New tacoma owner, several questions.

I searched the forum and I couldn't find answers to several questions I have, so hopefully you guys can help me out. I've just had my truck for a couple of weeks, it's an '08 access cab, v4, 2wd. Nothing special, but I do want to upgrade it to suit my needs, and to learn for my next one. (I'm thinking about designing a custom sidebed logo that says RAT: Regular Ass Tacoma in the same styling as the TRD logo )

Anyway I'm diving right into things, I just picked myself up a doubledin stereo after doing some research here and elsewhere, should be here on monday for me to install. I'm pumped.

I have some questions in planning out the next couple of my mods:

First: I want to do tints on the windows, I was thinking 50% on the WS and 35% the rest of the way around. I have a buddy who's done tinting himself but I'm a little iffy about that. Has anyone tinted their own windows and had it come out looking clean? There's nothing worse than a really ass looking DIY tint job. I wouldn't be surprised if another taco owner pulled me out of my truck and slapped me for that, and I'd deserve it.

Second: Where's the best place to buy OEM bumpers? Right now my taco has the black plastic front and rear bumpers, which look terrible imo. I'd like to get some colormatched bumpers and stick them on, but I don't know where to go. The offroad bumpers look awesome, but it would be silly to put them on a 2wd taco that I drive around the city all day in.

Third: My truck also doesn't have the compass and temp gauge on the top center in front of where the sunglass holder is, but I wondered if I could put one in myself since it looks like the guts might be in there. Is this possible? Where could I find one?

Sorry for the long read, thanks for any help folks.

 

Before tinting - find out what your local state laws consider legal.

Ebay, craigslist, local junkyards, this forum, online...search www.google.com

 

A lot of people do tint themselves. As long as you're not going over that dot matrix crap, it should be pretty straight forward. Just use a quality tint.

You might be able to find some color matched bumpers here from members who went to aftermarket off road ones.

No idea on #3.

 

x2 on checking state laws .Unless you can buy it precut, avoid the headaches and take it to a tint shop where you can have it done right along with a warranty.

 

I had my front side windows tinted using Llumar film to match the backs - $60.00

 

What color is your truck?

 

Yeah I'll definitely check my state laws before I take it in (or do it myself), no-brainer there. Thanks for the reminder though.

I think I am going to take it in too, my buddy was talking as if he'd done it to cars before, but the back with a truck is a different beast altogether I'd think. Plus it just seems like a job that wouldn't be fun.

Oh, and my truck is Impulse Red.

 

Idk how I'd get it to you, but I'll have a Magnetic Grey Metallic OEM front bumper that you could get repainted and a chrome rear once I get my CBI bumpers on next week. I'll make ya a deal.

 

here's an overhead unit...no compass though, but obviously the owner switched it out...send him an email

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...ta-tacoma-overhead-console-W0QQAdIdZ258875092

 

I'm going to check out a couple of junkyards this week, but if I can't find anything I'll send you a pm.

 

Sounds good for the front but the chrome rear has already been spoken for.

 

If u have a black rear bumper and front .. Take them to a local shop and have them color matched & while ur their also take ur grille .. Compass issue try junk yards like stated or eBay
Good luck and post pics

 

Guys here are fighting for those plain Black bumpers...Especially the rear. You can def make a deal with the rear. As others mentioned, most folks switch out their front bumpers with ARB or All pro, you will def find one.

 

It's an inline 4, not a V-4.