Max's 04 Stormtrooper build

So I figured after a few years I might as well update this thing

Here's my first rig:
04 single cab 5sp 2.7l
285/75/16 duratracs
Eibach/bilsteins up front
Dakar pack in rear
Ghetto rigged subie seats
Black hood/rocker panel

She had a great run, got her up to 350k. Until she went out the only way toyotas go. In a blaze of glory. I demolished the living hell out of that beautiful truck and she kept me safe, walking away with only a small scratch on my head and a stiiiiiiiiff back (and emotional scarring).


My next rig

85 4Runner 5sp 22re
4ish in lift
4.56 gears
Custom front bumper w/ winch
Custom rear bumper w/ tire carrier
Custom rock sliders
OG racing/bucket seats
Welded rear diff
33in tires

I had the 4Runner for a short stint. I purchased her off some guy who locked her in a garage her entire life. And I decided to giver her some freedom. Started restoring it a bit. New carpet, repainted vinyl pieces, fixed EVERY GOD DAMN DENT, fresh coat of paint.
Then...
One night I take her out for a cruise, and the ungrateful B*@CH throws a rod and catches on fire. So I got to sit and watch all my hard work burn to pieces in front of me

But then the silver lining came.

I had the opportunity to convince my older friend to sell his tacoma to me. He had owned it for the majority of its life, took great care of her, and sold it to me for a hell of a deal.

I'm still trying to think of a good name. But with my luck Itll probably get hit by an airplane or something in the near future.

95.5 tacoma 5sp 3.4
New Japanese motor w/ about 120k
"New" tranny w/ 75k
Arb bumper w/ winch
34ish in tires
Custom rock sliders
Much more to come

Having the 3.4l is a thousand times better than the 22re and 2.7l. After driving 4 cylinders my entire life, it's nice to merge on the highway without mashing the pedal to the floor and telling my passengers to use their arms to paddle the truck forward.

Unfortunately with my lovely luck, the transmission took a dump on me. So I went and bought a used transmission of Craigslist. And had a hell of an adventure getting that red headed stepchild of a transmission to cooperate and get in the truck.

My current plan is to pick up the topper for it, build a roof rack on the top and rig up my own roof top tent without having to sell my left kidney to afford it.

I also have the rear tire carrier left over from my 4Runner. In the next few weeks I plan to build a super basic rear bumper to mount the rear tire carrier on. Idk something about rear tire carriers just makes my pants fit tighter.

I think after another year I'll spend the big bucks and regear it w/ a locker. But I still put my debit card in the negative to buy groceries so who knows.











Currentish:


Stockish:

 

Subbed!

 

These are my latest new projects. Im super stoked on the hood. I ran out of paint tonight so tomorrow morning i gotta finish it up.

 

Got the hood more/less finished today. Gotta let it dry before i put it on the truck. Still have to wet sand and buff it. Theres a few errors in it, but for being all done with a tape measure, blue tape and a picture, it turned out pretty good.

 

Im really liking it. Tommorow im gonna sand it and buff it so itll look a little better.

 

Got a lot of work done recently on my truck

Went to the junkyard and pulled two subaru outback seats from a 97. They were in great condition (No stains or smells or tears)

Tore apart the whole carpet. Im thinking about putting in black carpet or rhinoliner. Eventually I want to redo the entire interior.

Mounting them was a PITA. The brackets were wider and were hitting the middle part of the cab. So for know they are welded on the cab. Im going to redo them soon because they are a little crooked.

 

I kept the factory seatbelts, so Im not worried about it being unsafe.

I also got eibach coils installed. I did it myself using a spring compressor from Oriellys. It worked really well, and wasnt too sketchy. If I had air tools it would have been much much easier.

The front end rose about an inch, and rides stiffer. But I really like it.

 

Tomorrow I'll be doing the deckplate mod and maybe diff breather

 

I actually kinda dig the old school Toyota emblem on the hood.

 

Me too. only downside is other people have no idea what it is and think its some transformers bull crap.

 

Man I really like your truck! the classic Toyota emblem on the hood is a cool idea