At CarnivoreWeb.com, we independently review products and outfitters. However, we may earn a commission when you purchase products through links on our site. Read our affiliate policy. Read about how we test products.
The “Ranger Goat” Tacoma Memorializes the Past and Validates the Future of Tactical Application Vehicles.
Losing a loved one is always traumatic, but it also presents an important turning point. Rather than being overcome by grief, we must find the strength to live on in a way that would make that person proud. Walt Wagner made this difficult choice after his cousin — a former Army Ranger, federal law enforcement officer, and tactical medic — passed away unexpectedly at a young age. The two men had bonded over their love for overland vehicles, and Walt’s cousin purchased his 2009 Toyota Tacoma with the intention of turning it into a mutual project. After he passed, Walt inherited the truck and decided to use it to keep that legacy alive.
Walt’s cousin had earned the nickname “Ranger Goat” after showing up to his new long-range surveillance detachment with a beard, so the truck was christened with the same name. Walt writes, “His quiet rebelliousness was an inspiration for our build.” In addition to its sentimental value, the Tacoma would serve as a proving ground for Walt’s new overland vehicle building company, Tactical Application Vehicles (TAV). “With this truck, we were able to validate everything we want to implement in the expedition vehicles we build for our clients.”
The heart of this Tacoma is its long-travel suspension, which was painstakingly tested, modified, and re-tested until it produced the desired results. Rather than settling for off-the-shelf spring and shock combinations, TAV worked with the manufacturers to spec out custom valving and spring rates for a buttery-smooth ride. We’re told the company also has plans to set up an in-house shock dyno, something that you typically won’t find in the overland vehicle segment — that level of suspension R&D is more common among shops that work on racecars and trophy trucks.
A Total Chaos Fabrication long-travel kit serves as the foundation, with 3.5-inch extended, boxed, and gusseted lower control arms. These were fitted with 2.5-inch King coilovers and secondary King triple-bypass shocks, each with custom TAV-spec valving and adjustment knobs for fine-tuning. In the rear, TAV removed the original axle and replaced it with a much stronger Ford 9-inch unit, complete with a Currie fabricated housing and Nitro Gear billet differential. The axle rides on an Alcan spring pack and King 12-inch-travel remote-reservoir shocks, both customized to TAV’s specifications. All four corners were topped off with SOS Performance big brakes, 17-inch Method Race Wheels, and 37-inch Yokohama mud-terrain tires.
This suspension setup allows the Goat to cruise smoothly over whoops and ruts, but the stock 4.0L V-6 seemed lacking in comparison. TAV addressed this by installing a Magnuson supercharger, which added roughly 70 horsepower and an equal amount of torque. Since this would be an expedition vehicle, it would need to remain reliable on long treks, so a dual-battery system, upgraded alternator, transmission cooler, and high-capacity fuel tank were also added.
TAV reworked the Tacoma’s exterior with bulged fenders and bedsides from McNeil Racing, rock sliders, and fabricated bumpers. The front bumper is a one-off custom piece, and houses four Baja Designs LED lights as well as a ComeUp USA winch. A matte gray vinyl wrap gives the body a subdued appearance. Maxtrax recovery devices, a storage case, and area lighting are attached to the Front Runner roof rack.
An AT Overland Equipment Habitat topper provides secure access points on all three sides of the bed, and its roof panel swings open in a 180-degree arc to reveal a spacious Nemo rooftop tent. This setup conveniently doubles as an awning over the tailgate. Extra storage capacity was added by replacing two-thirds of the rear bench seat with a sliding drawer from Goose Gear and attaching Grey Man Tactical organizer panels to the seatbacks. Auxiliary electronics are controlled by an sPOD switch panel attached to the overhead console.
Walt says he uses the Tacoma as a marketing tool for his company at events and trade shows, but it’s no squeaky-clean show vehicle. He drives it daily and frequently takes it out on long journeys, including a 1,500-mile, 10-day “Trail of Missions” trip down the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. Over the years, parts have broken, and catastrophic failures have occurred, but these incidents just fueled TAV’s improvements to the truck. “The Goat always got us home and is stronger than ever.” No matter what happens, it’ll be a part of his life and his company forever — “This truck is basically a family member.”
2009 Toyota Tacoma “Ranger Goat” Specs
- Engine: 4.0L V-6 with Magnuson supercharger and LRA 33-gallon fuel tank
- Transmission: 5-speed automatic with transmission cooler
- Driveline: 2WD / 4WD with 2-speed transfer case; TAV-spec rear axle with Nitro Gear billet Ford 9-inch differential and Currie F9 housing
- Brakes: SOS Performance big brake kit
- Front Suspension: Total Chaos Fabrication 3.5-inch long-travel kit, secondary shock hoops, and cam tab gussets; custom 2.5-inch King coilovers with compression adjuster, and custom triple-bypass shocks with quick-adjust knobs; RCV Performance CV axle shafts
- Rear Suspension: Total Chaos Fabrication shock tower; custom King 12-inch travel remote-reservoir shocks and air bump stops; Archive Garage hammer hangers, shackles, and cross-tube; custom Alcan leaf spring pack
- Wheels & Tires: 17×8.5 Method Race Wheels 704 Trail Series wheels, 37×12.5R17 Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003
- Bed Topper & Roof Rack: AT Overland Equipment Habitat topper/tent with Revive Wraps MultiCam Black vinyl wrap, Front Runner roof rack
- Body Modifications: McNeil Racing fenders and bedsides, TAV custom front bumper, CBI Offroad custom rear bumper, Revive Wraps matte gunmetal gray vinyl wrap
- Lighting & Electrical: Baja Designs LED lights; Spyder Auto headlights; ComeUp USA Seal Gen2 wireless winch; Garmin Overlander navigation; sPOD 4×4 switch panel; TAV custom dual battery system; DC Power alternator; dual air compressors
- Built by: Tactical Application Vehicles, LLC ; Albuquerque, NM ; tavllc.com
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Carnivore Magazine Issue 6.
Why You Can Trust CARNIVORE
Since its launch, CarnivoreWeb.com has been a trusted authority on hunting, fishing and wild food, delivering expert insight for outdoorsmen who live the field-to-table lifestyle. More than a hunting and fishing site, CarnivoreWeb.com covers the full spectrum of the modern outdoors—from rifles, bows, and fishing gear to cooking, conservation and adventure.
Our contributors are drawn from across the hunting and angling world, including seasoned guides, lifelong hunters, competitive shooters and outdoor writers with decades of field experience. Every review, article and feature is built on firsthand testing, deep research, and an unwavering commitment to accuracy.
Commitment to Journalistic Principles
At CarnivoreWeb.com, upholding journalistic integrity is our top priority. We follow strict editorial standards to ensure all content is accurate, transparent, and unbiased. Our editors and writers operate independently, free from outside influence, advertisers or stakeholders. We adhere to established journalistic codes of ethics, holding ourselves accountable for the information we publish, correcting errors when they occur and disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.
This commitment ensures that our readers can trust CarnivoreWeb.com to provide reliable, honest coverage that helps them make informed decisions—whether selecting gear, honing outdoor skills or preparing wild game.
Find out more about our Editorial Standards and Evaluation Process
