Custom 1995 Toyota Tacoma Front Three Quarter - Photo 69047600

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Crist says the original wheelbase of the Tacoma was 103 inches, but it is now 114 inches. This longer wheelbase was accomplished by moving the front axle forward 8 inches and the rear axle aft 3 inches. The frame of the truck was also modified. Six inches of frame was removed above the rear axle and new inboard frame sections were added to allow for shock clearance. Even with about 7 inches of suspension lift, the front fenders and bedsides had to be radiused to allow the large 42-inch tires to move freely.

Crist says the original wheelbase of the Tacoma was 103 inches, but it is now 114 inches. This longer wheelbase was accomplished by moving the front axle forward 8 inches and the rear axle aft 3 inches. The frame of the truck was also modified. Six inches of frame was removed above the rear axle and new inboard frame sections were added to allow for shock clearance. Even with about 7 inches of suspension lift, the front fenders and bedsides had to be radiused to allow the large 42-inch tires to move freely.

If the bed of the Tacoma looks a tad shorter than stock, that’s because it is. Ten inches was removed to eliminate overhang and improve the rig’s departure angle. Crist could’ve removed the bed entirely and replaced it with a custom flatbed or something similar, but keeping the factory bed helped achieve his goal of retaining the Tacoma’s factory look. Also noteworthy on the exterior are the custom fender flares that tie into the exocage and the rocker protection. The custom rocker protection is made from 2x4-inch, 0.188-inch-wall box tubing.

Crist says the original wheelbase of the Tacoma was 103 inches, but it is now 114 inches. This longer wheelbase was accomplished by moving the front axle forward 8 inches and the rear axle aft 3 inches. The frame of the truck was also modified. Six inches of frame was removed above the rear axle and new inboard frame sections were added to allow for shock clearance. Even with about 7 inches of suspension lift, the front fenders and bedsides had to be radiused to allow the large 42-inch tires to move freely.

If you’re expecting the front suspension to contain coilovers, surprise! Crist opted to use 2-inch-diameter Sway-A-Way Racerunner air shocks. These units are bolted to custom mounts top and bottom.

The front axle is a Dana 44 unit pirated from a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JK. It features the factory Tru-Lok electric lockers, but has been upgraded with 5.13:1 cogs, RCV Performance axleshafts, and an aftermarket diff cover. It’s located laterally by a Panhard bar and the internals are spun by a Tom Wood’s Custom Driveshafts ’shaft.

The ol’ reliable, tried and tested, factory 2.7-liter 3RZ-FE six-cylinder engine still resides under the hood. About the only modification you’ll find lurking in there is the red-capped PSC Motorsports power-steering reservoir.

The Tacoma’s steering system utilizes a Trail-Gear power-steering pump and a drag link and tie rod made from 1.5-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall DOM tubing. All of these links are fitted with Chevy 3/4-ton truck-application joints. Crist admits he gets a little carried away with the silver paint while doing after-trail touchups, which explains the overspray on the RCV Performance CV boots.

Tucked under a custom skidplate is an Advance Adapters Atlas 5:1 ratio T-case and it’s bolted to the factory Toyota A340F four-speed automatic transmission. The tranny is kept cool via a Carquest-sourced cooler. The transfer case and transmission skidplates are made from 3⁄16-inch steel.

To prevent the rear of the Tacoma from getting squirrely on-road, a Currie Antirock antisway bar system has been added.

The front and rear four-link suspension uses link arms made from 2-inch-diameter DOM tubing and each is fitted with spherical rod ends. Ballistic Fabrication mounts are used at all of the attachment points, with the exception of the upper mounts at the axle that are stock.

The ol’ reliable, tried and tested, factory 2.7-liter 3RZ-FE six-cylinder engine still resides under the hood. About the only modification you’ll find lurking in there is the red-capped PSC Motorsports power-steering reservoir.

In order to allow for the long-travel rear Sway-A-Way Racerunner shocks to be mounted, the cargo bed was notched and each shock travels through the bed and mounts to the in-bed ’cage.

Like the front, the rear axle was snagged from a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JK and it has the factory Tru-Lok electric locker as well as 5.13:1 gears and an aftermarket diff cover. There’s a custom truss assembly that serves as the mounting point for the Ballistic Fab upper link arm mounts as well as the lower mount for the limiting strap that keeps the suspension from overextending. A Tom Wood’s Custom Driveshafts ’shaft spins the internals. In the upper portion of this photo you can see how the Tacoma’s frame was modified to allow for rear shock placement.

One of the benefits of an exocage is no tubing takes up space in the interior, so Crist hasn’t lost any space. Interior mods are minimal and include a JVC head unit, Uniden CB radio, and a steering column-mounted 8.1-inch ACER tablet that allows him to easily view Garmin topographical maps.

The Atlas 5:1 T-case is controlled via an Advance Adapters twin-stick setup.

Out back is a custom rear bumper made from 2x6-inch, 3⁄16-inch-wall material that sports a 2-inch receiver hitch. Like the front bumper, the rear bumper is fastened to the frame and ties into the exocage.

The custom front bumper/winch mount is made from 4x2-inch box tube and 1.5-inch tubing. This system is fastened to the vehicle’s frame as well as the exocage, and it has a pair of towhooks and a 10,000-pound-capacity Gorilla electric winch.

The exocage is designed to offer strong protection for the roof of the Tacoma’s cab in case it turns turtle. The ’cage is made from 1.5-inch-diameter tubing.

The Tacoma rolls on meaty 42x14.50R17LT Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires mounted to 9.5-inch-wide Allied beadlock steel wheels. We are fans of the huge cleats, but they are definitely beyond our comfort zone for even built Dana 44 axles. Somehow, Crist manages to keep the JK-sourced axles together and ’wheel hardcore trails.

Clearly, a lot of thought went into the design of the cargo area to ensure space was used wisely and items could be safely stowed. The forward portion of the cargo area sports a custom raised storage area. Under this is the relocated 16-gallon stock fuel tank and Optima RedTop battery, among other things. Amidships in the cargo area is a Puma air compressor, 5-gallon air tank, ammo can (filled with first-aid supplies), dry box (containing nuts, bolts, D-rings, fire-starter kit, and other things), folding chair, and flat nose shovel.

A flip-up panel allows easy access to the Optima RedTop battery as well as an air hose, rope, and various other items.

Mounted securely to the cargo bed floor is a spare tire and wheel assembly. Crist says he can have the assembly removed from the cargo bed in about 30 seconds.

custom 1995 toyota tacoma