This model combines two very distinctive elements together. First, you got a whopping great big 4.7L 2UZ-FE V8, which coupled with a supercharger makes this truck an absolute sleeper. Then you have that black plastic trim all over the place. To some it looks hideous, to others, it’s a bold and characterful accent. Either way, those huge plastic fenders and bumpers define the look of these early models. It looks base-trim, functional, and simplistic. Now, just imagine marrying that exterior look with a potent tuned V8. Suddenly you have a capable off-roader that can also blow the doors off other cars at red-light races. Not to mention, the engine’s phenomenally good from stock as well.
I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.
My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.
