Would like to introduce myself

[barlowrs]

Hello everyone, I have been lurking, researching and planning here for quite a while, and figure its time to actually introduce myself.

I currently have an 06 Tacoma that I unfortunately LEASED (yes BIG mistake). I have been on the fence about buying it and building it up, or getting a wrangler to build up. The ONLY reason I have ever though about getting rid of her is because the mileage kinda sucks (stock I get about 15mpg) but to be honest, a jeep wouldn’t do any better, and I have ALWAYS loved Tacoma’s (this is my 3rd one). A truck also fits my lifestyle much more (I race motorcycles, so I need to haul my bike a lot). So, I just hit 30K miles, my stock tires are worn out and I figure its time to make a choice (as this will dictate my replacement tire selection).

So, I have decided to buy it outright, and build her up!!!! :wings::victory::wings:

I am just out of school and live in EXPESIVE So Cal, so I don’t have much disposable income, so it will be a VERY slow build, but I hope to share it with you guys and tap into all of your brains. I will most likely be taking more helpful information from you guys than supplying it, so I apologize in advance, but I want to build her right and learn all I can from everyone in the process. And I am sure I will ask many dumb questions, so please go easy on the flaming..haha

So without further ado, I would like to introduce myself, Robert, and my Rig, 06 Tacoma TRD Sport extra cab 6sp 4x4 (Sorry, I just realized I dont have any pics of her yet, only my older rigs). I look forward to officially joining the Expo family (slowly).

I will start a "build thread" soon, though for now it will mostly be "plans" as I have not started much yet.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Looking forward to your build (However slow it may be :ylsmoke!

Don't worry, that Taco of yours will not need much to be well suited to overlanding. I don't know how hard you crawl, but as long as you stay away from the extreme stuff, you should be in good shape.

Welcome... and no need to apologize... forums are for asking questions and discussing things... and there isn't much flaming around here!

 

[zolo]

Welcome to the Portal!!!
This is the place for good info on the 05+ Tacoma.
I second on the no need to apologize. Ask away. There are a zillion different ways and ideas running around this place.

What type of motorcycles to you race? Dirt bikes or Tarmac track type stuff?

 

[Scott Brady]

Welcome!

A Toyota Tacoma needs very little for serious travel. Honestly, I would spend any disposable income you have on gas for travel

I took mine to baja with temp. plates on it!

 

[tacollie]

With good tires a stock Tacoma can be a great means to get out.

 

[barlowrs]

Welcome to the Portal!!!
This is the place for good info on the 05+ Tacoma.
I second on the no need to apologize. Ask away. There are a zillion different ways and ideas running around this place.

What type of motorcycles to you race? Dirt bikes or Tarmac track type stuff?

Road Racing. I run a Yamaha R6, not pro or anything close to that, just a hobby. The truck fulfills my need to be outdoors, and bike fullfills my need for speed :bike_rider: (that was very Top gun sounding).

I used to ride dirtbikes growing up, but no expeiditon type things to bring to the table here, just screwing around back home with friends out in the redwoods. Use quads back home on the ranch as well as work horses

 

[barlowrs]

Looking forward to your build (However slow it may be :ylsmoke!

Don't worry, that Taco of yours will not need much to be well suited to overlanding. I don't know how hard you crawl, but as long as you stay away from the extreme stuff, you should be in good shape.

Welcome!

A Toyota Tacoma needs very little for serious travel. Honestly, I would spend any disposable income you have on gas for travel

With good tires a stock Tacoma can be a great means to get out.

I agree on that one! Just becuase I had not decided to keep it, it didn't stop me from wheeling the piss out of it (well as much as I can in so cal)..haha, nothing super hard, just mainly fire roads, and some slightly more challanging things, but she ALWAYS got me there and back, never once got stuck. :smiley_drive:Though, without a winch, I was careful not to get myself into tough situations.
Suprisingly, I actually was able to crawl up a few technical areas that a group of wranglers were having trouble with (I figued the front solid axel gave them a clear advantage). They were quite inpressed with the tacoma after that..haha :wings:

I was originally unsure about the capabilities compared to my 04 Taco (with the larger size and all the horror stories) but she has proven to be QUITE capable, more reason to keep her and reward her with all kinds of fun addons! :victory:

 

[Overland Hadley]

Welcome Robert!

 

[barlowrs]

Thanks for the welcomes. Hopefully soon I will have enough money to START my VERY slow build, then I can have my very own build thread! haha :smiley_drive:

 

[Willman]

Welcome to the ExPo Robert!

I would like to add to what Scott said......Full tank of gas and food in the cooler....Thats all you need!

Your rig sounds like a great starting point for a rig!

Look forward to your build.

 

[DaveM]

Ditto what every one else siad. The taco is a great platform stock and why I chose it. Previous to this I have always been a Land Crusier guy and am amazed by how well my 2003 DC Taco preforms relative to my old LCs. The only mod I have made so far is to invest in the largest tires I can fit without a lift. The rest of my money goes into making sure I have a decent camp kit, food and fuel.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34995

 

[Mr. Leary]

Suprisingly, I actually was able to crawl up a few technical areas that a group of wranglers were having trouble with (I figued the front solid axel gave them a clear advantage). They were quite inpressed with the tacoma after that..haha :wings:

Tacos will outclimb jeeps all day long... its the wheelbase. Tacos just need more lift to keep up on the really bumpy stuff.