Toyota Tacoma – War-X-Four

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

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