Roast my Tacoma! (2nd gen edition)

This is the same wheel I’ve been looking at. My 2014 came with 18” and I’ve been considering getting these in the same size with 255/70r18 … it’s my daily and I need the reliability

 

Trail gear called, they want their billboard back.

 

Is that a compliment? Sounded like one

 

That’s a low blow
I’ve honestly thought about doing something to cover up the logos lol

 

Aw brother… run what you got… the point is to be outside with friends, nature and your taco… if that’s what you have… well run it till it breaks… it’s not the focus

people always ask me if I even go off road. Duh… but because it’s my daily and I have a service dog I have to clean it all the time. (Like every week) That and I use to professionally detail cars so it’s more a hobby now, but keeps the rig looking good

 

Nope. Not with big ol ugly logos on the front. At least my Coastal Offroad bumper is lo-profile logo with a C O

 

Including the pic in case the original post somehow gets accidentally deleted.



Sweet mother of Jehu ... Where to begin?

First - hopefully owner TXTs me his info so I can get him a discount with these guys:
https://www.jetblast.com/blog/ship-tank-and-hull-cleaning-services/

Hydroblasting may damage the paint a little but at least it'll get all that other crusty shit off the hull.
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All that expensive-looking expanded-aluminum mesh nearly killed the upgrade budget.
Had go home-build on the roof rack.

Wait, you mean I misunderstood? Oh, now I got you -- wooden roll bars absorb rollover shock better. And never mind the paint, bare wood is better for the environment. D-rings screwed into the end grain of those small wood blocks on the roll bars should be good for over 25 pounds -- each!
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Speaking of load-carrying capacity, it was decided to trade some aero for the extra security of being able to string cargo lines through the side mirrors.
So worth it.

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Those D-rings were on sale at Amazon so the owner put a couple up on the driver's dashboard too. 7-point harnesses are better than 5.
More points, more safety.

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You know you live in a bad neighborhood when your entire bed gets stolen. But this guy is unstoppable. Plywood, couple 2-bys, couple marker lights, back in business.

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Those upward-facing amber marker lights tucked up to the windshield on the driver-side hood -- are they hot spares? Or do they help the aliens find the landing pad on the roof?
Maybe both. Two birds, one stone.

Wait -- they're on the side mirrors, too. Must really help out with those plus-sized flying saucers.

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Home Depot called.
One of their forklifts is missing an orange flashing safety beacon. 5-0 are en-route.

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...Something tells me the stock fogs were deleted to give the LCA's more cooling air flow.
I might have to steal that idea.

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Hood-mounted air scoop looks almost stock. Almost.
It's there as a backup in case the gaping fender air grille comes off at high speed.
Don't ask why, just nod your head sagely.

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The painter's-tape-blue accents on the marine-grade rub rails really make the truck's color scheme pop. Chef's-kiss.

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Why is the truck parked there?
Because the driver is across the street teaching elementary-level automotive design. He's well-known in that field. As in, notorious.

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There's no such thing as too much traction.
But applying bed liner to the exterior bodywork probably won't help.

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I think I can just make out that badge in the center of the hood.
Says "HEMI".. WTF?

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Good thing the owner put black-and-yellow hazard tape around the hood-mounted relocated oil filter. Those things are dangerous at high rpm's.

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The add-on under-bumper super low-clearance crash beam is there to reduce damage from collisions with squirrels, possums, and toddlers. Best solution I've yet seen to a very serious problem.

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Toyota owes this owner some coin for expanding their 2nd gen lineup.
"Access Cab No Bed" for the win.

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Auxiliary fuse boxes on the hood.
Double play: easy access, and fuses run better when they're air-cooled.
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True story: Owner watches "Thomas the Tank Engine" with his kids sometimes. Or maybe just alone. That's what inspired the eyebrows on the headlights.

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"Officer, I can see fine with my side mirrors. I keep the rear view mirror for doing my makeup."

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I thought I knew what a "ghetto lightbar" was. Then I saw this truck.

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Is the license plate hidden somewhere? Or did DMV pull the tags for repeated failure-to-pass on the annual vehicle inspection?

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Spare gas can placement on the passenger side of no-bed -- right next to the sidewalk when parked -- looks well-thought-out. If it was dark and I needed some gas I definitely wouldn't poke a hole in the side & put a jug up to it.

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Someone thought long & hard about on-highway aero & off-road clearance. The air dam at the front breaks away the first time you take it off-road.
Perfect. Now the front & back clearances match.

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The side-view mirror has a stealth German republic flag on it. Deutschland uber alles? He wanted to put one of those black-on-black American flag decals on somewhere, but when the build budget tops out you make do with what you have.

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Aftermarket exterior door padlock looks ready for urban and family combat.
Keeping the bad guys out, while keeping her in.

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Owner tried hard to make the truck the worst-looking in the state. Mission accomplished!
I wouldn't even dream of going up against this guy in a disfigure-my-ride contest.

 

I wanted a coastal or a c4 fab but was tired of my old bumper and didn’t have 2-3k to spend. I’m in this bumper about $1300 and it’s rock solid, I’ve hit a deer at 40+ and came off without a scratch.

 

My coastal was like $700 during a group buy iirc. I welded it myself.

 

I lack one crucial skill that stopped me from doing the same…. I can’t weld and don’t have access to equipment. I need to learn

 

I need to buy my own and stop borrowing my friends all the time!

 

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200833033_200833033

 

I'm looking more at the Primeweld MIG180

 

Can't speak to the reliability of the Primeweld brand as I've never seen or used one, but the specs on that are waaaay better than a ~$120 stick-only welder.

In my experience, MIG with an Ar/Co2 (argon/carbon dioxide) mix shielding gas is very pleasant to use. Also potentially somewhat safer if using in enclosed spaces like a home garage, because there are far fewer sparks, and what sparks there are are much less aggressive. Instead of flying out 6 to 12 feet as with stick or flux-core Mig, a properly-adjusted gas-shielded Mig seems to throw sparks only 3 to 5 feet.

I have a dual-voltage-capable Hobart Handler 210MVP. Having used it with both standard 120V AC power, and 240V AC -- I strongly recommend getting a 240AC outlet wired up & using that if possible. There just isn't enough power available from a standard 120V socket, even one rated at 20A (which most aren't.) A dual-voltage machine is hobbled running at 120V; at 240V the difference in power output & proper heating/depth of weld is instantly noticeable. (Assuming you are working on 3/16" or thicker plate.)

 

Probably oughta take this to the welding thread, but, I've used just that mix on the HF Titanium MIG180 and had pleasant results at both 120v and 240v on 3/16. This was the unit I was going to buy for the price, but then @Kwikvette put me on the Primeweld train. With a no questions asked warranty and the price is similar to the Titanium, and throw in the spool gun for aluminum MIG (which I've never had a chance to try out, only TIG), it's an easy sell. He's put one through it's paces so I'm more confident than buying blind. I have a truck box I need to cut down for a bed cage I want to build so the ability to weld aluminum is a plus. Slide on over to the other thread and tag me and I'll chat more welding.

 

Speaking of PW, my

$699 CUT60 60Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc PT60 Torch Plasma Cutter 110V/220V Dual Voltage 3 Year Warranty

CUT60 plasma cutter has been tasked with CNC plasma duty, permanently

https://youtu.be/YTuwA5zT_V8

 

GAF

 

Bro. What are you even doing?

That is a HONDA. Not a Taco.

Aside from that fact -- it's not a bad-looking street truck at all. In fact it looks better than a lot of low-cut street Tacos. Anyway. WRONG MAKE/MODEL, BRO.

 

That's one weird ass ridgeline.