Rich noob starting from scratch, tell me about your dream build.

Howdy gang,

I have decided I want a Tacoma and am soliciting advice for what you'd build if you had the money to make it just like you'd want it. I'm not filthy stinking rich, but I am a middle aged professional who can afford to put some serious coin into this vehicle.

Keep in mind I am very new to the Tacoma fraternity, only having driven them a couple of times, and have not done any serious auto mechanics since high school shop class decades ago. So be gentle if I ask stupid or obvious questions and don't know my TRD's from my Prerunners.

The goal I'm shooting for is capability without flamboyance. A Suburban Assault Vehicle my wife can take to the grocery store, probably never used for anything more exciting than weekend camping in the deep backwoods-- but capable of carrying me safely through a zombie apocalypse, without looking like one of the props in a Mad Max movie. This is a vehicle I intend to drive for years, probably decades. Maybe even the rest of my life. So capability, durability and reliability take priority over pure race performance or appearance.

So far, here are the things I am pretty much decided on:

- Late model, 2010-11 or later, with 50-70k miles or less. Would be OK buying new if there were any real advantage to doing so, but I intend to use this vehicle pretty heavily and don't want to be worrying about scratching a new paint job etc. The wife has already been instructed that she doesn't get to bitch about the cleanliness or appearance of this vehicle like she does all the others.

-Full 4 door double cab. Not interested in any others. Not particular about bed length, but shorter is probably better if I can get a decent bed extender.

-4x4 V6 for sure.

-I prefer a manual transmission, both for simplicity/durability and because they are more fun to drive. Also would help keep my kids from texting while driving. But if you think there is a reason to get an automatic, feel free to tell me.

So tell me what you think about my various choices.

-What trim levels would you choose, and are there any factory options that are hard to duplicate in the aftermarket? Anything from the most recent model years that I would regret not having if I bought something older?

-Whats your opinion on lift, suspension, skid plates, and tires? I want a rig that will see me safely through the Northern Arizona backcountry where there is deep snow and moderate rock crawling in sharp, tire shredding lava fields.

-What do you like for winch, winch bumper/bull bars, trailer hitch, lighting, roll cage/bars?

-Electronics? I do want the most sophisticated bluetooth, satnav, etc. Go factory or install custom aftermarket?

-Engine mods? Again, modest performance improvements that don't trash my engine durability and warranty are better than squeezing the last 10 hp out of it.

-Minor functional accessories like tool boxes, gun racks, bed liners, camper shells, multi-purpose utility/sport racks, etc. I want to be able to haul anything from lumber, to bicycles, to a canoe, to bulk sand and gravel, to a trailer full of motorcycles and ATVs. Tell me what works for you or what you wish you had.

If you're in Arizona, whom do you recommend for mechanical work? Got a vehicle like this you want to sell me?

Thanks for your help. Let your imaginations run wild.

 

super charger

 

This guy seems to have the same idea as me:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/262547-locos-dcsb-build.html

 

This one?

http://www.toyotaracing.com/trd/features/package_4_0l_v6_supercharger.html

 

If I'm not mistaken, you can only get a 4-door manual with the short bed.

 

Not a problem. This is a fun truck rather than a work truck.

 

Heated Mirrors

 

I think so but I am a 4 banger so I don't know which is best for v6

 

As far as lifts are concerned if you have the coin most will say as well as myself to run one of the big three, king, fox, or icon are all good. x2 on the supercharger

 

Also, how much weight do you figure you would have and do you plan to haul things?

 

First off welcome to tw from a fellow az member. The auto vs manual is more of a preference. So ho ahead with the manual. You won't need more then a 3" lift really for anything you are planning. But armor is a must it will help allot! Front and rear bumpers go with full steel plate. And sliders and skids help aswell. Check out some of the az guys trucks. Look more at the expo rigs than the prerunner builds. And if you have any questions feel free to pm me. I live up in the white mountains and spend lots of time in the woods and snow. And come over and say high in the az bs thread.

 

Subbed.

 

Heated seats

 

supercharger

 

Wow, three votes for the supercharger already. I didn't even know they were available. Looks like one to put at the top of the list. Thanks guys, this is off to a good start.

 

Don't worry we'll spend your money.

 

ahh, ok... again, I am totally new at this, what does that mean?

I spend a lot of time in the White Mountains in the summer as I love to go foraging for wild mushrooms, and in the winter we make it up there for skiing, so maybe we can cross paths.

 

IMHO a supercharger is not needed....I love the power of my stock truck. IMO if I want to go fast, I will drive a sports car. It is much more fun, and a hell of a lot safer. The cash on a blower could be used for gears, rims and tires. Even though money may not be an issue, why should he blow it?

 

Expo=expedition rig
Prerunner is 4x2 because racetruck. (Wanna haul ass thru the desert)

And yeah we will probably cross paths I'm always at sunrise during the winter