The wost thing I did or bought for my Tacoma was...

What specific side steps did you have that rusted?

 

For my 08 Access Cab 2.7 I bought a throttle body spacer, did absolutely nothing. It was a pretty red anodized color though.

Steve...........

 

Traction bar that bolted to the third member. Great in theory but cost me a rear end and a 200 mile tow. The studs that held it on also held the third member to the axle. Most of them snapped off, lost all fluid and carrier slid forward a little. It was the second time it came loose but this time I was on the highway and I didnt know it happend till bad noises came from the rear. That was the end of that. $550 for the bar, $300 for the tow, $1200 for the rear end and two weekends lost installing then fixing.

 

Honestly, nothing. Ive spent a ton of time researching each and every modifications Ive done so far.

I have yet to do anything to my truck that I regret or I wasnt happy with.

I bought a used set of aftermarket wheels for my truck that I thought I wanted to run. After staring at them for almost a year, I decided I didnt like them. Fortunately I sold them for 10$ more than paid for them.

Granted, I wish I would have installed the front 5100s, Eibach springs, and top plate spacers at the same time instead of tearing the front suspension apart 3 times. Save for that, I got nothin.

 

Man you need a drink. Reading that gave me stress.

 

yeah this was my first vehicle and I have done a lot of learning so far

 

3" coil spacer lift. The strut asemblies might as well be pieces of 2x4. Would probably have the same ride quality

 

That blows.

 

OP, awesome thread! My contribution:

-front diff drop on a Gen 2... I was a Gen 1 guy, I didn't know any better.
-32" Nittos on 18" wheels on a truck I like to push through the woods and over rocks. WTF was I thinking? Should've bought MK2's w/kevlar on 16's. And if I had done my homework I could've done a couple more mods and gone up to a 33" tire.

That's about the only wasted $$$ I can think of.

 

Bought a Whistle Tip for the exhaust

 

Spent extra money on Focal speakers. they dont sound any better (maybe worse) than my Infinity Kappas in my old truck.

 

I like the Kappas a lot

 

Probably buying 5100s .. go with a good setup, buy once cry once.

 

AirLift air bags. Absolute junk. Ruined the suspension travel and the frame mounts bent on a not-too-hard bump snapping the air fittings. Should have installed the Firestones with Daystar cradles from the start.

 

WOW!!!

I've given serious consideration to the traction bar. I've read it doubles as a slider for the drive shaft. This is seriously scary.

I installed Thule tracks on my topper (shell, cap, camper, etc...) only to read (after install) that the fasteners are not intended for fiberglass. longer bolts some washers and nuts - problem solved. I'm just glad I read it before losing my 17' Mad River Canoe on a highway somewhere.

I also over paid for some offset aftermarket wheels because I thought I wanted to run 285s. Sold them for a loss and bought another set of stock steelies and mounted 255s. Looking for another set of steelies...