Take pics, make music and drive over all the things!

Hello, truck dudes/truck dudettes! I just got a Tacoma and am super pumped about it! Let's start this off with a little story. You just kick back and relax for the journey! About three years ago, I got a call from a buddy I used to crash cars and take pictures with in Okinawa. We moved both away and I ended up in Texas for a bit. He calls me up, says "hey dude! Grab your camera gear and meet me in Gilmer on Thursday". My response, obviously, was "what's Gilmer?".

Fast forward to that Thursday and I'm all packed up in my is300 and headed for a thing called Lonestar Toyota Jamboree to see dudes with trucks do crazy shit (insert hold my beer joke here). I'm stoked about it but drew a little attention showing up in this.



Anywho... let's look beyond that magnificently equipped, off-road capable vehicle for a moment. Over the next three days, my eyes were opened to the wide world of off-road, over landing, rock crawling, whiskey drinkin', fire breathin', inappropriate joke makin'... Jambo. I had an absolute blast... the trucks, the work that went into them (or in some cases, *didn't* need to as they're pretty capable stock) and the people that surround this sport were just fantastic! Maybe it was just because I was one of the event photographers, or because I'm such a likable guy (hint: I'm not), but people offered me rides on the trails with them, beers, whiskey, food and introductions to what this sport was about as well as all the work that had gone into their rigs. I guess I did ok, cause they keep inviting me back and this will be my fourth year on-staff! Here are a few of the pics I snapped.
























































Needless to say, I was bit by the bug and decided I NEEDED a Tacoma. Not to mention I've been losing my mind having to call friends to help me go to Home Depot... that sucks, trust me. Fast forward to this week and it seems like the missus still likes me!





Things I'll share right up front. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing, just WHAT I want to do. I have a lot of history on race tracks with drag cars, grip cars and drift cars from growing up in Japan, but one thing they all had in common... show me anything taller than a mild speed bump and I'm taking the long way around. Now I want to conquer that speed bump, and it's distant cousins in the wilderness. Aside from sleeping one off on a park bench in Tokyo (story for another time), I've never really been camping, so the missus and I will be trying that too! I've already ordered some Icon stuff and some wheels/tires as well as some LED bulbs (based on @Parker315 's write up(thanks for the info, dude!)). My accounts are all still burning from all this over the last week, so I'll reserve what I'm doing next for after I make a first payment or... maybe get all the stuff I already bought installed.



All I know is I'm stoked to join you dudes/dudettes here and look forward to ruining a bunch of your threads with stupid questions and ridiculously over-sized pictures. Cheers!

 

Welcome to TW! Wow great pics, mind if I use some of them for outro images for my YouTube vids?

 

Thanks for the compliment and go right ahead!

 

Sweet, thanks man! I'll tag you here on TW when I post the vid with one of your pics in it.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Thanks! OOH, AN UPDATE! The missus also bought a rear seat cover so my dummies can roll with us!

 

Welcome aboard

 

Cheers, gents! Sitting here reading about everybody else's experiences is making me antsy to go drive! Have to find cool places to go in Texas next.

 

Welcome bud!! Awesome pics.

Glad my post were helpful. Be sure to watch the LED conversion thread for updates and newer lighting reviews!

Have fun with the mods and enjoy

 

Thanks, duder! I'm waiting on my low beams to come in and deciding where to go from there. After everything else, I think I might need to let the wallet cool off a bit, haha!

 

Howdy

 

Thanks for the warm welcome! Believe me... I'm already a lift kit, set of wheels and tires, headlight bulbs (lows only) and a tent deep... I've only driven the truck for four days, and there's more comin'.
Next thing is to start planning some beginner trail runs near Dallas, TX. Totally open to suggestions if anybody has any. I'm lurking the Texas threads too.

Edit: Also, how many of you am I going to get pics of at the Lone Star Toyota Jamboree this year?!

 

Tiny Update! Got lights in! Best 15 minutes I've spent working on it so far!

 

Ok, now... I need to get offroad in Texas. Any suggestions on fun trail areas (for a rookie) within a reasonable driving distance of Dallas? Barnwell is on the hit list for May, but I'll be working. Not sure how much time I'll have to do much else.