Stranded Toyota Tacoma Gets Helped Out of a Jam
Unfortunately, it sounds like this kitted-out Tacoma’s mill is going to require a full rebuild.
It’s been almost two decades since I got my first job in the automotive industry. And while I’ve had many amazing time driving off road, including a very memorable few days in Baja, California, it’s not something I do in my spare time. The reasons are many, and basically all of them can be summed up by this video of a Toyota Tacoma stuck in a nasty chute in the deserts of Utah. I have absolutely no desire to ever find myself in straits so dire, particularly with a manufacturer’s vehicle that has been entrusted to my care.
Now, getting towed out of a tough spot is something that’s happened to plenty of great drivers, and Matt’s Off Road Recovery has made a business out of it. But what makes this situation way worse is that it sounds like the engine of this Taco has given up the ghost. If you have even a smidgen of mechanical sympathy, listening to the sound of that mill trying to turn over is going to send shivers up your spine. At this point, the internals are likely kicking around more metal shavings than a machine shop floor.
That said, the visuals here are drop-dead gorgeous, and make it perfectly clear why folks risk their rigs to get out and see country like this. Like true pros, Matt and his team make this rescue look like just another day at the office, though I have to admit I was a little nervous watching this Tacoma get yanked out of this rock chute. Because you never know what can go wrong when you’re trying to pluck a vehicle out sticky situation, and a trip along the rock wall could have very well totaled the vehicle. To say nothing about the full rebuilt the motor is almost certainly going to need.
On that note, let me know about the worst predicament you’ve gotten your truck into. Were you able to make it out without assistance, or did you have to call a recovery service like Matt’s to get back on your way? Was there any mechanical damage, or was the only wound to your pride? I’d love to do a post detailing the adventures of some of YotaTech’s more adventurous souls, and if you have pics or video, better still!
Photos: YouTube