Bandido's 5lug Race Truck "Taquito"

Edit 4/12/25 first event in Pittsburgh.


Starting this thread for the Taquito.
2003 5 lug single cab with 2.4 5 speed.
Planned upgrades:
Roll cage docol R8
2017 FRS rear subframe and diff
IS350 front spindles
IS350 F-sport front brakes
R150 2wd trans (need to buy)
2GR-FE swap
Big Ass Wang

Pulled into the garage this weekend after a thorough wash:


Going to clean up the frame then mount the rear subframe by the end of the month.

 

Looks like a fun project!

 

Nice!

 

Started Pulling it apart over the weekend.
Trying to be better with taking pictures, may even make a video or two....

Interior mostly out after the weekend.


Comparing 3rd gen upper control arms to IS350 control arms and the 5 lug geo. Looks like both arms will fit on the chassis side with minor tweaks, only the IS ballpoint fits in the IS spindle tho, so 99% that's what I'll use. This will lower the roll center a bit, increase caster and camber a ton vs stock.





Not pictured, I ordered 2016 wrx rear hubs which will convert the FRS bolt pattern to 5x114.3 from 5x100. IS hub is 5x114.3 already, planning to run stock IS300 wheels for now.

 

Got the STI hubs on the FRS rear end, also confirmed that this rear end is NOT an LSD rear end surprisingly...

Still need to order new rotors or drill these out for the new pattern.

Also dropped the rear axle today, nibbles but no bites on selling that, so it's going to the scrapyard.


Every impact and hammer strike is reminding me that I need to do a bit of bracing on this frame.
I also checked the IS LBJ on the lower arm, the IS is a little larger, but should fit OK after reaming the Taco LBJ mount out a little bit.

 

A bit more progress this weekend, did a first mock up of the FRS rear subframe, found out the stock driveshaft will bolt right up! Centering flange and bolt pattern is a match.


This puts the subframe in about the right spot. Pretty hard to tell due to where the bed is sitting on cribbing.


Spent a while cleaning up the frame, have several patches to make, roughed them out with how it sounds when hit by a ballpeen hammer.
Thinking I will try to make an "exact fit" filler plate by cutting it out first, then making paper templates I can scan and cut on the cnc easily. Then I'll make an over seam gusset to make sure those seams are plenty strong.


Debating making a "mid frame" so that the FRS sub will mount to this mid piece that will then mount directly to the stock suspension points. This would meet the rules (but not the intent of the rules) for several competitive classes the truck might be able to dominate.

 

One of the guys who will end up being something of a co-owner stopped by today and initiated pulling the motor, @CharlieTaco stopped by to snap a few pics and turn a few wrenches as well.
Motor and trans are out so now we can go to town on the frame. Have definitely found more holes to fix than I expected, but it should be easy enough to do.


Parts have been listed on marketplace for a minute, a few interior parts have sold, but the motor and rear axle will probably get dropped of at a metal recycling facility this week.

 

Well this build got absolutely derailed due to my Dcab getting fucked up and rebuilt.

Finally got back to it this weekend...
I bought brake rotors and pads, need to confirm everything fits as planned.

First big job was the front sus, I murdered an old set of 4wd to help make the LCA.

I drew up and cut out LCA parts, love using the langmuir table!


Tacked all parts together to measure where the UCA mount needs to go.

After a second round of tacking things together, I was able to do a test fit. 4wd towers or custom towers are the next step!


All the steel for the cage has been sitting in the barn for nearly a year at this point. I need to get my ass in gear and get this thing out of the garage!!

 

Medium update, as usual I am missing the deadlines I set for myself...

But some progress has been made. trying to turn over a new leaf and take actual pictures of stuff.

Brake rotors came in, so I mocked up how that would look.



We cut the old Shock towers and A-arm mount off leaving the part of the tab below to align the new tower.


Fitting up the new tower and doing a test fit with the new tower



Time to Fit up the rear subframe finally, I used the engine hoist to help set the pinion angle.



also got a black cab for.... reasons




My buddy has been helping to fit parts up, so the rear subframe is now 100% in, and we bent the main roll hoop.


not gonna make the race in 4 weeks tho

 

Front sus is coming along, as is frame.

7degrees of camber looks like 15degrees... I'll see how it performs before changing anything.

 

It's been a while since I've updated this thread...
Progress has been frustratingly slow.

Rear subframe Tack/Alignment process


Getting the cage together... I had to cut out doorbars as they had S-bends, that was fun.

The Seat was pretty wide for the chassis, I tubbed the trans tunnel some to make sure the seat could slide pretty far forward so the Fiancee could drive as well.

5VZFE and 2WD R150 trans put in place, modified the W58 mount.


Added several Dimple plates to secure the Cab to the Cage.


I did end up making a custom tube to use spicer 1310 joints at both ends of the driveshaft.


Next Mod: Y-pipe, this is the most restrictive part of the factory exhaust, Headers may get you a little bit more, but this is the main culprit!

 

I have some updates to type up... maiden voyage out of the garage!

 

doing a pretty bad job on Updates, still on track for first race in April!

 

Putting some finishing touches on there, still too cold to paint, but I finally got the wing parts in progress, need to finish making the end inserts before the endplates and second element can be installed.

 

Extra Bad at updates for this build... Did a test day doing auto x. Truck is very fun to drive. Cant quite get abs to work, i think the sensor type is not compatible, gonna trouble shoot that more this weekend.

Nit sure if anyone knows the haas/lotus F1 debacle with fake sponsor Rich Energy, but we are spoofing on that as our theme.

And yes the DRS works!!

Going racing 4/12!

 

Welp did our first event, came away with the grand prize!!


This post includes a lot of pics and an unusual number of pics with me in them...

The truck builder(s)


The drivers:


Tow/camp rig. Never should have gotten rid of the 1794...


Truck drove awesome, kept up with miatas thru the S's, out braked nearly everything, out accelrated at least a handful of things...


Podium in class, we definitely have more mods planned to get faster!!

 

This thing is awesome. How am I just now seeing it. Always thought 1st gen single cabs felt like go-kart, but you took it to another level. Badass

 

FWIW the earlier 5VZ's have a 2 in to 1 converter here that probably flows better, maybe not. the exhaust manifolds also seem like they flow more on earlier motors, they are cat iron instead of welded stainless. If for some reason you go that route get a full exhaust from an early 5VZ with manifolds, crossover and merge collector thing.

This is a cool build.

 

In typical fashion i talked about a thing and didnt really document it, I made a 2" Y pipe to replace the oem merge collector as the stamped one is a huge restriction. Then leftover 2.5 stainless all the way back.


Side pipe af.


Im not planning to mod the 5vz much more really, it has 372k (1k of racing) on it, I'll swap a 2grfe in once this motor gives up, which will get me to ~280-300whp NA and rev to 7500 with just headers and exhaust, and im probably ~130-160whp right now...

 

Not even if VVT Sprockets become available.