just got a new ride. wanna make it mine, suggestions?

ok so i just bought my '98 tacoma, and am noticing there are A LOT of generic looking tacomas in my area, anyone have any tips on reletively cheap options to get a white Tacoma looking mean and like a one of a kind? thanks in advance.

 

debadge it...lift it...new wheels and tires...

 

Get a sticker, or even a sockmonkey besdide decal.

 

jet propulsion and swept wings set to 35 degrees and a 20mm cannon


oh aa maybe a sticker?

 

x2

Maybe getta billet grille insert or a mesh grille insert

 

Debadge, paint badges, paint/powdercoat wheels, stickers, window tint, grille, LED license plate lights, HID conversion kit, smoked tail lights, etc... There's a lot you can do for under $300.

 

clear corners and clear turn signals are always clean on the 98-00 tacos......

 

Black everything out

 

You wanna go getto, pimp, or boy racer?

 

i still want it to be a truck, i just dont want it to look like every other factory taco out there, ya know? thanks for all the tips and site links guys. appreciate it.

 

hehe

Hmmm, can we combine genres? Ghetto bro? Expedition pimp? Racer crawler? Mall boy crawler?

I suggest browsing a ton of 1st gen pictures on this site to see what others have done and what you like the look of. Most people list the specific mods they do and prodcuts they bought, so you can check that out or ask them if you see something you like:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...en-95-5-04-tacoma-pictures-threads-color.html

Also check out the lighting, wheels and tires, detailing, and suspenion threads.

Oh, and is your truck 2wd or 4wd? And what color is it? And POST A PICTURE OF IT!

 

also, anyone know a good site to order a grille guard off of?

 

4wd, white with a little god trim line, AND IM WORKING ON IT!

 

WHY ARE WE YELLING AT EACH OTHER?

What is a god trim line? White with gold and little harps?

By grill guard, do you mean bull bar? Like Westin? Or something that protects the headlights and everything from deer strikes, etc? Like an ARB or similar?

 

hey man, he yelled at me first, oops haha, yes i ment GOLD my bad. I mean like something that will protect my shit from animals cause my area has a lot of wildlife, and it actually brought the demise of my jetta. big and mean is the key. ;-)

 

If you're on a budget, think of the small stuff first.

Color-Matched 1st Gen Grille Surround:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/96141-color-matched-1st-gen-grille-surround.html

Painting your rims:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/92347-stealth-wheels-write-up.html

Paint your grill & bumper:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/95878-painted-my-grill-bumper-what-do-you-think.html

And you can always look around at build threads and see what you like. Here's one that is moderate and makes his truck stand out from the normal Tacoma crowd:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/67995-devil-penguin.html

Last, you can go through this "Buildups and Information" list and choose whatever catches your eye:
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/01tacoma.html#sus

 

slap some 24s on there and blast that "hip" gangsta music

 

nothing like some cool body damage to make a truck your own

 

My suggestion would be an ARB bumper. You can justify it. There are lots of other nice looking custom beefy tube or plate style bumpers out there, and you wil find many examples on this site if you search for those terms (plate bumper, tube bumper).

The ARB is tried and tested, compatible with air bags, and looks f'ing good IMO. It has many options.

http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Bull...s/Bull-Bar-Bumper-Styles-And-Features/28.aspx

If I could justify the need, I would get one.

Considerations:
1. It adds weight way out front.
2. This will make your front end sag and affect your ride quality/suspension.
3. Chances are, unless the previous owner modified or replaced the suspension, your is shot (the OEM just sucks)

You will want to put stronger coils and better struts on the front end to generally improve ride and handling (and safety) and handle the added weight. Old Man Emu (OME, not to be confused with OEM, original equipment manufacturer) springs (881s) are a likley answer, maybe 882s (only difference is height)

Check out Wheeler's Offroad for these along with explanation of application and also for new struts (OME or possibly Bilstein 5100s, depending on what makes most sense for you.)

Oh, then you'll likely want to do something with the rear suspension, which also sucks.

Oh, yeah, you brought a bag of money to this game, right? I just spent at least $1500 for you, assuming you can do it yourself and don't pay for labor.

Screw all the other cosmetic stuff and do this. It will be a better, safer truck.

I would think that may offroad shops in CO would have al these goodies. Do some price shopping. These are all heavy to ship.

Let the modding begin...

Oh, did you say cheap?

 

Arb.