I've got around 1K to spend, what to do first...

Good Evening all,

I've got around 1K to spend on my truck, and just wondering what should be prioritized. I've got a 2015 TRD Sport bone stock (including tires)

My current wants are (in no particular order)
Home Link Mirror
Remote Start
More aggressive tires
Minor lift (I don't go off road often, but I do hunt and fish in the country)
Speaker upgrade (will probably leave the HU alone for now)
Grill Guard
Any other must haves...

Thoughts?

 

Tires first!!!!

 

Wait for the lift before you do tires, I learned the hard way....

 

OEM tires do suck....but you can clear a slightly bigger A/T tire without a lift. If upgrading audio, do head unit first.... You'd be surprised of how much better the OEM speakers are, the OEM head unit will not power the aftermarket speakers enough for better sound reproduction. Grill guard.... Not a fan and they don't guard much anyways.

 

3" Lift, tires. Cash gone =)

 

If it's not paid for, reduce your debt. My "stone stock" Sport has never failed to get me to my favorite fishing holes or deer stand. Put your wish lit on a dart board and let'em fly.

 

Avid bumper guard!!!

 

Bilstein 5100's (on front at least) for mild lift. Then tires. Then go look for the NEXT $1000.....your money is already spent.

 

Fund your IRA, said dad.

 

Good advice, although I would set aside money for decent tires sooner rather than later just the same.

 

How long do U want to keep your truck? I Have 2009 Taco , bought in 2008 . When I first got it I drove straight to shop & put remote start with kill switch , along with complete undercoat . Kill switch for my piece of mind. i leave heater or defroster on in winter , or A/C on in summer . Start from inside house, & ready to drive off ,wen I am. Perfect !! . After living in Ohio for 8 yrs. the undercoat , along with TLC has kept my truck looking new. Looking back , I'm beyond glad I did it my way . Tires last. $1000 probably not Enuff . Now building it my way

 

It won't cost you a $1000, but the @Mobtown Offroad tailgate reinforcement and cap has been one of the best and most useful modifications I've done to my truck.

 

Put it in the bank

 

Remote start is I considered when I first got my truck. I ultimately decided not to get it because it's a vanity I really don't need. I've been in vehicles all 33 years of my life and I've gotten by just fine without it. Sure it'd be nice to have it running with the heat/ac going but honestly how long does it really take for it to heat up or cool of once you get in and do it the old fashioned way.
I say shop around tire prices. Best deal I've found on Open Country A/T or KO2 is around $800 for 265/75-16. Not including mount and balance. You could have some 5100 put up front to level it. As far getting them put on I had to have a "shad tree" mechanic install mine because every shop in town wouldn't touch them because "it's too dangerous" or because I didn't buy the part from them. Make sure you shop that around.
For stereo I already had a double din from my f350 that I put in. I'm actually impressed by the OEM speakers and will not be upgrading those unless necessary. I have an amp and 12" kicker comp VR but o don't think that sub will fit behind the seat in my double cab.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

To the people suggesting financial advice, I'm a 30 year old IT professional with a wife, kid, a retirement account, and plenty in savings. This extra 1k is just the refund from the extended warranty on the last vehicle I owned. Some of it is going to a vacation, but the wife is "letting" me keep some for "toys" as she calls them (truck, guns, and computers!). I do appreciate the advice, and it is for sure very good advice. This is just my first truck that I've owned (driven a lot of them, grew up on a farm). So I was wanting to find out what is most important to upgrade, or what will give me the most bang for the buck.

For those saying to avoid the bumper guard. I do realize that in a crash they are almost useless. I just kind of like the way they look, and was hoping that it would help avoid "little accidents" that happen when my wife drives my cars.... Anyways, I think I will prioritize that sucker down low, maybe I'll come across one cheap on craigslist or something.

Tires and a lift were high on the list. I don't do a lot of offroading, so a lift might be a waste for me. But I think some more aggressive tires would be of benefit, as some of my hunting areas are basically no maintenance. I was also hoping to sell the current tires I've got, which could help fund new tires. And if I had any left over, a small lift would be nice!

In regards to the lift, what do you guys recommend? I have done a lot of searching, and opinions seem wide and varied. I'd be looking to keep the stock "feel" of the truck as much as possible. If I change to the 5100's do I need to change anything else? I'm a complete noob when it comes to suspension. I do have an uncle who restores cars so he would have any tools (and mechanical knowledge) I would need

As far as sound goes. I really want to avoid replacing the Head Unit, unless I could find one that looks stock. I've replaced many head units in my cars over the years, and I've never been satisfied with their look. I've had good luck in the past with just replacing speakers. But you guys are the experts, so I will consider it!

@TacoRph I'll check that out, thanks for letting me know about it!


@Lou I would like to keep this one for as long as possible. I'd like the remote start, just save me a step on the morning during the winter. But it's mostly just a convenience.

Thanks guys, keep 'em coming!

 

5100s can be adjusted up to 2.75 lift I think with stock coils but as I stated earlier finding a shop to do them may be tricky if they act like they do where I live. Some also recommend if you go above 2" in front get a front differential drop kit. It's pretty cheap but creates a low spot the essentially reduces ground clearance. This is supposed to help correct CV angle. Check around and if you find one willing to do it ask first if they require you to let them order the part or can you buy the part for them to install. For the rear you could do a block for about $100 and probably be fine considering you only do very light off-roading. If you got into medium off-roading I'd go with a progressive add a leaf from icon for about $220. For tires if you have 16 go with a 265/75 and you should never have to worry about rubbing.

 

@MSU Taco Thanks for the advice, thats just what I needed. With the cv drop kit, does it make it lower than it was at stock, or just lower than the apparently 2.75" lift?

I will check around in the area. Most of the shops here are pretty friendly so I don't think it'd be an issue.

Thanks again!

 

5100s to level - .85" setting and the 265/70/17 tire of your choice in load C

 

Don't set the front up high. You'll have to do the rear, new UCAs ($500+), and the ECGS front diff bushing.

 

It doesn't affect the lift per say. It's besically a steel bushing and longer bolt that rotates the differential slightly. The low spot is just a bi product of adding the the bushing between where the diff bolts to truck. It's shouldn't create a problem unless you start doing legit trail or mud riding.