Built Not Bought, and Almost Paid Off

It’s Taco time!

My Tacoma has been huge for me. it's a 2022, Toyota Tacoma, TRD Offroad, got it september of 2022. It means a lot—not just as a truck, but as a memory-maker. It’s taken my wife and me on plenty of trips, carried all our camping gear, and it’s been my daily driver through it all. Not to mention the off-roading... which has been an experience of its own.

One of the coolest parts of owning and building this truck has been how often people stop to ask about it or drop a compliment. It turns heads, and I won’t lie -- those moments make the build even more worth it.

My plan is to eventually retire it as a weekend fun rig, once it's paid off. Which is coming 18 months sooner than expected!

When I first got it, I promised myself I’d leave it stock for a year. And believe it or not, I did. I actually enjoyed it in its original form. But the second it hit that 12-month mark? Game over. Mods started rolling in fast.

Originally, the vision was to do a full overland build—and I got pretty close. Still a few things I would’ve liked to add, but for the most part, it got there. That said, while I do enjoy crawling once in a while, I found out I love desert running way more. Going fast, kicking up dust, hitting whoops—thats my shit.

Right now, I’d say it’s in its final form. I’d still like to add high-clearance front and rear bumpers, but they’re not a priority. Maybe when I need new tires, I’ll finally re-gear and jump to 35s. But only once it’s not my daily anymore.

It’s sitting at 46,XXX miles, and here’s what I’ve done to it so far:

🛠️ Build Highlights:

• Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Shocks – Best mod hands down. (Fox > Kings, yeah I said it.)

• 33” Mickey Thompson Baja Boss Tires – Paired with RRW Beadlock hybrid rims (-12 offset).

• Heretic 30" Light Bar + Heretic Amber Fog Lights – Sleek, functional, and true amber color.

• LP4’s up front – Way more than I probably need, but they're awesome.

• Baja Designs S2 Pro (chase lights) + S1 Pro (hitch light) – Great chase lights even though I usually ride solo :(

• BD Rock Lights – Don’t crawl much, but they look siick out in the dunes.

• Full Skid Plate & Rock Sliders – From Cali Raised Design.

• Custom Tire Carrier – Fabricated by SD Welds (super clean).

• Every light swapped to LED – Interior, reverse, tails, headlights, turn signals—you name it.

• Upgraded Interior: Leather seat conversion,12” display screen.

• Plus a bunch of small cosmetic touches to tie it all together.

To say "it’s been through a lot" is putting it lightly. And I’m pumped for what’s still to come.

I’ll buy a new daily soon enough, and preserve this thing for as long as I can. Who knows—maybe it’ll be Lucía’s first car. She’d be the coolest kid in school pulling up in this beast.

It will be a 20 year old car by then :'(

That’s all for now—peace, kids! 👋 PS; Here is a short gallery of a stock taco, and some of its looks along the way <3