I have a '93 Toyota Xtra Cab 4x4 Dlx that I've driven for about 10 years, now. It's finally gotten to the point where I'm not eager to test its components for yet another Colorado-to-Idaho trip.

So I'm queuing up a new truck, and taking the '93 to the shop for a total refit, starting with the 3.0-to-3.4 conversion and ending I know not where.

The new rig is a lease on the 2012 version of my '93. I'll just have to make do with the new one, while I turn the '93 into the truck I really want.

I'm a little ambivalent about how far to go with off-road. The POINT of the 3.4 is a powerplant that doesn't disappoint on the way to Gunnison from Greeley, or from Greeley to Orofino (ID).

I know you all know what I mean about power on the Interstate. Off-road, I'd prob'ly be as happy or happier with a 4-banger, and I was never disappointed with my '93, so I don't know that I really need a lift kit.

A stock Toyota setup can get me anywhere I need, from Eagle Mtn Pack Bridge on the Lochsa



to the Rockey River Resort on the Gunnison.



Sure you can always find that one more inch you shouldn't go, but I don't want to get too far into offroad modifications, if this 2012 lives down to my expectations.

That said, I don't think a modest lift kit would really do much to discourage me from going back to the '93 as my everyday rig, and long-haul rig. Shoot, the 3.4 L alone fixes pretty much everything I don't like about the basic design.

And of course, I'm gonna need custom lighting. Prob'ly want to convert to manual hubs.

Anyhoo, there's all kinds of things that are gonna get done to this '93, and 'most all of it isn't to be trusted to my shaky paws, so if there's an outfit near Greeley. So far, I've turned up a couple different outfits in range, like Offroad Ltd, in Aurora, but I haven't heard back from them.

Not surprising, considering my prolixity.

Thanks for just letting me vent, guys. I'm looking forward to the next couple years of workin' on my '93, and I see all the expertise in the world, right here on Yotatech.

I'll shut up, now.

 

My long-term plan is to buyout the lease on the 2012 in 3 (or fewer) years, and sell or trade it in on a '95-'04 Tacoma or '9x-02 4Runner.

Or that's one scenario. Much depends on what I think of the 2012 after I drive it around for a while. Maybe by that time, we'll have the 3.4 to 4.0 conversion down to the flick of a wrist. Heh.

 

Must not be a very sexy job, or the sort of stuff any man worth his salt, on here, would do himself. No matter. This place is a great resource for how things are done and things that CAN be done that I never imagined.

 

Try Scotty at Addicted Off-Road

:wabbit2:

 

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

Fired them a message. They're just down the road a piece. Excellent.

Just test-drove a 2012 Tacoma Access Cab. It kind of reminds me of a Silverado I drove about 20 years ago. Not quite as much punch as the Chevy's 350, and a little bit smaller, but still, it's like they lost the essence of what I liked in previous generations.

I guess the 2005-to-present generation is more about soccer moms than an overgrown little boy. I dunno.

So I'm scrapping the Tacoma idea. It's either a Rav4 lease or just save money and buy an older-generation 4-runner. I definitely see the latter in my future, but my situation is probably going to put me into a lease deal, for now, with a buyout, rollover and some walkin' around money to get what I REALLY want in 3 yrs, while I tinker on my '93 xtra cab in the meantime.

 

No disrespect meant to owners of the later models intended. I think I'd like the 2012 if it had closer to my '93's measurements and a little less "cushy" feeling. But you don't go brand-new and instantly stick in a lift kit, unless you're richer than I am.

It's just that I came away from the dealership feeling like the perfect truck for me is my old '93, just with more horses under the hood, plus whatever suspension mods I put into it down the road.

 

Heh. Dunno what I was thinking. Everything might be true about wanting to keep and customize my '93 forever, but that doesn't mean I'm moviing away from a pickup. Giving up way too much truck for a couple thousand dollars and a peppy highway car.