- Tell us your story about becoming a 4x4 enthusiast and why you chose a 3rd Gen Tacoma. What are your plans and goals for your truck?
So I purchased my Taco as a means of transportation and for its versatility. It's technically the first truck I've ever owned! Well, except for a little Mazda B2500 that I had for maybe 6 months, but I think that's more of a car than a truck. I chose the Tacoma because I needed something reliable that could withstand the daily drive to and from work but also wanted something that could tow a small race car trailer to and from the track. An added benefit was it's 4 wheel drive and small footprint which would be perfect for off roading. Little did I know just how much I would love the traversing terrain- Pretty sure this truck saw more dirt, snow, sand, rain, and sleet within its first 1000 miles than any truck within 500 miles (especially being in Southern California!). I put this thing through the ringer and then some. Also, I may have accidentally misjudged some woops and jumped it once.. or twice.
Whoops.
Originally I planned on buying a used Taco and went searching far and wide for the perfect one. In an attempt to see what a new Toyota Dealership had for used inventory, I stopped in. Unfortunately, they didn't have much of what I was looking for in a used truck, especially at their price points.. Yikes.
However, parked right outside in the main drive on my way in, I passed this beauty. I couldn't help but to stare at it- It was an amazing truck. Aggressive in all the right ways and something about the color scheme and the non-standard TRD SEMA wheels wrapped in Nitto Terra Grapplers just made me fall in love.
After a quick look over, and then a look at the window sticker.. I shook my head, snapped this photo, and walked away into the dealer. There was NO way I was going to be able to get this truck. Not with that price. Fast forward about twenty minutes, the salesman takes me around the lot showing me what they have. As stated before, nothing to note. I accepted my defeat and knew my next step was to move on back to the used car dealers. Or so I thought.
The salesman was showing me around and said, "You know what? Hang on one second." and was gone in a heartbeat. A few minutes later, he grabs my attention and drags me outside to the drive, keys in hand for the cement colored beauty. Test drive? Why not! I'm in. Lets go. We unlock the truck, I jump in the driver seat and just take it all in. One mile on the dash- new car smell, of course. It's got all the right pieces with no unnecessary extras- everything I wanted and nothing more. Well, except for the fancy TRD shift knob. Of course that's a $495 option on its own. Ouch. We track out to the gas station top drop a gallon or two, "You're gonna love this truck." - And he was right. We clock a few miles on the truck and head back to the dealer. I'm firm that I can't get the truck. No way.
Well... I guess I wasn't that firm. After some back and forth that day and then haggling for literally another two weeks, I was the proud owner of my first real 4x4 Truck! A 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 Offroad in Cement Gray with all the goodies I ever wanted and the same 3 miles on it as when I left.
And now, after a year of ownership and many miles of offroad fun, the truck has been everything I've asked for and more. It's taken me to some of the highest peaks in Southern California, out to the sandy Dunes of Glamis, up to throw roosts around Pismo Beach, conquered snowy trails in Big Bear, cheerfully guided me up and down the west coast to visit family in Washington state while including some offroading on the way to conquer a mountain or two through Oregon, and even pulled our new camping trailer up and down mountain trails for some of the best camping (glamping?) I've ever experienced.
My goal for this truck is to build it into a lightweight offroad beast that can tackle the dunes with some semblance of speed while also furthering its ability to conquer undulations and rocky terrain to get me to as many peaks as I can find.
With nearly 20 years in the automotive racing industry spent building tons of engines and track cars, I'm glad to be in a truck where I can not only expand my knowledge for this type of platform, but I can also expand my mind and my appreciation for the outdoors.
I hope to continue sharing my adventures and my knowledge with my fellow enthusiasts as I go. Pay it forward, as they say!
- What is something you learned by browsing the Tacoma3G.com Forum?
With the help of the forum, I've learned what tires I want to run, how to fit them, and how to fit even bigger ones in the future
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- If you win, do you want the front bumper, rear bumper, or rock sliders?
I would be most interested in the rock sliders to replace my predator tube steps! Something with utility makes more sense and- lets be honest- those sliders are bad ASS.
Ps, sorry for too many pics.
tacoma3g.com
