Sort of New to TW

Hello all,

I have been browsing TW for nearly a year now, about the time I started to research the possibility of getting my first Tacoma.

By brief bio:

My first truck was a 87' Toyota pickup that I pretty much managed to tear apart and rebuild all on my own. Including an engine rebuild after spinning a crank bearing at the age of 16, and a transmission swap soon after (4 speed to a 5 speed). This truck will always be one of my favorite vehicles, and if I found it today, I would probably buy it back in a hear beat.

Anyways, now I have a 2014 Toyota Tacoma, double cab, short bed, TRD off-road, and I never plan on getting rid of this truck. I purchased it last November in Washington state, where I was living at the time, and have recently gotten married and moved to Iowa. While in Washington, it was much easier to off-road and explore, but I am looking forward to the many adventures that the Midwest holds.

About my truck. I haven't really done anything to it yet, as I have a mountain of debt to pay off after getting my mechanical engineering degree. Engineering is definitely a passion of mine, but automotive stuff will always be my go to hobby and joy. But below is a few pictures of what I have done so far. I managed to get a canopy off craigstlist, which I have then turned into a simple camper. Underneath I store just about anything that I might need while out on the road, and when I am not packing all my gear, it gives my dogs a more comfortable place to ride.

Trips with my truck so far. This truck is only 11 months old and already has nearly 16k miles. I have driven the entire west coast from Washington to Socal, then all around SW Colorado and Utah, as well as covered most of Washington and Oregon state. Also, moving to the Midwest this summer while hauling a maxed out uhaul trailer. The truck didn't enjoy it as much as my old f150, but it still survived, and that's what Toyotas do best.

I look forward to following this forum and updating everyone on the adventures I have with my beloved truck. Plans for the future consist of a 4" lift, ARB bumper, rack on the canopy, rock sliders, TRD Sema wheels, lighting in the camper, light bar in the bumper, rock lights all the way around, diff breathers, snorkel, and eventually a custom exhaust. (good thing my wife is in med school).

Thanks and feel free to ask questions, as I am sure I will have many in the future.

 

Welcome! I like the platform and the way it hides all of your gear.

 

Thanks. It works pretty well for being decently cheap. I suppose someday I will figure out someway to organize all my gear underneath. Not sure if I want to do fixed compartments or just get some thin tubs that slide under. We'll see.

 

Also, here are a few more pictures of the adventures I have had with this truck so far.


New Truck!!


New Truck and New Dog, meet Finnegan everyone.


Camping in NE Oregon at -4 deg.






Trip down the Cali coast




We like to camp


First time off road... I had new truck syndrome pretty bad.


When I got the canopy


When I first installed my camping platform.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome.