My new g1 taco

New to the forum so for now i thought that I would introduce myself.

First let me say that I've always been a Toyota fan (as well as Honda, Subaru fan). I've loved Tacoma's and Tundras since I can remember. I even had a radio control g1 tacoma as a kid.

The real root of my love for these guys, though, is simply through my own life experiences and the observations that I've made over the years. (I mean no offense but America just doesn't produce to the same quality).

Ive owned all sorts of cars. Starting with an 85 Toyota Supra. My first car. Moving on from there I had several rounds of Chevys, including blazers and s-10s. Even dipped into the mini-trucking scene when I was a teen. I've had a Nissan 300zx. I've had a firebird, saturn sc1, etc etc etc. With the exception of the Supra and the 300zx everything I owned was an unreliable piece of junk. So, after many, many cars I decided to stop buying american made. My next purchase was a Civic eg. I found it wrecked but it was the ex model with all of the options. After fixing it up I fell in love. I would still have that eg if it hadn't been rear ended by a semi.

Since then I've owned every eg body style and really loved them all (except maybe the Del Sol which was only ok).

Anyway, eventually I got my 2003 4runner sr5 with the fantastic v8 and all time 4wd. Im literally going to keep that until the frame can no longer support itself.

Finally, the reason that I've decided to join a new forum:
Yesterday I bought myself another Toyota. Of course I just sold a Volvo (which I also loved) in order to eliminate a car payment. So I paid cash for this one. All of $1400 which I felt was an fantastic deal. I only have one picture so far but I will probably create a build thread later.


It definitely needs some work:
-new shocks
-new exhaust
-new tires
-new brakes
-some factory rims instead of these hubcaps
-ac repair
This is only what I've discovered while driving it around a total of about 30 minutes.

Of course, there is a lot of good too:
-engine runs great (truck has 170k miles)
-transmission is great
-frame is goodish (needs redone in one spot)
-body is in nice shape
-interior is very clean
-no electrical problems

I am not really sure what the future has in store for this truck. I know that I plan to keep it around a while. I probably wont stray too far from stock because I like a nice clean look. However I will probably continue to make improvements as time goes on.
One major thing id really like to do is go ahead and beef up the suspension since it meeds replaced anyway. If anyone has a link or information on increasing payload capacity i would appreciate the info.
Yet another improvement id like to make is simply putting in a real tow hitch for light towing of my utility trailer.
I've already done some poking around on the site and bookmarked a few very helpful pages. So thank you to stAndrew for his compilation post of helpful links.

 

Welcome to TW.

I share your passion for Hondas and Toyotas. My Taco is my 6th Toyota.
I used to have an Accord (84?) years ago, and then a 95 Integra.
Finally, a 91 Civic HB fixer-upper that I thoroughly enjoyed restoring to
factory originality (no 'ricer' mods). It handled as good as the Integra .

 

Thank you. Glad you understand the Honda love! Civics can definitely be made to handle. One day ill get another, but that is down the road.

 

For technical advice about your 5-lug 2WD truck, you'll get a better response by starting a new thread on this forum:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/5-lug.114/

 

Welcome!

 

Thanks! Rick and Ron

 

I found another g1 xtracab today and took a picture of the frame for comparison. A little more far gone than I thought.





eesh...

so I've tried looking for used frames with no luck. How is it that

nobody sells these things?! Anyway unless I find another option ill just be rebuilding this section of the frame myself. As well as treat the rest to insure that it doesn't happen anywhere else.

Its going to have to go in the garage for a while too i suppose


anyway, gave it a bath and took a few more pictures of it:

 

well. Started cutting into the frame today. Too far gone. Replacements are impossible to find. Going to repair the worst of the frame and think about what to do with it. Probably will be a part out.