Toyota unveiled a show-stopping concept vehicle at the 2021 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show that perfectly blends nostalgia with modern overlanding desires: the Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla. This isn’t just another camper; it’s a meticulously crafted “micro-house” on wheels, built upon the robust foundation of a Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport pickup. Tacozilla serves as a vibrant tribute to Toyota’s iconic campers of the 1970s and 80s, while boldly embracing the growing popularity of off-grid adventures.
Lisa Materazzo, group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing, emphasized Tacozilla’s significance, stating, “Tacozilla is an outstanding symbol of Toyota’s go-anywhere brand promise to our many owners who love overlanding and outdoor fun.” Indeed, Tacozilla captures the essence of Toyota’s adventurous spirit, reimagining the classic camper concept for today’s explorers.
Tacozilla: A Nod to Toyota’s Camper Heritage
The Tacozilla project, brought to life by Marty Schwerter and the skilled team at the Toyota Motorsports Garage, is a labor of passion and precision. The team deliberately moved away from the boxy, utilitarian aesthetic often associated with truck campers. Schwerter explained their design philosophy: “We really didn’t want it to look like a refrigerator on the back of a truck, so you’ll see it’s all rounded edges.” This commitment to rounded edges and smooth aluminum surfaces was crucial in creating a seamless visual harmony with the Tacoma’s existing body lines, resulting in a camper that appears integrated and refined, rather than an afterthought.
Designed for Adventure: The Tacozilla Build
The creation of Tacozilla was a complex undertaking that began with stripping down a Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport to its bare chassis. The primary challenge was to create a livable space within the compact dimensions of the Tacoma while ensuring structural integrity for demanding off-road conditions. As Schwerter detailed, “The team needed to go below frame height in order for a person to be able to stand up inside.” This involved significant modifications and relocations to maximize vertical space within the camper shell.
The Toyota Motorsports Garage team prioritized functionality and aesthetics in equal measure. They started by constructing a basic camper frame to validate initial dimensions and fitment, before proceeding to refine and reinforce the structure. The camper’s form factor, with its narrower top and bottom, was intentionally designed to echo the Tacoma’s body lines while also enhancing maneuverability on narrow trails, reducing the risk of collisions with trees and other obstacles.
The Challenging Pass-Through
One of the most critical engineering hurdles was creating a robust pass-through opening between the Tacoma’s cabin and the camper. This required meticulous structural design to ensure that both sections could work in unison, flexing and twisting on uneven terrain without compromising the vehicle’s integrity or safety. The solution involved extensive bracing and support to maintain structural rigidity while allowing for off-road articulation.
Off-Road Ready Upgrades
To enhance Tacozilla’s off-road prowess, the build team incorporated several key upgrades. They cleverly repurposed the Tacoma’s original rear fender flares, seamlessly integrating them into the camper’s wheel well openings. The suspension was lifted by two inches compared to the standard Tacoma TRD Sport, providing increased ground clearance for tackling challenging landscapes. Traction was further improved with the addition of 285/70/17 General Tire Grabber X3 all-terrain tires, ensuring confident grip across varied surfaces.
Smart Design Features
Throughout the build process, the team continually refined and improved the design. A notable mid-stream addition was a large pop-up Lexan skylight. This feature not only floods the interior with natural light and provides ventilation but also adds valuable headroom. Other thoughtful custom touches include a fuel tank filler that is completely isolated from the camper to prevent fuel fume intrusion, and a secondary battery installed in the Tacoma’s engine bay to provide supplementary power without encroaching on the camper’s limited interior space.
The striking paintwork was executed by Complete Customs in McKinney, Texas, a trusted Toyota partner. The camper’s exterior features a white base coat accented with a retro-inspired yellow, orange, and bronze color scheme, evoking the spirit of Toyota’s vintage campers.
Tacozilla’s Luxurious Micro-House Interior
Stepping inside Tacozilla reveals a surprisingly spacious and well-appointed interior that truly lives up to the “micro-house” concept. The fully insulated camper boasts teak sauna-style flooring, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. A complete bathroom with a hot-water shower provides essential amenities for extended off-grid living. The fully functional kitchen is equipped with a stove and sink, allowing for convenient meal preparation on the go. A unique 3D-printed dining table cleverly converts into a backlit piece of wall art, showcasing the blend of innovation and thoughtful design within Tacozilla. Ample sleeping space ensures comfortable rest after a day of outdoor adventures.
Tacozilla: More Than Just a Showpiece
The Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla is more than just a stunning SEMA concept; it’s a powerful statement about Toyota’s dedication to the overlanding community and its ongoing commitment to innovation in adventure vehicles. While designated as a prototype and modified with non-genuine parts for show purposes, Tacozilla ignites the imagination and showcases the potential for blending retro aesthetics with cutting-edge overlanding capabilities within the Toyota Tacoma platform. It serves as a reminder of Toyota’s rich heritage in campers and its exciting vision for the future of off-grid exploration.
