New to TacomaWorld, with a couple questions

Hi all,
Loving this site so far and I've already gained some valuable info in just an hour or so of browsing. This my second taco thus far (Green Gertrude);my first taco (Tan Tammy) met an unfortunate ending after I loaned her out for a night to my best friend.

My questions involve some pretty basic stuff so insight would be much appreciated.

• Any recommendations on blacking out my badges, including front emblem?
• Blacking out my factory rims, best method or should I look into buying new ones?
• Truck cap. I have an estimate for a ARE V series with carpet headliner,front sliding & tilt down window, 12v light, yakima tower rack and bedrug for ~$2300, good or no?
• Or an ARE X series with front sliding & tilt window, yakima tower rack and bedrug for ~$2700 (carpet headliner and light are included with X).

 

Lots of guys use plasti-dip on the badges.

 

I paid 1950 OTD about 2 years ago for my ARE Z with a front folding window (which is a must in my opinion). Its a very good looking cap and well built with just a few small imperfections but nothing serious. A close friend's brother borrowed his 2009 4wd indigo blue long bed and though he could forge a river during a heavy storm. They found the truck a week later roof deep in mud...and this is why I will never lend my truck out to anyone. Good luck with your new truck OP its a sharp looking ride.

 

I'm a fan of the de-badge and de-sticker... Not as easy on the front end. Lots of derp how-to's on the forum but I never quite understood it. And from my experience, blacking out your wheels is hard to do correctly... But, if you like that look- good satin black paint is cheap (John Deere Blitz Black is the SHIT) and touch up is easy. No real input on the topper- I rock a soft topper. Looks like one hell of a ride your buddy got in tan Tammy. Christ almighty... Hope he didn't fare too badly.

 

Thanks for the input. Fortunately my friend walked away from that without a scratch.

 

Lucky guy- I bet his drawers weren't as lucky.

 

Wait until warm weather, get a hair dryer and some fishing line, and pull the badges and stickers if you like. You might be happier with black wheels that come that way if you don't mind spending the money.

 

Fishing line is great. I used it for one door badge but an old body shop guy told me to use welding wire. Works 10 times better and and doesn't break. Just in case you ever have to DE badge another vehicle

 

I had to get my tail gate fixed and repainted and told the guy that painted it to color match the front emblem with I like better than black on my truck. Front emblem comes off really easy if youpull up on the tab at the bottom back side of the emblem

 

I remember when I debadged and took the TuRD stickers off the rear of my new DCSB like the day after I got it my father was MORTIFIED... Why would you take that stuff off? He couldn't figure it out...

 

I used some black satin rattle can in 2008 to paint my stock rims. Worked great, and is super easy to touch up.

If you try it and it doesn't work - You can buy new rims later.

 

Welcome.

Have an ARE Vseries. Paid a little under 2k for it with sliding fold down front window, vented windoors, LED strip in the center, Yakima tracks. So I think you are in the right park for one. I haven't noticed a big fluctuation in pricing of ARE/Leer/Snugtop shells.

 

Welcome to TW. I think you'll find the answer to you question here...

How did your buddy do in the crash?

 

Hey JD. I have an x series and really don't have any complaints but one. Sliding side windows are a PITA. Life would be much easier if it had windoors. It wasn't an option on my X but its an old cap. Maybe an option on the newer X series

 

Welcome to the club!

 

Front sombrero is super easy to pop off. I just did mine this weekend, stuck it to piece of cardboard, sprayed it outside then brought it inside to dry just because it was so cold outside. Repeat for 5-6 coats.

 

He was very lucky and he crawled out the passenger window without any injuries.

 

I did the same thing on my 09 RAV4 Sport, since it was all MGM and black. Used inexpensive model car enamel in matte black, and it looked great.

 

Thanks everyone for the input! I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on the ARE X series tomorrow and as far as the badges go I'm gonna use the plastidip as soon as it warms up a bit. Probably gonna leave the rims be for now and maybe buy the black TRD rims in the spring or summer. I can already tell that this site is gonna put a hurting on my bank account! Anyone care to give their honest opinion on how they think a spruce mica would looked pretty much blacked out?

 

WICKED!! Army with an attitude!