3rd Times a Charm - A Streetable Crawler Build and BS Thread

FINALLY! I finally found close to what I wanted and picked it up on Friday. Its a clean 1st gen Taco extended cab with a manual trans and a 3.4L. I ultimately wanted a 3rz, but pulled the trigger on this gem. It also came with a parts rig that was rolled.

I named this thread "3rd times a charm" because i bought and sold a couple single cab Tacos (a 2nd gen and 1st gen) prior to ending up with this one. I wanted the additional room for activities behind the seat and ultimately i think it looks better proportionally than a regular cab when lifted.

My goal is to have a streetable crawler that i can use in a pinch when my main rig is down. I just want to be able to run down to the store to grab lunch at 70 without issue.

My plan:
This truck will be getting a new lease on life and will not have any of the following gayness done to it:
No snorkels or any of that shit
No roof racks or roof top tent BS
No angel eye headlights or unnecessary light bars mounted to the roof
No expo AF related items
No fart can mufflers
No douche aftermarket grilles
No retarded fiberglass panels
More to add this list as I come across it.

Pure function over form.

Now that that is out of the way on to my build plan for this thing.
01-04 Front end conversion (all parts ordered, just looking for a silver hood)
Shrockworks full replacement (already bought)
3-link in the front
Leafs initially, then 4-link in the rear
Super Duty 05+ axle front and 14B rear with discs
1550 u-joint '17+ SD oem Ford axle shafts (Direct fit)
5.38s and some type of locker (not ARB)
Accutune Fox Coilovers 14s/16s f/r
Fox Bumps
Trail Toys 1-ton master cylinder kit
Front and back-halved
40" tires on Trailready Beadlocks
Atlas t-case (since that taco box doubler is retarded expensive and never in stock)
IFS box to keep mechanical steering to drive on the street
Frame plates for the shit tacoma frames
Artec trusses, brackets and SD high-steer arms
ARB or similar plate bumper
Interior cage
Supercharger

Pics of the 1st truck i bought (2nd gen Taco on 37s) Truck was rolled and beat to shit


2nd Truck was a 1st gen that i did an 01-04 conversion on. Truck was beat to shit


So 3rd time is a charm
2000 Extended cab Taco with the 3.4 (228k miles), 5-speed, manual hubs, manual everything, cold AC and good heat. Pretty clean all the way around. New 31s as well.










The next day i dove into making a few quick changes. The old man step bars and smoking guards are off. Stickers and stupid low eyebrow tint removed. Truck does have a tick in the lower end, but comes and goes. My plan is drive it until it blows out the block, then swap in a new reman engine and supercharge it.

I have began to collect parts for this rig. Already have the rear axle and am picking up the front this weekend. Once i get the cash from selling the two tacomas above, ill really start buying some parts. (if anyone needs any front end parts, let me know)

As part of a package deal, i also picked up this rolled 2000 Taco. It has the same drivetrain and runs and drives pretty damn good for having a bent rear frame. I plan on parting this one out and using some of the parts on mine. It has Skyjacker coilover shocks up front and some 2" lift springs in the back with some 33s. So if anyone needs any random parts off of this one, let me know.




A couple pics of my main rig, the dirt squirrel



Its currently getting some new body panels after 2 wheeling seasons of beating the other ones to death.


Ill try to update this thread as i go. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

 

Now say that again...but slower

 

Yep. 01-04 front ends are the best. Prove me wrong. It needs new headlights and a grille anyways, so might as well convert it over.

 

I don't disagree. The 01-04 fronts are by far the best looking, but they don't perform any better... which is I think the point of the function over form jab...

A "pure" function over form guru would dispense with the grill and hood entirely, and just bolt some LED pods to the bumper.

 

I know. Just giving him a hard time. I want to make it look good at least once. So i guess its somewhat contradictory. You will find out that i do that often.

 

Reminds me of when I used to race mountain bikes. When I'd build a new bike, I'd kick it over in the shop before I even rode it. Was a great way to get that first scratch out of the way, then I wouldn't have to worry about scratching my pristine new baby.

 

While i wait on parts to come in, i decided to clean it up some. Shaved the emblems and the black stripe on the side. I ordered new black door handles (current ones are chrome and dont work correctly) and also ordered some new weatherstripping for the windows. Current is cracked and the chrome is coming through the flaking off coating.


I got it inspected without issue yesterday. Going to get the title swapped over on Friday. Still looking for a silver 01-04 hood to swap on for the conversion. I may put the Shrockworks bumper on this weekend.

 

01-04 front end < 95-97 front end

The 98-00 front end is by far the worst though

 

Disagree sir.

 

I just like me some old school 5x7s mainly

 

Straightened the cab on the rolled taco so i can do some mudding this weekend before i part it out. Used my neighbors 4440 tractor to get it done.


Not bad. My head no longer touches the cab when in sit in the drivers seat.


Promptly tested it out to failure. Engine is running on 4 cylinders. CEL says misfire on 4/6. I bought some new coil packs to see if that helps things.


I forgot why i hate the mud. This was after an hr of powerwashing in 34 degree weather.

 

33x12.5r15 Pro Comp Xtreme MTs Needed some spacers to clear the UCA.

 

Great actually. The 3rz rips. I wish the silver one wasnt a 3.4l.

 

Some pics with the Shrockworks front bumper installed. It was on a 3rd gen 4runner so it extends past the fenders some to account for the fender flare. Once i swap the 40s on ill have to trim it back anyways so I will do it all at once then. Still need to order some fog lights for it to fill the openings. Overall, the fit and finish of the Shrockworks bumper is very very nice.


Profile shot. You can also see the new black door handles and window trim. Gives it a clean look without all the chrome showing. While i had the door panels off, i also took the opportunity to upgrade the speakers to some Kickers. Next up Leveling kit from the rolled taco, then ordering parts for the won ton super duty swap.

 

After the bumper install, i didnt like the stance since the bumper weighed down the front so much. To remedy the problem, i installed the Skyjacker coilovers that were on the white truck. Raised the front about 2.5". The ride is greatly improved over the stock replacement struts that were on it. I also swapped on the 33s from the white truck to fill the gap. Needs an alignment now, but should be good to go until the SAS begins this summer.

 

Spolier alert of what I bought last week. Shits about to get real.

 

Interested in following this. Going to live vicariously through it, I can’t SAS my truck because I have to pay for school.

 

01-04 conversion done-ish. Still waiting on the emblem and hood weatherstripping on the front of the hood to come it. Obviously i picked up an aftermarket hood, but am still on the lookout for a factory silver one. The fit of this hood is actually pretty good. Bad part of the install was that i had to drop the bumper to get the grille behind it. The tolerances are so tight with the Shrockworks bumper that there was no other way around it. Not a bad thing at all. Id rather have it tight.

 

Looks great!

 

Thank you.