95 TOYOTA TACOMA – SOLD
I have been remiss on reporting about the loss of the adventure mobile, my Toyota Tacoma. I’m not sure why, other than I didn’t feel that it was all that important. But then again, I guess the emotions I felt the day I gave it a final wash and then when the Tacoma left my possession 3 days later, should be addressed.
The story is a long one. My relationship with a simple truck was anything but simple. Beginning with the purchase of the bone stock 1995 Toyota Tacoma in 2011, until I sold it last month, our relationship has been filled with miracles, extreme highs and even some let downs.
Totally stock 95 Toyota Tacoma shortly after purchase in 2011.
Exploring the Northern Rockies in Canada
Camping somewhere in North Dakota
She came into my life at a pivotal time; a time of personal discovery and change. As I changed so did the truck. I took the totally stock Toyota Tacoma, made a plan and executed a build that would suit my needs. I made it the way I wanted it. And for the last 4 years it has served me better than I could have expected.
A little trail whoops on my last day in Alaska
The important part of any build or improvements made to your vehicle is the honest look at how you plan to use the vehicle. Before I started to assemble parts, I had to decide on how I was going to use the truck. An important factor considering that at the time I started the build, it was a second vehicle and not one used every day. I had driven a company truck for over 20 years, and had no idea things would change.
Getting stuck on a Maryland Deer Hunt.
Things did indeed change and not only did the truck become a daily driver, but it also took me across the country to Alaska and back home. I was guided to build the truck more in lines of an overlander and not another off-road rock crawling beast as my last vehicle had been. I believe God was at work here, directing me in a direction that at the time I had no idea of where I was headed.
Testing the new Cooper Tires in West Virginia
The last four years of my life have been full of change. Each step along the way, the old truck was there and a part of the change in some small way. From the daily commutes in the crazy Baltimore and Washington DC traffic to the remote roads of Alaska, the Tacoma performed what I asked of it. In the end, it is just raw materials, steel, plastic and rubber, but when assembled together it turned into something special. Maybe the same can be said for me and the transformation over the last few years. I hope I’ve got a lot more growing, adventures and experiences yet to come and within the next few months a new truck.
