Transforming a Second-Generation Tacoma from Overland Rig to Prerunner

TacomaBeast took Dustin’s second-generation Toyota Tacoma, an already-built overland rig, and reworked it into a desert prerunner, chronicling the roughly $30,000 conversion from teardown to fresh wrap.

Featured in “Transforming our Employee’s Toyota Tacoma with $30,000” by TacomaBeast.

Step one was shedding weight. Off came the overland gear, the awning, roof rack, and bed slide, all useful for camping but dead weight for a truck meant to move fast across the desert. Dustin admitted the awning and bed slide were hard to let go after years of adventures, but the goal was a lighter, more agile build.

From there the truck went under the knife. Khil Fab fabricated a custom lightweight front bumper to cut weight and improve the approach angle, cutting and welding it to integrate with the Tacoma’s frame. Braking was upgraded with a Power Brake X-Line big brake kit running larger calipers and rotors, important for hauling the truck down at speed. Advanced Fiberglass Concepts installed wide-body fiberglass bedsides to open up room for greater wheel travel and oversized tires.

Build highlights

• Platform: second-generation Toyota Tacoma (overland-to-prerunner conversion)
• Front bumper: custom lightweight unit by Khil Fab
• Brakes: Power Brake X-Line big brake kit
• Body: wide-body fiberglass bedsides by Advanced Fiberglass Concepts
• Finish: blue wrap by Beyond Wraps

The finishing touch was a striking blue wrap from Beyond Wraps, marking the Tacoma’s shift from overland hauler to a lighter, faster prerunner ready for the desert.