Custom 1997 Toyota Tacoma - A Taco 2NV

We've all heard how the lifestyle we love so much started in the streets of California. For years, Southern California was the core of all things minitruckin'. These days, things are still crackin' in Cali; not in sunny SoCal, but in the beautiful valleys of NorCal. The Fresno area is full of hot trucks cruising the streets and taking the trophies. So, for a guy like Daniel Blase, who's from Fresno, it was an obvious thing to build a ride to hang with the best of them.

Starting out with a clean Tacoma, which had already been played with by others, Daniel Blase took it into his own hands and emptied his wallet to get it to what you see here. Daniel's biggest influence on his build was none other than Mike Finnegan, and his '02 cover truck. Burnt Taco is easily one of the most famous Tacoma's ever built and Daniel wanted to follow in its footsteps with his Taco 2NV.

A ton of people helped to get this truck to where it is today, including the crew at Finishline Pro Paint and Graphics, which body-worked and painted it the beautiful Porsche Riviera Blue. Steve Butts, a SoCal resident and a member of Negative Camber, firmly planted the truck on the ground where it belonged by 'bagging it and body-dropping it properly. Fresno Custom Upholstery stitched up the interior to match the sleek outer shell. Now Daniel's dream of cruising with the best has been met. Not only is he in the magazine, he's in the club he's always dreamed about. So, check out the pics and The Lowdown for more on Daniel's covetable ride.

The Lowdown

Rolling Attire
Wheels (Front/Rear): 18-inch Panther Juice 5s
Tires (Front/Rear): 215/35R18 Nankang

Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air
Front suspension: Flipped ball joints
Rear suspension: Chrome four-link
Airbag/cylinder type and size: (Front/Rear): Slam Specialties
Shocks: Chrome Bilsteins up front, chrome Pete and Jakes in the back
Valves: 1/2-inch Parker valves
Compressors: Two chrome Viair 480s
Air line: 1/2-inch
Air accessories: Chrome 5-gallon tank
Frame mods: 6-inch step notch
Gas tank: Raised stock gas tank
Performed by: Steve Butts
City/state: SoCal

Body Modifications
Shaved: Hood squirters, headlight fillers, door handles, smooth body lines, body lines below rear window, gas door, tailgate handle, and a smoothed roll pan
Body-dropped: Traditional 3.5-inch
Front end: 4x4 fenders, shaved corners, and molded headlight fillers
Taillights: '03 Tacoma taillights
Exterior bolt-ons: PreRunner grille with billet inserts
Misc.: Rhino lining in black, performed by Pick-Em Up Truck Store
Performed by: Finishline Pro Paint and Graphics
City/state: Fresno, CA

Paint
Brand and colors: PPG '96 Porsche Riviera Blue
Airbrushing: Nautical stars on the dash, steering wheel, doorjambs, and engine bay
Performed by: Finishline Pro Paint and Graphics
City/state: Fresno, CA

Interior
Seats: Tacoma bucket seats, with the headrests removed
Material: Suede and marine vinyl
Dash: Painted to match and air brushed
Door panels: Suede and paint
Center console: Painted to match the exterior
Flooring: Black carpet
Gauges: Lo-tek pillar pods painted with easy street gauges
Misc.: BAD Gun Slinger steering wheel
Performed by: Lupe Colin Fresno Customs Upholstery
City/state: Fresno, CA

Stereo
Head unit: Pioneer
Mids and highs: Polk Audio
Subwoofers: Two 8-inch Kicker subs
Custom fabrication: Custom center console
Performed by: Mike at Motion & Sound
City/state: Fresno, CA

Special Thanks From Owner:
Girlfriend Tiffany Prather, sister Amie Blase, Brendon at Pick-Em Up Truck Store for the bedliner, Mike at Motion & Sound for the sound system and centerconsole, Dino and Terry at Finishline Pro Paint and Graphics, and Negative Camber.