Box Rocket '03 DC Tacoma Build
- Thread starter Box Rocket
- Start date
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Never realized there was a competition going on...except at maybe the Overland Expo.
No reason to feel a need to "one up" anyone. Just find a rig that works for what you want to do and build it to fit your needs. That is all.
Rattler
Thornton Melon's Kid
Move here. Tacomas are a rare commodity. People look at mine and don't know what the hell it is. Chevys and GMCs are the belly buttons.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
My wheels needed some love. You can see in this photo that the spring/summer wheeling season had taken its toll on them with lots of rockrash.
I needed to spend some time to do it right but didn't want to spend the money on powdercoating. Fortunately my 80 series isn't being driven right now so I pulled the 35's off the cruiser and put them on the Tacoma. I expected lots of rubbing but only had minor rubbing at full lock. I wouldn't wheel with this setup because I'm sure they'd rub badly but on the road they were just fine.
As for my wheels, I went after them with a wire cup brush and stripped them down to bare aluminum. I sprayed them with 2 coats of Rustoleum primer, 3 coats of Rustoleum Gloss Black, and 5 coats of Rustoleum Clear Coat. I made them "Box Rocket" edition wheels with some extra Decals I had. Painted the buttonhead screws with the factory gold color of the truck body.
I needed to spend some time to do it right but didn't want to spend the money on powdercoating. Fortunately my 80 series isn't being driven right now so I pulled the 35's off the cruiser and put them on the Tacoma. I expected lots of rubbing but only had minor rubbing at full lock. I wouldn't wheel with this setup because I'm sure they'd rub badly but on the road they were just fine.
As for my wheels, I went after them with a wire cup brush and stripped them down to bare aluminum. I sprayed them with 2 coats of Rustoleum primer, 3 coats of Rustoleum Gloss Black, and 5 coats of Rustoleum Clear Coat. I made them "Box Rocket" edition wheels with some extra Decals I had. Painted the buttonhead screws with the factory gold color of the truck body.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Currently no. I've been able to do everything I've wanted to do with the 33's. 35's would definitely require tubbing the firewall, regearing the diffs and increases the likelihood of broken CVs. At this point it's not worth the effort or expense to go to 35's when my current setup does everything I ask of it.
edit: but I do like the look of the truck with 35's.
Wrek
I’m lost
Definitely not trying to start any type of argument, but I have never understood this reasoning. In my opinion a lot of people owning a specific vehicle is good for multiple reasons. It can mean they are reliable enough that they manage to stay on the road, and most likely there will be an availability of both factory and aftermarket parts for quite some time. Once you buy a vehicle you have the chance to make it your own and adapt it to your needs. That versatility is one of the major reasons that the Tacoma is so popular. Just look at how many different setups Box Rocket has for his truck and it pretty much shows you how much it can change depending on the scenario.
If I could have found a double cab tacoma for as good a deal as I got on my 4runner I would have bought it in an instant.
JoesOutdoors
New member
toyotech
Expedition Leader
im a tech at a toyota dealership and the countless number of mall crawlers i see come in just makes me not a fan. not trying to insult taco owners, its just not a vehicle for me to build up. dont get me wrong, if i find one from some old couple with one that has like 30k miles on it and will to sell for cheap, i would pick it up no problem lol
box rocket taco is sweet. i love what he has done to it. i would be following him more than often on how to build mine if it came down to it.
Wrek
I’m lost
I see what you're saying. You wouldn't be building a mall crawler though, so you don't have to worry about what all the rest of them look like. :beer:
Box Rocket
Well-known member
It's ok. There are already a few guys on Tacoma World copying various parts from my truck. It's flattering I guess but I'm fine if people don't want a Tacoma because "everyone has one". I'm all for trying to be unique. But the Tacoma just works for me. If it was a Land Rover that worked best for me, that's what I'd have, regardless of how many people had one. I'm glad it's not a Land Rover that works best for me because then I'd have to have one and I just don't like them.......:stirringthepot:.......I am a Toyota guy and have been impressed with every Toyota I've owned. I was less impressed with my Land Rover Discover, Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Not trying to start a debate. Just having a little fun.
It's flattering I guess but I'm fine if people don't want a Tacoma because "everyone has one". I'm all for trying to be unique. But the Tacoma just works for me. If it was a Land Rover that worked best for me, that's what I'd have, regardless of how many people had one. I'm glad it's not a Land Rover that works best for me because then I'd have to have one and I just don't like them.......:stirringthepot:.......I am a Toyota guy and have been impressed with every Toyota I've owned. I was less impressed with my Land Rover Discover, Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not trying to start a debate. Just having a little fun.
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
Box Rocket, I really love what you've done with your Taco! To be honest, I'm thinking I'm going to copy your rear bumper for my Nissan. Quick question: which hinge are you using? I think I read in another thread it was this one?
https://www.comp4x4.com/Tire-Carrier-Hinge-Kit-Dual-Shear-Face-Mount.html
https://www.comp4x4.com/Tire-Carrier-Hinge-Kit-Dual-Shear-Face-Mount.html
buffalojay
New member
Box Rocket
Well-known member
That's the one.
Still uncertian when I'll get back to building racks. Life is super busy these days and side jobs like the racks have had to take a backseat. Sorry.