2009 Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer

The Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer (ATG) combines outdoor sports activities and video games to create the ultimate active lifestyle vehicle for young Tacoma pickup truck owners. The special vehicle was designed to take Tacoma owners to their favorite remote locations where they can pursue their passion for outdoor sports activities and also provide a haven at the end of the day to play their favorite interactive video games.

To create the Tacoma ATG Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. teamed up with a group of partners who are among the finest in their fields of expertise. The partners included The B.A.D. Company as the primary builder,along with Microsoft Xbox, Kicker, Toyota Racing Development, INNO Advanced Car Racks and Cannondale.

Toyota provided a 2009 Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed PreRunner V6 five-speed automatic to The B.A.D. Company to transform it into the rugged ATG. The builders felt this Tacoma configuration provided the best combination of on-road and off-road capability, a spacious cab to haul friends and a full-size bed to carry cargo and equipment.

The B.A.D. Company removed the B-Pillars and installed double gull-wing doors to increase space and create a patio like shelter for gamers. Adjustable theater style seating was created by removing the front seats and repositioning them to the outboard rear locations. This theater seating configuration intensifies gaming action by creating a communal experience, especially effective when playing Xbox s new HALO ODST team oriented four-person video game. Large steps were created to allow easy ingress/egress and leg support for outboard chair gamers.

Four interior monitors were placed on two swing arms to allow the vehicle to be easily converted from a video haven to a drivable truck. The swing arms were designed and contoured to provide each game seat optimum screen distance and angled to maximize the high definition experience.

To increase storage capability an INNO Ridge Wide Cargo Box is attached to a roof mounted roll bar. Two Upright Lock Bike Racks mounted to truck base rack systems, each provided by INNO, are mated directly to the tonneau cover. The two Lock Bike Racks carry Cannondale RZ ONE Twenty and Cannondale Moto 4 high performance mountain bikes.

Exterior modifications also included three base colors of a custom metallic anthracite (pulled directly from the Xbox brand guide), drilled aluminum interior panels, color-matched protective floor coating, an acrylic hood with an engine view port, a 66-inch plasma monitor with a custom roll cage enclosure, tonneau cover with Craze paint technique, blacked out front grille, sponsor logo windshield sun shade, front and rear bumpers, smoked front head and rear tail lamp treatment, and Xbox graphics.

The Xbox gaming system in the Tacoma ATG is complemented by a two-channel custom Kicker audio system, providing the ultimate sound design to maximize the video game experience. The system generates a total of 2,150 watts of power from studio grade rack-mounted amps to minimize sound quality deterioration over extended use. Gamers will feel the action via the 1,500 watt 12-inch Kicker Solobaric L7-12 Subwoofer in a custom enclosure with vents at each corner directing air into the cab. Sound will rain down on gamers from eight Kicker QS65.2 6.5-inch mid-range speakers handling a combined 650 watts of power to complete the gaming experience.

Additional interior modifications include four Simpson custom upholstered off-road racing seats with four-point black racing harnesses, custom three-tone upholstered interior and a mini-fridge energy drink dispenser.

In addition to being the ultimate gaming vehicle the Tacoma ATG also needed to be able to transport outdoor enthusiasts to their favorite remote locations. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) contributed to the project with the installation of its 304 horsepower 4.0-liter Supercharger to increase vehicle torque and better traverse rugged landscape. TRD 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich LT295/75R16 All-Terrain T/A tires were added to improve off-road stability and increase traction.

After its debut at the 2009 SEMA Show the Tacoma ATG is scheduled to be used by Toyota, Xbox, Kicker, and INNO for a variety of consumer and industry events.

Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer Accessories

Partners and Sponsors

Principle: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

Builder / Fabricator: The Big American Dream Company (B.A.D. Co.)

Gaming: Microsoft Xbox

Audio: Stillwater Designs / Kicker

Performance: Toyota Racing Development (TRD)

Sports Equipment: INNO Advanced Car Racks

Mountain Bikes: Cannondale

Exterior

• Custom three-tone paint with Craze technique

• Driver & Passenger side double gull wing doors with B-Pillar removed, custom hinge mechanism and light synchronization system

• Custom steel roof mounted roll bar

• Acrylic hood with view port and engine compartment lighting

• Tonneau cover with Craze paint technique

• Custom rear monitor protective enclosure

• Blacked out front grille, front & rear bumpers

• Smoked front head & rear tail lamp treatment

• INNO Ridge Wide Cargo Box mounted to roof mounted roll bar

• INNO Upright Lock Bike Rack mounted to Tonneau cover holding two Cannondale mountain bikes
.

1. Cannondale RZ ONE Twenty

2. Cannondale Moto 4

Xbox 360 graphics

Interior

• Custom expandable theater style rear seat gaming area with removable front seats repositioned to extend beyond the edge of the cab

• Custom aluminum seat support frame with lighting treatment

• Four Simpson custom upholstered off road racing seats with four-point black racing harness

• Custom swing out four game monitor mounting system

• Custom protective floor coating

• Custom aluminum roll cage

• Custom drilled aluminum headliner

• Custom three-tone upholstered interior

• Mini-fridge energy drink dispenser

Performance

• TRD 4.0L V6 Supercharger

• Air to liquid intercooler

• High flow fuel injectors

• Cold Air Intake

• TRD Stainless Steel Cat-back single outlet exhaust

• 304HP & 334 lb/ft of Torque

• 16 X7.5 TRD Cast Bead Lock Wheels with custom finish

• BF Goodrich LT295/75R16 All-Terrain T/A Tires

Audio/Visual

• Four Xbox Elite Game Console Bundles

• Alpine IVA-W505 touch screen head unit

• Kicker KQ5 Preamp Equalizer

• Behringer DCX2496 Crossover

• QSC CX702 1500 Watt (8 ) Power Amplifier for subwoofer

• Two QSC CX302 325 Watt (4 ) Power Amplifier for midrange

• Total system produces 2150 Watts of power

• Kicker Solobaric L7-12 Subwoofer with custom vented enclosure

• Eight Kicker QS65.2 6.5-inch Midrange

• 66-inch Sharp Aquos Plasma High Definition public viewing monitor

• Four Samsung 24 High Definition flat panel game monitors.

by Toyota

Since 1995, the Toyota Tacoma is a compact pickup truck both manufactured and produced by the Toyota Motor Corporation. For 2005 the second generation Tacoma was named Motor Trend Magazine's Truck of the Year. The Tacoma received its name after the City of Tacoma, Washington, USA. The Tacoma name originated from the worldwide Hilux, and prior to this the Hilux was marketed in the US, under the name Toyota Pickup. Three engines were available for the Toyota Tacoma; the 2.4 L four cylinder which was rated at 142 hp and 160 lb/ft of torque, the 2.7 L four cylinder which was rated at 150 hp and 177lb/ft of torque and finally the 3.4 L V6 rated at 190 hp and 22 lb/ft of torque. The 2.4L offered the highest MPG at 29, the 2.7L gave 26 miles per US gallon, and the 3.4L gave only 22 miles per US gallon.

5-stud wheel lug patterns were found on Two-wheel drive Tacoma's, while the 2.4 L and 3.4 L engines were available depending on options. Both automatic and manual transmissions were available. Four-wheel drive Tacoma's came with six-stud wheel lug patterns, which had been used early on pre-Tacoma trucks. The frame of the Tacoma is fully boxed until promptly transitioning into a c-frame section after the front leaf spring mount bracket. The automatic transmission was an A340F while the 3.4 V's manual transmission was an R150F. Single cab Tacoma's came with the option of a manual transmission with the 3.4 V6 engine from 1995 until 1997. Following 1998 the single cabs only received a 2.7 or a 2.4 4-cyl from factory. Also in this year TRD packages began.

Pre-runner models also began in this year and they shared the same front and rear suspensions parts and geometry, styling, frame and engine options as 4X4 Tacoma's of this year range. These models also had the options of the TRD Off-Road package which received a rear differential locker if it was a V6 model. The main downside was there wasn't an option of a 5-speed transmission.

The Toyota Tacoma sold quite well in the first few years of production, appealing to many young buyers. During the first generation the Tacoma underwent two cosmetic facelifts, the first in 1998 and the second in 2001. The revisions involved new headlights and new grilles. Mechanically the changes included a switch to distributor-less ignitions in 1997 and in 1998 longer rear leaf springs. Also in 1998 a passenger-side airbag was added to the Tacoma, while the driver's side air bag was 'depowered'. Following the 2000 model year all 4X4 models came with Toyota's Automatic Differential Disconnect system.

In 2001 the main revision for the Tacoma was a new crew cab (four door) model being added to the lineup. The crew cab came with four doors, while the Tacoma extended cab continued to open with two doors. A 6 foot bed came with the extended cab while the crew cab came with a 5 foot 5-inch bed. Unfortunately many customers were not happy with small crew cab beds, but there wasn't much of a market for larger truck beds with competitors. Toyota rolled out their new S-Runner trim package in 2001 which came with a 3.4 liter V6 engine, 16-inch alloy wheels and a 5 speed manual transmission with Tokico gas shocks. Only 200 units were produced from 2001 until 2004. The Toyota Tacoma went up 16.5 percent in sales from its earlier years and it continued to only rise in popularity. The Tacoma was ahead of the Nissan Frontier and the Dodge Dakota in 2004, only 2.2 percent behind in sales to the Ford Ranger.

The second generation of the Tacoma was unveiled at the 2004 Chicago Auto show. This generation was assembled in Tijuana, Mexico and Fremont, California, while the plastic/composite beds were all constructed in Mexico. This continued until August of 2009 when Toyota announced that it would relocate Tacoma production from Fremont to San Antonio, Texas, therefore consolidating with it's Toyota Tundra production line and having all American made Toyota pickups manufactured at one facility.

This new Tacoma was a bigger, meatier, more powerful Tacoma for 2005 available in eighteen various configurations that included three cab configurations, four transmissions, two engines, and two different bed lengths. The 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 replaced the original 3.4-liter V. The new Tacoma V6 had many enhancements that included a new 6500 pound tow rating and a payload capacity of 1650 pounds. It produced 236 horsepower and 266 foot-pounds of torque. The brand new smaller 2.7-liter 2TR-FE 4-cylinder alternative in cheaper models was rated at 159 hp and 180 lb/ft of torque.

An X-Runner trim was also introduced this year which replaced the slow selling S-Runner trim from the earlier generation. This model features the 1GR-FE was mated to a six speed manual transmission, 18 in alloy wheels which were lowered two inches from the factory and included an X-Brace suspension package. Also included on the X-Runner trim was a Down-Hill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) on models that were outfitted with the optional Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Off-Road package. HAC prevents the car from rolling backwards on hills while DAC automatically applies braking during downhill descents. Optional features included limited-slip differential or a rear locking differential. All Tacoma's were manufactured with a composite inner bed that included a deck rail system with four tie-down cleats, storage boxes, hook-pins, and a power outlet. The tie-down cleats were rated to hold up to 220lbs.

The 2006 Tacoma rolled out with a bit more flair than the previous year. This year featured some options standard. For 2007 the Tacoma added 2 all-new interior colors. Not much changed aesthetically for the 2008 model year. For 2008 Toyota announced a 15 year, unlimited mileage corrosion warrant for 1995-2000 models because of insufficient rust-proofing and frame corrosion issues that affected a small amount of Tacoma's. Toyota offered to either repair the frame or buy back the truck for 1.5 times its KBB retail value.

Safety features were implemented for 2009 and the Tacoma no longer offered a mechanical limited slip different instead of an open differential which uses individual wheel braking to simulate a mechanical LSD or 'Auto-LSD'. Off-road TRD models continue to arrive equipped with a locking rear differential. For this year a slightly improved grill was added on some models, along with LED taillamps. The X-Runner, TRD Sport and TRD Offroad models included smoked headlamp trim. Now standard were auxiliary audio input. Four new exterior colors were added to the Tacoma and the Access/Double Cab trucks received two new ceiling mounted speakers and available backup monitor.

Following GM's bankruptcy, GM abandoned the NUMMI venture. Toyota killed all Corolla and Tacoma production. For 2010 all Tacoma production was relocated to Toyota's Texas plant in San Antonio. The Tacoma was build alongside the Tundra, and by doing this, Toyota now has all of its NA truck production in one plant. In 2012 the Tacoma is expected to be redesigned and re-engineered, two years following the release of the new 4Runner.

The Tacoma arrived standard with brake assist, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brakeforce distribution. A rollover sensor was added in 2008 which deployed the side curtain airbags in the event of a rollover in Tacoma's equipped with the optional side airbags. Starting in 2009, all Tacoma's featured Toyota's Star Safety System which added traction control and Vehicle Stability Control. Also standard were front row side torso airbags and side curtain airbags for both rows, along with active head restraints. With active head restraints, in 2009 the Tacoma was given the IIHS's Top Safety Pick award. The Tacoma Access Cab received standard power windows and door locks along with redesigned rear seats for passenger comfort and convenience. Higher trim levels offered optional Bluetooth enabled Premium JBL 6-CD audio systems with integrated XL satellite radio.

A limited production trim, the Toyota X-Runner was only available in three colors each year and only four colors today. The X-Runner was available in Speedway Blue, Black San Pearl and Radiant Red from 2005 until 2008.The Radiant Red was discontinued in 2009 and replaced with Barcelona Red Metallic. The main difference between the X-Runner and other packages were the updates to the suspension, a 3.15 Final Drive ratio and ground effects. To stiffen up the back end, the Toyota added a rear mounted X-Brace. The chassis was also stiffened more by adding two additional support braces to the frame. One could purchase an optional big brake kit by TRD available on the X-Runner which consisted of a 332 mm slotted rotor and 4 piston caliper. This big brake kit was designed by StopTech.

The 2010 Tacoma appealed to drivers who needed a mid-size car or compact pickup loaded with latest media amenities and top of the line safety features in addition to fuel efficiency and hauling capabilities. The outside remained basically unchanged from the previous year. The '10 trucks came in three cab styles; the Tacoma Regular Cab, Double Cab with four side doors and extended Access Cab with hinged rear doors. The 2010 Tacoma was equipped with the most advanced DynamicControl technology and Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence. The Tacoma is a popular seller in the mid-size pickup truck category.

by Jessican Donaldson