Toyota Tacoma
 2001 Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab 4x4 - Territorial Expansion Toyota Tacomas are coming on strong. How's that? When you combine Toyota's deserved reputation for longevity with the emerging affordability of used Tacos as the years progress, you've got a new-owner group that's chomping at the bit to modify their new-to-them trucks to the hilt and then hit the dirt. The Tacoma engines, both the inline 2.4L and 2.7L four-holes and the 3.4L six-hole, are much more powerful than the previous 22RE and 3VZE (aka the three-point-slow) engines. The six-lug Tacoma front coilover suspension rides smoothly and offers greater reliability than the torsion-bar system it replaced. If you've ever had a torsion bar slip in its socket, you can relate to what we're talking about. Camburg Off-Road Engineering's '01 Tacoma Xtracab 4x4 is a perfect blueprint for Tacoma owners who want to augment off-road prowess without sacrificing their trucks' hauling and daily driving facets. "We're building this truck in two stages," explained Camburg's Jerry Zaiden. "The Stage One suspension is completely bolt-on and makes the most of the Tacoma in its factory trim." Although renowned for its Ranger and F-150 I-beam suspension systems, Camburg's Toyota credentials run all the way back to the 'Burg's beginnings in 1997. A pair of 2-1/2-inch Camburg coilovers takes the place of the factory originals, with a Deaver leaf pack and a Bilstein 5150 reservoir shock slung into the rear OEM mounting locations. Simple, right? For rolling stock, 35-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers on American Racing Mojave Black Teflon ATX wheels fill the fenderwells. The pumped-up meats mandated more sheetmetal clearance and a gearing change. Glassworks Unlimited front fenders now clear the tires, and the ring-and-pinion ratio was dropped to a respectable, if slightly tall, 4.56 to 1. We spent an afternoon putting Camburg's Stage One Tacoma through its paces on a stormy day in SoCal. Any notion that seasons don't change in Cali' should be dissuaded by a perusing glance through the photo gallery. Our verdict? With abundantly available used trucks, better engines, and top-drawer suspension kits, we don't think it's a stretch to say that the "Golden Age of the Tacoma" is upon us. | | | | | | | |
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