Custom 2000 Toyota Tacoma - Cash Killa'

Faster than you can say "Drag it!," this Tacoma will burn up all of your money. It's not that hard to imagine a standard cab mini-truck costing more than $25,000 to build, especially when its paintjob looks like a million bucks - and then some. Ryan Payson's goal was to build the baddest dragger possible, even if it did empty a substantial portion of his bank account. Judging by his newest creation, he's hit his mark with a vengeance. His previous minis, an '84 and '93 Toyota, served him well and enabled Ryan to envision his Taco laying frame on a super-fast, albeit expensive and fairly exotic, air suspension. A host of 500-psi Herion electric valves feed compressed helium to the four-ply Slam Specialties air springs mounted at each corner. In reserve, four Thomas air compressors feed two 3-gallon air tanks just in case Ryan runs out of helium-induced action. The rear 'bags are mounted above the rear axle tubes but with a twist; Uro Tek of Phoenix fabricated the upper bridge mount for the 'bags in the shape of the Tacoma logo. This is some slick stuff and worthy of a mini carrying the weight of a name like Cash Killa'.

Within the plush confines of the cab, Cash Killer is drenched in more House of Kolor Planet Green paint and yards of Ultraleather and faux cheetah-print material. The wallet-draining powers of this truck continue with a full audio and video system that puts DVD viewing pleasure not only in the center of the dashboard but inside the glove compartment, too. The requisite shave job is present, but again, Uro Tek pulled out all the stops, frenching a pair of Lexus IS300 trunk lights into the rear skin of Ryan's Tacoma, which now serve as fully functional taillights. Cash Killa' may be a money-grubbing S.O.B., but the stares of jealousy, envy, and admiration that it elicits from Ryan's peers more than makes up for the price he's paid.

THE LOWDOWN

Chassis/Suspension Uro Tek of Phoenix installed AIM Industries ball joint spacers after flipping the ball joints to the top of the front control arms. This mod decreased the negative angle of the ball joints when Cash Killa' was laid flat on the pavement and kept the ball joints from failing under the stress. Slam Specialties provided its four-ply 2500 air springs with 1/2-inch dual ports, and Doetsch Tech shocks were relocated to the outside of the front suspension. In the rear, a custom frame bridge provided a home for 2600 'bags and paved the way for a custom, reverse-triangulated four-link suspension. The hellacious air suspension makes use of 500-psi Herion electric valves, a helium tank, four Thomas air compressors, two 3-gallon reserve tanks, and a wireless switch box.

Wheels/Tires 18x7-inch Neeper Wheels Mega series rims tuck nicely inside of 215/35ZR18 Nitto Extreme Performance radials.

Body Mods Justin Gough of Uro Tek installed a Trenz billet grille between the Tacoma's headlights after shaving the front corner marker lights from the 4WD front fenders. Next, the antenna hole, third brake light, door handles, cab seams, tailgate handle, and factory mirrors were shaved clean. The stock taillight openings also fell victim to Justin's welder, and a pair of Lexus IS300 trunk lights was frenched in their place. A roll pan was then molded into the lower portion of the bed, and the license plate was relocated into a box in the tailgate.

Custom Paint Justin Gough again went to work on Ryan's Taco, this time spraying House of Kolor's Planet Green and Orion Silver hues over the more aerodynamic body of the truck.

Interior JP Koncepts and Uro Tek worked together to craft the bangin' interior for Cash Killa'. The dash was sanded smooth and given the same paintjob as the outside. The headrests were removed from the factory bench seat prior to being covered in black Ultraleather and faux cheetah print. Before the duo was finished, the entire plastic interior paneling was smoothed and painted to match, and an APC aluminum steering wheel took center stage.

Audio/Video System Ryan took charge of wiring up a killer entertainment system for his mini. A motorized Clarion head unit/monitor combo coordinates the efforts of a 5-inch Clarion monitor hidden in the glovebox and a Blaupunkt DVD player. Audio Express built a custom subwoofer enclosure behind the bench seat for a pair of 12-inch Rockford Fosgate XLC subs. Behind the door panels lie Pioneer 6.5-inch component speaker systems.

Engine/Drivetrain The mostly stock 2.4L engine received an Injen air intake system and green wire loom to dress up the wiring.

Owner's Quote "I'd like to thank Justin Gough at Uro Tek and Negative Camber."