smogs Yota

[smog]

One day in the not so distant past i had this idea that i would be fun to turn my old Toyota into a beastly wheeler. This is my ride. It's been with me since it's beginnings back in 2008. Odo is now pushing 300k and I love this thing now more than ever



In reality I have little inclination to do this. Outside of running light trails to access remote fishing spots I don't really off road much. So instead I decided I would turn my beloved 1:1 into a rig I will wheel a little harder.

I while back i built up the chassis from my straight axle Phoenix kit. It's been collecting dust on the shelf so I figured I would do a Yota thing with it.

The Chassis had been built up with a HW Fusion Pro 2300kv combo. I added the aluminum standoffs and motor plate into the build.


The OD is locked in at its lesser setting(6% IIRC). While the OD is locked in, I plan to run the Dig unit. It is definitely my favorite feature on the Twin Trans.

The body of choice for this is the Axial Basecamp which is obviously an 05-11 2nd gen Tacoma. I began by painting the inside of the body Gunmetal.

As I mentioned earlier this is not gonna be a grocery getter.

I got to work butchering the body and soldering up some semblance of a bed cage




Coming along nicely...

 

[smog]

Some basic floorboards with sliders to fit the body



More bed cage soldering and bed hacking

 

[smog]

Pics of cage all painted up





Needed to do something about the cab back because it was wide open. Could not close it right off because the DIG servo happens to sit in line with back of cab(hence why the Phoenix body is designed with a bump out at the back.

Used some E6000 to attached some poly carb pieces

 

[smog]

More Pics















More to come

 

[Gula]

Looks legit. You always "whip up" some of the coolest rigs!

 

[smog]

Looks legit. You always "whip up" some of the coolest rigs!

Cheers to that!

 

[smog]

I finding making front bumpers to be a complete bitch. I am nearly never happy with my front bumpers and some days it really burns my ass....but here we go. I have my Preparation H handy

Mounting Tabs








Making the mounts identical is imperative and so challenging with nothing but basic hand tools. The smallest imperfection appears glaring once it's mounted. I find it can be crazy making. Also, if the body is not sitting perfectly straight, i swear it's ways the bumper that looks crooked

I may yet add a small squares off stinger

 

[B-MOW71]

I love your 1:1 too! Damn good looking Yoda! My '07 just hit 215,000 and is showing no signs of old age! Well except for the clear coat that is coming off in sheets!

Excited to follow this build. As with all of your other builds, the cage work is always top notch. This looks to be no different.

Excellent idea on using the Basecamp Tacoma. Since the release of this body, I've been thinking about building up another Toyota rig to add to my collection.

Good start on the front bumper. The Perparation H must be working!

 

[Goro Majima]

Following. Definitely a great start!

I always wondered how much more the Basecamp headlights would look like that gen Tacoma if you painted the bottom line of the headlights to appear to have the same shape (a little angled point).

 

[smog]

Following. Definitely a great start!

I always wondered how much more the Basecamp headlights would look like that gen Tacoma if you painted the bottom line of the headlights to appear to have the same shape (a little angled point).

You have a good eye for detail. The Basecamp would no definitely be more accurate with that detail.

I printed the headlight buckets that James Knight designed for the Metric Body. I imagine they will fit but haven't test fitted them yet

I love your 1:1 too! Damn good looking Yoda! My '07 just hit 215,000 and is showing no signs of old age! Well except for the clear coat that is coming off in sheets!

Excited to follow this build. As with all of your other builds, the cage work is always top notch. This looks to be no different.

Excellent idea on using the Basecamp Tacoma. Since the release of this body, I've been thinking about building up another Toyota rig to add to my collection.

Good start on the front bumper. The Perparation H must be working!

Damn, sorry to hear about the clearcoat. Mine has been okay thus far. My issue up here is rust, frame rust specifically. A guy needs to stay on top of it.
I do like the Basecamp body. I may have to build up a Basecamp mini as well.

My other current Yota project is the x4m. I should really document the thing in the mini forum. I am planning to have some fun with it

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I love that tube work! I'm more of an American truck kind of guy, but I can appreciate Tacomas. And hell, I currently drive a Korean Hyundai Santa Cruz "truckster".

 

[truublue]

incredible job on the cage, looks legit AF. I also love the little detail with the body trimming at the rear, matching the angle of the cut bed to the angle of the frame support looks professionally done. the 1:1 is super cool too

 

[Speedy-Triple]

Good looking Rigs Smog both 1:1 and the Basecamp build look sharp. Yota trucks for life... I have owned and work on many models and brands and yet there is one I will always put my money on. I had an 07 with well over 200k that had a lot of life left in, many of the smaller tacoma trims that were fun. I have only settled for the current 01 v6 tundra because its fun driving stick shift. truck has over 250k and there is not a single drop of oil coming out the block and runs like a top.

 

[smog]

Good looking Rigs Smog both 1:1 and the Basecamp build look sharp. Yota trucks for life... I have owned and work on many models and brands and yet there is one I will always put my money on. I had an 07 with well over 200k that had a lot of life left in, many of the smaller tacoma trims that were fun. I have only settled for the current 01 v6 tundra because its fun driving stick shift. truck has over 250k and there is not a single drop of oil coming out the block and runs like a top.

I hear ya, Toyota loyalty has definitely developed in me over the years of owning one. I owned a couple of Fords before(1980 f150 and an 01 Ranger) which also ran brilliantly for me but there is something about a Yota...at least the older ones(not sure I like the direction the company is currently going in).
Thanks for chiming in, appreciate that.

I love that tube work! I'm more of an American truck kind of guy, but I can appreciate Tacomas. And hell, I currently drive a Korean Hyundai Santa Cruz "truckster".

Haha, nice. A guy down the road from me just recently replaced his Tacoma with a Santa Cruz. It's a nice ride. It's pretty tough to justify the price on most of these trucks in this day and age. I pine for the old days of simple and solid.
My tube work is coming along. Not sure I am the most efficient in my process but I get the job done.

incredible job on the cage, looks legit AF. I also love the little detail with the body trimming at the rear, matching the angle of the cut bed to the angle of the frame support looks professionally done. the 1:1 is super cool too

Awesome, thanks for noticing the detail. I think these little things are actually what set the work off. Symmetry, continuity etc. I have made some pretty wonky cages in past from not paying attention to detail.

 

[smog]

The thing I find with my builds is that I am continuing to refine my process and get better in all the things I attempt. Be that cage work or painting. I have been painting a lot of Patina since I started attempting them. It amazes me how many different techniques one can use and still get a realistic result. Again here I am attempting a Patina on the hood and roof. Here is what I got

First a light rust/brown





Salt and a more reddish rust while taping off the hood . Also Painted another coat of black over the light brown rust so that it.can weather thru



The result



Painted Fuel Cell

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I hear ya, Toyota loyalty has definitely developed in me over the years of owning one. I owned a couple of Fords before(1980 f150 and an 01 Ranger) which also ran brilliantly for me but there is something about a Yota...at least the older ones(not sure I like the direction the company is currently going in).
Thanks for chiming in, appreciate that.

Haha, nice. A guy down the road from me just recently replaced his Tacoma with a Santa Cruz. It's a nice ride. It's pretty tough to justify the price on most of these trucks in this day and age. I pine for the old days of simple and solid.
My tube work is coming along. Not sure I am the most efficient in my process but I get the job done.

Awesome, thanks for noticing the detail. I think these little things are actually what set the work off. Symmetry, continuity etc. I have made some pretty wonky cages in past from not paying attention to detail.

I think Toyota has kind of lost their focus. They have become a super expensive brand and are more focused on leading sales instead of leading quality like in the past. And the recent issues seem to be a result of this. Still, the Taco is the always one of the best-looking midsize trucks! Their full-size trucks aren't my thing at all. What turns me off most about Toyota is the cult-like following. It's similar to the Harley cult where they think Harleys are the only real motorcycles. I despise that. And that is what kept me from even considering a Harley for a long time.

I honestly wanted a Chevy Colorado, but then found the GMC Canyon offered more for the money. The problem was the demand was high and supply was extremely low when I crashed my Kia Soul and needed to buy a new vehicle. The dealers knew this and didn't want to budge on price, interest rates, etc. I test drove a Hyundai Santa Cruz on a whim and ended up loving it. I got the Limited model so it wasn't cheap, but it is fully loaded, lowest interest I found on a truck, and $10,000 less than the GMC. And it is all the truck I need. The bed could be a little longer, but it fits my Grom and groceries and most anything else that I will haul. And it has a comfortable ride on-road which is where I spend all my time.

Your attention to detail with the chassis is incredible! The patina paint work is great too. I haven't tried it, but it looks like fun and you are doing well at it!

Honda Grom in the bed of my Hyundai Santa Cruz

 

[smog]

I think Toyota has kind of lost their focus. They have become a super expensive brand and are more focused on leading sales instead of leading quality like in the past. And the recent issues seem to be a result of this. Still, the Taco is the always one of the best-looking midsize trucks! Their full-size trucks aren't my thing at all. What turns me off most about Toyota is the cult-like following. It's similar to the Harley cult where they think Harleys are the only real motorcycles. I despise that. And that is what kept me from even considering a Harley for a long time.

I honestly wanted a Chevy Colorado, but then found the GMC Canyon offered more for the money. The problem was the demand was high and supply was extremely low when I crashed my Kia Soul and needed to buy a new vehicle. The dealers knew this and didn't want to budge on price, interest rates, etc. I test drove a Hyundai Santa Cruz on a whim and ended up loving it. I got the Limited model so it wasn't cheap, but it is fully loaded, lowest interest I found on a truck, and $10,000 less than the GMC. And it is all the truck I need. The bed could be a little longer, but it fits my Grom and groceries and most anything else that I will haul. And it has a comfortable ride on-road which is where I spend all my time.

Your attention to detail with the chassis is incredible! The patina paint work is great too. I haven't tried it, but it looks like fun and you are doing well at it!

Honda Grom in the bed of my Hyundai Santa Cruz

That’s a nice looking rig you have there. The Colorado/Canyon are currently the nicest looking midsize in my opinion. Unfortunately like the Tacoma they are also powered by a turbo charged 4 cylinder. I think that could work for occasional light hauling but isn’t ideal for pulling of hauling weight. It’s too small and the lifespan of that configuration is questionable. I can’t believe the market is pushing 4 bangers, seems absurd. I imagine they are nice and snappy for street cruising.

My old Taco has a manual trans as well. I still enjoy shifting.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

That’s a nice looking rig you have there. The Colorado/Canyon are currently the nicest looking midsize in my opinion. Unfortunately like the Tacoma they are also powered by a turbo charged 4 cylinder. I think that could work for occasional light hauling but isn’t ideal for pulling of hauling weight. It’s too small and the lifespan of that configuration is questionable. I can’t believe the market is pushing 4 bangers, seems absurd. I imagine they are nice and snappy for street cruising.

My old Taco has a manual trans as well. I still enjoy shifting.

Thanks!

Agreed the Canyon and Colorado look great. Just a shame they were in short supply when I needed a vehicle. My girlfriend lives down the road from a GMC dealer so I am now constantly tempted by new Canyons. Nothing like rubbing salt in an open wound!

Also agreed about 4-cylinder engines. 4-cylinders belong in motorcycles! I read the Colorado/Canyon engines with the high output tune are running 27psi of boost in stock form! That is insane. I really question the longevity of those engines! Of course, GM claims the engine was designed for all that boost, but still...

My truckster is also a 2.5L 4-cylinder with turbo, but the boost is a much more reasonable 12 to 16 psi depending on where you read. They are good for power and torque, but I also question the longevity. That is why I love Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty!

 

[B-MOW71]

Damn, sorry to hear about the clearcoat. Mine has been okay thus far. My issue up here is rust, frame rust specifically. A guy needs to stay on top of it.
I do like the Basecamp body. I may have to build up a Basecamp mini as well.

My other current Yota project is the x4m. I should really document the thing in the mini forum. I am planning to have some fun with it
View attachment 509122

That is a good looking lil' M. Perfect for some indoor fun when the snow is too deep! Definity need a build thread on this little guy.

Luckily for my Tacoma, it had the full frame replacement right before I got it. Frame still looks brand new and should last for many years. So glad Toyota did the frame recall on these.

 

[smog]

That is a good looking lil' M. Perfect for some indoor fun when the snow is too deep! Definity need a build thread on this little guy.

Luckily for my Tacoma, it had the full frame replacement right before I got it. Frame still looks brand new and should last for many years. So glad Toyota did the frame recall on these.

Nice, my frame passed inspection. Would have rather had it replaced to be honest.

The small scale stuff is a different world. I will put up a thread, plan is to take it to the next level