For today’s ExPo classifieds, we have what could be considered one of the most desirable overland setups in North America: a Toyota Tacoma with a paint-matched AT Overland Habitat. What’s more, it’s equipped with an array of accessories and can be purchased for $7,000 less than a TRD-Pro at $36,000. So without further adieu, le’ts take a look. Note: The owner posted pictures of the truck dirty and wants to make clear he’s not hiding condition; he will be cleaning and polishing it before delivery.
This Tacoma is a Magnetic Grey Metallic 2012 with a 6-speed manual transmission and just under 60,000 miles. It was purchased used after a lease return in 2015 with 9,000 miles on the clock, and the rest of the mileage was put on by the current owner, who claims they were primarily highway miles with a few trail runs in between. The vehicle is located in Michigan, and the owner is selling it to fund a vehicle build for a new business venture.
The most obvious modification to this Tacoma is the AT habitat, which the seller states is “the single-best upgrade I’ve ever done to a truck.” It has some minor modifications including riv-nut-mounted railings and MOLLE panels on the interior for gear storage, as well as aluminum airline track along the passenger side bed floor, to which there is a Truckfridge-brand refrigerator, storage, and Goal Zero system mounted. The interior of the bed beneath the habitat is also covered by a bed rug, which makes for a nice washable floor when living inside for extended periods.
For those who wish to seek out more technical trails, this Tacoma is ready for whatever you throw at it. ARB Old Man Emu shocks and springs with Wheel’s Add-a-Leafs in the rear lift the vehicle 2.25 inches, giving it plenty of clearance for the TRD Pro 17s with 255 Cooper ST Maxx tires, which have around 20,000 miles on them. Upper control arms have been swapped for light racing models, and Wheeler’s bump stops replaced the stock units.
For those times that a little extra protection is needed, an ARB front bumper, Mobtown Offroad bolt-on sliders, and RCI steel skids have been installed. The skids cover everything from the front of the vehicle to the center differential, and there’s a rear differential protector as well. A Warn M8000 winch is also present for when things really go awry.
Aftermarket lighting includes some floodlights on the bumper, amber dust lights, as well as the aftermarket fogs and turn signals on the ARB front bumper. All of the lights, along with the Warn Winch, are controlled through a Switch-Pros electronics system that is wired in the interior overhead console.
Additional tweaks include an A-pillar-mounted RAM x-mount for phones, a Pioneer AVIC 4300 head unit with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and an upgraded speaker system including an under-seat Pioneer subwoofer. A rear backup camera is wired from the back license plate for an always-on rear-view through the head unit while driving around town.
The owner states that at 70 mph, the truck gets roughly 15-16 mpg on the highway. “The acceleration around town is sufficient, and the manual transmission helps, but it’s nothing to write home about”.
He also states that the paint and body condition is probably somewhere in the “good” zone. The truck always had a good coat of wax on it, but pinstriping from trees and some small dents can be seen on various locations on the truck. He has also spent a good deal of time and money rustproofing this Tacoma, ensuring that the frame and undercarriage will be clean for years to come.
Overall, this vehicle looks to be in great shape and is equipped nicely, but there is a catch. The steal of a price comes with the knowledge that this truck has been hydro-locked in the past. An event which the owner documents well in his for sale ad and even includes photos of (see above). It looks to be a case of pure bad luck in our opinion, as the truck wasn’t even up to the cab or over the axles when it occurred. Even so, the local Toyota dealership installed a new engine, and she’s back running as strong as ever.
To learn more about this truck, or to make an offer, visit the vehicle’s for sale ad on the forums here.
