Supercharger, Long-Travel, 37s, and Overlanding - Is This the Tacoma You've Been Looking For?

Walking around Walt’s supercharged Taco build at Tactical Application Vehicles feels like discovering the holy grail of overland rigs. This isn’t just another truck with some bolt-on parts - this is what happens when you combine serious engineering know-how with years of real-world testing in places like Baja Mexico.

The foundation of this build starts with Total Chaos 3.5 long travel suspension that allows those massive 37" tires to actually work instead of just looking pretty. Walt’s crew modified the frame slightly, tapering the front end to create stronger mounting points for the bumper while keeping everything properly engineered. The suspension setup runs King coilovers with bypass capability, though Walt admits he doesn’t typically recommend bypasses unless owners want to actually tune their rigs properly.

What really sets this Taco apart is the attention to functional details. The snorkel setup uses a 5th Gen 4Runner TJM piece that Walt adapted to work with the Taco’s different A-pillar angle. Instead of running some massive, truck-eating snorkel that screams “look at me,” this setup stays low profile and tucks neatly into the fender while still providing proper airflow to the Magnuson supercharger.

The wheel and tire combo deserves special mention - Method 703 trail series wheels with what Walt calls an extremely effective bead grip design. These wheels hold the bead so well that they’ve actually broken tire machines trying to dismount tires. When you’re running low air pressures on technical terrain, that kind of bead retention becomes crucial for preventing the dreaded tire roll-off.

Under the hood, this Taco packs a Magnuson supercharger feeding the 4.0 V6, backed by Nitro 5.29 gears and ARB lockers front and rear. The rear axle setup showcases some serious custom work - a Ford 9" housing built to Walt’s specifications, running 35 spline chromoly axle shafts but retaining Toyota unit bearings. This hybrid approach means all the factory ABS and traction control systems still function perfectly while handling way more power and torque than the stock rear end ever could.

The bed setup represents months of development work at Tactical Application Vehicles. This isn’t some off-the-shelf camper shell - it’s a completely custom aluminum bed system that Walt and his team designed from scratch. The dust sealing impressed me most after hearing about their 600-mile Baja loop where they never cleaned out the storage compartments. Opening those drawers revealed minimal dust infiltration, which anyone who’s wheeled in dusty conditions knows is nearly impossible to achieve.

Storage solutions throughout the build focus on weight distribution rather than just cramming stuff wherever it fits. The 37" spare tire rides inside the bed instead of hanging off a rear bumper, keeping weight over the axles where it belongs. The house battery, air compressor, and other heavy items all mount forward in the bed, creating much better balance than typical overland builds where everything hangs off the back.

Speaking of the air system, Walt runs an Oasis compressor that can air up four 37" tires from 18 to 40 PSI in under eight minutes. Using the FasterFlate multi-hose system, he can fill both tires on one side simultaneously while they equalize to the same pressure. This kind of efficiency matters when you’re constantly adjusting tire pressures for different terrain.

The interior modifications stay practical rather than flashy. Goose Gear rear seat delete provides organized storage and a spot for their dog to ride comfortably.

Walt’s approach to protection focuses on function over form. RCI aluminum skids protect the undercarriage while the custom UHMW skid plate under the bed protects the seam where the storage boxes meet. This replaceable piece lets the truck slide over obstacles without damaging the expensive aluminum work above.

The Overland Habitat camper has been tested across the country for about five years now, from snow camping to desert runs. The way it opens creates natural shade and provides a solid platform for roof-top activities.

The lighting setup keeps things simple with Baja Designs LP series lights mounted low in the bumper. This positioning maintains airflow through the intercooler and transmission cooler while providing excellent trail illumination. The bumper itself serves as a mounting point for the Warn winch and recovery points without adding unnecessary bulk.

This build represents what happens when someone actually uses their truck hard instead of just building it for show. Every modification serves a purpose, and the entire package works together as a system rather than a collection of random parts. Walt’s willingness to test everything thoroughly in places like Baja Mexico shows in the thoughtful execution of every detail.

The result is a Taco that can handle serious technical terrain, carry everything needed for extended overland trips, and still function as a reliable daily driver. It’s the kind of build that makes you rethink what’s actually necessary versus what just looks cool on Instagram.