Article and Photos by Bryan Fross
Often times, light pickups are overlooked by most enthusiasts when they are lifted. The average lifted pickup in Southern California isn't much to look at. On the other hand, when someone goes all out in the design and build up of their lifted pickup, it picks up everyone's attention. This is Jason Fonte's 2000 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4. It has been taken to the extreme and is picking up trophies at every show he attends.
Jason started with the suspension which amounts to
17 inches of lift. The front suspension is made up of Fox Coilovers and a 9 inch
custom lift by Xtreme Image. The rear was lifted using a 12 inch National Spring
leaf pack, 4 Billstein 7100 shocks with reservoirs, Pro Comp lateral traction
bars, and the entire truck received a 3 inch body lift.
The exterior was treated to a host of modifications. The front was toughened up using a Nestin Safari Bar with PIAA 520 fog lights, Billet grille insert, a Pro Comp skid plate, clear corners, and clear bumper inserts. A Sir Michaels roll pan, Line-X Bed Liner, smoked tail lights, and solid window were added in the rear. The graphics were painted by Merzee’s Paint & Design and 4 shades of kandy blue were sprayed with marbled flames. All kandy blue powder coating to the grille, safari bar, skid plate and other parts was done by Primo Powder Coating.
Interior modifications, although not as extreme as the exterior, make this a comfortable and clean show truck. The seats were recovered in Katzkin leather & suede with custom embroidery. The headliner and door panels were also recovered and flames were added to bring the exterior styling inside the cab. Billet door inserts, shift knob, cigarette lighter, and Colorado Customs Fire steering wheel were also installed. The gauges were replaced with Nu Image flamed face gauges and the dash was upgraded with a carbon fiber dash kit. Razo pedals were then bolted on to finish the job. The audio system was installed by Professional Autosound & Security and includes a Pioneer 7200 head unit, an MTX Thunder 2 channel amplifier powering 3 Pro Series Cerwin Vega 12” subs in a custom Plexiglas box that blows through from the bed. An MTX 4 channel amplifier pushing 2 sets of component speakers was installed for mids and highs. The back wall was also wrapped in Katzkin leather with embroidered flames.
The stock V-6 motor is breathing better with the help of a 2 ˝ “ Flowmaster cat-back system using a 2 chamber muffler and a Injen intake. Those big tires get help turning with the use of 5.29 precision gears. The engine compartment was then cleaned up and accessories were added including a Cool Flex hose kit, red silicone wire kit, Optima red top battery and a Power Aid throttle body spacer.
So if you see this truck out at a show, make sure you check it out because more lifted trucks should be taken to this extreme instead of just mildly customized.
