New Member - Finely Aged Taco

Hi folks, I've been lurking on here for a year now and finally decided to introduce myself. I'm a long time convert and first time owner since up until now I haven't been able to really afford a Tacoma. Anyways, here's my story so far and I'm hoping to make a few more with the help of this great forum.

First car I had was a Ranger since they're cheap and easy to maintain. I traded my first one for a 66' Mustang so I went and bought myself another one.


I like the "truck" feeling they give. The impression that you're driving around a dump truck when you have nothing in the bed is something that I was drawn to... Until I drove it five hours straight and my lower back inflamed like a balloon.

Then I bought this:


I bought her for pennies on the dollar from a gentleman out of Colorado that used her as a workhorse. He had rebuilt her from salvage and then proceeded to rebuild her as the work took its toll and the Colorado winters took their's. She's gone through 3 front driver's side fenders, 2 rear driver fenders, 2 hoods, 2 grills, 3 bumpers and a few sets of mudflaps along the way. She ain't pretty but boy, does she drive. 196k Miles didn't phase her when I got her and at 201k now she barely even squints at all.

I gave her a tuneup and cleaned up the MAF and TB, threw on some 5100's to replace the bone stock, and still functioning, Bilsteins and shined her up as best I could.

(The suckers didn't wanna go, had to grind the nuts off)


Took her on some quad trails in Barstow and witnessed for myself what glory could be.


Ever since this day I've been fixing her up here and there, slowly but surely I'm polishing her like the diamond that she is. She's introduced me to many new things, invincibility for one, yet she continues to amaze me everyday. How a bone stock 13 year old truck could live such a life and still run so well baffles me but, I am now certain this is the best truck I'll ever have.



Today she stands like this. She runs straight as an arrow, solid as a rock and smooth as butter. I mounted a camper on her for camping and new wheels for wheelin. I'm not exactly satisfied with the look of the wheels/tire combo or the sag from the rear end but with a very limited budget and some patience, I'm sure she'll be looking the way I want her to.

I've got Light Racing UCA's waiting for her but I'm holding off until I can acquire some Dakars or Expos. I'd like to keep things simple for the time being but ultimately I'd like to make a desert runner that isn't afraid of some weight. Time and money will tell what will happen


Please let me know what you guys think about the tires/wheels cause I think there's too much going on. Maybe flip the tires or remove the ring? I'm in Socal and if any of you fellas have word on some springs i'd be most grateful. Otherwise, hope to see you guys out there!

 

Welcome to the Madhouse!!! Something doesn't look right with your grill.

 

Yeah, it's an aftermarket 2 piece grill missing 1 piece.

 

ahh that's it. Thank you. I'm no expert or anything but I knew enough to say that much.

 

Haha, yep one of the many, many things that make it special.

Thanks for the welcome.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to tw

 

Welcome to the TW

 

Howdy

 

Welcome aboard,don;t worry you will get her to where you want her eventually. If it were mine I would lose the ring and put the lettering to the inside ,but you do what you think looks good either way nice looking rig.