My Toyota's from the beginning to now!

I am going to list off my previous Toyota's before I get to my current one.

The Pickup
1987 Toyota Pickup 4x4

Owned – 2006 unknown mileage

This was my very first Toyota and it lasted me about year. My dad bought it for me as my first vehicle. He’d always owned Toyota pickups and wanted me to enjoy them as well. I wish I still owned it but I was a irresponsible teenager. However, the E-brake failed or I did and the truck rolled down a hill into a tree. A bit heartbreaking to say the least. These are the only pictures that have of it.





The 4Runner

1996 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 3.4L V6 Engine

Owned – 2007 @ 145,000 miles thru 2014 @ 205,000 miles

Repairs & Maintenance During Ownership –

· Valve Cover Gaskets & Cylinder Head Plugs
· PCV Valve
· Spark Plugs & Wires
· Timing Belt w/Water Pump, Thermostat, Camshaft Seals, Front Crankshaft Seal, & Timing Belt Pulleys
· Drive Belts
· Radiator Hoses w/New Clamps
· Fan Clutch
· Starter
· Both Rear Axle Seals
· Drained & Refilled Differentials & Transfer Case
· Drained & Refilled Transmission
· Power Steering Fluid Flush
· Brake Fluid Flush
· Reupholstered Both Front Pleather Seats




My First Taco

2001 Toyota Tacoma Ext Cab TRD Off-Road 4x4 3.4l V6 Engine

Owned – 2014 @ 205,000 miles thru 2015 @ 228,000 miles

Mods -

· Tundra Brake Upgrade w/ Slotted Rotors & Steel Braided Brake Lines
· Old Man Emu Suspension Kit from Wheeler’s Off- Road
· Tru Cool LPD External Transmission Cooler
· Custom Fit Heat Shield
· Level 8 MK6 16 inch Wheels w/ TRD Center Caps
· BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 265/75/16

Repairs & Maintenance During Ownership –

· Frame Replacement Thanks to Toyota
· Spark Plugs & Wires
· Valve Cover Gaskets w/ New Cylinder Head Plugs
· Oil Dip Stick O-Ring
· Engine Air Filter
· Wiper Blades
· PCV Valve
· Coolant Flush
· Drained & Refilled Front Diff, Rear Diff, & Transfer Case
· Drained & Refilled Transmission
· Coolant Flush
· Brake Fluid Flush
· Fuel Injector Flush & Top Engine Clean Service
· Power Steering Flush




I was really proud at how well my truck towed 4000+lbs from Houston to Flagstaff. I was very thankful for the Tundra Front brakes, new suspension and tranny cooler.






The Most Adventurous Taco

2006 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab w/TRD Off Road Package 4x4

Owned – November 2015 @ 95,000 miles to current

I didn’t’ really care much for the 2nd Gen Tacos for a long time. I was a stuck up 1st Gen owner for awhile. I was a Master Tech at a Lexus dealer in Houston for 6 years and never had the opportunity to drive one. Well I left Houston behind and moved to Flagstaff then got hired at a Toyota dealer. I drove a couple of 2nd Gens and could no longer deny how great they are. They are a lot more comfortable than the 1st Gens. So I decided I wanted/needed a newer Taco that was a double cab. I started looking around & test driving a few. Then a salesman at work had me convinced that leasing a 3rd Gen was the best deal. Then I test drove one and didn’t like the interior and transmission. The 3rd Gen just didn't feel right. My experience told me not to purchase the 1st year of a new model. There will always be problems with the 1st year of new models, I don’t care who the manufacture is. Then I found a 2006 Tacoma with relatively low miles and it wasn’t in awful condition. The interior was pretty close to perfect and that had me excited. Drivetrain & engine had no problems or leaks. But the paint job wasn’t taken care of and had some scratches. Oh well. I’ve had it since November of 2015 and I have really enjoyed it since.

I am modifying & building this truck to be an Overland Rig. I was really inspired by the group Expedition Overland and decided I wanted more adventure in my life. Here is a link to their website http://www.xoverland.com . But in the mean time while my truck is mostly stock I have been using it as an Uber vehicle to make some extra money.



What it came with when purchased –

· TRD Exhaust
· Leer Shell
· Chrome Bull Bar w/ KC Lights

Mods I’ve performed so far –

· Wet Okole Seat Covers
· Weather Tech Floor mats
· Bed Rug
· Level 8 MK6 16in Wheels w/ TRD Center Caps
· 265/75/16 BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 Tires
· Icon 2.0 w/Reservoirs Rear Shocks

Repairs & Maintenance so far –

· Minor Tune Up
· Drained & Refilled Front & Rear Differentials & Transfer Case
· Greased The Drive Line
· Cleaned & Adjusted The Rear Brakes
· Oil Changed
· Replaced the Engine Air Filter & Cabin Filter


Future Mods –

· Dakar Leaf Packs
· Fox 2.5 Front Coil Overs w/ Reservoirs
· All Pro Rear Bumper
· All Pro Apex Front Bumper
· All Pro Rock Sliders
· Smitty Bilt Winch
· Roof Racks
· CVT Roof Top Tent
· 285/75/16 Tires
· and much more

After a week of ownership I had swapped my wheels & tires from my 1st Gen over to the 2nd Gen. This picture is of the first off paved road adventure. The snow kept getting deeper the further I went down that forest service road. Definitely a good time.

Wet Okole Seat Cover Front & Rear

Got rid of the Chrome Grille & got something a little better

Finally removed the ugly Chrome Bull Bar, relocated the horns, painted everything behind the grille black. Then painted the Toyota emblem to match the truck.


Mid Way Build -
Front Suspension = Total Chaos Uppers Standard Length
Crappy Rebuilt Fox Coil Overs with Reserviors
Stock Lower Control Arms with Poly Bushings
Rear Suspension = Icon with Reserviors
Dakar Standard Rear Leaf Springs
All-Pro U-bolt Flip Kit
Armor = Pelfreybilt Steel Front Bumper w/Single Hoop
All-Pro Standard Steel Rear Bumper w/ Side Attachments
All-Pro Full Skid Plate Package


Final Form -
Additions = Baja Designs Sport Combo Fog Lights
285/75/16 BFG KO'2 Tires
Old Man Emu Soft Valve Shocks w/2886 Coils
Wheeler's 3/8 inch Spacer for Front Shocks

 

Just rolled 100,000 miles

 

Spark Plug change at 98,000 miles. The previous owner had never changed them.

 

Spent my weekend near Zion National Park in Utah. Camped out on Gooseberry Mesa and Little Creek Mesa near by. Got to ride some amazing trails with some great friends!


Zion & Angel's Landing.
Some of these pictures were taken by my friends. Thanks to my fear of heights I didn't make it to the top of Angel's Landing. Seriously though it was terrifying lol

 

Sub'd. I've always wanted to go to those national parks in Utah. That scenery is amazing. Nice looking rigs too.

 

Thanks! Utah is amazing! I've been to 2 of the parks so far. You've gotta make it out here.

 

You still have that 4runner?

 

the third gen..

 

Nope, I sold it to a friend in Dallas. Are you looking to add another 4Runner to your collection?

 

haha no.. I only have one - its enough for now..

Just thought about inviting you to our 4runners BS thread

 

I owned that 4Runner for 7 years and loved it! I'll have another 3rd gen in the future. It has been my favorite Toyota so far.
You have a sweet Taco and 4Runner. I've been following your builds for awhile.

 

thanks for the follow!

gotta love the 4runner, it is one of my favorites as well

 

Zion is awesome if you ever want to do some exploring I'm in Vegas and do a ton of exploring on the weekends. I'm from Portland Oregon originally.

 

uber? in this? I feel bad for people in the back seat haha

 

Yeah not a lot of leg room. I have not had any complaints yet. I slide my front seats forward to help out. A lot of people love the truck. It's definitely a huge hit when it's snowing and I am the only driver out.

 

I'm considering starting to drive for Uber/Lyft in my area, can you share what your time driving has been like? Any issues or things I should do to the truck before I start driving? 2017 DCSB OR 6MT.

 

I thought about this but my back seat is tiny af but it would be dope to roll up all expo as an uber!

 

Right? That's kinda what I'm thinking of doing myself. Any money from driving goes into a separate fund for vehicle mods+maintenance, truck gets cooler/better with time, and I get more seat time.