Table of contents for YOTA Spring/Summer 2024 in TREAD

YOTA “TAKE YOUR FACTORY TOYOTA ON A TRAIL AND YOU’LL QUICKLY FIND THAT, WHEN FACED WITH DESERT-STYLE G-OUTS OR LARGER ROCK OBSTACLES, MORE SUSPENSION TRAVEL AND CLEARANCE WOULD GO A LONG WAY.” Building a truck that can be enjoyed off-road as much as it is on-road while maintaining the creature comforts customary of a factory setup is a dream of many. In fact, talk to just about any of the feature vehicle owners from the pages of YOTA magazine, and you’ll quickly see this recurring theme. Many have built their rigs looking for that perfect balance of driveability and ride quality, while also aiming for top-notch off-road capabilities. But that can be a very fine line—one with many factors needing to be taken into consideration. Ultimately, the “perfect” balance boils…

“RYAN WASTED NO TIME IN RESEARCHING AND PLANNING FOR THE PERFECT SETUP FOR HIS TUNDRA, SPENDING EXTRA TIME TO LEARN EVERYTHING FROM SHOCK ANGLES TO FULL SUSPENSION GEOMETRY, AND EVEN HOW TO MIG WELD, SO THAT HE COULD DO AS MUCH OF THE WORK ON HIS TRUCK AS POSSIBLE.” Building your dream truck as a young gun has its challenges, especially when building it while supporting yourself in a society of ever-increasing living costs. But for Newbury Park, California, resident Ryan Vazquez, he took that challenge and met it head on, not only building himself the ultimate truck out of his 2000 Toyota Tundra, but also a residence he can call his own without sky-high housing costs. “It’s been my dream to have a prerunner ever since I got my…

“Answer the Call of Nature and Relive the Days of Old” By far, one of the most popular types of vacations, especially among families, is a beloved American pastime known as the camping trip. One of my favorite books is “Camp-Lore and Woodcraft” by Daniel Beard. He covers just about everything needed for a successful camping trip that was available—back then. He also wrote it expressing his hope to rekindle the love for camping and the skills that went along with it, especially in youngsters who he felt were straying away from the outdoors. This book was published in 1920. Whether you want to simply roast s’mores, day hike, or gaze at the stars, making your adventure with your family special is the ultimate goal. Use these tips to create…

O1. BAJA DESIGNS / TUNDRA LINKABLE ROOF BAR KIT Baja Designs is proud to announce the all-new 9XL Linkable roof bar kit for the 2022-on Toyota Tundra. This kit combines a classic roof-mounted light look with powerful performance, delivering over 28,458 raw lumens of forward-projected light through spot, driving combo, and wide cornering lenses. The kit includes nine XL Sports lights linked for a continuous bar, offering 45 degrees of vertical pitch adjustment and independent horizontal adjustment for versatile configurations. With fully crimped and trimmed wiring, the installation process is easy. Backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime limited warranty, it’s trail-ready. MSRP: $2,474.95 www.bajadesigns.com O2. CBI OFFROAD / 4RUNNER COVERT FRONT BUMPER Redefine off-road readiness for your 4Runner with the CBI Offroad Covert bumper. Blending aggressive styling…

O1. GRIM WORKSHOP / DAVE CANTERBURY SIGNATURE FISHING CARD The Dave Canterbury Fishing Kit Card was designed to be the same size and thickness as a regular credit or gift card yet contain dozens of survival fishhooks and fishing lures within the small space. This pocket wilderness survival kit is excellent for everyday carry (EDC) since after all, when’s your wallet not with you? The company’s survival cards allow you to always have your gear within reach because they never leave your side. Grim survival cards are your silent partner for whatever life has to throw at you. www.grimworkshop.com O2. TOPS KNIVES / FIELD DOG The TOPS Knives Field Dog is a great choice for overlanding thanks to its compact size, versatile blade shape, and rugged construction. Its manageable dimensions…

“KOH IS THE BIGGEST AND BADDEST OFF-ROAD EVENT IN THE UNITED STATES, SPANNING OVER TWO WEEKS OF RACES, CONCERTS, VENDOR AND SPONSOR INTERACTIONS, AND SOME OF THE COOLEST VEHICLES YOU’VE EVER SEEN.” If you haven’t been to King of the Hammers, you absolutely need to put it on your automotive bucket list. With over two weeks of racing and tons of Toyotas both in race and play form to scope out, it is the off-road experience every Toyota fan should experience! A Bit of Background King of the Hammers unofficially started back in 2007 between a handful of wheelers with the basics jotted down on a bar napkin by founders Jeff Knoll and Dave Cole. That year, the race was merely a challenge among friends to see who could complete…

Visit anywhere from Moab, Utah, to Glamis, California, and you’re sure to find a plethora of once-factory vehicles turned into awesome off-road machines. Built for specific types of off-road performance, these rigs range from mild to wild, but not often are they crafted to be equally capable in the rocks as they are on high-speed desert terrain. But that doesn’t mean such a build is impossible. In fact, David Heining’s 2007 Toyota Tacoma is just that. Built by David with the help of his brother Kyle over a three-year period, this very purple second-generation Tacoma was specifically set up with all types of off-road adventures in mind. “I wanted a truck that could do well in the rocks in Moab or Sand Hollow, but also be able to have fun…

O1. RTIC OUTDOORS / 20-QT COOLER The 20-qt ultra-tough cooler is very practical for everyday use and can be taken to work, camping, hunting, or fishing. This cooler keeps your food and drinks colder longer and holds up to 24 cans plus ice. The cooler is equipped with a heavy-duty stainless steel handle that locks upright for easy one-handed carrying. You can truly take this cooler anywhere! MSRP: $149.99 www.rticoutdoors.com O2. FIRESIDE OUTDOOR / POP UP FIRE PIT The Pop-Up Fire Pit from Fireside Outdoor is a portable wood or charcoal-burning fire pit. This lightweight, portable fire pit lets you make a campfire anywhere, anytime, which makes it the perfect for backyard/backwoods companion for all outdoor enthusiasts. The fire pits offer state-of-art design, allowing for quick and easy assembly. It…

2024 WOLVERINE RMAX4 1000 From power to precision, the Yamaha Wolverine RMAX4 1000 Limited Edition offers a memorable off-road experience. Its three-position selectable D-Mode settings ensure optimal performance for every terrain: Sport Mode for spirited drives, Trail Mode for relaxed trail rides, and Crawl Mode for conquering technical challenges. Paired with Yamaha’s Ultramatic and On-Command systems, this beast is designed to deliver precise power and engine braking tailored to your chosen mode. Meanwhile, the advanced iQS Suspension with FOX 2.0 shocks offers maximum articulation and bottoming resistance, ensuring a smooth ride on the trail and unmatched capability when conditions get rough. The Wolverine RMAX4 1000 Limited Edition redefines off-road confidence. YAMAHAWWW.YAMAHAMOTORSPORTS.COM BEAT THE HEAT WITH THE NEW COOLEE Cool Boss introduces its new Coolee CL-240. This three-in-one portable powerhouse is…

From caregiving to conquering trails, Cecil Sebastian (@trd_mamba_) leads a life of purpose and exploration. Uncover the intriguing story behind his 2020 Toyota 4Runner—a rig built for adventure and inspired by greatness. Q Can you introduce yourself to the readers? A I’m Cecil Sebastian, a resident of Ontario, California, but my roots are deeply embedded in the city of Walnut, California. As the co-founder and CEO of Mother of Mercy Homes Inc., my passion lies in providing exceptional care for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to my role at Mother of Mercy Homes Inc., I wear the hat of founder at CSS Consulting, where I serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional, ensuring top-notch consulting services for clients with developmental disabilities. This involves close collaboration with regional centers and…

Like its namesake, this first-gen Toyota Sequoia Ian Lugtu meticulously customized isn’t just big—it’s bold. But unlike the towering trees, this Sequoia isn’t content to stand still. This isn’t just a car build story. It’s a testament to the power of believing in the unexpected, of defying expectations, and proving that sometimes the most epic adventures begin with the most overlooked vehicles. With family in tow, Ian is on a quest for adventure, powered by a profound connection to the automotive world that traces back to his earliest memories. Want to know how he did it? Dive into our interview and get ready to be inspired! Q Can you introduce yourself to the readers? A Hey, guys! My name is Ian Lugtu, and I was born and raised in San…

Having the right gear on your rig when you take it off-road is important. Whether you are doing some hardcore rock crawling, playing in the mud, or just out for an overlanding camping trip, having the correct equipment can keep you out of trouble. One of the best and easiest things you can do to your rig is add a winch. This can not only pull you out of a sticky situation, but it can also assist those with you in need. There are tons of options when it comes to winches and their accessories, as well as different mounting configurations. For this installation on a 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, we opted for a new front bumper center section that included a winch mount as well as a light…