FLASH's 96Tacoma build.

Apparently they didn't come with whites. This happened to me with a set of MTR's on my old crawler, at the time I didn't care/ really notice, but this time I wanted the white lettering but there definitely was none. The only thing I can think of is that it's something to do with suppliers in Alberta, due to the fact that both sets of tires (duratracs & MTR's) were bought in AB.

 

That is weird!

 

Get you a white paint marker

 

I think I'll just live with it...not a huge deal.

 

Did some exploring with my brother and some friend today into the Canadian portion of Skagit Valley up to Ross lake. Here's some pictures I took.

 

Bump for updates

 

They'll be coming near the end of summer, no progress right now. It's seeding season in Alberta...no time for trucks.

 

hmm i coulda sworn i was subbed to your build bro..

Lookin good!

 

Hey all, my apologies for not keeping your interests fed this summer, I have little to no internet connection while I work at my parents farm during the summer; therefore, I cannot share my truck progress via the interwebs. This summer has been a busy one in the truck department, I have ended up accomplishing A LOT more than I predicted. Enjoy.

First on the list, I started my hoodscoop project. An excellent friend of mine who worked at Toyota hooked me up with this here 2004+ hood for free, of which I quickly got to work cutting up.



I then moved to my hood.



The welding work on this sheet metal was a little daunting, I got it tacked in enough so that it was solid then gave up and finished it off with bondo. The bondo work was insanely time consuming as well.







For anyone considering attempting a project such as this, I'll warn you that it is a very TIME CONSUMING project. You can make it work for sure, you could probably get away without even welding it; however, I wouldn't suggest it. To make it look good, it'll eat up your time.

Had to paint the stripes back on, did my scratched up roof as well.



I mounted up my new tires on borrowed 2nd gen stocker wheels.



Then moved to some electronic and electrical work.

new deck.



Ran ultragauge and gps wires behind the dash.



Rewired all my lights because I did a hasty job of it before I left for Alaska last year and had fuses blowing, plus I couldn't get into my fuse box.



Switched over to an LED flood on the rear with a magnetic base so I can move the light around when setting up came in the dark, super handy, got the idea off a piece of farm equipment (#seedhawk)



Didn't really like how my trailgear bumper fit, so I decided to build my own bumper. I've done a couple for friends, so I figured it was time to build my own.

Started by welding a simply crossmember between the frame ends containing three mounting points.



Then went onto the basic bumper frame.





I'm a pretty big fan of streamlined and not being bulky so I incorporated my light bar into the bumper.



I built the wings separately after the center section and, it turned out like this. (Anyone wanting more detailed pictures of the bumper just let me know.) Also, fun fact: I built the entire bumper from scrap steel, didn't cost me a dime.









Added some Rigid Industries Dually's, which I later covered with Amber coverings for rain and snow driving.



After all this, the truck looked like this.





Then I bought some wheels, built some bed rails and the truck turned into this.







Built a skid plate and put on some fender extenders, was getting chips down my rocker panels with the bigger offset wheels.







Then I went on a wheeling trip with some buddies, two of whom had 3.4's in their trucks. After being left behind and a line of 30 cars developed behind me, I decided I didn't want to be 'that guy' any longer and would begin to search for a donor truck. Two weeks later I purchased this...











Had to cut off the motor mounts, they don't line up between the motors, so we did that.







The shop a week ago...


The motor had a supposed leaking head gasket, turns out it was just a leaky water pump.



The motors swapped in!





New paint on the donor truck, getting it ready to sell.




And now she looks like this, and has a new heart.

 

Badass build! I dig the new bed rack setup, well thought out, subbed.

 

Damn bro u weren't kidding when you said you had the engine swap all fresh in your head. Props..
Diggin the magnetic led light, seems like it would be extremely useful.

 

I'm Blackdawg..and I approve this page haha

 

Awesome work. I need a hood like that!

 

What size square tuning did you use on your headache rack and bed rails?

 

Nice work bud!

 

so when you gunna put those rack plans out? gotta have em man they are awesome!

 

rack plans? you don't need plans for that. I got some 2x2" and 1x1" square tubing, measured some angles based on my cab and got to welding. Usually my plans just go to the wayside anyway. As for the actual tent rack, I just took tubing that matched the inside diameter of the 1x1" whatever that might be and made little stubs with holes in them and the 1x1 just slips over it. All of this stuff has been experimentation, usually I use angles that are easy to work with and try my hardest not to get too complicated. If you know a bit of math, have a little time and patience something completely unique a perfect for you will come of it. So have at'r man, have faith in yourself and just start creating.

 

Howd you like whipsaw? We just got back on sunday, it was interesting to say the least. One rollover, two tire bead slips, one close hydrolock, and a blown rear end. Made for an interesting trip! No issues for me either

 

How hard was the swap?

 

Looks dirty man