N39° 5’ 30” W122° 35’ 28”
OWNER & PHOTOS: GENE PASCUA
@DFFRENT_ALLROAD
M
y first vehicle was the 2nd Gen 1995 Toyota 4Runner when I was 17 years old. I didn’t know anything about cars and nothing about the off-road culture at the time. After high school, I left my hometown of Staten Island, New York, to attend the Academy of Art in California. It was here that I learned about the off-road community. I sold my 1995 4Runner to get a newer 3rd Gen 2001 4Runner, and then two years later, I bought the 4th Gen 2003 4Runner with the V8 motor. It was when I got the 4th Gen 4Runner that I gained interest in modifying my truck. I was still learning about the off-road community and didn’t want to go too crazy with it, so I just slapped on some Mickey Thompson tires and bought some miscellaneous aesthetic parts from Jaos. I was totally into the Jaos aesthetic at the time, and I think it was the look back then for a bit.
I started my research by looking at what aftermarket parts were being put on popular builds and what social media influencers were promoting on their pages. I usually decide based on design and then function. Coming from a design and photography background, I am heavily in favor of aesthetics and design. I then looked at the utilitarian aspects of the product and decided from there. I can love a product’s function and capabilities, but if the looks don’t work for me, then it’s a no-go. There has to be a middle ground between function and aesthetic design to decide to go with a particular product.
A few years later, I decided to let go of my 4Runner and wanted a fuel-efficient vehicle. I never owned a car before and was looking into something more sporty. So I started looking at Audi for an entry-level sports vehicle. It was a different world for me being lower to the ground than I was used to, but I instantly fell in love with the Audi A4, and so I bought one. I think I’ve gotten more speeding tickets in the Audi than any other vehicle I’ve owned. I fell in love with the Audi brand, then eight years later, I bought their Allroad model.
FORM THEN FUNCTION
After I bought my Allroad, I had no plans to do anything to it. I wanted it to be my daily driver and carry my dogs on road trips. I forgot about the off-road community and I was pretty naive with the street modding community for Euro vehicles. I decided to join an Audi club in the Bay Area to learn what people were doing with their Audis. I joined the Audi Gruppe of Silicon Valley, which I helped grow into what it is today. At that time, I met many helpful people who gave me ideas on what I should do with my Allroad. It was all about tuning the engine, lowering it, and exhaust. I was conflicted if I wanted to do that. Then it hit me; I’ll lift it!
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LIGHTING: Rigid Industries dual SR Pro for sidelighs, Rigid Industries dual SAE Midnight Edition lights for high beams in grill, Rigid Industries single 30” bottom SAE light bar, Rigid Industries single 40” ADAPT light bar, Rigid Industries dual Chase lights, Rigid Industries dual rear DSS lights, Rigid Industries dual 360 Series pillar lights
