OWNER: Tsuneyuki Baba RIDE:...
OWNER: Tsuneyuki Baba
RIDE: '98 Toyota Tacoma
HOMETOWN: Tochigi, Japan
Tsuneyuki Baba from Tochigi, Japan, is an avid surfer and he began the search for his next vehicle knowing that he wanted something with ample room to haul his surf boards on the weekends.
Eventually Tsuneyuki came across an American Toyota Tacoma and liked the idea of using it as his beach transportation as it offered plenty of room in the bed for his boards. This Tacoma would be the first minitruck that Tsuneyuki has owned so he really had no idea what he was in for when he came knocking at the door of Tint Shop Worldwide Customs. At first, he just approached them to install a tonneau cover to protect his surfboards and change the color of the body to match the ocean views. So his first round of mods from the Tint Shop included changing the body color and installing a set of bigger billet wheels.
This little Seaside Cruiser headed to the beach every weekend for over a year simply stock with a nice paintjob and wheels. But we all know the itch deep down inside that will eventually get the best of you when driving a custom minitruck. Sure enough, Tsuneyuki found his way back to the Tint Shop to discuss air ride suspension, a body drop, and complete interior. This time around no stone was unturned, but the only concern Tsuneyuki had was the stock hood. He didn't want a hole in the hood for the V-6 and the body drop so the motor was lowered and a custom SS-style hood was built.
After about a year of building, the final version of the Seaside Cruiser was something that Tsuneyuki could hold his head high and be proud of. It was featured on the cover of Japan's truck magazine, Truck Trends, and we were lucky enough to pull Tsuneyuki away from the waves for one weekend to photograph his Tacoma for our readers as well. Japan continues to build amazing and clean minitrucks and the scene grows leaps and bounds every single year. There's plenty more where this came from so stay tuned! For all the details of the Seaside Cruiser Tacoma check out The Lowdown.
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: (Front) 18x8 Budnik Famosa (Rear) 19x8 Budnik Famosa
Tires: (Front) 225/40R18 Dunlop (Rear) 235/35R19 Dunlop
Chassis Modifications
Suspension Front: Drop spindles, Firestone airbags
Suspension Rear: Custom-built four-link, Firestone airbags
Shocks: Toxic shocks
Compressors: Two Thomas 337s
Air accessories: 3/8-inch SMC valves
Frame mods: Lowered motor mounts, custom cross members
Misc.: Rearend painted blue
Performed by: Tint Shop Worldwide Customs, Japan
Body Modifications
Shaved: Door handles, gas door, antenna, tailgate handle
Body-dropped: 3.5 inches
Bolt-ons: Tonneau cover
Misc.: Custom-made SS-style hood to clear stock intake manifold
Performed by: Tint Shop Worldwide Customs, Japan
Paint
Brand and colors: HOK PC-4 Prism pearl over HOK Magic Blue and custom mixed Ivory
Misc.: Pinstriping by Sign Effects
Performed by: Tint Shop Worldwide Customs, Japan
Interior
Seats: Ivory leather with blue piping
Dash: Smoothed and painted
Center Console: Custom-made with air switches, gauges, and Bulgari clock
Misc.: BAD steering wheel
Performed by: Tint Shop Worldwide Customs, Japan
Stereo
Head unit: Alpine
Mids and highs: Audiobahn
Subwoofers: Two 15-inch Audiobahn
Amplifiers: Audiobahn
Misc.: Custom-built enclosure
Performed by: Tint Shop Worldwide Customs, Japan
Special Thanks From Owner:
The crew at Tint Shop Worldwide Customs, Sign Effects for the pinstriping, all the other friends who helped me throughout the build, Truck Trends Magazine for featuring my truck on the cover, and Mini Truckin' magazine for showing the world nice Japan customs.