1985 Toyota 4x4 CUSTOM CAB

njtacoma

Explorer
Too me the proportions of the new tacoma double cab long bed look odd, but these are even more out of proportion but somehow work for me!

Not shopping, just admiring.
 

2wheelbob

Adventurer
It took me a little while to come to grips with it as well. It took a local friend to pick one up and allow me a chance to see it in person before I got to like it. Inside the fiberglass extension is a roll bar which adds to the safety. Mine is all stock and looks okay with 235/15's. I've seen a few with big tires and I think it accentuates the odd proportions. I do like mine and have done some mild wheeling without issue as well - Cheers!! Bob
 

speedtre

Explorer
I have an '87 and they are great for hauling kids/dogs/etc and are really good on icy roads due to the long body - Bob

I can't decide if the looks are good or just tolerable simply based on pictures (never seen one in person) but I REALLY like the idea of one. Having owned one, how do you think it would do with an FWC or ATC camper in the bed? Is it up to hauling it around with the 22RE?
 
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2wheelbob

Adventurer
I thought about doing an 'expo' style build on mine when I first got it. I'm not sure if a FWC would have clearance issues with the cab extension as it is about 3-4" taller than the Toyota cab portion. I thought about building a custom bed to allow for fitment of a FWC camper but while I was designing the bed, I stumbled into a '95 T100 4x4 with low miles and changed direction. Mine has the 22R engine which is perfectly suited for the truck. I've hauled dirt bikes/Land Cruiser parts/dump runs up to about 500lbs without issue. The only real negative with the custom cab is the length off road. I've had to do many 3, 4, and sometimes 5 point turns on tight trails to get the extra 3' of wheelbase around switchbacks. That being said, if I was to do a camper set-up, I'd use my T100 with the 3.4 V6. The custom cabs are pretty neat rigs and I've seen a half dozen or so in this area.
 

speedtre

Explorer
I thought about doing an 'expo' style build on mine when I first got it. I'm not sure if a FWC would have clearance issues with the cab extension as it is about 3-4" taller than the Toyota cab portion. I thought about building a custom bed to allow for fitment of a FWC camper but while I was designing the bed, I stumbled into a '95 T100 4x4 with low miles and changed direction. Mine has the 22R engine which is perfectly suited for the truck. I've hauled dirt bikes/Land Cruiser parts/dump runs up to about 500lbs without issue. The only real negative with the custom cab is the length off road. I've had to do many 3, 4, and sometimes 5 point turns on tight trails to get the extra 3' of wheelbase around switchbacks. That being said, if I was to do a camper set-up, I'd use my T100 with the 3.4 V6. The custom cabs are pretty neat rigs and I've seen a half dozen or so in this area.

Thanks for the feedback!
 

surlydiesel

Adventurer
There was one of these on the North Jersey CL for months. Not sure where it got to but I haven't been searching as often recently. Neat but on the East Coast I don't think you can get one without cancer...

-jorge
 

njtacoma

Explorer
I don't know where they originated, but they were pretty common out in the west back in the day. Still see 1-2 per year on the road.
 

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