...you’re a bad influence. You know who you are, strutting around and showing illicit pics of those little harlots you guys keep all fancied up. I don’t want to look, but I just can’t help myself and its causing me grief. I…I…I find myself thinking about selling my LJ and replacing him with a 1st gen Tacoma. Oh the shame, the shame.
I love my Jeep; the Mouser has been a bonnie companion and taken me to some cool places and fun events. But it’s a weekend toy, not a long distant explorer. The gas mileage is not wonderful at 13mpg average; it runs OK on the interstate but is not a relaxing ride. Start adding sleeping platforms, camping gear, roof racks and our Maggie RTT and the gas mileage goes even further down and so does the drivability. As a weekend rambler and trail runner it’s fun and wonderful, but to set it up as a ready adventure machine that I can drive to anywhere in the country at a moment’s notice and the Mouser shows it’s limitations.
And that’s what Michelle and I want; one dedicated vehicle that we can escape in at a moment’s notice. My Tundra and the set-up we use is awesome but with the Tundra work comes first and it can’t be a dedicated adventure rig. Also the Tundra, while not a true full-size, is a big truck. There are places we go that it just doesn’t fit and the aftermarket for Tundras is light. Even more so for a DC model. But what if we could replicate this set-up with a smaller, more nimble truck that has all the aftermarket goodies available to the Jeep and that are hard to find for a DC 1st gen Tundra? So this is the genesis of peeking over at those Tacomas.
Here’s what I envision…a nice 1st Gen Taco extended cab in any color than white. Keep it at the stock height or with minimal lift, but with heavier duty springs to compensate for the travel load out. Mount subtle armor front, rear and sides that is functional but keeps the weight down. Mount a tonneau cover and lower rack system like the one on my Tundra both to conceal the bed transported gear and to mount our Magglionia Extreme Rtt just above bed level and below the cab height. This means it will fit in the garage door and keep a more aerodynamic profile. Next put a nice set of aggressive all terrains on a set of blacked out rims and go exploring. Add to the rear of the seat our fridge and some gun racks and we have a travelling and hunting machine. Picture in your head the set-up below but on a smaller toy...
So what’s holding me back? We still love the Mouser, my kids especially. Driving down the road, top down, Jeep waves flying it just brings a smile to your face. Then there are the Tacoma’s short comings…the seating position and the lackluster performance. Yeah, I’m sure the V6 is fine but I’m an old street racer and I needs me some umph under my right foot. But some troublemaker has gotten me thinking about an LS1 swap into a first gen Tacoma and the wheels of mischief started turning in my brain. Set a 1st gen up the way we want and if we like it but need more power drop in the V8 and go hunting Tundras.
A couple of questions though..How long is the bed on a 1st gen Taco and how deep are the bedside?
Now all I got to do is fall out of love with my Jeep…of course if i do sell it my daughter will kill me.
This is a repost after a forum error occured on the orginal.
I love my Jeep; the Mouser has been a bonnie companion and taken me to some cool places and fun events. But it’s a weekend toy, not a long distant explorer. The gas mileage is not wonderful at 13mpg average; it runs OK on the interstate but is not a relaxing ride. Start adding sleeping platforms, camping gear, roof racks and our Maggie RTT and the gas mileage goes even further down and so does the drivability. As a weekend rambler and trail runner it’s fun and wonderful, but to set it up as a ready adventure machine that I can drive to anywhere in the country at a moment’s notice and the Mouser shows it’s limitations.
And that’s what Michelle and I want; one dedicated vehicle that we can escape in at a moment’s notice. My Tundra and the set-up we use is awesome but with the Tundra work comes first and it can’t be a dedicated adventure rig. Also the Tundra, while not a true full-size, is a big truck. There are places we go that it just doesn’t fit and the aftermarket for Tundras is light. Even more so for a DC model. But what if we could replicate this set-up with a smaller, more nimble truck that has all the aftermarket goodies available to the Jeep and that are hard to find for a DC 1st gen Tundra? So this is the genesis of peeking over at those Tacomas.
Here’s what I envision…a nice 1st Gen Taco extended cab in any color than white. Keep it at the stock height or with minimal lift, but with heavier duty springs to compensate for the travel load out. Mount subtle armor front, rear and sides that is functional but keeps the weight down. Mount a tonneau cover and lower rack system like the one on my Tundra both to conceal the bed transported gear and to mount our Magglionia Extreme Rtt just above bed level and below the cab height. This means it will fit in the garage door and keep a more aerodynamic profile. Next put a nice set of aggressive all terrains on a set of blacked out rims and go exploring. Add to the rear of the seat our fridge and some gun racks and we have a travelling and hunting machine. Picture in your head the set-up below but on a smaller toy...
So what’s holding me back? We still love the Mouser, my kids especially. Driving down the road, top down, Jeep waves flying it just brings a smile to your face. Then there are the Tacoma’s short comings…the seating position and the lackluster performance. Yeah, I’m sure the V6 is fine but I’m an old street racer and I needs me some umph under my right foot. But some troublemaker has gotten me thinking about an LS1 swap into a first gen Tacoma and the wheels of mischief started turning in my brain. Set a 1st gen up the way we want and if we like it but need more power drop in the V8 and go hunting Tundras.
A couple of questions though..How long is the bed on a 1st gen Taco and how deep are the bedside?
Now all I got to do is fall out of love with my Jeep…of course if i do sell it my daughter will kill me.
This is a repost after a forum error occured on the orginal.
Last edited:
