Unveiling “The Sloth”: A Custom Toyota Tacoma Showstopper

At Southern Off-Road Specialists, we pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries of vehicle customization, and our latest project, “The Sloth,” is a prime example of what happens when innovation meets ambition. This 2019 Toyota Tacoma, designed by Fab Fours’ Greg Higgs and meticulously assembled by our own Adam Richmond, stands as a testament to the art of custom truck builds. With a tight deadline and high expectations, “The Sloth” is not just a show truck but a versatile overlanding machine that commands attention both on and off the road.

A Race Against Time

The clock was ticking when Greg Higgs set out to create a Tacoma that would steal the spotlight at a custom show in Dallas. With just three weeks to complete the build, Southern Off-Road’s Adam Richmond was tasked with turning Greg’s ambitious vision into reality. Thankfully, the unexpected downtime caused by the coronavirus allowed the team to dedicate extra time to the project, ultimately resulting in a remarkable finish.

Despite the intense pressure, the team at Southern Off-Road rose to the challenge, delivering “The Sloth” in record time, looking pristine and ready to impress.

Navigating Challenges

The objective was clear: craft a Tacoma that was unlike anything ever seen before, combining overlanding functionality with innovative modifications, all while staying under a 6-foot height limit for balance. The project posed significant challenges, requiring numerous revisions, custom fabrications, and creative problem-solving. Adam Richmond reflected on the complexity of the task:

“… it was as hard as it could possibly be. It was ‘hey, I’ve already got the axles, I’ve already got the shocks, I’ve already got this,’ and then ‘oh, by the way, I want to put 43-inch Mickey Thompson’s on it and I don’t want to be more than six feet tall on the bed,’ and it was just a bed. It was basically everything you could throw at it to make it as hard as possible but it made it look like a Fab Fours truck and ultimately that was what we wanted to pull off. What I thought Greg’s vision of a Tacoma would be.”

The Ultimate Tacoma Build

From top to bottom, “The Sloth” features an extensive list of custom performance modifications and one-off parts that elevate it to a league of its own. Highlights include:

• Fab Fours Toyota Tacoma Trail Doors
• Fab Fours Matrix Front Winch Bumper
• Fab Fours Tacoma Overland Rack
• Mickey Thompson 43” Tires
• Custom Built Open Fender System
• Reshaped Floor and Firewall
• Modified Gladiator Rock Light Sliders
• Custom Door Speaker Enclosures
• IFS Conversion to Straight Dana Prorock 80 Axles
• Radius Arm Suspension
• Custom Skid Plates and Fuel Tank Plates
• Marlin Taco Box Gear Setup
• Custom Center Console
• Remote Show and Exterior Lighting
• … and much more

Greg Higgs shared his thoughts on the new Tacoma Trail Doors, highlighting their retro appeal:

“… if you look back you just go Google it right now, Toyota mini truck tube doors, well, they don’t really exist. There were some back for the early 80’s models but what you more see is guys taking their mini truck and cutting their actual factory door down, plating the top, and that’s the total throwback I wanted here. All those guys are gonna see these doors and start salivating knowing exactly what we did there…”

A True Labor of Love

Despite numerous starts, stops, and revisions, “The Sloth” emerged as a labor of pride and passion for both Adam Richmond and Greg Higgs. The creativity and effort involved not only resulted in one of Fab Fours’ most intricate builds but also inspired new product ideas, including the Fab Fours Toyota Tacoma Trail Doors. To see “The Sloth” in all its glory and learn more about the challenges and solutions that defined this build, check out our video featuring Greg and Adam as they take you through the entire process.