Ironman's Hand me down 07 DC LB Rad Red Taco Introduction

Man, I never used so many acronyms in a title before.

Hey all,

Time for my introduction.

I am 17 years old, senior in H.S.

Before you all jump to conclusions, I will share the story on how I got my taco.

My father purchased it brand new back in 07.
He drove it for 3 years before he realized its more economical to drive a civic.

However he didn't want to get rid of the truck due to its utilitarian capabilities.

I purchased my first car in when I was 16, 1976 Datsun 280z.
(Yes, it was paid with my own hard earned minimum wage paychecks)




My dad officially "gave" me the truck after he realized that I wouldn't drive my car when it rained or was wet. (Datsuns like to rust, you know?)
Plus its cheaper to put the 280 on classic insurance, and put me on the taco.

The condition of the truck:
Overall it is in pretty good condition except for 3 things:
1. U-haul truck swiped me in the parking lot while I was at work
2. Some guy rear ended me and dented my rear bumper
3. I was being a dumbass, and ran over a orange cone, and broke the FR mudflap.

Some pictures of the damage:



My intentions of the truck:
As much as I want to throw on a 6inch lift with 35 inch tires, a massive HID light bar, and a flat bottom front bumper (BAJA Pre runner look)
Where the hell can I legitimately go offroading in S. Florida? Not many places.
All I really would do is just mall crawl.
It honestly doesn't reflect the true applications of my uses.



My uses of this truck in order of importance are:

Daily Driver Qualities
Gas efficiency
Utility
Aesthetics
Performance


Daily driver Qualities-

• Entails a upgraded stereo system I am feeling 2 10's, and 4 regular drivers. One Mono block, and one 4 channel. Might be JL Audio, if I can get a hook up. Still need to do more research though.
• Projector HID Headlights and Fogs- Probably a retrofit 55w
• Carputer
• Dynamatted Interior
• Rules out exhausts, if I need a sporty exhaust I'll drive the 280.
• Led Map lights.

Gas efficiency

• This 100% rules out lifts and larger tires (Frictional Losses and Aerodynamic inefficiencies) plus higher roll over possibilities, with the way I drive.
• Since this truck doubles as a part time work truck for my dad and a automotive support truck (junkyard engines and other car parts)
  Lifts would also make it much harder for us to load stuff on the bed.
• No TRD superchargers either

Utility

• Train Horn System
• Inverted Power to Bed and Interior
• Bed and Hood lights
• Marine Grade Speakers under bed (Tailgating/ Rec Events)

Aesthetics (Gotta Look Good)

• Colormatched Front Grill Surrounding, and Rear Bumper
• Blackout Headlight Reflectors
• Smoke out Taillights
• Red Footwell LED lights
• Yashoti Mod (SP?)
• Some Sort of aftermarket wheels

Now that I look at the my mod plan: I took a standard car mod plan and applied it to a truck. (Stereo, Lights, and Wheels)


This will be my daily driver for the next 4+ years.
The mods won't happen until I finish the LS1 swap for my 280z
( Engine Swaps are always expensive)

Yes I am paying for the swap myself and the eventual taco mods myself,
I like to exercise financial independence from my parents.

Any comments questions are welcomed

 

Welcome, from another Fl. member

 

I love the Z. Good lookin car.

 

yea that car has so much potential. i looked for a picture of my buddies but for some reason unknown i dont have a single one. his has a ls1 with a big ass turbo on it.. its freakin stupid fast. congratulations on the new truck.. and welcome from mississippi..

 

Thanks for the comments guys.

After Some thinking
The only exhaust mod I might get is running duals to the back,
Only for the look.

Rant: I hate it right after I wash and wax my truck, a bird takes a shit on it
(Birds almost never poop on my truck)


Yes, the 280z is going to fly, can't wait for the project to be done.

 

haha dude i hate when that happens! i feel like my truck gets really dirty right after i wash it haha

anyways welcome man!

 

Nice little car you got there. Where do you work to be able to afford a LS1 engine swap haha.

 

Welcome from Ohio.

Nice Z. What a classic body style.

Had to trade-in my G35 for my Taco. Looks like you have the best of both worlds, my friend.

 

Welcome to TW! Nice little 280 you got there, and i love the RAD RED TACO! Its awesome to see young youth like you working hard and earning your own! Cant wait to see the LS1 swapped in that car though

 

Thanks for the comments guys,

As far as I work, I "officially" work in a movie theater about 20-25 hrs/wk.
I also do side jobs like washing cars , lawn mowing,landscaping, garage renovations,pressure cleaning..etc basically stuff in that area.

The only reason I can afford the stuff I have, is because I never waste my money on "little things" like shopping at the mall or purchasing videos games (I stopped watching tv and playing video games.), or drugs. So primarily I save all of my money with the exception of playing paintball for a day or two.

My ideology for spending money in highschool is:

Purchase all the expensive things you WANT in highschool, since the second you go to college your going to be piss broke for the next 4 years. (rent, tutition, etc.)
Right now I basically have no expenses.

Even though it might be better in the long run to save the money for college:
1. The money that you worked for in H.S isn't going to be enjoyed, kinda killing the phrase "Living in the Moment".

Man I got off track in my philosophical BS.

Thanks for the comments.

If you want to learn more about the Z heres my build thread.
http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/91793-ironmans-1976-280z/