Been lurking on TW and now that I own a Taco it's time to post!

Hi everyone! I recently purchased a 2005 Toyota Tacoma Regular cab with 61k miles. It's a Prerunner SR5. I've been on this forum here and there in the past drooling over all of the nice Tacos on here. Now that I've finally purchased one myself I felt like I should post on here.

Since I live in SoCal I felt like I did not need the 4x4 as I do not plan on going offroading with the truck but use it more to carry my bike, snowboard, etc. My main focus in modding the truck is fuel economy.

I've read a bit on here and I feel like the best advice for better MPG's based on the MPG Mods in the 4 Cylinder forum (http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/34594-mpg-mods.html) is driving with an egg under the gas pedal. So far I've only filled my tank up until it clicked at the pump and have driven exactly 300 miles and the needle is exactly at the 3/4 mark! I'm really enjoying amount I can drive on one tank with this 4 banger! I have been shifting at 2500 in first and at 2000 the rest of the gears btw. I've also increased my tire pressure to 40 psi on the stock Dunlop Grandtreks from 29 and and felt that I've gotten a bit more MPG's but only a ScanGauge in the future will tell.

As for the truck, I've purchased it all stock and everything is perfect! I was considering 5 luggers but the bench seat really turned me off from them as well as the gear ratios (I wanted larger tires without having to regear and have cluster that is off). My Taco was also built in Fremont, CA I think based on my VIN starting with a 5 (http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/39799-mexico-us-built-model-trends.html) as well as my door jamb having a manufactured in California sticker. This also means that I don't have a cabin filter! I first checked and was a bit curious of whether or not the previous owner took it out for whatever reason. But after searching on here I figured out that it may be that the MY05 did not come with one.

So far mods are:
- DIY AUX mod by fbconvert and wljohns (http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...iy-aux-input-2005-2008-factory-head-unit.html)
- Plastidipped stock wheels (may get some new wheels when the original tires go bald, probably another 10k miles on them left. Not bad since the truck has 61k)
- Plastidipped emblems on doors and tailgate as well as the front valence

Future Mods:
- New wheels once tires go bald
- AFE Pro Dry S Filter
- Fog lights
- ScanGauge
- DIY bike fork mounts on rail system
- Cargo net/tailgate net to carry small items/groceries

I've learned a lot about Taco's on here and feel like the least I can do is contribute back as much as I can with my newly purchased Taco. There is still more to be discovered with the Taco and I feel like most topics have already been covered and will try my best to give my input based on my truck.

Enough with the rambling here are pictures of my truck the day I purchased. I don't have images of the truck with the plastidipped parts but will update as soon as I get the chance:





















BTW anyone know this hitch? Does not look like it's OEM to me. Did Reg cab Prerunner SR5's come with this hitch factory? I checked under the truck and there is not harness to be found.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome from Hawaii!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome aboard from your truck's 3rd coast twin!! I recently traded in my lifted 05 ac prerunner when I found this jewel of an 08 reg cab SR5. I've been wanting a reg cab with buckets and since they don't make them any more except auto 4wd I had about given up until I found this........meet your truck's clone.



It has undergone a transformation of sorts receiving all the goodies I was allowed to strip from the 05 before trading in.....oem cruise, fogs/harness/switches, light bar w/Hella 500ffs, WT floormats, WO seat/console lid covers, Grom audio usb/ipod/aux adapter, popnlock, spare tire lock, TRD tow hook, TRD skid, oem bedmat, OBX pedal covers. Also have tinted the back window/windshield, got in channel vent guards, put my extra BHLM type headlights in, got black LED tails & put my lo mileage TRD bilsteins from the attic with 1/2 inch lift up front with taco lean tp spacers. This is about how it's gonna stay until bumping up the tires to 265/70/16s when the 245/75/16 Falkens that came on it wear out and that'll be awhile.



That hitch on yours is not factory but I had the same one on the 05. It'll work just fine. That is one thing I regret not taking the time to pull off the old truck before trading it in. Oh well, feel I got my fair share off it, lol.........

 

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! BTW are there any events like the upcoming Pismo Jamboree in Pismo Beach this coming Sept? A bit of a drive for me.

 

welcome from where your truck was built!!