Owner: Steve Owens Ride:...
Owner: Steve Owens
Ride: '01 Toyota Tacoma XtraCab S-Runner
Hometown: Salem, Alabama
Club: Limited Access
After building an awesome Ranger that was featured in the Dec. 2000 issue called BagBoy and after rebuilding and selling the truck shortly thereafter, Steve Owens went out and purchased a brand-new S-Runner Tacoma; he's had big plans for it from day one.
The week Steve Owens bought his Tacoma in the summer of 2001, he had the truck lowered and painted with graphics on the nose. He soon changed his mind and redid the paint scheme. After forming in his mind exactly what he wanted for the truck, he 'bagged it and went to work getting the interior redone. In a span of only six months, Steve turned his new mini-truck into the exact image of what he'd always wanted out of a truck. With the assistance of those he most trusted near his hometown of Salem, Alabama, Steve made rapid work of turning the bone stock Taco' into something that would turn heads.
Since he owned his previously famous Ranger, he'd always wanted to do up a Toyota, and in June 2002 his truck was finally complete enough to show it off. To celebrate, Steve drove his Toyota from Salem to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where he attended the 2002 NOPI Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals. That's where we caught up with Steve and got the whole story on film. Check out the details of what makes this Taco' tick.
The Lowdown
Wheels/Tires 18x7-inch Intro Cruiser 5 billet wheels planted securely inside 225/40R18 Sumitomo low-profile radial tires.
Suspension Steve's Taco' was given the gift of an infinitely adjustable Hack Shack four-link suspension in the rear installed by Russell Sherman and Scott Perry at Plan B Customs in Phenix City, Alabama. Furthermore, the truck's lift and lowering capabilities are made possible by the installation of Firestone air springs installed at each corner of the truck.
Interior All leather using two shades of tan hides stitched together perfectly by Larry Harris at Larry Harris Upholstery in Phenix City. The interior sports a partial rollcage built using chromeoly steel; it was built by Danny Parker at Parker Performance in Columbus, Georgia.
Body Mods Shaved door handles, a shaved tailgate handle, a shaved fuel filler door, and a molded-in steel roll pan smooth out the body of the Tacoma nicely. Stull Industries' polished billet grille and bumper inserts make the front end of the truck look just as glamorous as any Hollywood movie star at a premier.
Paint/Graphics After the body shave was complete, the Taco' was sprayed bright red by Larry Hathaway, bringing it back to its original vibrant red. When the body was ready, William Bozewell laid out the tribal flames that spread all over the truck and sprayed them to appear as reflective chrome.
Special Thanks To Scott Perry, Larry Hathaway, and Larry Harris for their dedication to helping to complete Steve's project to this point in such a short period of time.