FNG

So new to the forums and boy did I open a can of worms on my wallet by joining but I'm glad I did!

So little back story on me, my first vehicle was an old 92 auto 22R 4Runner, with an old warn winch and a 3inch lift, that use to belong to my dad. I spent most of my younger year washing it, riding shotgun on hunting trips and learned to drive it at a young age Like could hardly reach the pedals young. It ended up sitting for about 4 years before I got my drives license and made a bet with him if I could get the truck running in a day that he would give me the truck. A change of spark plugs, a new battery and a Jerry full of gas, I had a new truck. now being the 16 year old I was, driver maintenance and vehicle ownership was new to me and I learned a lot over the years, how to winch, proper gearing down on steep hill instead of using breaks how to drive in the snow and ice. That sorta thing. never really did much with her, a new CD deck here, fix up rust on the fenders there, basically just a nice DD and a tank of a truck for a new driver.

I hit about 18 and wanted to go fast! My graduation gift to myself was a 86.5 N/A Toyota supra Mk3 that to drive was, to this day the most fun I have had with my clothes on. I had great dreams for her, engine rebuild, turbo, redone interior a go fast car that was performance first, looks second. unfortunately life and money, and a lead foot gets in the way. I sunk more money then I care to admit just keeping it on the road. Engine rebuild(BHG), tranny rebuild twice, rear end rebuild once. finally it wasn't worth it any more and I had to put her in the driveway for a few years, and went back to old reliable.

Fast forward about a year and a half, and I got the opportunity to Deploy to Afghanistan. Unfortunately I was put in a spot where old reliable was no longer available to me to drive any longer. Enter the Taco. I knew I wanted reliable a 4 door pickup with a bit of balls to her, and of course I looked to Toyota, and it was love at first sight, walked into the show room and there for me to behold was a magnetic grey 4 door TRD Sport, I had to have one! so I test drove one of the 4 cylinders they had and knew I had to get it in a V6, so after my little test drive I went back spoke with the guy and told him what I wanted the TRD off-road, 4 door, long box. only to find they didn't make that model in the off road, but they did, in the sport. So a little paperwork later, and I a 21 year old, was the proud "owner" of a brand new, 09' Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, fresh off the truck .04 km on her, leased. Now before you say anything I will NEVER lease a vehicle ever again, it was a huge PITA, I over paid, and got a tiny bit swindled by shiny stuff. But hey I was 21 and learned a lot over the last 5 years. the truck is now fully mine as of last year, I have put, 80k km on her done lots of trips 1k + trips through the middle of Canadian winters with her, and done a full drive across Canada seeing temps as lower than -55C (The temp. gauge maxes out at that so I don't know how cold it actually got but I was driving with the heat cranked, cardboard on the rad and had a toque and parka with gloves on and it was still cold.) She has never failed me and I have taken good care of her over the years.

Cut from my build thread as it didn't need to be there and serves a better purpose here.

 

Nice story. Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW

My first car was an '87 Supra Turbo 5 spd. It was fun and fast, and definitely pulled some tail. It was a pretty dangerous choice as a first car for a reckless high schooler, and I worked 2 jobs all summer to pay for it (against my Dad's advice ), but goddamn the 3.0, 5sp., Turbo, LSD RWD with TEMS!

Aside from the notorious HG problems (I upgraded to ARP bolts), it is still one of my favorite "Samurai Sport" platforms.

I miss that car....

 

Welcome!

 

thanks for the warm welcome gents!

 

I know how you feel, I love my Taco and would miss her greatly but never found another car that was as much a pleasure to drive then the supra.

rocked em like a champ I have never had an issue with my ABS never slide farther because of them I don't think they have even kicked in under normal driving, but I down shift (yes even with the auto) in winter anyways and only break the last foot or two when I put it in neutral, the only time I have ever slide through an intersection was cause I was going to fast in the old 4runner and hit a patch of black ice and causally slide though a 4 way. :/ would have been funny if it hadn't been terrifying at the time, I slide though it at about 5-6 km.