Rocko Taco's Operation Rebuild

[04 Rocko Taco]

Rocko Taco's Operation Rebuild.

This is sure to not be as full fledged, or as complicated, and hopefully not as longstanding of a project as our beloved Lance's "Operation Rebuild: Chaos Edition" but I thought I would let you guys in on the deal anyway.

On Friday 9/4/09 (just for reference) I was headed to SETO (Southeast Toyota Takeover) which is a TTORA event for all the southeast chapters, it was being held in Tracy City, TN. On I-75 North about an hour from home, I was just about run off the road in my Tacoma, when you have a trailer and your 4runner behind a Tacoma, you can guess this is no fun. One thing lead to another, and suffice to say me and the Taco are lucky to have escaped unscathed. The trailer and the 4runner, unfortunately, did not fare so well. My trailer is a complete loss, with the frame twisted, bent, cracked, and the axles broken. The 4runner isn't in quite as sorry of shape, but isn't pretty. I'll let the pictures do the talking with as little interruption as possible.

Here she is, moments after the trailer has been towed away, waiting for the second two truck to arrive.(you get a lot of funny looks towing this thing around, you get a lot of even funnier looks when you flip one and stand on the side of the road)



Here she is at Mossyrocks Fab shop (praise Mossyrocks for the cage, which was my '84's only saving grace)








We spent a little time mulling over exactly what to do first, and decided to keep the top, and pull it back as straight as possible, repair the cage, and I opted for the idea of a Plexiglas (or Lexan) windshield. SO we spent some time with the forklift and a lot of strapping (notice the lift is a Yota too, one 20R helping out a little 22R - so sweet)



After Phase 1 (body movement) was completed, this is how she stands. Much straighter and "square-ish" than she was...




Phase 2 will be coming soon, I do have the Hallo-wheeling trip to attend. Windshield or no, repairs will be made to the cage, and we'll be rocking and (hopefully no more) rolling. Keep checking back, it should be fun to see, and I even may get into a body swap if my source comes through with a new tub. Thanks for looking!

[CJM]

OMG! That totally sucks!

How did it happen, more details!

[04 Rocko Taco]

Tractor trailer drifted into my lane and ran me off the road, I honked, and swerved, and that was the beginning of the end, the trailer started fishtailing, and never recovered, spun me around in the middle of the interstate, and the trailer flipped, 4runner included, after it broke off the hitch, and luckily left me and the tacoma right side up in the middle of the interstate, albeit facing the wrong way.

[Good Times]

you tryin to one up me? hahahaha

welp hopefully the rebuild won't take almost a year like mine! looks like some serious carnage and it's always good to hear everyone's safe. I'm curious as to what the trailer looked like after it got all twisted!

so what's the new plans for this truck? exo? c'mon just spill it all out! we know you want to!

[04 Rocko Taco]

Repair of the exisitng cage, and finishing it off to the back, and then... who knows... time to start cutting, I imagine... Truggy, here I come.

[DHC6twinotter]

Wow...that's a bummer! Glad you are ok though. Looks like Brad's cage held up well!

Glad the Taco is fine too.

[DHC6twinotter]

Tractor trailer drifted into my lane and ran me off the road, I honked, and swerved, and that was the beginning of the end, the trailer started fishtailing, and never recovered, spun me around in the middle of the interstate, and the trailer flipped, 4runner included, after it broke off the hitch, and luckily left me and the tacoma right side up in the middle of the interstate, albeit facing the wrong way.

Did they catch the driver of the tractor trailer? That must of been crazy for both you and the folks behind you.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Tractor Trailer did not stop, he didn't actually contact me, so its not really his fault anyway - I mean, it sucks, but oh well.

[DHC6twinotter]

Well, I'm glad you're fine.

Looking forward to what you may do to the 4Runner.

[Obi..]

Umm, Chris,

GLAD YOU'RE ALIVE!!

That said, let me be clear here, what better time to go.. (*C'mon, everybody, chant with me here!!)



F-TOY!! F-TOY!! F-TOY!!
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=69

Think about it, Mossy could really step up and use your's as the project platform. Just an idea I'm sure he's offered already. If not seriously consider it.