| Before
OK, we're going to come clean: we nearly screwed this one up. Our goal for this month's Fantastic Four was to lower an '04 Tacoma and improve the performance of its 3.4L V-6. We called up a local shop, Department of Customz, to handle the build. Since they are known for complete car restorations, custom metalwork, and paint, we knew they were more than capable of handling a little bolt-on makeover. We were all ready to get down to business when we realized that the 2WD Tacoma we were starting with was a PreRunner. We didn't know because the owner didn't tell us. The owner didn't tell us because we didn't ask. We completely forgot that 2WD Tacoma PreRunners use 4WD running gear, minus the transfer case and front axle, so we never thought to specify with the owner. Oops. That meant that our lowering kit was a no-go. After some calls and parts runs, we were able to salvage our Fantastic Four. Since the truck owner used the truck to haul parts and motorcycles, a lift was out of the question, as we didn't want to make the owner buy new ramps or pull a muscle wrestling a 400-pound bike into the bed. Instead, we focused on other means to improve on the looks. A few phone calls to ICCE Wheels and Continental Tires were made and our new parts were on their way. We also ordered some dress-up items from ANZO USA and a complete detail kit from Mothers to really make the truck look great. In the meantime, Matt and Tom at Department of Customz put the Tacoma on the lift and got to work giving the 3.4L V-6 some better breathing with a K&N FIPK and a MagnaFlow exhaust.
From The Driver SeatFor all of you Tacoma owners out there, we made a big mistake so you don't have to. If you have a PreRunner, we hope you enjoy the stock suspension, because you're pretty much stuck with it, unless you want to lift it. That's what we're here for, to spend money and waste time so you don't have to.
| After
Immediately after getting behind the wheel of the Tacoma we realized that the throttle response was much improved. The truck wanted to bolt off the line. Our very technical, highly-calibrated seat-of-the-pants dyno told us that the truck was indeed benefiting from the increase in airflow thanks to the intake and exhaust. Saying the new wheels and tires made a difference in the way the Taco looked would be a huge understatement. Thanks to the Continental tires: more grip, better cornering, and less road noise were all felt by our driver. The ICCE wheels impress us every time we see them and the black/brushed combo is completely sick. Up font, the ANZO USA lights fit and look like OE, only with a hint of custom thanks to the black backing. Out back, the LED third brakelight is ultra bright and simply screwed into place. Whereas we weren't able to alter the suspension, we did make the `Yota look and perform better.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Parts Used: ANZO black crystal headlight part #121190 $244.95 ANZO smoked LED 3rd brake light #531013 $189.73 Continental 275/45R20 ContiCrossContact UHP ${{{300}}} (each) I.C.C.E. OTR wheels $368 (each) K&N FIPK #{{{57}}}-9015-1 $267.95 MagnaFlow stainless steel cat-back exhaust #15811 $453.95 Mothers Detail Kit $45.00
Total: $3,873.58Prices from summit.com, superbuytires.com, autoanything.com and discounttire.com
