How Soon Would You Starting Modding a New Vehicle?

I'm going to be purchasing a new Tacoma this Spring and I've already got a list of modifications for it that's about a mile long (and I blame all of you on the Tacoma World forums for making the list so long! ) At the moment, I plan on starting the modifications as soon as I bring the truck home. For me, "modifications" means color matching the bumpers and various parts as well as significant suspension work (lowering in my case).

So my question is this... am I crazy if I start modding a brand new truck? Would you (or did you)? Some people would want to drive the truck for a few weeks, months, or maybe even a few years to 'make sure' they didn't get a lemon and won't have to take it back to the dealer. Part of my brain is telling me this is what I should do (i.e., wait a little while and put a few miles on before the mods begin.) Some might not even think about doing major modifications until the warranty is up.

The other part of my brain is thinking that once I've signed the paperwork and I drive off the dealer lot, it would pretty much take an act of God in order for the dealer to take that truck back, regardless of the defects that may show-up. I've read many posts on these forums about what I think were manufacturer defects on trucks and in pretty much every case, the dealer just tried to fix the defect but never gave the owner a new truck. Therefore, what's the point of waiting to do modifications if you're pretty much stuck with the truck you buy?

What do you do? Mod right away or wait? (and why?)

 

I wait six months for major modifications. Minor stuff on the other hand. As soon as possible.

 

I think the earliest I've ever done a serious mod was about 3-4 months after purchase.

I'd personally hold off on major mods until the engine is broken in (about 500-1k miles), but smaller/cosmetic stuff probably wouldn't be a big deal to do sooner.

 

I tint dem windows asap.

 

If you already have ideas I'd just start as soon as money allows.

 

As soon as possible for little stuff, maybe wait a little while on suspension ect.

 

I should probably mention that part of the driving force behind me wanting to starting do modifications right away is that I plan on buying a 2wd regular cab Tacoma, and I think the stock truck looks incredibly dorky (Sorry to offend some of you, but that's my opinion!) My current truck (Gen 1 Taco) that I will sell to get the new truck looks really nice and I can't bare the thought of having to wait several months before I can have a nice looking truck again!

 

For cosmetic things....right away. For drivetrain and mechanical mods, I would drive the truck a few thousand miles to get the feel of that particular truck and then move forward on those mods.

 

When I have enough money to buy a brand new vehicle, I will probably budget lots of parts in with the price. Then have them before the vehicle.

 

Good point. I feel I've made the mistake in the past by throwing new swaybars and coilovers on a vehicle all the same time, right after I bought it. By doing that, I couldn't really tell if I 'improved' anything because I barely knew what the vehicle handled like before the change (Although the big grin on my face after test driving with the suspension usually means 'I dun good'!)

 

Do the major suspension work when the truck is new. Modding is far less enjoyable when the bolts have rusted.

 

Also a great point! I live in Wisconsin, and rust is the precise reason I'm not buying a new truck until Spring. I don't want to subject a brand new vehicle to our salty roads Putting new suspension on is certainly easier when you don't have to use "the fire wrench" on every bolt

 

I really dislike the stock look, so I begin buying parts even before the deal is done.

 

Personally, I would be too bored with the truck to care by then.

 

Had a ton of parts for my bike before I signed for it, they all went on 1 week after I had it.

 

Bought a lift before I owned the truck

 

I lifted mine within two months of buying it. Stock suspension was way too soft. I put the rock sliders on at about eight months of ownership. It's all up to what you feel comfortable with. I bought the truck knowing what I was going to do and had everything researched and planned out beforehand.

 

Good point.

 

I dont change anything until after break-in period. This way if it turns out to be a lemon I can off load it without sinking any more money into it.

 

Right out of the gate. Wouldn't go crazy as to void the warranty.