A '96 Taco You'd Want to Drive: A Truck Built for Off Road, Camping, and Going to the Office

There’s something special about watching someone walk through their personal build, especially when it’s a first-gen Tacoma that’s been transformed into a proper off-road machine. JC Customs Metal Fab takes us on a detailed tour of his 1996 Toyota Tacoma that’s been converted to solid axle suspension, and every modification tells a story of evolution and purpose.

The front end immediately grabs your attention with a frankenstein grille that’s been cobbled together from about six different generations of Toyota trucks. The main portion comes from a 1983 four-wheel drive Toyota pickup, and while it’s definitely not a direct fit, the custom work shows the kind of creative problem-solving that makes personal builds so interesting. That homemade bumper was his first attempt at fabrication, and despite his criticism of the weld quality, it’s held up through years of trail abuse.

Under the hood, things can get crowded fast. The auxiliary fuse and relay box from Blue Sea Systems is a smart upgrade that eliminates the nightmare of running multiple wires through the firewall. Instead of dealing with a rats nest of individual circuits, everything runs through one clean harness. The rocker switch panel in the cab controls various accessories, with separate circuits for keyed power, accessory power, and hot-all-the-time power.

The Trail Gear power steering setup addresses one of the biggest weaknesses in these rigs when you step up to bigger tires and add hydro assist. The complete kit includes a cooler mounted behind the grille, a larger reservoir, and the pump that’s gotten mixed reviews over the years. His unit has been running strong for six or seven years, which speaks to either getting a good one or taking care of what you’ve got.

That deck plate mod in the air filter box might look sketchy, but it’s a legitimate modification for increased airflow. The idea is simple - drill a hole in your airbox and install a marine deck plate that can be opened or sealed depending on conditions. It’s not something you’d want if you’re planning to ford deep water, but for dusty trail conditions, the extra airflow makes a difference.

The suspension setup is where this build really shines. Up front, there’s a Trail Gear fabricated housing that accepts 8-inch ring gear from early 80s pickups. The beauty of this setup is that you can run stock Toyota knuckles and axle shafts, or upgrade to something like the Six Shooter knuckles he’s running. Those Fox 12-inch shocks with Fox air bumps provide two inches of travel, and the whole front assembly has been frenched into the frame to keep everything as low as possible.

The rear end keeps things simple with Trail Gear springs that are slightly shorter than the popular Chevy 63s, which still requires moving the hangers but gives a better ride height. Bilstein 12-inch shocks handle the dampening duties, and there’s an air tank tucked under the bed for the ARB compressor system.

Those 37x12.50x17 Nitto Trail Grapplers on Stealth Custom Series wheels fill out the stance perfectly. The rubber is sized right for the power plant and won’t overwhelm the drivetrain on technical terrain. The side-exit exhaust is a practical touch that keeps the pipes away from rocks and provides that classic off-road sound.

The rear bumper represents the evolution of his fabrication skills. The swing-out carrier is a recent addition that holds a trasharoo, jerry can, and even has a chainsaw mount for trail maintenance duties. The fold-down table is genius - it gives you a clean surface for food prep or just spreading out gear, and all those stickers have found a home where they won’t get destroyed by brush.

Inside the cab, the NRG steering wheel is probably the best upgrade for taller drivers in these regular cab trucks. The factory wheel sits right where your knees want to be, and the smaller diameter wheel with a different grip position makes a huge difference in comfort. The pillar gauges, CB radio, and ScanGauge II keep you informed about what’s happening with the truck.

The sound system shows attention to detail with a custom box for 6x9s in the back, tweeters in factory 4Runner covers, and a 10-inch sub tucked behind the seat. The whole cab has been sound deadened, which makes a noticeable difference in road noise and audio quality.

This build represents years of thoughtful modifications and real-world testing. It’s not a trailer queen or a show truck - it’s a working rig that gets used for camping, trail maintenance, and serious off-road adventures. The dual transfer case setup that’s planned for summer installation will take the capability to another level, and the long-term turbo plans show this truck is nowhere near finished.

Personal builds like this one remind us why we love this hobby. Every modification serves a purpose, every upgrade solves a real problem, and the whole package reflects the owner’s specific needs and style. It’s not about having the most expensive parts or the flashiest paint job - it’s about building something that works exactly the way you need it to work.