Issue 23 Toyota Tacoma – War-X-Four John Schwartze Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More A Marine Infantryman's Take on the Ideal Truck Photos by Joseph Dowling One of the fun things about covering vehicles like this is hearing stories of how our Transport articles also inspire readers to start their own build. In this case, Chris Pate of San Antonio, Texas, befriended an individual whose Tundra had appeared in our Issue 12 of RECOIL, and it got him thinking about what his dream vehicle would be. Having served 10 years in the Marine Corps, much of which was as an infantry squad leader in Iraq and Afghanistan, and participated in MMA, Chris wasn’t about to spend his deployment pay on some latte-sipping hybrid. He wanted to create the biggest, baddest Tacoma out there. Why a Tacoma? He’d previously owned one and knew that it could not only take a beating, but could hold its own next to Tundras and Jeeps. So he got to calling dealerships until he found one two hours away that had the platform he wanted — double cab, TRD package, four-wheel drive, and it had to come in black. Now that the he had the base, next came getting endorsements from companies that made the products he believed in. The goal? To take his truck all way to SEMA, one of the world’s biggest automobile aftermarket conventions. And after coordinating with sponsors while he was deployed, in 2015 he got a chance to do just that. They knew he was serious, and backed his play. So let’s see all the cool gear that made its way into the mix. The V-6 motor was upgraded with a Volant cold air intake and ram scoop, along with straight pipe exhaust. The four-wheel-drive system was re-geared for the larger Center Line wheels and 35-inch General Tires by Nitro Gear & Axle. Those huge meats are brought to a stop with the help of R1 Concepts E-Line series rotors. A 6-inch Fabtech high-performance lift with Dirt Logic shocks, Icon Vehicle Dynamics Uniball upper control arms, and powdercoated coilovers round out the suspension accouterments. Bodywork consists of a 2014 front end, custom mesh grille, All Pro Offroad rock sliders, single hoop Apex front bumper with a Warn winch, and All Pro Offroad metal rear bumper. Lights abound with ProComp 7-inch HID lights (two spot and two flood) lights. Police Strobes and LED lights in the grille, two Golight HID Stryker Searchlights operated by an interior joystick, and various other LEDs reside in the hoodscoop and license plate. IPCW Bermuda black LED taillights, and custom headlights with HIDs, red and white halos, and red LEDs round out the package. Glassworks front and rear flared fenders allow space for some dips and jumps when this thing hits the dirt. A full Kryptek Typhon wrap adds a bit of camo effect to the overall aesthetic. All Pro Offroad storage sits in the bed for some of Chris' Dynamic Weapons Solutions firearms. A Defender roof rack, CVT Mt. Shasta three-person tent, and WaterPORT portable water supply help keep supplies stacked up and off-road trips a bit more practical when not in the comforts of custom leather seats. Two Optima batteries help keep juice flowing to the Uniden Bearcat CB Radio, Pioneer head unit, and custom stereo that are situated in a carbon-fiber dash with a custom console. Oh, a police siren and a HornBlaster's Conductors Special train horn kit will ensure a path is cleared, even for the hearing impaired who will probably feel the sound on their teeth. Although Chris plans on selling this beauty, he's already eyeballing a new project. Thanks for your service to our country. We're glad you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in one badass truck. 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD SPORT 4X4 4L V-6 AUTOMATIC 1 LIGHT MAKE: Golight MODEL: Stryker HID URL: http://www.golight.com 2 LIGHT MAKE: Pro Comp MODEL: Pro Comp 7-inch HID URL: http://www.procompusa.com 3 LIGHTBAR MAKE: Zero Dark Lighting MODEL: 20-inch LED lightbar URL: http://www.zerodarklighting.com 4 LIGHT MAKE: Zero Dark Lighting MODEL: 3D Rocket Pod URL: http://www.zerodarklighting.com 1 ROCK SLIDERS MAKE: All Pro Offroad MODEL: Extreme-Duty APEX Series Rock Sliders URL: http://www.allprooffroad.com 2 KRYPTEK RAID WRAP MATERIALS/PATTERN: http://www.usnightvision.com INSTALLATION: http://www.sideafects.com 3 FENDERS MAKE: Glassworks Unlimited MODEL: 4-inch front, 4.5-inch rear URL: http://www.glassworksunlimited.com 4 ROCKET LAUNCHER MAKE: Saab Bofors Dynamics MODEL: AT4 5 ROOF RACK MAKE: Smittybilt MODEL: Defender URL: http://www.smittybilt.com 6 TENT MAKE: Cascadia Vehicle Roof Top Tents MODEL: CVT Mt. Shasta URL: http://www.cascadiatents.com 7 TIRES MAKE: General Tire MODEL: 35-inch Grabber MT URL: http://www.generaltire.com 8 WHEELS MAKE: Center Line MODEL: 20-inch RT-2 URL: http://www.centerlinewheels.com 9 REAR BUMPER MAKE: All Pro Offroad MODEL: High clearance rear bumper URL: http://www.allprooffroad.com 10 TIRE MOUNT MAKE: Wilco Offroad MODEL: Tiregate Vertical Mount URL: http://www.wilcooffroad.com 11 RIFLE DWS AR-15 Alpha Shooting Sports stainless steal fluted heavy 16-inch barrel and lower parts kit, DWS titanium nitride/ZrN-coated BCG with Strike Industires MegaFins-XL M-LOK handguard, Strike Industries M-LOK Covers V2, Strike Industries Hex Selector Switches with 60/90 Combo Shaft 3-in-1, BCM grip, Magpul pro sights, Hexmag magazine, Mission First minimalist stock, Strike Industries Triple Crown-Comp with Ferfrans concussion reduction device URL: http://www.facebook.com/TomorrowsAdvancedGunfighters 1 FRONT BUMPER MAKE: All Pro Offroad MODEL: Apex URL: http://www.allprooffroad.com 2 WINCH MAKE: Warn MODEL: ZEON 8 URL: http://www.warn.com 3 SEATS MAKE: Roadwire MODEL: Leather URL: http://www.roadwire.com 4 MACHETE MAKE: Gerber Gear MODEL: Gator URL: http://www.gerbergear.com 5 PISTOLS (Top) Glock 17 Gen 4 with DWS EXO slide packages and RMR slidecut package with Trijicon Suppressor Night Sights. Trijicon RMR with custom stippling, frame reduction and undercuts. Cerakoted graphite black with DWS trigger job, threaded and fluted S3fsolutions black nitride barrel with S3f ext base pad. (MIDDLE) DWS GLOCK 17 GEN 3 WITH MRK II DESTROYER SLIDE PACKAGE HAND-POLISHED AND COATED TITANIUM NITRIDE. SLIDE ALSO HAS RMR CUT AND PLATE COVER PACKAGE. ALG DEFENSE 6-SECOND MOUNT AND AIMPOINT T2 OPTIC. ALSO A S3FSOLUTIONS BLACK NITRIDE FLUTED BARREL. CUSTOM STIPPLING AND FRAME REDUCTION WITH UNDERCUTS. (BOTTOM) DWS M&P 9MM WITH ENHANCED EDC SLIDE PACKAGE WITH BLACK MULTICAM CERAKOTE. MATCH GRADE STORM LAKE THREADED BARREL. TRIJICON HD NIGHT SIGHTS AND SALIENT ARMS TRIGGER WITH APEX DUTY CARRY KIT. INFORCE APL LIGHT WITH 10-8 PERFORMANCE MAGWELL. DWS EXT BASE PLATE. URL: http://www.facebook.com/TomorrowsAdvancedGunfighters Explore RECOILweb:Nextbelt Offering Hole-less Belt in CamoDIY Bolt Action GunsmithingNew Models from ColonelBlades[SHOT Show 2017] Save on NFA Woes with the Tactical Solutions TSAR-223 NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
