Two Tacomas That Can Drive to the Trail, Rockcrawl, Do 55 MPH Over Whoops, and Drive Home Again

When you’re looking for the perfect do-it-all 4x4 that can handle everything from technical rock crawling to high-speed desert runs, most people think you need multiple rigs. But the crew at Arcadia Offroad had a different idea - build one truck that could tackle it all.

Brandon and Hunter from Arcadia Offroad took their 2004 Toyota Tacomas and turned them into something special. These aren’t your typical weekend warrior builds. These are purpose-built machines that blur the lines between rock crawler and prerunner, proving that sometimes the best approach is refusing to pick just one lane.

The foundation of both builds starts with ditching the factory IFS setup completely. Brandon explains the process like he’s talking about changing spark plugs - cut off all the independent front suspension components, clean up the frame, and start fresh. The key is getting the frame as clean as possible before welding on reinforcement plates and mounting points for the new suspension components.

Both trucks run one-ton axles pulled from late 90s Chevy 2500 pickups. The front Dana 60 gets upgraded with 35-spline outers, Detroit lockers, and custom gearing. For a junkyard axle, these things are incredibly capable. You can find the base axle for around $1,500, and while you’ll still need to add gears, lockers, and other upgrades, it’s way more affordable than going with a custom housing. (Maybe…)

The real magic happens with the dual transfer case setup. These guys are running Toyota transfer cases from 80s trucks, sandwiched together to get a double case setup. This gives them insane gear reduction - put it in first gear and double low, and the truck barely moves. That level of control is exactly what you need when you’re picking your way up a technical climb where one wrong move means a long tumble backward.

Hunter’s rig takes things a step further with a supercharged 3.4L V6. The Magnuson supercharger setup includes a 2.1 pulley, seventh injector for fuel delivery, and methanol injection to keep things cool. It’s not going to win any drag races, but it provides plenty of grunt for the technical stuff while still having enough power to keep up in the dunes.

The suspension setup is where these builds really shine. Brandon runs 2.5-inch King coilovers up front with 2.0 bump stops, while the rear gets F67 Deaver leaf springs with a 7-inch shackle. Hunter stepped up to bypasses all around - 2.5-inch coilovers with 2.5-inch bypasses up front, and 2.5-inch triple bypasses with 16-inch travel in the rear.

What makes these trucks special isn’t just the hardware - it’s the philosophy behind them. Instead of buying separate rigs for rock crawling, sand runs, and camping trips, these guys built one truck that handles everything. Sure, it might not be the absolute best at any single task, but it’s capable enough to tackle whatever adventure comes up.

The attention to detail is impressive too. Both trucks maintain their factory beds for camping gear and rooftop tents. The interiors stay mostly stock for comfort on long drives to remote locations.

These aren’t trailer queens either. Brandon and Hunter regularly drive these trucks hundreds of miles to reach their wheeling destinations. They’ve taken them to Bishop, Mammoth, Death Valley, and Big Sur for multi-day overlanding adventures. The trucks handle five or six-hour highway drives without complaint, then transition seamlessly to technical terrain.

The dual-purpose nature of these builds really shows in the details. Both trucks run street-legal setups with proper lighting, DOT-approved tires, and all the required safety equipment. They’re registered, insured, and driven on public roads regularly. The only issues they run into are occasional citations for missing mud flaps.

Building something like this isn’t cheap, but it’s more affordable than you might think. Starting with a solid Tacoma and junkyard axles keeps costs reasonable. The Toyota 3.4L V6 is bulletproof reliable, and the aftermarket support is excellent. Companies like Deaver, King, and others offer proven components that work well together.

The real value comes from the versatility. These trucks can crawl technical trails in Johnson Valley, blast through whoops in the desert, carve turns in sand dunes, and haul camping gear to remote locations. They’re equally at home on a Saturday morning coffee run or a week-long adventure in the backcountry.

Brandon and Hunter’s builds prove that you don’t need to choose between different types of off-road fun. With careful planning and the right combination of parts, you can build one truck that does it all. It might not be the fastest prerunner or the most technical rock crawler, but it’ll get you everywhere you want to go - and that’s exactly the point.