Guidance needed for recently purchased 2005 Tacoma ...

First, I want to thank everyone who contributes to this forum -- it is a wealth of knowledge not to mention inspiration ... !

I am hoping I can get some guidance. I recently purchased a used 2005 Tacoma (extended cab) that has only 38,000 miles on it. The dealer gave me a reasonable deal and frankly made some money on it because they did the frame recall installation, tuned it up, replaced the tires (Nitto), the rims (American Racing) and did a lift on the vehicle. I actually didn't need all of that but since they went ahead and did it I can live with it.

My goal is to do very light off-roading and camping in the vehicle in the Northeast (mostly the Adirondacks and in Canada, such as norther Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes). The rigs here -- and the build threads -- are truly inspirational! But realistically I don't need to ruggedized the truck that much since my needs are not really true "overlanding." I would like to upgrade the truck but in a more stealth manner -- of course, the lift and the wheels the dealer installed sort of blew that idea.

My plans are to drop in a Thule truck rack (although I am on the fence due to the ARB Pro racks and the great support there) and a Tepui roof top tent.

In the short term here are the things that I would like to do to the truck and where I would really appreciate some advice:

1) Remove the dealer plate frames. Minor swap out. Any recommendation here? Looking for something very minimal for a budget price.

2) Car seat covers. Probably just Toyota standard covers. I've seen the good discussion here on the TRD covers versus others but my goal is a simple cover with a budget price.

3) Step rails. Here is where I really need some help. The dealer lifted the truck making it pretty hard to get in and out of. As an aside, I really like the truck but the seats and the seating position are not that comfortable. So to make it easier for an, ahem, older gentleman to get in and out of the truck I would like to put in a step. I would rather not drill into the frame to do the install. I can do it but would prefer a simple bolt on. What are some of the better budget step rail companies that I should look for? Used would also be fine.

4) Radio. I'll probably just put in a bluetooth radio for long trips and keep the CD player. Ideally, I would put in satellite radio but they are such a difficult company to do business with and I'd rather not pay for a subscription for a truck that I am not going to drive except for weekends. For navigation, I will just mount a portable unit that I have with updatable maps from my computer.

5) Kid seat. To be determined. I have the extended cab so will probably just put in a booster seat for my son. That is when he is not mounted to the Thule rack with zip ties. I kid. I kid.

6) In the future I might put in a budget brush guard but that is not an immediate priority.

Two final questions:

A) What else should I be looking for and looking to do? Keep in mind, I am not traversing the Sahara. Just basic to light off-roading and car camping. Any other must have items?

B) Anyone have a good shop that they recommend who works with older Tacomas and can do good repair, tune up and install third-party stuff? I am in New York and while we have the best pizza we are sadly lacking in the whole Toyota off-roading / modification markets. I am jealous of the West Coast (for a number of reasons!) but major among them is the wealth of resources and shops you guys have out there. Anyone know of anyone good in New York?

Thanks for listening ... Sorry if this is a bit long. Perhaps there are other folks new to the whole world of Tacomas that can benefit from the advice and guidance on basic modifications for a more budget type of off-road / camping vehicle.

 

Welcome ! and nice first post !!!

If you have stock speakers its worth upgrading if you like clear sound...factory speakers are not good at all...
mini amp and component speakers make the stock head unit come to life ...lots of Toyota 2012-13 head unit on the net for cheap
If you want nice seat cover check out clazzios or catskin$$$ perfect fit and leather.Carhartt has some fabric one that are tough.
Factory steps are ok sliders are better and you can use them with hilift

Nice taco already,i love those wheels

Cheers

 

I put a GTA Car Kit Bluetooth adapter in mine. Works great and super easy to install!

http://www.gtacarkits.com/

 

2005 or 2015 ??

your post say 2005 and your sign say 2015

 

Sorry ... I will fix that ... 2005 ...

 

Nice find low miles

 

bubagump74

Thanks for your advice. I see you are in Montreal. One of my first major trips (currently in the planning stage) will be a trip through Charlevoix as far North as I can go.

As far as sound, this may sound awful but I really don't care that much. I tend to be an audiophile at home but not so much in the car. That said, I might upgrade the whole sound system if I get the energy to do it! But one of the problems is that with those wheels the road noise is loud -- not awful -- but enough to kind of render a sound upgrade a bit moot.

I will definitely research the seat covers you mention. I first need to get the cigarette smell out of the cabin.

Will look for factory steps -- hopefully with an older model truck I can get some used or at a discount price.

The wheels are a bit funny. They are more than what I need -- almost too much. When I decided to buy the truck the dealer said included in the price was to upgrade the tires and he was putting some really great tires on it. I knew he was padding the sale but it didn't bother me that much really. When I got to the dealer to pick up the truck my wife gasped ... I wouldn't have chosen those tires because I think they are overkill. I would sell them and go lower profile but that might be tricky. So ... big wheels it is ...

BeaslyNC thank you for the link on the GTA car kit adapter. I need to research that. Looks very promising.

 

Charlevoix is nice we go skiing at le Massif in the winter further north you can take the ferry to Tadousac good camping,sand dunes and trails with awesome scenery of the saguenay and St laurent river.

Happy trails

 

So I ordered some simple metal Tacoma license plate frames. Nothing fancy. Next big thing is the steps or sliders. I don't need them to protect the truck from bouldering but I could sure use a step to get into the jacked up cab! Anyone have recommendations on basic (budget oriented) step rails? I was trying to find used ones but that is proving to be tricky. Where is the best place to order?

I guess this is a build thread but one inch at a time ...