looking to put together a vehicle for the desert

[Reichek]

Dear People, I am looking to put together a vehicle for the desert. In contacting Toyota, I have found they do not make a Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 with a long bed and the TRD OFF ROAD package. I want to be able to sleep in the back in case of bad climate weather. I want to put a shell on it and build a bed platform (sectioned for access) and with long drawer slides and drawers underneath. I cannot find out why they do not make the Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 with the TRD OFF ROAD package. Does anyone know why or who I could get in touch with to find out? Does anyone know if I get a Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 with, or without, the TRD SPORTS package who in California or Nevada could professionally retrofit it to become the equivalent of the TRD OFF ROAD package or why I should not go down that path? There are other things I would want installed on the vehicle so I am looking for a shop that specializes in customizing vehicles for off road who has experience with doing Tacoma's.. I appreciate any thoughts and or help.

Regards, Joshua

[n9emz]

I was always curious about that. You could refit the suspension components for cheap....nearly everyone who's done aftermarket coilover and leaf suspension upgrades sell their take-off components for a song. The E-locker is a different story. I've seen a few stock diffy units for sale for about the same price as what you could expect in going with the ARB air locker. I've heard both can/can't special order the E-locker via the dealer. The only other significant difference is 17" wheels for the Sport; 16s on the O/R and relative tire sizes.

The big question is, general desert off road, advanced-hardcore desert off road wheeling, or desert racing use? However, all the suspension refits can be done via DIY efforts regardless, and the only reason to shop it out would be you don't mind burning the extra dollars.

Plenty of Left Coast shops/private builders who will be glad to take your money and give you a quality build.

[Reichek]

dear n9emz,

Thank you for the response. It is much appreciated.

My local Toyota dealers say they cannot get the E-locker for the TRD OFF ROAD.

I am interested in advanced desert off road such as the passage between the Eureka dunes and Saline in Death Valley and similar passages off road in Nevada.

If you have it, I would appreciate a specific recommendation for a professional shop who has experience building customized off road vehicles hopefully with experience with the Tacoma...

Thanks for your help so far.

[n9emz]

Pick one: Shop Links

With the money you have to spend, I wouldn't hesitate making an appointment with these folks. They have all the parts required and will build to your specifications/requirements:

Camburg Engineering Inc.
7409 Slater Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714 848-8880 phone
714 848-1844 fax

Folks are doing the areas you mentioned with basically stock Tacos. I'd have no qualms doing them with my truck. My truck was built by 4wp - Parma, OH. I'm not normally high on recommending 4wp generally, but officers in my club manage and wrench at Parma. I've trusted my life to them for years, so I can trust them with my truck. Plus, with my discounts, I got the parts and installation cheaper than purchasing the parts alone from other sources.

What you need to do to your truck isn't rocket science, so wherever you take it you'll most likely get quality service.

Good luck and regards,

[Reichek]

Dear n9emz,

Much Thanks. I will check them out this coming week.

Regards, Joshua

[n9emz]

Hey, Joshua....any progress?

How about kindly keeping us up to speed.

[Reichek]

I have recently spent some time doing research into the question of putting together a vehicle for the desert. My current conclusions are:

The best base vehicle for my purposes is a Toyota Tacoma double cab 4x4 with a long bed (for a shell to put a raised bed in) and TRD off road package. I have spoken to a number of different regional dealers (Northern California, Southern California, Texas, Chicago, and Georgia). Toyota does not make such a vehicle. The ARB Aftermarket air locker is not "yet" available for the Taco double cab long bed 4x4 recent/current model year. Toyota may possibly, if there is enough interest, consider making available the TRD off road package next year or the year after on Taco. double cab long bed 4x4s.

BTW, the best shell for my purposes appears to be: A.R.E. : Manufacturer of fiberglass pick-up truck caps, tops, toppers, camper shells, canopies, hard tonneau covers, work caps and truck accessories. MX series with: win-doors with a sliding window and screen option (2), fabric headliner, interior clothes rods (2), tilt down front window, interior lights.


J