAY more powerfull and torquey than the 3
4 liter. That's a no-comparisln upgrade in my opinion and I have driven both extensively.

[haddix]

I like the 1st gen too, but its not big enough for a family. Its a single mans truck. The second gen can fit two carseats in the back and still have room for the frontseats to be back far enough for me to be ckmfortable on a long trip I'm 6'3" and there no way my family of four would fit in the first gen tacoma quad cab. I know because we used to have one.

But, if I did not have a family I would still have the first gen.

Another note is the 4.0 liter in the second gen is WAY more powerfull and torquey than the 3
4 liter. That's a no-comparisln upgrade in my opinion and I have driven both extensively.

Well I kind of fall into the "single man" category. I'm 21 and have a gf and its just the 2 of us most of the time. I like the feel of the smaller truck but I can definitely see where your coming from with a family. I am a big fan of the 2nd gen but I feel it isn't quite as tough as the 1st gen. Not to take anything away from the 2nd gen I still think it is built better that any of the trucks on the road in it's year range but the first gen just seems a little better overall. I will own a 2nd gen years down the road when the 1st gen needs retiring but that wont be for a while.

[haddix]

Bilstein 5125's came in yesterday. I had to order an 11'' Bilstein because the Alcan leafs I have were custom made and are pretty tall.


I was originally going to have the lift and tires installed this week but with the holiday season it looks like it might be after Christmas. Oh well.

[haddix]

Finally got the lift finished tonight. I am going to crank on the coilovers some more tomorrow before the alignment.
Here are a few pics.





Better daylight pics tomorrow after the KM2's get mounted.

[Omgz]

Hey nice looking truck, forgive me if you mentioned it but what brand softopper is that? I've also been going back and forth on a topper and that one looks pretty nice. Just another single guy with a doublecab, definitely perfect for trips with the girl.

[haddix]

The brand is actually called Softopper. The only complaint I have is while backing up its very hard to see but the pros far outweigh the cons. If you don't need the security of a hard top then this is the way to go. Awesome quality, convenient and keeps the bed 99% dry. There's a very small slow drip in one of the corners but I did not use any weather stripping so I'm sure that would get rid of any possible leaks. Oh yeah and it looks awesome IMO lol.
Search around on Craigslist you may be able to find one. FYI the 01-04 dcab and 05-11 softopper are the exact same. Only difference is the clamps you use.

[Omgz]

cool, thanks for the info.

[haddix]

Well FINALLY got the tires installed today



Got droop?