Enigma8246's 2001 Tacoma SR5 Build Thread (SOLD)

On the 19th-21st of May 2016 I met up with some other TacomaWorld members and did a somewhat altered version of the High Water Mark Trail starting around St Joe, AR and ending around Dover, AR. It was a blast and I will definitely be going back. The highlights are below. All 116 photos and 4 videos can be found here.











































https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yvck4jcldQ

 

Things at work had been stressful and I really needed a cheap getaway to unwind. I went up to the Ozark National Forest again to the same area as the May trip but camped at a different location.

Moccasin Creek:


Taking a break to trim back tree limbs:


Camp site for the night:


I found a pretty good site that had been cleared and had a fire ring. There were shell casings all over the place which made me wish I'd brought more ammo than I had.

Dinner:


This was supposed to be a light/quick trip so I just used a Sterno stove and had a Pace Ready Meal for dinner with a drink and a cigar. While eating dinner I heard some coyotes howling and yipping maybe a mile or two away. When I laid down at about 2130 I heard them again maybe a quarter mile away. At about 0230 two of them wandered into the camp. With the leaves on the ground I could hear them walking around the truck and over to the fire pit. I banged on the top of my camper shell and they took off. At about 0330 they came back again and I did the same thing. I decided if they came back again they were getting a warning shot but they never came back.

The next morning I woke up, drove a couple of NF roads and then headed home. I stopped at the Rotary Ann Overlook on the way home and the clear weather made for an awesome view:

 

My wife and I went out to Ozark NF this weekend to celebrate our 6th anniversary. We were in her ride though so had to keep the trails simple and easy. If I'd damaged it, there probably wouldn't be a 7th anniversary.

 

I'm way behind on posting this but my wife and I were able to carve time out of our schedules to attend Natural State Overland's Rendezvous in the Ozarks on October 20th and 21st last year. We had a great time but packed it in a little early due to incoming weather. I'm glad we did as I heard some people who stayed had equipment damaged. Byrd's Fall Fly-in was at the same time right down the road and we had some friends attending that. I got trail time but no flight time in.

Trail ride line-up:


Got to see some good recovery efforts on the trail:


This was a pretty sketchy situation that I was trying to stay out of as no one was asking for help and I didn't know the guy as well as some of the others there. All I contributed was moving tree straps occasionally. I wish I had gotten a picture from below but there is about a 12-14 foot drop off on the other side of that 4Runner. Dropped the LF tire off into a wash-out that he didn't see.

New favorite picture of my wife:


Not because she's cooking but because I think this was the first time she ever actually enjoyed camping. Although, I did notice I eat a lot better when she camps with me.

Drone photo that someone took of Hwy 23 near the entrance to Mulberry Mountain.


We had a great, relaxing time at Rendezvous and definitely plan to be back in the future.

 

About two weeks before Rendezvous my wife and I were fortunate enough to buy 10 acres just outside of the town where we live. I've been using the truck quite a bit to clean up around the property.



I was travelling for work during the 2017-2018 modern gun season but I hope to be here for the 2018-2019 season. Here's why:



We hope to build here one day but for now we enjoy just heading out to the property on the weekend and being outside.

 

Looks nice and flat. Build a runway

 

Not long enough and I plan to plant a bunch of pecan and fruit trees on it. Plus there are already several small airstrips nearby. Come do a fly-by though.

 

We made time to attend the Natural State Overland Bonfire Rendezvous at Byrd's Adventure Center this weekend. We took gravel roads around the Illinois Bayou with some other TacomaWorld members who camped at Richland, then headed west to Byrd's.

Break near North Fork Illinois Bayou:


Oark General Store on the way to Byrd's with my disinterested wife sitting on the edge of the porch:


After camping at Byrd's we woke up and caught this view of the sun coming up over the airstrip:

@MatthewMay1

We then headed east to Big Piney Creek:


And hit Car Wash Falls before getting back on pavement and headed home:

 

Looks awesome! I wish I could have stayed in NWA for some trail riding this weekend.

 

I figured you'd sneak away and at least fly into Byrd's.

 

I wish, but my plane is in the shop getting some work done so it was unavailable this weekend. It was a double bummer because I had to travel to Dallas and miss the trail day AND I couldn't take the plane!

 

Nice truck, I like the switch/power source for the fridge. I might have to borrow that idea one day.

 

Thanks. It was relatively straightforward and with the parts I used it wound up looking factory. I've been pretty happy with it.

 

I was not around for the 2018-2019 season. I was in Kandahar:



Food was crap, living conditions and company were okay but the pay and gym were great. Glad to be home.

 

In April I got into a little fender bender with a brand new Subaru Forester who failed to yield. Caved in her rear quarter panel but did very little to my All Pro front bumper.





Got an estimate and a check but due to some work I had going on at the property I needed my truck so it took a little while before I was able to do the repairs. I had the bumper re-powder coated because it did take it down to the metal in one small spot just left of my fairlead. Because I was doing the work myself I had some spare change so I went ahead and replaced the headlights and corner lights. The bracket for one of my Rigid lights was bent and the light shoved back into the grille so I replaced the grille and bent the bracket back into shape with a bench vise. Unfortunately the amber light covers for this model light have been discontinued so I tinted them with Lamin-X. I haven't decided whether I like that yet. My wife didn't care for my aftermarket emblem so I've ordered a new factory emblem.





Please excuse my messy garage. I have a habit of letting it get in bad shape when I'm working on a project and I'm working on multiple projects right now. Even after replacing the lights and grille, I wound up putting about $350 in my pocket with this whole ordeal. I still would have preferred that it not happen though because the truck, which had a clean CarFax, now shows an accident. Anything over $1,000 in damage has to be reported to CarFax and the body shop estimate for this was $1,003.

 

Well she's for sale. With the arrival of a baby and lack of space in the truck I've bought a 2007 V8 4Runner. I'll be building it up over time to serve as an off road vehicle but for the short term it's a baby hauler.

Sale Listing:
https://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/d/little-rock-2001-toyota-tacoma-34l-mt/7318155018.html

4Runner 'Build':
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/enigma8246s-2007-4runner-limited-build-thread.693749/

 

...and she's sold. Definitely hurt but time to focus on a build that will fit the whole family.

 

It made it safe to its new home. Looking at this thread and the history of this truck, I have nothing but awe. I knew that it was very well looked after and maintained, but after seeing ALL the work you’ve done to it, it gives me a new appreciation for it. I’ve never seen someone take such good care of their vehicle. Like I said I feel bad that you had to let it go, but it’s going to be very well looked after. It’s a great truck and I can’t think of anything I would change about it as of now.

 

Thank you sir. Glad you guys made it home safely and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. It will be sorely missed.