Our Choice for Best Tow Vehicle of 2022 is a Modified 2023 Toyota Tacoma

On Bring a Trailer, you may bid until Friday, April 7, on a 2003 Toyota Tacoma that has been refurbished and customised.

This clean first-generation Tacoma has had its body repainted and its frame overhauled, and it now rolls on real bronze TRD wheels.

It also has a steel rear bumper with a swing-away tyre carrier and a grille guard and rock rails, all of which are nice touches.

The Toyota Tacoma has been around for over 30 years, and in that time it has grown inseparable from the world of off-roading. Since the first generation debuted for the 1995 model year, the Tacoma’s reputation has grown in those communities. The 2003 Tacoma SR5 double cab currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos, is a beautifully modified representation of the Taco’s spirit.

New Tacos

The 2003 Tacoma for sale on BaT is in pristine condition thanks to a recent paint job in the factory-original colour, Impulse Red. The bed cap and roof basket are a nice touch, and the LED lights around the outside are a nice touch as well. A 2004 frame has been supposedly been used to replace the original, and POR-15 has been applied to it to prevent rust.

The new suspension helps make this Tacoma feel modern. The front upper control arms have been improved, and they pair with a brand-new set of Fox 2.0 coil-overs. Increased shock absorbers and a leaf spring package give the truck a higher ride height, supporting the truck’s solid rear axle.

The Taco’s drivetrain and powerplant have not undergone any major revisions. It has a 3.4-liter V-6 engine that produced 190 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque when it was new, and it is mated with a five-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The vehicle has accumulated about 89,000 miles.

Dressings for Tacos

The endless customization options are what make this taco so delicious. The red exterior looks great with the bronze faux beadlock rings on the 17-inch TRD wheels. A set of 265/75R-17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tyres are attached to the rims. The spare tyre, hi-lift jack and additional fuel tanks can all be found on the rear tyre carrier.

The covered cargo bed can be quickly accessed by swinging open the rear section. A steel bumper with bright red tow hooks sits beneath it. Rock rails from a third party and a full-length front grille guard with an integrated light bar add even more protection to the body. Some elements of the vehicle’s undercarriage are built to withstand damage from pebbles and the like, including the noticeable front skid plate.

The retro interior styling of the Taco dates it to the 2000s, but the truck presents well with its clean charcoal leather and reportedly refurbished dashboard that fixes sun damage. This 2003 model has a Pioneer stereo with SiriusXM satellite radio and access to Spotify, making it ideal for anyone who would rather not bother with cassette tapes or CDs. The screen for the rear-view camera is integrated within the unit as well.

The current auction on Bring a Trailer for a 2003 Toyota Tacoma SR5 double cab is $17,000. Friday, April 7 is the final day of the auction.

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Eric Stafford’s fascination with cars dates back to before he could walk, and it’s what drives him to cover the auto industry for Car and Driver. Growing up, he dreamed of one day being a rich and amassing a car collection to rival that of Jay Leno. Instead of pursuing financial success like so many social media superstars do, he became a journalist who reviews new vehicles for a job. His years of essentially blowing money on unsuccessful project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies paid off when Car and Driver hired him after he graduated from Central Michigan University and started working at a daily newspaper. He presently has a manual 1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, an automatic Acura RDX (2010), and an automatic Honda CRX Si (1990) in his garage.