Long Time Lurker, Finally Registered!

Hey guys, my name is Matt and I've been lurking these threads for a while now, in preparation for buying my truck. The wealth of knowledge here is amazing, and I can't be happier to be a part of it now.

Currently, I'm looking for a a truck that gets decent mpg, great reliability, holds its resale value, has 4 doors for friends, and has a big enough bed to allow me to sleep in it (I'm 6'2"). I'm a photographer aspiring to work for National Geographic, and my current ride (VW Rabbit ) has a little trouble getting me to some places I need to shoot. I figured my best bet would be a 2nd Gen DCLB 4x4.

My goal is to build a truck that will allow me to live in for up to 2 weeks at a time, yet still functional as a truck when I'm back home, and can handle most terrain. I'm not into rock crawling, or any technical off-roading, just something that will get me on the trail, and back onto the road without needing a recovery.

I'm super new to trucks! Never dreamed of owning one, but as I'm getting older, I'm realizing that zippy little manual econoboxes get old after a while, and my back is beginning to hurt from how low the damn thing is. Only thing I'll miss is the 28mpg highway, but I can manage. I live in Orange County, and I know there are a ton of you guys on here from SoCal, so I'd be happy to meet up sometime to check out the local competition . I will be moving to Flagstaff, AZ by the end of summer to start school at Northern Arizona University. So if there is anybody from Flagstaff, let me know where the great local trails are!

My first question is regarding the capability of the 2WD Tacoma. There is a guy selling one down my street that is a fully loaded 2010 Silver Streak Mica DCLB Sport 2x4, 21k miles, still under warranty, and he's asking $26,500 OBO. I think that's MORE than fair for what he's got, my only setback is the thought of being stuck on a trail somewhere without 4lo or a locker. I tend to go adventuring by myself a lot, and I'd like to have the comfort of knowing I can get myself out.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little. Can't wait to learn everything there is to know about the legendary Taco

 

Oh, and this is the most badass truck I've seen on here. My inspiration, although I know mine wont look anything like that anytime soon. If anybody knows who the owner of this beauty is, please let me know! Thanks.

 

welcome! you've come to the right place
warning: get ready to open your pocket book because this place is a black hole for your money

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to the site!

As for trails around Flagstaff... the whole place is a trail... Seriously! (I lived in Phoenix for 4 years)

 

The truck above is on here his name is sytfu510 look him up.. bad ass truck... and yeah I am on here way too much... definetely shouldnt know that by heart

 

Thanks for the warm welcome, and so soon!

I know this can be an expensive hobby, but my quality of life on dirt is so much better than on paved road hahaha. I've been a part of at least 6 different forums for the last 10 years, and I'm probably spent over $10,000 in aftermarket parts because of it.

waynfgretzky, thanks for the info. I should have seen his s/n on the rear drivers side window.

 

10 grand!
what did you own previous to now and what did you do to it?

 

Welcome to TW! 2wd.... gets better fuel mileage, but 4wd won't let you down.

my $0.02 is a truck isnt a truck w/o 4wd. But I do a lot of de-activated road driving, and winter wheeling. I need 4wd for my lifestyle.

GL with finding a truck which suite your needs

 

Welcome from Georgia, better get your pocketbook ready!

 

Welcome to the club.

 

1999 Mustang GT (money pit, probably spent $5000 alone on that car trying to fix it every weekend)

and I now have a 2008 VW Rabbit. With a full cold air induction, cat-back, wheels, tires, suspension work, body mods, headlights, engine/tranny mounts, subwoofers, head unit, interior mods, and tune...it came close to $4600.

 

ahh so a previous tuner. that's legit though. my dad had a '93 GT 5.0, that thing was a BOSS!!
since you're new to trucks, this site will definitely help you out, don't forget about the search button too

 

Yes, a tuner I was...5.0's are beastly! I love those things. I wanted a notchback for a while.

Ahhh and yes, I'm good friends with the search button...the last two months or so I was unregistered and we became very close. haha

 

there's a thread on here having to do with survivalists, should be of some help

 

A 2x4 sounds like it would not fit your needs, and most likely you would regret buying it. I would do it right the first time if you need to depend on it for 2 weeks at a time

 

I guess my question is, how often do you feel that unless you put it in 4lo, you would not get out of the situation? I live out west, and we rarely get enough rain or snow to get any deep mud.

But then I guess it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and be without it.

 

Well I mean if I were gonna be out in unknown terrain for 2 weeks, I would want the security and peace of mind knowing I have 4 wheel drive. That's basically my point

 

welcome

that truck belongs to Alex, sytfu510. i actually took that picture of his truck at one of our meets a few weeks back.

 

SCS, that is awesome man. Are you a photographer? I loved all the shots you got of his truck.