Tacoma Ship of Theseus?

I was browsing some Gen1 builds and noticed a few things that brought to mind an important question.

You've got these guys essentially pouring more money into the suspension than what the truck is worth. At a certain point, do some guys get so deep into a truck that they just keep ripping off broken parts and rebuilding? Blow an engine? Throw a new one in, etc. Just curious.

Will some of us be in the same boat with our 3rd gens some day?

 

Yep new turbo diesel engine, electrical tape all over the dash to keep the dash lights at bay... Ford 9" rear end that won't howl or break.

 

Sure hope so......

 

Kind of how it goes with any older vehicle. Rear end swaps, engine swaps, major upgrades, etc are more of a hobby at that point rather than the "economical" decision.

 

I have that gen 1 truck. It's kinda not a Tacoma anymore except for the badges and engine.


There is nothing wrong with this.

 

Mods are rarely "economical", but I'm talking more in terms of practical performance. How do you weigh whether or not you should just throw in the towel and buy a new truck vs fixing the powertrain on your beautiful custom built suspension-mobile? haha

 

Thats what I'm talking about! That's fucking cool.

 

Some people, like myself, don't like all the new technology in vehicles and enjoy the ease of working on older vehicles. Part of it is you become so familiar with the vehicle that it's no big deal to do the repairs. And if you do it yourself it's relatively cheap compared to buying something else, and a fun way to spend a day or two with a buddy that also likes working on cars/trucks.

Also for myself, I really don't have the money to beat up a brand new truck. I feel a lot better about scratching/denting my older vehicle than I could have ever felt when I owned the Tacoma. I'm sure my opinion would change if money were no option.

But I, and probably they, actually enjoy working on vehicles, especially when you get to make it unique. Some people actually look forward to their engine blowing so they have an excuse to drop in a new one.

Everyone's line for throwing in the towel is different, some people prefer a reliable vehicle with minimal repairs each years, others only need it to run and if it breaks down no big deal, fix it in the parking lot or tow it home to work on it.

 

Won't do that to my third gen though.

 

You ask, TW delivers.....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-spit-and-glitter-build.507142/#post-15881289

 

EVER?

 

Thanks for linking me. Subbed immediately!

 

That will most likely be the case. I wanted a stock, reliable, unfucked with truck was pleasant to drive and won't wake up the neighbors when I start it up at night.

 

I totally understand it, I wouldn't mind having a built up first gen strictly as a play vehicle, something where the idea of some rock rash doesn't make me shudder.

I love my third gen, but the front bumper cover is even flimsier than my wife's new VW Golf.