2000 Toyota Tacoma - Hard Luck

Piecing together a custom truck build is not easy-just ask anybody who has had their creation featured on the pages of past Truckin' issues. Better yet, reflect on the progress of your own project vehicle. It's tough to stand out from the crowd given the large amount of truck owners that are diligently working harder than ever in order to park their truck in the limelight. Brett Crump's '00 Toyota Tacoma serves as an ideal example of what can result from an executed plan of action. It's sharp, it's clean, and it's subtle, exotic styling cuts straight to the chase. Keeping things simple, yet focusing attention toward intricate detailing has again proven to be a successful equation.

Luck can sometimes be of higher value than skill, and in the case of this Taco's artistic suspension setup, Brett found himself counting his blessings for having a talented friend, Jay Delanty, the mastermind behind its fabrication. The completely one-off back half is simply gorgeous and is in full display for onlookers to gawk at in wonderment and sheer envy. The rear air-ride apparatus has also been eloquently color-matched to the Tacoma's exterior hue, which adds an elegant touch of class and sophistication. Firestone 'bags can be found at each corner, along with 20x8-inch Menzari Inferno wheels, which have been dipped in Wanli 235/45R20 rubber.

Although the Toyota's stock four-banger has been left untouched, Brett went from 0-100 in seconds flat while planning the Taco's exterior styling. An '02 Tacoma front clip, including headlights and bumper, were grafted into place, as were the stockier 4WD rear fenders. Brett once again turned to the talented Mr. Delanty to delete the door handles, gas door, and antenna, as well as mold in the rear skin before spraying the rich Standox Shamrock Green color.

The custom paint wasn't meant to be exclusive to the truck's exterior, however, as it completely engulfed the dash, door panels, and the front portion of the center console. Since Brett ran out of parts to have painted green, he selected root beer-dyed alligator skin and black leather to complement the door panels, console, as well as the plush bucket seats. A B.A.D. billet steering wheel always makes for a cool interior accessory, and it definitely serves its purpose inside this Toyota's cab. Aside from having great taste in color and exotic stitch work, Brett is also a lover of loud music, so he just had to pack as much audio equipment as he could into the Taco's confines. A Pioneer head unit controls the sound selection as a JBL amplifier provides enough juice to the Alpine 10-inch Type-R sub that has been mounted in the bed. A blow-through passage allows the sound waves to fill the cab with each and every bass note.

As anyone can clearly see, there is much to be done and taken into consideration when attempting to construct a stand out custom truck. Brett persevered and compiled a list of unique modifications that would guarantee his Tacoma a spot underneath the bright lights. Brett would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to his wife for her continued support as well as his entire Aftermath truck club family.