VinceDee
New member
I finally bought a worthy truck last Sunday, and I'm looking forward to building it into a respectable expedition rig. It started life as your basic 99 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 x-cab. Miguel, the previous owner, swapped the IFS for a solid axle, then built it into a very capable rock crawler. I don't even want to think about how much effort (and money) went into this truck to this point. And I'm about to put more (for details about what's already on the truck, click here).
This was the truck a few days before I took possession of it. Nicely built, and a fantastic base for what I ultimately want. In an ideal world, it would have included an automatic transmission and power windows/locks, but I can live without those amenities for now.
I want this rig to be a comfortable road trip vehicle that can explore almost any trail on demand. In order to bring my wife along, the rig has to be relatively quiet and comfortable. I also have to be able to convert it to a Home Depot runner when back home. Finally, it needs to have the range and capability to caravan for days. That's a lot to ask for one vehicle. As such, I realize that I'm going to have to compromise. My philosophy with this build is this: Start with a very well done rock crawler capable truck; Outfit it so that it's as quiet and comfortable as is reasonable on the highway; Add expedition equipment and tools as necessary for each anticipated trip. Eventually build longer term amenities into it, borrowing ideas (and using a few of my own).
I've already spent some time during my first week of ownership doing a few things to the rig that are more to my liking, so I'll add new posts for those.
-Vince
ps: more pics attached
This was the truck a few days before I took possession of it. Nicely built, and a fantastic base for what I ultimately want. In an ideal world, it would have included an automatic transmission and power windows/locks, but I can live without those amenities for now.
I want this rig to be a comfortable road trip vehicle that can explore almost any trail on demand. In order to bring my wife along, the rig has to be relatively quiet and comfortable. I also have to be able to convert it to a Home Depot runner when back home. Finally, it needs to have the range and capability to caravan for days. That's a lot to ask for one vehicle. As such, I realize that I'm going to have to compromise. My philosophy with this build is this: Start with a very well done rock crawler capable truck; Outfit it so that it's as quiet and comfortable as is reasonable on the highway; Add expedition equipment and tools as necessary for each anticipated trip. Eventually build longer term amenities into it, borrowing ideas (and using a few of my own).
I've already spent some time during my first week of ownership doing a few things to the rig that are more to my liking, so I'll add new posts for those.
-Vince
ps: more pics attached
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