2005 & 2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

On our way to Las Vegas last November for the SEMA Show, we spotted a pair of Toyota Tacomas tearing up the dirt just outside the city limits. Eager to see what these two were up to, we headed for the nearest exit to catch up with them. Jared Pugh and Ryan Landiak are the minds behind Rock and Roll Offroad located in North Richland Hills, Texas. Just as any one of us would do, they spotted a big open stretch of land that was calling their name. "These trucks may be featured in the SEMA Show, but we built them to work, haul the mail, and get us home," Jared told us.

Specs
Vehicle: '05 Toyota Tacoma 4WD (silver)
Owner: Jared Pugh
Chassis: Front stock, rear back-halved
Engine: VVT-I V-6, NX nitrous kit, K&N air intake
Drivetrain: JE Reel drive shaft, Toyota limited slip
Suspension: Total Chaos long travel, Deaver springs, Fox shocks
Steering: Stock
Brakes: SBC with stainless lines
Tires/wheels: 35-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers on 17x8 Walker Evans wheels
Interior: Corbeau Racing seats and belts
Other Parts: 32-gallong fuel cell, Aeromotive fuel pump
Favorite Off-Road Area: Texas, Arizona, and Nevada

Specs
Vehicle: '08 Toyota Tacoma 4WD (black)
Owner: Ryan Landiak
Chassis: Stock
Engine: VVT-I V-6, NX nitrous kit, K&N intake
Drivetrain: Stock
Suspension: King coilovers, Total Chaos upper control arm, Deaver Springs
Steering: Stock
Brakes: Stock
Tires/wheels: 35-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers on 18-inch KMC XD Enduro
Interior: Bully Dog Watchdog
Other Parts: Hella lights, N-Fab light bar and spare tire carrier
Favorite Off-Road Area: Texas, SoCal, and Baja

First up is Jared's '05 Toyota Tacoma 4WD. This truck spends equal time blasting at high speeds through the desert as it does crawling through canyons and trekking through mud. At first glance, the truck appears to be a solid prerunner, but it is much more. With forestland covering the area around their hometown, the 4WD needed to stay on the truck and work at both high and slow speeds.
First up is Jared's '05 Toyota Tacoma 4WD. This truck spends equal time blasting at high s
Needing a solid and reliable front suspension, Jared turned to Total Chaos for their Tacoma Long Travel suspension. The kit uses Fox 2.5-inch coilovers and bypass shocks and Total Chaos supplies their longer chromoly axles for 4WD trucks.
Needing a solid and reliable front suspension, Jared turned to Total Chaos for their Tacom
Jared nicknamed his truck "Taco" because he literally cut the truck in half to build it. Rock and Roll Offroad built every inch of this truck aside from the Total Chaos Long Travel front suspension. The entire rear chassis, rock sliders and front bumper are all made from 0.120 wall DOM tube. Under a set of Glassworks bedsides are Walker Evans 17x8 wheels wrapped in 35-inch Nitto Mud Grappler tires.
Jared nicknamed his truck "Taco" because he literally cut the truck in half to build it. R

This Rock and Roll front winch bumper is for sale to the public, available with a winch, fair lead, and two light mounts. This bumper is setup with a Warn 9.5ti winch and dual Vision-X HID lights.
This Rock and Roll front winch bumper is for sale to the public, available with a winch, f
In order to run this kit, you will need to have the shock hoop bolted and welded to your frame. This is a small price to pay for a huge step up in performance. If you want to talk numbers, we can show you a laundry list of desert racing titles won using this suspension.
In order to run this kit, you will need to have the shock hoop bolted and welded to your f
For those moments when you need just a little more go, a NX Single Nozzle System nitrous package was added to the truck. A 32-gallon Fuel Safe cell has been mounted into the chassis running off an Aeromotive fuel pump.
For those moments when you need just a little more go, a NX Single Nozzle System nitrous p

It's not often we find a truck that has been back-halved without a four-link suspension in the rear. R&R had Deaver Spring make them a custom leaf spring pack running under the axle to help gain as much travel as possible from the rear. Sending the truck safely to the ground after each jump are Fox 2.5 triple bypass shocks and 2.0 airbumps.
It's not often we find a truck that has been back-halved without a four-link suspension in
The stock Toyota rear end was left on the truck running factory gearing and a limited slip differential. R&R did truss the axle to beef up its strength and added SSBC Brakes both front and rear with stainless steel lines.
The stock Toyota rear end was left on the truck running factory gearing and a limited slip
Moving clean air through the engine is a K&N air filter system.

Four-point Corbeau Racing seats and belts were mounted to the factory seat sliders for easy access and increased comfort off road.
Four-point Corbeau Racing seats and belts were mounted to the factory seat sliders for eas
During the winter months, Jared relies on his Optima Yellow Top battery to always keep the truck starting effortlessly.
During the winter months, Jared relies on his Optima Yellow Top battery to always keep the

The other truck we discovered in the dirt, while not as heavily modified, was still doing a fine job of outrunning us through the dunes. Ryan's '08 Toyota Tacoma 4WD looks great running Glassworks fiberglass fenders with 35-inch Nitto Mud Grappler tires and 18x9 KMC XD Enduro wheels. It did need a little bit of fender well trimming to get those big tires to fit while turning.
The other truck we discovered in the dirt, while not as heavily modified, was still doing
King Shocks makes a really nice bolt-on Tacoma coilover kit that is a perfect choice for guys looking for increased performance on a budget. Teamed up with the Total Chaos upper arm that is specifically made to run with bolt-on coilovers, the package gives you a solid, reliable front end that will last the life of your truck. It also allows you to keep the stock 4WD system intact and in perfect working order without modifications.
King Shocks makes a really nice bolt-on Tacoma coilover kit that is a perfect choice for g
Looking for an easy way to carry your spare tire to the desert? N-Fab makes this really nice tire carrier system that slides into the factory bed rail system. It can hold up to a 35-inch tall tire. On top of carrying his spare around, this truck often hauls lumber and other parts that would kill the factory bed without a proper liner. Rhino Linings laid down a fresh coat of liner to protect the bed floor. Ryan is also running the same NX Single Nozzle nitrous setup that Jared is for those special occasions.
Looking for an easy way to carry your spare tire to the desert? N-Fab makes this really ni

The Bully Dog Watchdog works on all '96-and-later vehicles with an OBD-II port. It is a digital gauge/monitor that monitors over 20 vehicle parameters once calibrated to your vehicle. It will send you valuable fuel economy driving tips to help you save your pennies where and when you can. A few of the functions include; instant fuel economy, average fuel economy, waster energy, boost pressure, speed, coolant temp, timing position in degrees, throttle position in percent, air intake temperature, barometer, battery voltage and more.
The Bully Dog Watchdog works on all '96-and-later vehicles with an OBD-II port. It is a di

Another N-Fab product is the bolt-on light bar. The bar is made from 0.095 wall DOM tubing that is heat treated for corrosion inside and out. It comes with four light tabs, powder coated for protection and carries a lifetime warranty. Ryan's is loaded up with four Hella lamps.
Another N-Fab product is the bolt-on light bar. The bar is made from 0.095 wall DOM tubing
To compliment the rear leaf springs, Deaver Spring added their three-leaf progressive pack giving the springs increased travel and improved ride comfort both on and off road.
To compliment the rear leaf springs, Deaver Spring added their three-leaf progressive pack
Under the hood are a K&N 63 Series Air Charger Intake and Oil Kit, Unichip Plug and Play Kit, and dual Maradyne Jetstream electric fans. Shooting out the back is a Gibson exhaust that was custom bent to fit this truck.
Under the hood are a K&N 63 Series Air Charger Intake and Oil Kit, Unichip Plug and Play K

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By Jordan May

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