The Infamous "Tony The Taco" Build

Had my Taco for going on 8 1/2 years now, and I figure what the hell, build thread time. As a friend had to name her, or him I should say, this is the Infamous "Tony" the Taco. Rewind to April 2009, dad had a leased 2007 Tundra in both his and my mothers name. Divorce struck, so it was time to say goodbye. That's when "Tony" the Taco was born. (Niceness of my dad getting rid of the tundra and me buying Tony and keeping on his insurance). Will post the pics in order as mods happened.

Mod list:
17x9 xd revolver matte black
285/70/17 radar renegade r7 m/t
1.25" spacers(front only)
Pioneer double din
Borla Catback exhaust
OEM roof rack
Reese cross bars
Reese roof basket
Curt class IV receiver hitch
LED dome light
LED DRLs
Husky Floor Liners
Front camo seat covers
Plastidip emblems
Front&Rear Paracord "Oh Shit" handles
4.10 rear gearing
BHLM headlights
Formula Motoring CAI (snorkel coming soon)
ARE MX series. White but dipped black
Iron Cross Side Steps
2011 trd sport grille
Pro Comp Stage 1 6 inch kit

Plans soon enough:
Wilco Hitchgate Solo Standard High Clearance
XD Revolver matching spare
Aftermarket transmission cooler
7-pin towing hookup(have it, just have to wire)
Alternator from towing package


First pic: Day 1. Drove her around for a long time without any mods and then in January 2011, a man ran a red light and I was t-boned. Thought for sure it was totaled, turned out it wasn't. 3 months later I got the taco back.

To my stupidity I put a thrush glasspack run to duals on it. Sounded ok, glad it's gone. Then in October 2011, bam, I hit a deer. Ruins the front end, and breaks the exhaust. Get that fixed and I end up running straight pipe to dual exits(loud and about to say bye bye)

Also in October 2011, I got my xd revolver wheels with 245/70/17 Goodyear wrangler sra(worst tire in exsistance).

October 2012 I got my pioneer double din, which I installed myself and I couldn't be happier with the setup. Sounds amazing with stock speakers and I love the Bluetooth capabilities for music.

December 2012, for Christmas, I got an OEM roof rack along with n-fab side steps. It's amazing what these 2 mods did for the look of the taco! I love them both!

October 2013, my goodyears are worn beyond belief and I wanted to go bigger. So being on a budget in college, I got a readylift 3" spacer with 285/70/17 cooper at3's. loved the look and it rode great for having such large tires after trimming everything up a a bit. After a short while, my leafs started to sage and I was tired of staring at the clouds, so I got a 1" block and icon u-bolts on a good deal from a fellow member. They leveled it out decent but they won't be on there much longer anyway.

After these mods, just over time I added other mods. Here recently I added the Reese crossbars and Reese roof basket. Also at the same time, I put LED DRL's in her.

All in All, I couldn't be happier with my taco. I don't anticipate ever getting rid of it, and I've had crazy offers than no one would ever refuse. Except me!

Repairs done over the years(including accident and deer collision):
Front bumper: 3 replacements
Headlights: 2 replacements
Grille: 2 replacements
Driver door
Driver front fender
Driver front wheels
Driver front suspensions(everything)
Starter
Alternator
Battery

Maintenance done over the years:
24 oils changes
1 rear diff fluid change
1 spark plug change
6 sets of tires











Also guys, any mods that you have that you like or mods you think would look great on my truck, throw the ideas to me! PM or post either way, always looking for that next mod!!!

 

Did the people that offered the crazy offers know that it had been wrecked?

 

Believe it or not, yes. I've had a few offers from friends so they of course knew. I actually had a pretty high offer from the guy that was with me in the accident one time too. I can't bring myself to let it go though lol

 

Subbed af! Great looking timberland mica!

 

Thank you! And it's nowhere near complete! I don't think I'll ever fully finish building!

 

This weekend plans: install bestop, install BLHM headlights, spark plug job, and possibly gonna plastidip the chrome rear bumper and recoat my emblems!

 

Well unfortunately the weekend was quite busy, so this week I just got the spark plug job done. Also, got my paracord "oh shit" handles in today for my 2 front a-pillars courtesy of @08yoter! If you guys are looking for a cool, cheap interior mod, they are definately the way to go! Got a green that almost matches my exterior with gray to match the interior! Love them already!

 

Welp in 4 hours I'll be en route to Georgia to install my 4:10 third member, pick up the 285/75/16 BFG's, and pick up my Borla exhaust! All courtesy of @brandonlamb25!

 

Woooo Georgia time!!!

 

We need pics of the 285s once you get them installed!

 

Definately! I've got 285/70/17 Radar Renegade R7 M/T's in it now wrapped around 17x9 Matte black XD Revolvers but I'll be wrapping the BFG's around the stock steelies you see in the first post.

 

Sweet! Im very interested to see how they look on the steelies. I dig the OEM wheels with bigger tires look. I went with FJ cruiser wheels on my timberland mica and i want to go up to 285s but i have a 2.7 so i will most likely need to regear before that can happen

 

I hated my steel wheels at first. Now I like the OEM with mud tires look. So I'm excited to he then put on. Third member swap went smooth and I'm en route home with the tires, exhaust, and a 4:10 geared rear!

 

Tomorrow morning comes the BFG 285/75/16 with stock steel wheels!

 

I do like those FJ wheels myself especially in the timberland mica. I would definately suggest a regear with a 2.7. I didn't feel too sluggish whenever I went with a 285 and actually never planned to do a regear. But the guy I bought all my new suspension parts from asked if I wanted to even trade my stock 3.73 for his 4.10, so it was offer I couldn't refuse and i can definately feel the power that I lost now. It drives much better and doesn't feel like it's having to pull with all its might to turn them anymore.

 

Nice! Did you trade the front clamshell out with him as well? A regear is definitely in my future, im just not sure when so ill probably be running the 265/70/17s that came on my fj wheels for a while. I think that a regear will also help with all the added weight on my truck.. right now its a bit of a dog. I couldnt imagine what itd be like with the 4spd auto behind the 4cyl. The 5spd makes it doable but it definitely makes the truck work up in the hills where i live

 

He was a prerunner so he just had the third member. So right now, I'm a Prerunner until I get the front done lol. I'd say the regear will help with the weight as well. I have noticed a difference when pulling my trailer, which I'd say is essentially like your added weight in essence. You'll definately be happy with a regear. I would never own a 4cyl truck with an auto trans. My friend had a 86 22re 4x4 with an auto and it was almost indrivable in my opinion. Absolutely terrible

 

Sweet! Thanks for the feedback regarding the extra weight. I also have to agree completely with you regarding the 4cyl and auto. My dad has a 2014 dcsb with the 4cyl and the auto and i absolutely hate driving that thing. Its completely stock and i think my heavy 5spd would give it a run for its money

 

Anytime man. I'll give you any info you need, to the best of my knowledge.

I've never figured out how anyone can drive a 4cyl auto truck comforably. A 4cyl car, I see differently. I have a 2010 Camry that I use to commute to work and it has more power then I would have ever guessed in a Camry and it's a 4cyl auto.

 

Well the pics are a day late, but here's the 285 BFG's on my stock steelies! Never thought I'd ever put them back on, but I'm actually very satisfied with the look! Gonna take the rear Center's off because the fronts won't go back on with the spacers and the tire shop still put the backs on anyway.

On one note, no rubbing whatsoever now! My aftermarkets rubbed just a little on the drivers side and now none at all! Feels great not to rub plastic for a little while!