Clean Cut Tacoma

TIM BEGHTEL’S ’97 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEEN MORE THAN ITS SHARE OF HARD WORK TO BECOME THE SWEET BUILD IT IS TODAY.

The rearend of the 1997 was swapped with that of a cleaned 1987 Toyota to give the Tacoma a unique silhouette. New gears define the transmission, while the stock 2.4L engine has been outfitted with a cold air intake, to make the most of the Tacoma’s heart, as well as a full aftermarket exhaust setup. The suspension has been upgraded, with the rearend ’bagged over a 4-link. On the front, flipped ball joints with new heim ball joints were added by Kressler Fabrication. Custom shock mounts keep Tim riding smoothly as the rest of his suspension system keeps the truck close to the pavement. The 18- by 7.5-inch Niche Rhine wheels kiss the asphalt, though Tim has his heart set on 20-inch billets in the future.

On the exterior, Tim shaved the antenna and gas door, continuing the trend of clean lines. The Tacoma was sprayed Habanero Red Pearl. The bed was covered with sheet metal and sprayed in custom peanut-butter-colored Line-x. On the interior, the Toyota has seen a full custom rework by Elevated Designs out of Arizona. Custom door panels, center console and headliner outfit the cab with simple class. The stock seating has been replaced with Honda Civic seats with headrests removed, all wrapped in peanut butter leather to match the two-toned theme of the truck. The carpet has been exchanged for a light brown German weave. Even the audio system has been upgraded, with Memphis Audio 6x9s in the door and 4x6s in custom kicker panels, all powered by an MTX amplifier. A 10-inch kicker subwoofer is hidden in the center console for a hard bass kick.

Though Tim plans to finish powder coating and painting the rear setup, it’s difficult to call this build anything but well done.