BigMike’s Big Journey: New 2016 Tacoma

Welcome to the Build Thread of my 2016 3rd gen Tacoma!
The truck that took 8 dealerships 261 days to get

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Instagram account: @SlowestTacoma
Trip Report Thread: BigMike's 2016 Tacoma Trip & Trail Log (not maintained)

Quick overview, updated Aug 2022:
Daily driven 7.4K on stock, 4.5K on 33s, 3.5K on 37s, & 46.8K+ miles on 40" tires
Driven to trails without a trailer across 6 states, wheeled hard, and returned home
The first 3rd gen Tacoma to complete the Rubicon Trail, now 8 times & zero body damage
Has 3 transfer cases and makes 20 MPG @ 70 MPH. Product test vehicle for MarlinCrawler.com



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00wKv07d12w









https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYWyJoV2o6U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atX2nzo-tFc


Check-out my new IG page!

Page 1
--Reply 7: Bought my first Tacoma!
--Reply 9: Mega Post about my difficulty in getting this truck
--Reply 19: Video: Received my keys!!


Page 2
--Reply 26: First mod: Installed Turtle Stickers!
--Reply 27: Drove through Marlin, Texas
--Reply 28: Engaged 4WD Low Range for the first time
--Reply 34: First Impressions / Curiosities Part I


Page 3
--Reply 41: Drove to the Toyota Factory in San Antonio, Texas. Curiosities Part II
--Reply 55: Curiosities Part III
--Reply 57: Parked next to another Tacoma for the first time


Page 4
--Reply 65: Thousand miles of splattered bugs and even a dead bird
--Reply 75: First shopping cart hit the truck


Page 5
--Reply 81: First time to the Colorado River
--Reply 86: First time to Zion National Park
--Reply 97: Curiosities Part IV
--Reply 99: Made it home after precisely a 2,500 mile journey


Page 6
--Reply 109: First time at Marlin Crawler Headquarters, Truck is already RUSTING!!
--Reply 110: Tacoma met my fully-built Hilux Rock Crawler for the first time! Took both trucks up to a nearby lake for some pictures
--Reply 116: Weighed new Tacoma & old Hilux Rock Crawler


Page 7
--Reply 129: Installed Rock Sliders
--Reply 137: Changed to a black SR Grill
--Reply 139: Attended first event! Bakersfield Land Cruiser Rally


Page 8
--Reply 141: Installed Toyota Floor mats & Door sill protectors
--Reply 142: Attended second event! TLCA's Cruise Moab, Moab, UT
--Reply 144: Did my first "trail" (it was basically just a fire-road)


Page 9
--Reply 161: Did my first legit trail: Bald Mountain
--Reply 170: Short Video Compilation from Bald Mountain


Page 10
--Reply 184: Explanation as to why this thread went dormant most of the second half 2016
--Reply 187: "Stage I" begins! New 33" tires
--Reply 195: Installed the first batch of Nitro Gear's brand-new 4.88:1 ring & pinion gear set
--Reply 196: Installed new Upper Control Arm Kit and rear leaf springs
--Reply 200: Ditched the annoying 'TRD Sport' fake hood scoop


Page 11
--Reply 201: Towed the World-famous "Crawler Truck", also pulled out my stock Transfer Case!!
--Reply 206: Installed MC Front T/C Adapter
--Reply 208: Prepared T/C for our TacoBox!!
--Reply 210: TacoBox Dual Case Crawler Explained
--Reply 211: History is made: Dual Case Installed!!


Page 12
--Reply 221: Temporary Shifter Installed
--Reply 226: ARB Air Lockers finally installed
--Reply 228: Turtle Hood Sticker installed
--Reply 229: More stickers
--Reply 230: Second Moab trip!
--Reply 236: Trail Run #3 Fins & Things, Moab, UT


Page 13
--Reply 242: My first low oil pressure lamp!
--Reply 243: Vendor Show #3
--Reply 244: Trail Run #4: Flat Iron Mesa, Moab, UT
--Reply 255: Bed comes off!


Page 14
--Reply 264: Figuring out where to cut
--Reply 271: Plastic tub cut and glued back together
--Reply 274: Bed sides cut and welded up
--Reply 280: Bed sides repainted


Page 15
--Reply 292: First Bob'd 3rd gen! (Six inches removed)


Page 16
--Reply 303: New Crawl Ratio Sticker
--Reply 307: Trail Run #5: Moonlight Madness / Bald Mtn
--Reply 309: Video: Walking my own Crawler
--Reply 320: First oil-logged exhaust


Page 17
--Reply 324: Real Men Use Three Pedals
--Reply 325: First night wheel'n
--Reply 326: Video: Marlin Crawler Alternative to "Flooring It"
--Reply 327: Hauled half a ton of stone
--Reply 328: Stage II has begun! New Beadlocks!
--Reply 331: "40s"


Page 18
--Reply 349: Mounted Air Compressor
--Reply 351: Installed ARB Air Locker Switches
--Reply 357: Long Travel Suspension v1


Page 19
--Reply 363: 40" Tires installed but needs work...


Page 20
--Reply 395: Switched to 37" BFG KRAWLERs
--Reply 398: Temporary fender & bumper trimming


Page 21
--Reply 402: First 3rd gen to attempt the Rubicon Trail?


Page 22
--Reply 422: Tacoma conquors the Rubicon!!
--Reply 422: Video Crawling down the Rubicon Slabs
--Reply 428: 11th annual FJ Summit
--Reply 430: Testing products at Bald Mountain
--Reply 434: New, larger Crawl Ratio sticker
--Reply 436: BigMike's 1st Annual TacoBox Run Introduced & Discussed
--Reply 438: 300M RCV Axles finally installed!


Page 23
--Reply 442: Front Facing Rock Crawling Camera installed
--Reply 443: Tacoma's second Rubicon trip begins!
--Reply 448: Tacoma featured in our Pomona Expo Booth
--Reply 451: Size comparo with The Crawler Truck
--Reply 452: Made it in a Magazine!
--Reply 460: Start on Front Tube Bumper


Page 24
--Reply 476: Back home on 40s & new front bumper!
--Reply 479: Misc Daily Driver pics on 40" tires


Page 25
--Reply 481: Height comparo vs random Stock 3rd gen
--Reply 497: 40-inch tire not large enough for spikes
--Reply 498: Intro discussion for HD Steering Upgrade


Page 26
--Reply 505: Installed A/V adapter, disabled Door Chime
--Reply 506: Featured in our KOH Booth
--Reply 513: THE MarRack IS BORN!!


Page 27
--Reply 522: Started Body Clearancing
--Reply 535: Finished Body Clearancing
--Reply 538: Interior all finished!


Page 28
--Reply 543: Daily Driving the MarRack!
--Reply 547: Someone graffitied the Tacoma!
--Reply 548: CV Boot woes
--Reply 554: Someone finally made us 5.29s!
--Reply 555: Our smallest is the strongest!
--Reply 556: The MarRack Steering Geometry Benefit
--Reply 559: Gusseted.
--Reply 560: MaRack finished!


Page 29
--Reply 573: My Dreams came true with TRIPLES!
--Reply 579: Dual E-Brake Cutting Brake Conversion


Page 30
--Reply 582: Custom Magnaflow cat-back Exhaust System
--Reply 586: TRIPLES and Dual E-Brake Finished!
--Reply 587: First Video idling @ 580:1 !!!
--Reply 590: First wheel'n trip: Triple+MarRack+40s!
--Reply 592: THE SLOWEST TACOMA IN THE WORLD!


Page 31
--Reply 616: Triple Case Demonstration
--Reply 617: Dual Case TacoBox FAQ


Page 32
--Reply 627: HD IFS Steering Stress Video

-- Build Progress has gone out of sync --

--Reply 635: Random Update: Went wheel'n in Utah
--Reply 636: Random Update: Went wheel'n in Texas at the Toyota Jamboree
--Reply 638: Demo Video 54:1 vs 99:1 vs 254:1


-- Build Progress is still out of sync --

Page 33
--Reply 654: Demo Video Downhill with NO driver


Page 34
--Reply 670: Now collecting demand for Front Bumper!


-- Build Progress is still out of sync --

Page 34
--Reply 699: My Tacoma is now on IG


Page 36
--Reply 701: A couple pics from Colorado with The Crawler Truck & my 3rd trip through the Rubicon on 40s
--Reply 702: Considered tailgate Victory Marks of completed trails
--Reply 703: MCR17 Review Video, with various footage of SlowestTacoma


-- Build Progress put on hold while I develop a patent-pending IFS kit --

Page 39
--Reply 764: Official announcement of RCLT HD!


Page 42
--Reply 825: SlowestTacoma prepared for the future of Rock Crawling + IFS
--Reply 832: Drum brake woes No.1
--Reply 834: Installed LED cabin lights
--Reply 835: Comparison of my 1981 on 37s with my 2016 on 40s
--Reply 837: New tailgate sticker and tweeter speakers
--Reply 838: Many pics from TLCA's Rubithon event


Page 43
--Reply 841: Installed longer e-brake cables
--Reply 842: Drum brake woes No.2
--Reply 844: Mounted CB Antenna
--Reply 846: More front bumper pics
--Reply 847: More pics with The Crawler Truck & my 1981
--Reply 849: SlowestTacoma turns 30K
--Reply 850-855: 2018 Wrap-up
--Reply 857: Discovered I hadn't ever changed my cabin filter!
--Reply 858: More CV boot woes
--Reply 859: Installed slightly improved headlight bulbs
--Reply 860: Installed K&N Air Intake system


Page 44
--Reply 861: Mounted CB Radio & installed Auto-switching constant power outlet
--Reply 862: Got my 40" tires balanced for the first time
--Reply 863-866: Finally 3D Printed 6-row Cab Switch Panel
--Reply 867: Reverse Light Anytime mod
--Reply 868: DRL Anytime mod
--Reply 870-876: Installed RCLT HD Prototype v2! A new IFS era has begun!
--Reply 877: RCLT HD V2.0 IS ALIVE!
--Reply 879: New HD LCA Frame Brace Kit
--Reply 880: Truck realigned & ready to go


Page 45
--Reply 894: Started on RST's Rear 3-link Suspension Conversion
--Reply 896: Installed MC winch fairlead and rear fender trim


Page 46
--Reply 902: RST's Rear 3-link Suspension Conversion completed
--Reply 909: New exhaust system
--Reply 911 & 912: Discussed RCLT HD info and new Gen.2 Ultimate RCV Axle Set details


Page 47
--Reply 922: RCV Gen 1 vs Gen 2 vs Stock outer CV joints
--Reply 925: First flex of the new F&R suspension setup

Page 48
--Reply 948: Embarrassingly broke two ribs
--Reply 959: TODO list discussion during recovery

Page 49
--Reply 971: Couple pics from the future, Rubicon and Four Wheeler Adventure Expo
--Reply 975: Lame aftermarket USB power outlet
--Reply 976: Accidentally hauled 5.2 TONS!!!!!!
--Reply 979: Video hauling a 10,320 lb trailer

Page 50
--Reply 983: Started on rear Rock Crawling Tube Bumper
--Reply 984: Flex Parking Stand
--Reply 987: Measured DRL battery drain
--Reply 988: Random pic of RCLT HD v2.0
--Reply 989: Electronic Triple 2WD Low Range
--Reply 990: Improved rear up-travel
--Reply 991: Reflashed my ECM!
--Reply 995: Started on a rear Rock Crawling Tube Bumper
--Reply 997: Finally installed our Marlin Crawler Rock Sliders
--Reply 1,000: Rear Low-profile Rock Crawling Bumper finished

Page 51
--Reply 1,002: Triple Low Range 40-inch tire "Burn Out"
--Reply 1,007: Rear tire tuck pics
--Reply 1,009: Loose ends prior to MCR18
--Reply 1,010: Many pics from the 18th Annual Marlin Crawler Round-Up
--Reply 1,018: MCR18 Video

Page 52
--Reply 1,022: Another nail!
--Reply 1,023: Middle School Fair
--Reply 1,0224: R/C Scale Challenge
--Reply 1,027: I got a MiniMe!!
--Reply 1,029: A rare full wash
--Reply 1,030: Central Coast Land Cruiser Christmas Party
--Reply 1,031: 2019 Wrap Up
--Reply 1,04: RCLT HD v2 EOL

Page 53
--Reply 1,043: Goals for 2020
--Reply 1,044: RCLT HD Final Prototype install onto Steel City Racing's 4Runner
--Reply 1,046: RCLT HD Final Prototype install onto SlowestTacoma
--Reply 1,048: 2020 King Of The Hammers
--Reply 1,050: Shannon Campbell endorses RCLT HD!
--Reply 1,052: 2020 KOH Video
--Reply 1,056: 2020 CAL4WD Convention, Del Albright endorses RCLT HD!
--Reply 1,058: Helped folks move furniture
--Reply 1,059: Installed softer front coils
--Reply 1,060: RCLT HD Final Prototype Aligned

Page 54
--Reply 1,067: Four Wheeler Adventure Expo
--Reply 1,072: Fred Williams from Motortrend's Dirt Every Day endorses RCLT HD!
--Reply 1,075: Owner of Powertank Steve Sasaki endorses RCLT HD!

Page 55
--Reply 1,081: Insane SAS vs RCLT HD Ground Clearance Comparison
--Reply 1,083: Video from the Adventure Expo
--Reply 1,086: Explaining advantages of Rock Crawling IFS
--Reply 1,092: Finalizing Front Uptravel

Page 56
--Reply 1,102: My second set of 40s
--Reply 1,113: Fork Lift Flex II
--Reply 1,117: Start of four-corner integrated On Board Air System

Page 57
--Reply 1,126: Balanced new set of tires
--Reply 1,127: Cabin Air Pressure Gauge
--Reply 1,129: Longer Lower Coilover Eyelets
--Reply 1,130: Fork Lift Flex III
--Reply 1,131: Installed new orange RCV Boots
--Reply 1,132: RCLT HD Final Prototype test on the Coyote Lake Trail
--Reply 1,135: Video from Coyote Lake Trail

Page 58

High Sierra trail sign progress
(Click image for larger view)
​

-----------------------

IT'S FINNNAALLLLLYYYYY HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hello Seattle, goodbye Seattle!

This is a day LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG in the making!!

 

Only 1,613 more miles to a new chapter!!!

 

Finally made it to Dallas... Local time is 7:00am.

The wait.....

The frustration....

The patience....

It's....

Almost......

OVER!!

I don't have much time at the moment, but this is the best breakfast I've had since January 2015:

 

With great relief and excitement I am pleased to fffffiiiiinnnnaaaalllllllllllllllyyyyyyyy announce the new addition to the Crawler family: BigMike's New 2016 TRD SPORT ACCESS CAB 4X4 V6 M/T LB TACOMA!!!

I'll reply back once all the dotted lines are signed!!

 

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh man ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh man!

This thread cannot go any further without my experience during the 261 DAYS IT TOOK TO GET THIS TRUCK. I hope you're ready for a novel because I've been slowly writing this over the past 8 months so here goes!

For many years I've wanted to build a Tacoma. I'm not the biggest fan of the 2nd gen. It's fender lines remind me too much of the Chevy Avalanche. Not the biggest fan of the 4.0-liter engine. I do like the older 3.4, but I'm a 4cyl guy. Building a 1st gen would be cool, Lord knows how much I love the 3RZ-FE (see my Official 3RZ Knowledge and Database Thread), but as I already wheel my 1981 Hilux with a 3RZ there wouldn't be a tremendous difference, for example, if I got a 1995 4cyl Tacoma. I guess the Tacoma just hasn't excited me enough yet.

And then January 2015 happened. I saw pictures of that new pretty Blue 3rd gen from the North American International Auto Show and knew this would be the one! Fell in love with it right away.



Spent that spring and summer working things out making preparations for the new Tacoma. In late summer the time had finally come to get this monumental ball rolling. And when I say monumental you need to understand what type of automobile person I am. My father bought his truck September 17, 1983, yes the very same famous Marlin Crawler "Crawler Truck". I believe it to be a fact that no other Toyota truck in history has been wheeled as much as this truck and he is still wheeling it today (check out it's Vintage Picture Gallery). I learned how to drive stick-shift in this truck. I bought my first car when I was 18 yrs old, a 1987 MR2, which is still my daily driver (build thread). I bought my 1981 Hilux 4th of July weekend 2004, slapped in a 3RZ-FE Tacoma heart and a 511:1 Triple Ultimate Marlin Crawler Transfer Case Setup and have been wheeling it ever since.

This is a combined history of 62 years between just three Toyotas.

Marlin's 1980 Longbed Hilux (Triple Ultimate Overkill MC T/Case System)


My 1981 Shortbed Hilux (Triple Ultimate MC T/Case System)


I still have my Hilux. It will run the harder trails while I get the Tacoma built.

In short, this Tacoma is HUGE news for anyone who knows the Crawler Family.

Welcome to the beginning of BigMike's Big Journey: A 2016 Tacoma Build Thread

August-September, 2015

August 3, 2015: With the new Tacoma release date approaching, I contacted my high-school classmate who works at a local dealership and who in 2013 had sold my wife and I our new Yaris SE. He took very good care of us if you know what I mean, so this was my first choice. I found out he had moved to the dealer's Volkswagen department so he referred me to Ernie, their top Tacoma salesperson who owns a 2nd gen Tacoma himself...

...and at this point I really wish I could say, "and the rest was history", but this turned out to be the start of an incredibly frustrating experience with Toyota.

In the months that would follow, after 47 emails, countless phone calls, text messages, Facebook messages, and three dealership visits including one with Marlin when I broke the news to him (didn't even tell him where I was taking him), Ernie is still unable to get my new Tacoma.

September 14, 2015: The very first 2016 Tacoma arrives to our dealership. Marlin and I were crawling all over, around, and under taking pictures.


I was expecting a delay: It's the #1 selling mid-size truck and a new model was just released. Ernie figured to give Toyota a few months to get production in gear. Maybe by October we'd have it, most certainly by the end of November.

But what I hadn't planned for was the insane model allocation Toyota has containing this clunky, inefficient, heavy, maintenance prone, heat generating, high pressure fluid system that can leave you stranded on the trail, expensive to repair, fuel mileage zapping and fun behind the wheel robbing AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. GOOD LORD WHAT IS WITH ALL THE AUTOMATIC TACOMAS HOLY CRAP.

Welcome to this side of 1995. Wow what a wake-up call for me. I had no clue that 90% of new truck owners disliked driving. Where has the passion for gear jam'n gone? That moment when you smoothly downshift at the approach of a corner and slowly roll into the throttle with your heel perfecting matching your engine and clutch disc speeds. That moment when you want to accelerate by grabbing a gear and mashing the pedal for instant power instead of waiting for some computer to decide which gear and at what throttle position it thinks is right for you. Feeling an engine's power curve through your leg without the dullness of a torque converter, knowing when to shift by feel rather than guessing how much to lift for the ETC to make its eventual decision...

The window sticker of the dealer's first 2016 Tacoma


What I ordered & Why

The Tacoma I requested is a White V6 Access Cab TRD Off-Road with a Manual Transmission.

Why an Access Cab?
The 1st gen Hilux was only offered in the States as a single cab and I've always wanted an XtraCab, so much so that I own a back-half of a 2nd gen Hilux XtraCab cab that is ready and waiting for my 1st gen XtraCab conversion... that will now never take place. :-D

Body damage
I don't like Double Cabs for the same reason I'm not building a 4Runner: It has a longer cab line that I'll have to worry about through tight rock and tree squeezes.

The bed & wheelbase
I carry recovery equipment to rescue broken rigs and clear trails with our local forest service so I need a full size truck bed. If I get a Double Cab with a full size bed then the truck will simply be too long for technical Rock Crawling. Before companies like Marlin Crawler and All Pro Off Road (RIP) invented the Crossover Steering System, not just some but all of the technical "jeep" trails from Utah to California were off limits in organized events for us long wheelbased "jap-tin-can" Hilux owners. Even some trail leaders didn't like 4Runners and shortbed pickups, despite having by today's standards a short wheelbase of 103-inches, which today can out maneuver most Jeeps thanks to the Marlin Crawler T/Case (I've stretched my '81 to a whopping 106-inches). Back in the 80s and early 90s us "silly pickup owners" would constantly be making multi-point turns to get through trails that Jeeps would go right through without backing up. Worse yet, many Toyotas on the trail didn't have power steering.

The 2016 AC LB has a 127-inch wheelbase and the DC LB a whopping 141. That is 20% and 33% longer than my Hilux, respectively. I've got no choice. I can do with the 20% longer; It'll have a Marlin Crawler transfer case setup. But 33% longer is just too much.

Other thoughts on a Double Cab
- I'll have to either build twice as many tube doors, twice as many sets of quick disconnect door hinges, or unbolt 8 hinges total just to run trails doorless. (It'd probably look dumb with only the front two doors removed.)
- It'll be heavier which is no good for both Rock Crawling or highway fuel mileage (My Hilux has never been on a trailer since I've owned it and I drive to every trail including the 1,800 mile trip for Moab, UT).
- Twice as many doors for someone to break into the truck.

I'll definitely run the new Tacoma doorless from time to time. Entering the Little Sluice, TLCA's 26th annual Rubithon event, Rubicon Trail, June 21, 2014


With all the hating on "long this" and "heavy that" I suppose I could have gotten another single cab... except for the fact that Toyota is no longer offering a single cab Tacoma!

Why White?
You're probably thinking why not Marlin Crawler Red? Well, that color is the iconic Crawler Truck color. If anyone should get a red Tacoma it should be Marlin. White allows a wide range of compatible artwork for marketing. It is also my favorite automobile color.

Why the V6?
When I get back home I'm expecting this to be one of the first questions from my close friends. Raised by the man himself, I am a less is more, keep it reliable, easier to work on, lower maintenance, lightweight, fuel efficient, less heat generated, more room for onboard air & welder, suspension parts last longer, better for Rock Crawling, four cylinder Marlin-type guy. I've actually never owned anything other than a 4cyl.

So why now? The Tacoma will certainly be heavier than my Hilux. I wouldn't be surprised if it's already heavier in stock form. Due to its size it might end up on 39s. Don't get too excited yet as I plan to keep it IFS for at least the first year. A 6cly makes more sense for the Tacoma's size & weight.

And then there is the new 6cyl. I love the new 6cyl. I know, you're probably in shock, but what I find so cool and what everyone seems to dislike is that the new 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS is higher revving with a higher RPM power band than the outgoing 4.0-liter. I'm assuming it's more compact & lightweight, certainly more efficient: The new 3.5L makes 35% more HP and 14% more TQ per liter than the 4.0. These are the fun characteristics that I love about 4cyls. I'm excited for this new V6.

Why TRD Off-Road?
Two words: Electric Locker. I run them in my Hilux (FJ80 high pinion front, Tacoma rear) and love them to death. This is the only package an e-locker is offered (rear). We rebuild Toyota Electric Lockers, sell E-Locker Motor Armor, and I have a lot of experience custom wiring them for older rigs.

Why the Manual Transmission?
Naturally there is no other choice for me.

And then the following happens...

The Big Issue

We discover that this truck is NOT POSSIBLE. Apparently Toyota only offers the 6cyl TRD Pro E-Locker-equipped Access Cab with an Automatic transmission!! Why oh why Toyota?! Why must you be so cruel?!

To make matters worse, this information wouldn't be discovered by our dealer until sometime in early October, the month I was hopeful I'd get the truck! According to our dealer they were still receiving info on what model and option combinations were going to be offered and come to find out Toyota will not offer a 6cyl manual TRD Off-Road Access Cab.

So what are my options now?
- 6cyl Access Cab SR w/manual trans: Not offered
- 6cyl Access Cab SR5 w/manual trans: Not offered
- 6cyl Access Cab Limited w/manual trans: Not offered

As it turns out the "TRD Sport" is the ONLY model that is available in this configuration. I am not a fan of the fake hood scoop, nor the chrome grill. I do like the color keyed fenders. I'll come up with lockers on my own. Okay I'll take it.

October, 2015: The Order Is Changed
With no other option we change the order to a White V6 Access Cab TRD Sport with Manual Transmission.

So we move on, and time goes on. I'd really like someday to get this truck. The problem is that Toyota simply doesn't want to make this configuration. Not even if we put in a custom build order because according to Ernie Toyota will only accept custom build orders once they get caught up with production/inventory of the new model. I can understand this. Apparently I am part of the minority of truck consumers in this country. I understand how supply and demand works.

October comes and goes.
- I miss the unveiling for the Pamona Off Road Expo (this would have been HUGE!)
- I miss the unveiling for the TLCA Southern Cruiser Crawl

This silver 2WD shows up to our dealer October 13, 2015. Another Double Cab. Another Automatic.


November comes and goes.
- I miss the unveiling for TLCA Turf-n-Surf
- I miss the unveiling for CAL4WD Panamint Valley Days (** we thought we'd have it no later than this event **)

December comes and goes.
- I miss the unveiling for the CVC Toy Drive
- I miss the unveiling at four different 4WD Club Christmas parties
- I miss the unveiling for two different New Year Snow Runs

Ernie tells me their first TRD Off Road has shown up. I drive over after work to check it out. Another Double Cab. Another Automatic.


January, 2016

It's a new year and now one full year since Toyota announced the new truck. I tell Ernie, listen, I appreciate all your time and all the hunting for this truck, but it's been on the market for four months and we're falling behind waiting around for it.

Anxiety just building and building as I'm missing wheeling events and I'm seeing build threads, FAQ threads, picture threads, trip report threads, cheap trick threads, "White Tacoma check-in" threads, "Let's see your Access Cab", "What did you do to your Tacoma today", "Who's playing the waiting game"... I have been lurking on multiple Tacoma forums like a madman. Countless times I wanted to chime in and reply but I don't.

And then I get aggressive:

January 4, 2016 I submit an order with Hanford Toyota
January 4, 2016 I submit an order with Selma Toyota
January 5, 2016 I submit an order with Merced Toyota
January 5, 2016 I submit an order with Irvine Toyota
January 8, 2016 I submit an order with Roseville Toyota
January 11, 2016 I submit an order with Manhattan Beach Toyota

Do you want to know what each and every dealership sales person gets back to me with? "Sorry we cannot get that model but we do have a White Double Cab Automatic which is even better & we can sell it to you today!"

I kid you not. Not a single dealer wanted my order. In the words of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, "What in the hell is the world coming to?" At least Ernie understood why I was after this specific model.

It's just crazy to me. It is listed on Toyota's website. It is listed in Toyota sales brochures. I see & hear Tacoma commercials one after the other (all featuring Double Cabs of course). I'm seeing more and more 3rd gens running around town. Arrrggg.

On one hand how fortunate I am that I can afford a new truck. My whole life I've wheeled Toyota's from the 80s so I do not take this for granted. But on the other hand it is available yet I cannot get it. Worst of all, this is one step for me but is one giant step for Marlin Crawler, who, despite being the inventor of the Tacoma Dual Case System in the summer of 2001 with many Dual Case'd Marlin Crawler Tacomas on the trail, is perceived as living in the past with the Hilux.

This perception of Marlin Crawler is going to change real quick once I get this truck.

The World's first Dual Case Tacoma is unveiled at the first Marlin Crawler Round Up, August 18, 2001


Mid-January, 2016

It was finally Mrs. Crawler, my mother, who suggested I contact our friend and customer Chris King of Toyota Of Dallas to see what he can do. Brilliant idea. I give Chris a call and he knew exactly who I was and why I was after this specific build. "No problem let me transfer you to Mr. Hardy Tadlock, who is our inventory manager of 23-years, and who works closely with the manufacturing plant right here in Texas." Chris assured me if anyone can get this truck it will be Hardy.

After bringing Hardy up to speed he knew straight-up we would not find this truck anywhere in the USA. He did a search as other dealers had done before, but Hardy's response was a breath of fresh air: "If you place a custom order for this truck by next Wednesday, we can have it here in 4 to 5 months."

Five months since August and eight dealerships later, this was the first time anyone had offered this. No dancing around offering a different Tacoma. Done. Do it. Go. Get it ordered. Do your thing. Do whatever it is you have to do in order to get this truck in 4 to 5 months.

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y. This was the first glimpse of progress since October. I thought, wow, another half-year just to get one Tacoma. A possible combined timeline of 10 months since placing the first order.

January and most of February comes and goes.
- I miss the unveiling for the CVC Bald Mtn Snow Run
- I miss the unveiling for the King Of The Hammers (as with all these events we were there but the Tacoma was not. KOH was a huge missed opportunity!)

The Crawler Truck at our KOH Booth, Hammer Town USA. It would have been AMAZING to have had my new Tacoma parked next to the Crawler Truck for this event.


The new Tacoma would be trail worthy by now had I gotten it in November.

February 25, 2016

So I'm working away in my office trying not to get distracted with Tacoma threads on different forums when Hardy calls me. "Mike, got some good news! We have a date and it's earlier than expected." I'm about to fall off my chair. "The delivery date to my VPC in Houston is April the 10th." I fall off my chair.

Unbelievably great news and such an enormous relief beginning to set. Hardy goes on to explain how this is only an estimation and it takes X number of days to get to Dallas and then X number of days to process yadda yadda yadda come get it April 20.

March 16, 2016

On March 16 Hardy informs me that the date has been moved up again to now March 31! From five months now down to just two! Forget the pinch, I need someone to punch me in the face to make sure this is happening! But a week later we find out that the factory has switched back to April 10. Clearly, Toyota is just mess'n with me now. ;-)

March 18: I discover there IS a MANUAL Transmission 6cyl TRD OFF-ROAD E-Locker Tacoma... available in... CANADA. UNBELIEVABLE. TOYOTA. What the hell man? Of course I'm committed to this TRD Sport. Not interested in waiting another 6 months. Then what, destroy our relationship with Dallas, deal with customs, import taxes, compliance with CA emissions, don't even know if this is possible... Probably not an option. It is just incredibly annoying that I know the truck is built in the same factory who has explicitly told us it "cannot be built".

The Toyota Factory Tour

Meanwhile Chris lets me know that while I'm coming to Texas why don't I also tour the factory in San Antonio where my Tacoma is to be built? I said heck yes I must do this! Now the wait is almost starting to feel good. How cool is this?! But in an unfortunate turn of events, we find out that Factory Tours are scheduled for maintenance closures in April, resulting in tight scheduling, and the only available slots are early in the month before my arrival. Bummer. Had that worked out I would have flown Marlin with me.

So it didn't happen... Thank you Chris for the offer and your time with scheduling. It would have been awesome.

On November 25, 2012, I took Marlin to the Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Japan. It would have been especially neat to see how the Texas plant compares with Toyota's own back in Japan. Here are a few pics from that trip. Marlin and me in the back of a JDM 70-series (a manual transmission solid front e-locker axle Turbocharged Toyota Diesel Double Cab pickup that makes an utter fool out of the Tacoma). The front of the Motomachi Plant & TO-YO-TA Katakana logos on many buildings. Toyota City, Japan


Four March and April events roll by...
- I miss the unveiling for the CAL4WD Kingsburg Snow Poker Run
- I miss the unveiling for the Rubicon Trail Foundation's Black Tie And Boots
- I miss the unveiling for the CVC Calico Ghost Town Run
- I miss the unveiling for the Lock'N'Low Annual Truck Safety Inspection

Marlin and Christine were both highly honored at the Black Tie and Boots with the "Rock Award", the most prestigious Rubicon-related award possible, joining a group of only eight members!



This September our annual Round Up event will eclipse the $100,000 mark in donations to the Rubicon Trail. If I can get my hands on this unobtainium Tacoma, then I will have it on display at the springs campground.

The last few weeks...

April 20 just cannot come any sooner and the weeks have just been a blur. In fact I'm typing this exact sentence on Thursday March 31st at 1:12 am in the morning and the cool thing is that I've been able to keep this on the low-down, hardly a soul knows, not even my own employees. No one in our industry nor any of our competitors know. It's gotta be one of the longest kept secrets I've ever had.

This past year we've had Tacomas in and out of our shop a dozen times and I've had both employees and customers say, "Hey it would be neat if you got a new Tacoma, Mike." Yes. Thank you. I am aware of this. Just kick me. Right in the ball sack. Please. If only they knew ;-)

I hope those workers are taking extra special care over there in Texas because this truck is gonna see some awesome Rock Crawling for many years to come!

April 6: Dealer emails me paperwork to sign! Wooohoooo!

April 9: Dealer checks in with me, confirms everything is look'n good!

April 12: WE RECEIVE MY VIN! It's finally official!! This is really happening!

April 13: I sent the VIN to Ernie who pulls all the data from his system locally. The build and specs are 100% perfect! Truck's official birthday is April 8 and it left the Vehicle Processing Center yesterday the 12th. It is scheduled to arrive at the Dallas dealer no later than this Friday the 15th.

April 16: Dealer reports they have the truck and it's ready for pick-up!!! I said "Send pics or GTFO" and these came to my phone:



April 19, 2016

So the day has FINALLY COME!

Hardy told me to come get the truck on the 20th. Well I've waited 8 months so screw that I'm coming a day early just in case it's ready! Gamble payed off. My original flight plan was a one-way direct-flight from California with a 5pm landing in Dallas. The dealer is open until 9pm so that is plenty of time to pick up the truck, fingers crossed, a day early...

...then my lovely wife who's traveling with me had a great idea to take a red-eye night flight: If we're already gambling on an early April 19 pick-up date, then why not save some $ on a midnight flight while also showing up the moment the dealer opens? Great idea babe, I love where your head is at.

So from Fresno CA to Seattle WA to Portland OR and to Dallas TX,
flying by night arriving 3 hrs before the dealer opens 261 days after ordering this truck,
I'M FINALLY DRIVING MY BRAND NEW 2016 ACCESS CAB MANUAL TRANSMISSION 6CYL TACOMA!!!!!!​

Time to hit the open road and give a full trip-report back to California! Subscribe and stay tuned!

Regards,
BigMike

 

Awesome story. Definitely subbed!!

 

Ok, got it, I think...Alaska Airlines has no direct flights from Fresno to Dallas..is that the story OP?

Just kidding, glad to see you finally got your truck (but you should live in Canada).

 

Quite a story!

What are the build plans for your truck?
Keeping IFS front?

Are you going to offer products for 3rd gen's? If so, with there only being a dozen manual transmission in existence (yes I exaggerated), what kind of products?

 

How did you get a long bed in Dallas? I talked to a guy the other day that flew to Kansas to get a long bed. Gulf States doesnt do long beds?

 

sub'ed. gotta hear the end of this one.

 

Access Cab = Long Bed. No choice of bed length.

 

Definitely sub'd! Can't wait to see what you have planned.

 

Oh, well in that case....they dont sell access cabs outside of Texas? Manual?

 

Thank you for all the replies, REALLY looking forward to this!

Believe me Pittrider, my wife have considered this more than once! Not sure if all you cool hosers living in America's Hat can make up for the cold weather

Many plans, some already in the works as I type It will stay IFS for at least the first year, maybe longer. Knowing the majority of Tacomas remain IFS I think it would be neat to show just how far our Crawler can take an IFS truck. As for the few number of manual transmission Tacomas, yes, I am aware of this, but for me it comes down to there being no way in hell I could live with an automatic Rock Crawler. That said, the majority of our Tacoma and 4Runner Dual Case customers are automatic so no issue there with product and development.

nhtundra answered it, but if you need to get something, definitely ask for their Inventory Manager of 25 years, Mr. Hardy Tadlock.

 

Here come some pics from the flight I didn't want to share before spilling the beans

All of our planes had EXCELLENT in-flight reading material:



I've had this exact brochure since August 13, 2015.



We stayed at DFW Airport until 8:30am when Hardy himself came to pick us up. It goes without saying that the service I have received from Toyota of Dallas has been, in the words of Judge Smails, top-notch, top-notch! Other than the wait and issues with Toyota themselves, my experience with Hardy has been ENTIRELY painless, efficient, and prompt. This applies to Chris King who always responded to my emails, texts, and calls, as well as their finance manger who was all business and I got in and got out without any delays, haggles, or issues.

When Hardy pulled up to the dealer he dropped my wife and I off RIGHT IN FRONT of my new baby girl!!

When my eyes first met those project beam headlights I knew it was love at first sight. It had me at hello.



Not a fan of the grill nor the bumper, which I do understand is required for pedestrian impact laws. As I've heard many another repeat before me while lurking on this forum since August, it sure looks a lot better in person. But, it will be coming off soon enough



The moment it became real:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuAfE5RBpgQ

Keys in hand!

 

First order of business was to insult the manual transmission for all the trouble...



And then to graciously shift through all 7 of it's buttery smooth gears.... ohhhh yeah baby, that is PRECISELY how I like it!!

It's just perfect. The exact same shift-pattern as the Lotus Exige transaxle I installed into my S/C MR2.



Only 3 miles on the clock Hardy told me that Tacomas are one of those special vehicles that they reserve and try to keep off the street until they are driven away by each new owner with as few miles as possible.



The second order of business was to take a look at the heart.



Can't wait to get home and remove a lot of that plastic!



The man who guaranteed the success of this entire ordeal, Mr. Chris King!



Meeting with John and the team from TRDparts4u who operates from this dealership



Finishing up the last bit of the paperwork with the man Hardy Tadlock himself. His 25-years experience as an Inventory Manager is no joke.



About to drive it out of the dealer for the first time!





Out in the wild!! WOW WHAT AN AMAZING TRUCK!!





Much more to come!