Chaser88's 2000 Toyota Tacoma "Bruce"

Back in the game. My 2000 Tacoma TRD-Offoad.

20161021-_DSC1588 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

In January 2016 I made a decision to sell probably one of the mintiest 1st gen 4runner's in Canada. I have never been more grateful for a material object because it immediately enhanced the thought/idea of adventure in my life. Immediately after the purchase I was able to enjoy a 1600 mile drive from Santa Monica, California to Calgary, Alberta. To this day I have made a conscious effort to take in as much of this beautiful world most people take for granted. I still have dreams of driving "Casper" and its character has left a lasting impression on me that I will carry forward for the rest of my life. The sound of the bare metal doors clanging shut, the removable topper, the big truck driver steering wheel, the body lines on the hood, and of course the ability it gave me to get into the beautiful outdoors on four wheels. Overall the pure simplicity of Casper really made me appreciate small details and the saying "LESS IS MORE".

IMG_6821.jpg by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

The reason for me selling the 1986 4Runner was too generate some income so that I could begin a new creative journey. Fast forward to today, two crappy vehicles later (1998 Toyota Camry and 1990 Volvo 240DL), Tamarack Media Co. exists and I'm welcoming "Bruce" to the family. Bruce is a 2000 Toyota Tacoma that I purchased from Bowen Island, BC. The 2 owner (me being the 3rd), decently clean, lower mainland vehicle is a perfect fit for me moving forward and I am excited to share my experiences with you all here on Tacoma World.

Heading from Calgary, AB to Vancouver, BC and back to pick up the Tacoma was another solo adventure I was grateful to have accomplished.

Ferry from Horseshoe Bay Terminal in Vancouver to Bowen Island
20161020-_DSC1581 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

20161020-_DSC1584 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

After spending the day hanging out with the previous owner (Side Story - His name was Bruce, hence the name of the truck, and he was a beauty! I literally didn't have time to take any photos while on Bowen Island because I did not stop talking to the guy for about 7 hours. He was a 61 year old man with many stories to tell of his life as a marine engineer, entrepreneur, and now he's the head evacuation officer for Bowen Island.) touring around Bowen Island in the Tacoma, it was time to head to bed to prepare for the lengthy drive back to Cow Town.

1st Gas Up
20161021-_DSC1587 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Pit stop to empty the bladder...and take some snaps
20161021-_DSC1589 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

20161021-_DSC1591 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

20161021-_DSC1593 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

20161021-_DSC1597 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

20161021-_DSC1598 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

20161021-_DSC1606 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

 

Bruce looking good!

 

Haven't had much time to work on Bruce yet as I've been busy finishing up this...#colossal2016

https://vimeo.com/190393126

However, that being done now frees up some time to get going on the tidy up process of Bruce. It's very important for me to have a reliable, rust free vehicle before diving into modifications. Also, this build probably isn't going to be the quickest in terms of mods as I'm in the process of getting my media company going and have some school debt and bills to pay.

First, I removed plastic fender flares to make sure no rust lives behind them...

20161104-_DSC1618 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

20161104-_DSC1616 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Rust free fenders! There is one small rust spot on the tailgate and the piece bellow the driver side headlight has rusted through...

20161104-_DSC1614 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

These pieces go here...

20161104-_DSC1612 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Is anyone able to point me towards finding a couple new pieces like these? I've been keeping my eye out for local pick-n-pull options but haven't had any luck.


Next up...
- Remove front trailer hitch
- Clean up front grill and bumper with primer and paint
- Engine coolant flush with Toyota red coolant and oil change with synthetic oil
- Clean up frame with grinder and wire wheel

 

Did a quick deck swap with the Sony deck that was in my Volvo. It has bluetooth audio/phone, trying to modernize Bruce a bit and eliminate wires...

IMG_5236 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Mounted the mic in the plastic portion of the dash. People I know typically wire their mic's through the headliner on the A-pillar and have a hard time talking through the mic with their windows open. Hoping to have solved the issue and allow other passengers to be able to chat into the mic.

Simply drilled a small hole into the plastic here..
Back
IMG_5223 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr
Front
IMG_5230 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Drilled it out until it fit snug without the clip and all the repeaters exposed..
IMG_5238 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Done. Nice clean install. Also much easier to wire then going through the headliner..
IMG_5240 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

IMG_5243 by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

 

Update:

Put in a 3rd gen 4runner leather wheel. Only thing is I need to find an adapter to fit the clip for the airbag, currently running without an airbag.

Steering Wheel by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Things are starting to happen. Got a pile as follows:

- Change rear diff fluid
- Change tranny fulid
- 305/70/16 Cooper ST Maxx
- 80 Series LC Wheels (16x9, 4.5 inch BS)
- FXR's for a retrofit (need housings with a clear lens)
- Amber LED's
- U-Bolt flip kit
- Lexus IS300 bucket seats (need to figure out what I'm going to do about mounts)
- Rally Art Mud Flaps

Planning on running no lift to keep my ride height as low as possible (my buddy Mark runs 35's and no lift on his 3rd gen 4runner and is what has inspired me to go this route). Stock geometry is always nice as well until i go long travel in a few years. Thinking I'm probably going to end up tubbing the firewall to fit the tires. Will be mounting and balancing them soon so we will see what happens haha.

Lots has been happening in my life. Moved out to Nelson, BC and hopefully gonna start taking full advantage of exploring the koots soon here! We are having a 4x4 (cars and coffee style) meet up at the Adventure Hotel in Nelson on April 26 at 5pm. Bring your 4x4, have a cup of delicious Stumptown Coffee, and chat it up with some 4x4 peeps.

 

Nice progress so far! And congrats on Bruce!
Love the drone footage by the way..
Subbed to your build

 

Thanks kind sir! The Silver Bullet is looking minty!

 

What tires do you have on him? Nice pics btw sub'd

 

Thanks man! Currently running the 31 BFGs that I bought it with.

Update:

Cooper St Maxx's have been mounted and balanced on my 16" LX450 wheels. Tubbing and trimming to come. Have a long drive to Edmonton, AB coming up in the next few weeks to get my full aluminum skids and sliders fitted and mounted by the boys at Element Fabrication. The tires will have to stay off until I get the truck back from Element Fab and the trimming/tubbing completed, however here are a couple shots with the new meat...

IMG_9553.jpg by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

IMG_9564.jpg by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

IMG_9569.jpg by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

IMG_9566.jpg by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

Also, found myself some housings for my retrofit, they will be here May Long weekend. Can't wait to get things installed!

IMG_9739.jpg by Chase Rickaby, on Flickr

 

Damn! That looks great with the LC rims!

 

Thanks! Sanded, primed, and painted them. They turned out pretty good. Been creeping your build a ton also! Dope set up. What headlight housings did you use for your retrofit?

 

Always like the LC ones.

Thanks! I used the eBay housings that the PO had installed

 

I see. They look awesome! Random question. But does your tacoma have a sunroof?

 

Sadly it does not, the 92 Runner I had previous did and loved it. Wish my did, but now with my roof rack it wouldn't get a lot of use

 

**UPDATE**

It's been a little while since I've posted anything. Summer has been busy and with the fire season being so extreme here in BC and practically shutting down the forrest for the entire summer there hasn't been much opportunity to get out for some 4x4ing. Fire bans ran here from mid June through the 3rd week of September. Luckily for us the bans were lifted just in time for us to hold our annual event, Colossal 2017. Stay tuned for pictures from the trip as well as a recap video!

Here are some pictures from June when I received some aluminum skids from Element Fabrication as well as some sliders to get my build going. We headed out on the trail with the Element boys for a beauty weekend in Western Alberta.

Crowsnest Pass
_08I0558.jpg by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr

Bruce
_MG_1272.jpg by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr

Element Fab. Skids
_08I0405 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr

Deep Creek Crossing
_MG_1300.jpg by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr


_MG_1232.jpg by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr

Trails
_08I0548.jpg by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr

_08I0303.jpg by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr

#RickRunner
_08I0437 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr


_08I0595.jpg by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr