Box Rocket '03 DC Tacoma Build

[Box Rocket]

Also, im curious to know how many MPG you pull out of your Taco with that setup?

Thanks a lot!

Sam

I haven't noticed much a a change since the skidplates went on. But I'm usually around 17mpg these days....20 on a good day

 

[Box Rocket]

Had a good time last month playing in Moab and testing out the new skids etc. They took some abuse but everything held up well.

The results:

All in all, very happy with the protection.

Lastly a couple updates. I'm still working on getting a winch setup together. I haven't made a final winch selection yet but I picked up a TG fairlead. I'm shooting for a winch setup that tops out around 50 lbs. We'll see how close I can get.

Also did a little camping last weekend. Good times

campsite to the right of the rocks

 

[Box Rocket]

So I guess this counts as an "expo" mod since it's important to me to be able to take my family along. We got suprised a few years ago when trying for our third child and we went from two to four. Ever since we had our twins it's been tricky taking the whole family. Fortunately I've had my Land Cruiser that fits all of it but I've been thinking about how to make the Tacoma more usable for the family. Well the last week i created the solution.

I found some junkyard bucket seats from a Suzuki Reno that are suprisingly comfortable for seats coming out of an economy car. At least they are MUCH better than that crappy stock Toyota seats in the Tacoma. Anyway as luck would have it the seat rails were the same width so I cut the feet off the Toyota seats and welded them to the Suzuki seats and in they went. Better adjustability, little taller which is good for me, and more comfy. That allowed me to use the stock seats for another project.

I built a frame from some 1.5" square tube, added some seat belts and welded the stock seats to the frame. They still have full slides and can recline too. I can turn the whole setup around to be either forward or reverse facing. Now my two older kids can ride in the back and my twins will ride in the back seat. Finally another option for the whole family if the Cruiser is out of commission.

I thought it would be noisy (and it is a little more noisy than the cab) but it's not bad at all as suprisingly comfortable back there. My wife even approved. So for me a full success. Next step is to build a rollcage for safety that will fit under the Snugtop, and then I can also remove the topper and run a bikini top.

Suzuki seats in the front of the truck

Factory seats in the bed.

 

[TangoBlue]

Very clever!

Personally, I would have used ratchet straps on the kids, but if you insist on molly-coddling them, who am I to criticize...

 

[austintaco]

I would have never thought that Suzuki Reno seats would have been such a great fit. Very cool...as usual.

 

[Box Rocket]

I would have never thought that Suzuki Reno seats would have been such a great fit. Very cool...as usual.

Neither did I. It was pure dumb luck. I went looking for seat to put in the bed and really didn't care about anything other than width so they would fit between the wheel wells. Once I got the Suzuki seats home and looked at them closer I realized they are a good option for a seat swap. So I really just kinda stumbled onto these being a possibility.

 

[sfsmedic]

Nice looking track. For those of you that don't have access to discarded Air Force stuff, Hi Lift makes the Slide-N-Lock system that works great. Sorry for the hijack.

Just reading through this thread. Great build btw. I wanted to point out that you can go to any marine boating supply store that sells new or USED (!!!) and buy track systems like this in various lengths and sizes.


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[Box Rocket]

Just reading through this thread. Great build btw. I wanted to point out that you can go to any marine boating supply store that sells new or USED (!!!) and buy track systems like this in various lengths and sizes.

Yep I'm aware that there are a variety of track systems available that are pretty easy to find. The track system I used was one that was given to me and somewhat unique. Thanks though

 

[sfsmedic]

I recognized yours right away and it stirred great memories from when I was AF air crew. Great find right there.


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[2025 deleted member]

Before you know it someone will call the child welfare office cause your kids are riding in the bed of your truck. Can't have any fun these days!

 

[Box Rocket]

Before you know it someone will call the child welfare office cause your kids are riding in the bed of your truck. Can't have any fun these days!

Shouldn't be a problem. I looked at all my local laws and the way I've got it is all on the up and up.

 

[Box Rocket]

I have some photo updates. I gave the truck a good cleaning last week and had the camera with me when I went for a bike ride so i stopped and took a bunch of photos since the truck was clean. Here's some of those.

 

[Box Rocket]

went for a quick family drive on the weekend on a short local trail. did a little flexing of the suspension and took some photos.

all 4 kids loaded up for some fun

IFS flex !

Dakars dont flex too bad Maybe I need to lower my bumpstops, but the shock wasn't bottoming out.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Sexxxxxy

 

[cam-shaft]

Looking good! You guys must be busy, 3 boys I believe and one little girl, my wife and I are busy with just two boys running wild. Is that your front sway bar stored in the back undercarriage of your truck tied up with some zippies?

Cam-shaft.