Containerized: Retromod Global Tacoma

[Containerized]

Ryan - I'm running 285/75R16's on my FJ Cruiser and decided to go narrower this time, 245/75R16, after a lot of research. This was partly because I've noticed it's nearly impossible to find something as wide as a 285 overseas in that aspect ratio. I've had a good experience with the KM2's on the FJ Cruiser, so I got another set. In a pinch, even Toyota of Gulu (in northern Uganda) stocks tires in 245/75R16. Local tire shops in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi stock the size, too. If I were wheeling around the U.S. or whatever (somewhere with a good supply chain for tires), I'd probably do the 285/75R16's again, which I consider a good trade-off between technical wheeling ability and performance on secondary (unpaved, but smooth enough to do 30mph) roads. All in all, the main difference will be cosmetic; I doubt there will really be a situation where I say, "Damn, wish I had those 285's..."

Kermit - This was one of the toughest decisions. I thought about going round (FJ60 headlight bucket). You can't use the original '81-84 headlight, since it looks too small compared to the size of the front end on these modern trucks. I thought the FJ80 was a readily-available (even in Africa) part that looks a bit older and I think will work well with the front end I've designed for this truck. Remember, this isn't supposed to be a "clone" of any one year, just something to make you smile if I see you in Nairobi or Juba and you're a fan of the older trucks. I know some people liked Toyota's retro Taco at the SEMA show a few years back, but I really don't think they went far enough. I hope to explore some of those same ideas in this truck, but to actually use it and ship it (rather than just showing it off waxed at a show).

Robert - I'm an economist. I work for a pretty wide range of clients, but primarily investment banks... my work involves anything from oil to agriculture to exports and port facility privatization. And it lets me have a lot of fun driving across cool places, which is the big perk for me. I've been on assignment in northern Uganda for the past year, living near the South Sudan border and doing research that will eventually lead to a financial product in the insurance industry.

[haven]

At SEMA in 2009, Toyota showed a concept vehicle that combined a current Tacoma body with 80 series Land Cruiser drivetrain, including solid axles.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/09...he-future.html

Since we can't buy a vehicle like this from Toyota USA today, we'd have to build one. First, start with an Access Cab PreRunner (about $21,000). Then convert to solid front drive axle. Add a transfer case, and new driveshafts, drop the steering linkage, and we're done!

I see that All-Pro Offroad makes a SAS kit for the Tacoma. Cost is about $10,000 with Dana 60, ARB locker and adjustable coilover shocks.
http://www.allprooffroad.com/95024runnersas

[Kermit]

Kermit - This was one of the toughest decisions. I thought about going round (FJ60 headlight bucket). You can't use the original '81-84 headlight, since it looks too small compared to the size of the front end on these modern trucks. I thought the FJ80 was a readily-available (even in Africa) part that looks a bit older and I think will work well with the front end I've designed for this truck. Remember, this isn't supposed to be a "clone" of any one year, just something to make you smile if I see you in Nairobi or Juba and you're a fan of the older trucks. I know some people liked Toyota's retro Taco at the SEMA show a few years back, but I really don't think they went far enough. I hope to explore some of those same ideas in this truck, but to actually use it and ship it (rather than just showing it off waxed at a show).

.

Yeah, sounds like you are going to actually use it than rub polish on it...(which is good!)

Just my personal opinion...the headlights are one of the ugliest things about the 80...

I like how Toyota did the retro grill/headlight treatment...blacked out everything inside the headlight housing except the reflector...so it keeps with the round look, without going to a 7" traditional lamp, as you said, would of looked silly.

What about a LC70 lamp assembly, with the same blacked out treatment?

[TACODOC]

[Kermit]

At SEMA in 2009, Toyota showed a concept vehicle that combined a current Tacoma body with 80 series Land Cruiser drivetrain, including solid axles.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/09...he-future.html

Since we can't buy a vehicle like this from Toyota USA today, we'd have to build one. First, start with an Access Cab PreRunner (about $21,000). Then convert to solid front drive axle. Add a transfer case, and new driveshafts, drop the steering linkage, and we're done!

I see that All-Pro Offroad makes a SAS kit for the Tacoma. Cost is about $10,000 with Dana 60, ARB locker and adjustable coilover shocks.
http://www.allprooffroad.com/95024runnersas

Yeah, I dunno Chip...I am probably one of the few guys who is very content with IFS..and hopes Toyota never goes back to a front solid axle...pretty smug about the petrol engine as well...

[Containerized]

Kermit - I agree, the 70 Series would be the obvious assembly to use if I want the early 80's look, but the old 70 wagon (sold as the Prado TX in Africa) is just about the most common vehicle I see in most of the places I am. In fact, if you put together the TX 70 Series LC's I see along with the 70 Pickups, that's a huge % of the trucks on the road. So I decided to stay away from the 70 Series parts. I know it's a high-risk decision from a styling standpoint, but I think it'll recall the rectangular headlamps of the MkI 4R and other trucks. We'll see... I could be wrong, I could be right, I've spent plenty of time in African airport lounges sketching various options and eventually I just had to place my bet on one of them.

I even bought a set of these lamps, but they just look too damn small on a modern Taco front end:

[Kermit]

Kermit - I agree, the 70 Series would be the obvious assembly to use if I want the early 80's look, but the old 70 wagon (sold as the Prado TX in Africa) is just about the most common vehicle I see in most of the places I am. In fact, if you put together the TX 70 Series LC's I see along with the 70 Pickups, that's a huge % of the trucks on the road. So I decided to stay away from the 70 Series parts. I know it's a high-risk decision from a styling standpoint, but I think it'll recall the rectangular headlamps of the MkI 4R and other trucks. We'll see... I could be wrong, I could be right, I've spent plenty of time in African airport lounges sketching various options and eventually I just had to place my bet on one of them.

I even bought a set of these lamps, but they just look too damn small on a modern Taco front end:

Sounds like you thought it through and through...

Yeah the older rectangular model would of looked goofy.

[Containerized]

Haven - Interesting kit. For a more crawler-oriented truck, that sounds great... but most of my truck's life will be driving on unpaved roads rather than rock crawling.

[john101477]

Haven, that truck is pretty awesome. would make a great expedition truck because not all roads in the world are flat even if they are not "crawler" roads...

[pnorvell]

I really, really like where you're going with this truck. I have wanted to do the same with my truck, try and find a medium between old and new. I'm interested to see how you mount the spare tire as that is my project. And I'm incredibly jealous you have the means to graft the tailgate!! I don't have the know how to make it happen, yet!

Really stoked for this build!!

Sincerely,

Peter