A Daily-Driven Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Built to Trail, Tow & Transport

TEXT AND IMAGES BY JOHN PANGILINAN

The aggressive fitment of fifteen52 Turbomac HD wheels wrapped with Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires give the truck all the traction it needs.

For those that chase adventure and the rush of adrenaline, California becomes a natural place to call home. For Ohio-native, Mark Krumme, an opportunity to ride motorcycles, race cars, and experience what California had to offer became too good to pass up. In 2012, a friend of his had a room available to rent in the highly sought after city of Venice. Located only an hour or so away from a race track gave enough reason for Krumme to make the trek out West.

With his trusty Acura Integra Type-R and ’92 BMW 325IS in tow, he spent his time at the local race tracks honing his skills behind the wheel. Motorsports isn’t a cheap hobby and as his savings started to dry up, he knew it was time to find a job. He quickly was offered a position at a local automotive dealership, but just as he was about to take the position, a text came through that would change the trajectory of his life. The text was about a job opening at the suspension company, Eibach — a great opportunity that felt perfect for him.

Mark’s goal for his truck was to build something he could drive daily, tow his race cars and transport his motorcycles.

This pick-up is built to handle the grind of a daily commute, weekend off road adventures as well as the occasional tow.

“HE WANTED A LIGHTWEIGHT AND ADAPTABLE VEHICLE THAT WAS PREPARED AND CAPABLE FOR AN OFF-ROAD EXCURSION AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE.”

Mark utilizes an ARB awning and awning room in lieu of a rooftop tent.

All the time spent at the race track wasn’t wasted. During his time there, he had met a few of the guys from Eibach that realized Mark’s background and profound knowledge of suspension, lent him to be a great fit for the company. He began the next stage of his career as a sales rep for the suspension brand, and in 2017 he worked his way to the position that he holds today as the North American head of marketing.