BMW guy needed a truck...Fast build

Ive been a member on here for sometime now and finally have the time to set up a build thread.

Background on me: I am a 21 soon to be 22 years old who has been a BMW guy since day one. All the cars I have owned have been purchased, maintained, and modified from my pocket. After graduating high school I went to work for BMW Northwest in Fife Wash. as a part of the marketing department. During that same year I started my own business- www.customcarbooks.com

In June 2012 I tore my ACL, MCL and broke the head of my femur wakeboarding. After having to have emergency surgery I was released from the company and had to come up with something to do. I decided to take my some of my savings and go back to school to finish my degree. I chose to go to Central Washington University because it was close enough to home that I could still run my business and after working hard I have completed one course shy of three years of college in one year.

Here is where needing a truck fast comes in. School started September20th, I couldn't walk until august 30th of last year. With CWU being in Ellensburg Wash. I needed a truck that could handle, snow, heat, sitting outside, would always start, and be something that I could have some fun out in the wilderness with.

Originally I started looking for 4runners but after no luck in the money range I was looking to spend I stumbled across the Taco that I have now.

Here it is the day I bought it

2.7L, 5 speed, buckets, revtek 3'', 33x12.50,15's, crappy tool box, 217,000 miles 2 owner truck. I payed $2500 after taxes.
Its not perfect but its what I was after- 4 banger, 5 speed, and 4x4.

After having the truck for a couple days I started changing and fixing things. First thing I did was pick up a canopy for $150!!!

Then I changed the headlights and took it offroad!

After a while of not spending money on the truck I decided that I would do Hella500FF's, plasti-dip the chrome, rhino-line the interior, and add some sliders.




Just yesterday I ordered 5100's and springs, replaced u-joints, greased everything, and filled it with gas. currently the truck is sitting at 228k and I love it. Its a big change for me though!

Here is my other car because I know there are some Bimmerforums guys on here.. 2000 e39 540i Dinan car (throttle body, stage 3 tune, intake, straight pipe to Dinan exhaust, and M tech suspension.)



C&C&Q's welcome.

 

Nice build! And good looking BMW and truck

 

Truck looks good man. Kinda jealous.

 

Thanks guys. I'm hoping once the 5100's are on it will be a whole new truck. Thinking KM2's for my next tire as well.

 

your truck looks good, nice bmw too

 

Adding a few more random pics.

 

Installed the 5100's last night. Having it aligned today.

When I left to take it to the alignment shop today I noticed that there was something going on with my driveline.. Just a week or two ago I replaced the two u-joints at each end. now it seems like the second u-joint (seen it called "driveshaft CV") that is at the front of the driveshaft has gone bad. its got play in it and makes noise under acceleration.

Now I need to find the part for that and replace/get it replaced..

 

same taco bro! love it, soo sweet.

 

Took the driveline to a driveline shop they got it all fixed up, I put back on the truck and its back in action. While the truck was sitting I got messing with everything and noticed that my hella's are no longer working.. here is the thread I posted in lighting that no one has seemed to have any help for me, maybe someone here will. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/294714-trouble-shoot-me-500ff-no-longer-working.html

 

Sub

 

Little update and some new pics-

Eibach springs and 5100's on the front, rides much better than it used too.

I did notice though that the Camber alignment tab on the passenger side is bent so the alignment is not perfect. Anyone have any suggestions on where I might be able to get my hands on one?

Canopy is off for spring/summer and I got a killer deal on a tool box.

The problem with the hella's ended up being a bad relay and switch. They both tested ok but when they had to work together, neither worked, swapped them and they are working great now.

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what type/brand of grease to use for greasing ball joints. I have got conflicting info from a few sources so I am wondering what everyone else is using.

Pics!




I should have some more recent pics without the canopy soon.

 

Guilty BFc member! Used to have an S50 E30, but killed it (and two others before it) and decided I needed to take a break from them and get back into off-roading lol.

Truck and E39 look good though!

 

Thanks! Ive been a long time BFc guy as well. Pm me your BFc tag.

 

PM sent!

 

So I am now running around without the canopy, I like it, but I do worry about security, and it was nice having the extra weight over the rear wheels but its fun to change things up.