Some people feel most at home with both feet on the ground. Mike Maxham just happens to be comfortable at 35,000 feet too.
As a Boeing 737 captain and check airman, Mike spends much of his professional life in the air, traveling between Maui, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas and wherever the job calls him next. But when he enjoying his new home in Maui, one of the things that keeps him grounded is his love for vehicles with personality.
That includes his 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro which is his current island hopper. Maxham also retains his older 2015 Toyota Tundra Limited for his mainland wheels.
The list of rides before that is long and diverse, includes motorcycles and even a Mini Cooper S which was recently sold. All of his vehicles have something in common, which is an affinity for customization, and purposeful modified upgrades all under Mike’s meticulous attention to detail. A important trait for a winged pilot by all measure. Many of these vehicle were equipped with MGP Caliper Covers.
For Mike, it is not just about adding a visual upgrade. It is about giving each vehicle the kind of stance and attitude that makes him smile when he walks up to it.
Aloha From Maui
Mike was born and raised in Southern California before moving to Phoenix in 1993. He has called Arizona home for many years, but Maui had been pulling him in for more than a decade.
“I have been coming to Maui for about 12 years now and always felt it was for me,” Mike said.
Earlier this year, he made the move to Kīhei, Maui, while still keeping his home in Phoenix and his flying job based out of Tucson. Every few weeks, he heads back to the mainland to fly. When he returns to Maui, the island gives him what he needs most.
“The beauty of the island, the wonderful Hawaiian people and culture, my hooked 2022 Tundra TRD Pro, my Yeti 160 mountain bike and, of course, the beach,” he said. “The islands provide the perfect backdrop to live an amazing lifestyle.”
That mix of aviation, island life, trucks and outdoor time says a lot about Mike. His schedule keeps him moving, but his vehicles help him feel connected to the places he calls home.
The Toyota Connection
Mike has owned both Chevy and Dodge trucks over the years, but Toyota has always had a strong place in his heart.
“When Back to the Future came out, I had to have that Toyota,” he said. “I had an older 1980s Toyota SR5 and loved it. Wish I still had it.”
That early connection grew into a long-term appreciation for Toyota trucks. Mike respects the engineering, reliability and overall feel of the platform. He also has strong opinions about the details, including the difference between an engine and a motor.
“Yes, it’s an engine, not a motor,” he joked. “A motor is an electrical device.”
That kind of comment says plenty about Mike’s personality. He knows vehicles, he likes to have fun with them and he pays attention to how things are built.
Two Tundras, Two Personalities
Mike’s 2015 Tundra Limited and 2022 Tundra TRD Pro might share the same badging, but he sees them as two very different machines.
His Jet Black 2015 Tundra Limited lives in Phoenix and has more than 138,000 miles on it. It runs a BDS 7-inch lift with Fox 2.5 coilovers, 35-inch Nitto Ridge Grapplers, Fuel wheels, Bodyguard steel bumpers, Bluetooth lighting and MGP Caliper Covers.
“It just has attitude,” Mike said.
The 2022 Tundra TRD Pro is different. Finished in Octane Orange, it is the truck Mike had been waiting for. “My 2022 TRD Pro is more grown up,” he said. “It literally is my dream truck.”
Mike bought it without seeing it in person first. The truck was built on Maui with help from IMM and Maui Karmart. It now features Fox Factory 3.0 race suspension, 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grapplers, 17-inch Method wheels, Backwoods front and rear bumpers, Baja Designs lighting, Alpharex LED headlights, a Flowmaster exhaust, a HornBlasters train horn, and MGP Caliper Covers to match.
“The 2022 just rides amazing,” Mike said. “It’s not too tall, but the suspension feels like riding on butter.”
For daily life on Maui, the TRD Pro is his main vehicle. It gets him where he wants to go, even if the bright orange paint makes it hard to stay unnoticed.
“I just wish I could open it up,” Mike said. “But being on island, the speed limits are low and the orange sticks out like a sore thumb. As a professional Pilot, I do not need any tickets or infractions.”
The Mini Cooper Chapter
Before the 2022 Tundra TRD Pro, Mike also owned a Mini Cooper S. It served as his airport car for drives to Tucson and Las Vegas, where he flies and instructs on the Boeing 737.
The Mini gave him better fuel mileage, sharp handling and a completely different kind of driving experience from the trucks.
“It was really fast and handled amazingly,” Mike said. “I tricked my Mini S out like the rest of my vehicles because stock sucks.”
The Mini also wore red MGP Caliper Covers, which Mike said helped set off the look of the car. While he misses it, selling the Mini helped fund the down payment for the 2022 Tundra TRD Pro.
Why Mike Keeps Coming Back to MGP
Mike has used MGP Caliper Covers on multiple vehicles because the product fits his style. He likes clean details, easy installation and visual impact without unnecessary complexity.
“I continued to use MGP because they look just fricken amazing,” Mike said. “They are durable and very easy to install, and I have had zero problems with them.”
He also appreciated the customer service experience and the ability to create a look that matched each vehicle. On his 2022 Tundra TRD Pro, the red MGP Caliper Covers feature the TRD Pro logo, a detail that matters to him.
“Detail matters on everything,” Mike said. “I had TRD Pro put on there and they stand out.”
For Mike, the covers help finish the look behind the wheels and give the truck more personality.
“It gives it stance and attitude,” he said. “Attitude is everything with a custom vehicle.”
A Truck That Feels Like Home
Mike’s 2022 Tundra TRD Pro brings together many of the things he enjoys most. Toyota trucks, strong color, capable suspension, clean details and the island backdrop of Maui.
He enjoys photographing the truck because it gives him a way to share the place he loves.
“I just love my truck and being able to show the beauty of Maui in my pics,” he said.
Whether he is flying a 737, riding his mountain bike, heading to the beach or driving his Octane Orange Tundra through Maui, Mike brings the same easygoing energy to all of it.
Being selected for MGP Build of the Month means a lot to him.
“I am absolutely honored,” Mike said. “There are so many amazing custom vehicles that MGP previews, and I am grateful I was chosen to share my rides. It is a true honor.”
Mahalo, Mike. We are honored to share your story.
Share Your Build With MGP
If you would like your vehicle to be considered for a future MGP Car Chronicles Build of the Month feature, we would love to see it.
Submit your build here:
https://www.calipercovers.com/botm-signup/
