Build Walk Arounds · Posted on Jan 27, 2026

by Mateo Ianotti

Building the Ultimate 3rd Gen Tacoma Prerunner

The Toyota Tacoma has earned its reputation as one of the most versatile midsize trucks on the market. Whether you're hauling gear for weekend adventures, commuting through the city, or exploring remote trails, there's no end to how you can use your truck. But for those who've caught the prerunner bug, the Tacoma becomes something even more special, a platform for building a desert-ready machine that looks as aggressive as it performs.

It's not unusual to wonder what it takes to transform a stock 3rd Gen Tacoma into a capable prerunner. The good news is that with the right combination of suspension, wheels, body work, and lighting, you can create a truck that turns heads while handling everything from high-speed desert runs to technical trail obstacles. Robert, a 29-year-old construction manager from the San Fernando Valley, proves that building your dream prerunner is absolutely achievable when you take a thoughtful, progressive approach.

What makes Robert's build particularly inspiring is how he prioritized the aggressive prerunner aesthetic while maintaining real-world usability. From the widebody McNeel fiberglass fenders to the custom Fab Lab bumper, every modification serves both form and function. This is a truck that looks ready to tackle Baja but still handles daily driving and weekend adventures without compromise.

Let's explore the key components that make this 3rd gen Tacoma prerunner build so compelling, and see how Robert's choices can inspire your own project.

The McNeel Widebody Foundation

The most striking element of any prerunner build is the aggressive stance, and Robert achieved this with McNeel's widest fiberglass fenders for the 3rd gen Tacoma. The front features a 2-inch rise and 6-inch bulge, giving the truck that unmistakable Viper-like presence that draws attention everywhere it goes.

Unlike bolt-on plastic fenders, fiberglass requires professional installation, fitting, and painting to achieve a seamless finish. Robert wisely chose to have a qualified body shop handle this work, ensuring the fenders integrated perfectly with the truck's body lines. The result is a factory-quality appearance that makes the modifications look like they came from Toyota's own TRD Pro division.

In the rear, Robert opted for Advanced Fiberglass 4-inch bulge fenders, which pair beautifully with the front setup. While he mentions wanting to eventually upgrade to 6-inch rear fenders to match the front exactly, the current configuration already provides plenty of clearance for his 35-inch Venom Power Trail Hunter tires on 17x10 SSW beadlock-capable wheels with negative 25 offset.

Dirt King Long Travel Suspension

A prerunner is only as capable as its suspension, and Robert built his truck around Dirt King's full 3.5-inch long travel kit up front. This setup delivers 14 inches of travel using King coilovers with Eibach springs, paired with Max Track +2 spindles for additional offset and clearance. It's a proven combination that handles everything from fast desert runs to technical off-road sections.

What's smart about Robert's approach is that he started with this solid foundation rather than jumping straight to triple bypass shocks. The current setup provides excellent performance for his driving style, and he's only experienced bottoming out on particularly aggressive hits at high speed. When he's ready to push harder, the Dirt King lower control arms are already bypass-ready, meaning he can add front bypasses and a hoop later without starting over.

In the rear, Robert runs Dirt King's bed cage with 2.5-inch King triple bypass shocks, delivering approximately 16.5 inches of travel. This setup strikes an ideal balance, the cage is substantial enough to make a statement and provide solid shock mounting, but it doesn't dominate the entire bed. You still have usable truck space while enjoying serious suspension performance. The system includes spring-under leaf conversions to maximize travel, making this a capable platform for serious desert running.

Custom Fab Lab Front Bumper

Front bumpers can make or break a prerunner's appearance, and Robert chose to work with Fab Lab in Simi Valley to create a one-off custom bumper that perfectly captures that aggressive Baja truck aesthetic. The design features the signature high-cut profile that's essential to the prerunner look, providing excellent approach angles while maintaining a menacing stance.

The bumper integrates seamlessly with a full skid plate, protecting vital components during off-road adventures. It also serves as a mounting platform for Robert's Baja Designs Elite Plus 1250 light bar, which offers multiple functions including amber DRL, white DRL, yellow fog lights, and full white output. Additional Baja Designs pod lights throughout the truck ensure excellent visibility in any condition.

Morimoto Lighting Package

Modern lighting makes a huge difference in both appearance and functionality, and Robert equipped his build with Morimoto's latest offerings. Up front, the Morimoto XB Evo headlights bring an aggressive look with their topographic DRL pattern and unique four-slit high beam design. These headlights complement the truck's modern aesthetic while providing excellent illumination.

At the rear, Robert chose TacomaBeast's Infinity taillights, which create a stunning visual effect that's difficult to capture in photos or video. The dynamic flickering pattern creates an illusion of depth, making it look like you're seeing straight through the tailgate into the bed. Paired with the Morimoto third brake light, the rear lighting package gives the truck a cohesive, modern appearance that sets it apart from typical builds.

Interior Upgrades: Corbeau FXR Seats

While many prerunner builds focus exclusively on exterior modifications and suspension, Robert understood the importance of comfortable, supportive seating. He upgraded to Corbeau FXR seats, which take a motorsports-inspired approach rather than the traditional prerunner seat style. The design draws inspiration from BMW M competition seats, offering excellent bolstering for aggressive driving while remaining comfortable enough for his three-hour drive to the desert.

These seats strike the perfect balance between holding you securely during off-road action and providing the comfort needed for long highway stretches. It's exactly the kind of thoughtful upgrade that improves the daily driving experience while enhancing the truck's performance capabilities.

What's Next: The LS Swap

Robert's build is far from finished, and the next major modification is one that will transform the truck's character completely. He's planning to swap in a 5.3-liter LS engine with a Stage 2 cam, paired with a 4L80 transmission. This upgrade addresses the one area where the current build falls short-power.

While the suspension can handle whatever the desert throws at it, the stock 3.5-liter V6 struggles with the weight of all these modifications, especially with 35-inch tires. The LS swap will provide the power needed to truly take advantage of the suspension setup, and eventually support the planned upgrade to 37-inch tires. The addition of a trans cooler in the bed will ensure the drivetrain stays reliable even during extended high-performance use.

Building Your Prerunner the Right Way

What makes Robert's build so instructive is his progressive approach. Rather than installing every maximum-spec component from day one, he started with a solid long travel suspension setup, proved the truck's capabilities through seat time, and is now ready to add more sophisticated components like front bypass shocks. This methodical approach not only spreads out costs but ensures you truly understand your truck's capabilities at each stage.

The emphasis on professional installation for complex components like fiberglass work also demonstrates smart decision-making. While DIY installation is certainly possible for many modifications, some tasks benefit tremendously from experienced hands. The flawless fitment of Robert's McNeel fenders shows what's possible when you invest in proper installation.

Transform Your 3rd Gen Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma provides an incredible foundation for a prerunner build, and Robert's truck demonstrates just how far you can take the platform. From the aggressive widebody stance to the dialed suspension and thoughtful details like the Corbeau seats, every modification serves a purpose. The planned LS swap will complete the package, creating a truck that's truly ready to run with the big boys in the desert.

Whether you're just starting to think about transforming your third gen Tacoma or you're already deep into a build, the path Robert has taken offers valuable lessons in building smart, testing your setup, and upgrading progressively. No matter what your vision is for your truck, the key is choosing quality components, investing in proper installation where it matters, and accumulating the seat time needed to truly understand your truck's capabilities.

At TacomaBeast, we're passionate about helping Tacoma owners build the trucks of their dreams. Check out our selection of lighting, suspension components, and accessories designed specifically for the third gen Tacoma. Our team is always here to help guide you through your build decisions, and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more amazing builds like Robert's. Just remember, it's all about the Taco!