Leathermatt's Weekend Build Thread

First of all I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on this site who provides information on how to modify these awesome trucks. A lot of the projects that I have taken on could not be possible without the overwhelming amount of resourceful knowledge that you can find on this forum. Even through all of the frustration, and confusion, I still felt that anything was possible with all of the how-to write-ups that I found on here. For the past 5 months I have been spending a lot of my time, and all of my spending money, developing my own accessories-driven build. I'm looking forward to being inspired by many more builds developed by Taco owner's alike.

Here i'll include a list of all of my modifications, as well as my personal experiences and encounters along the road with difficulties that I feel were not covered on this forum (that I have seen). I'll also make sure to include a list of future projects that I have in mind.

Here is my 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR 4x4 Accessories build as of September 2016:














Lighting:
50" Cree LED Curved Projection Light Bar (Brackets made by MCM Fab)
Dual 3" Cube LED Projection Bull Bar Lights
Dual Color-Changing LED Fog Lights w/ Remote
Dual Color-Changing LED Halo Rings
Black LED Smoked 3rd Rear Brake Light
Black Headlight Mod (BHLM)
Tail Lights VHT Niteshades Tint
Dual Rear Tow Hitch 3" Cube Projector Lights
Quad Color-Changing Interior Under-Seat Low Profile LED Lighting

Armor/Protection:
Front End Black Bullbar w/ Licence Plate Relocater
Quad Bushwhacker Bolt-On Pocket Style Fender Flares
Rear Bumper EVO3 Bumper Guard Reinforcement
Plasti-Color Flushmount Mountain Theme Mudflaps
Black Plasti-Dipped OEM Alloy Wheels
Bedrail-Mounted Headache Backrack

Accessories/Function:
Black 3" Access Cab Nerf Rails
Black Powdercoat Fine Mesh Grill
Black Metal Grenade Grill Emblem
2" Black Receiver Hitch w/ Pintle Hitch
Betterbuilt Black Aluminum 21" Toolbox
IGGEE Interior Black Leather Seat Covers
Weathertech Window Visors
Weathertech Hood Bug Deflector
LawPro Rear Organizer
Carbon Fiber Licence Plate Frames

Decals:
Dual Mountain Style Rear '4x4 TRD Toyota Racing Development'
Tailgate Black Skull/Crossbones
Tailgate Black Angel Wings
Dual Tailgate Black '4x4'
Dual 'Mason' Front Doors
Passenger side front mirror 'SR'

Upcoming Projects:
6"-12" Suspension Lift
Larger Tires
Undercarriage/Grill Lighting (Purchased)
Backrack Upper Lighting
Color-Changing Low Profile Bedrail LED Bed Lighting (Purchased)

I will make sure to post more specific experiences that I had while installing all of these things, including pictures of what I have, and the good and the bad! Thanks for looking. Please feel free to ask any questions or comments.

 

Awesome looking truck Matt, I know those fender flares didn't come on the SR, curious what kind they are and how you mounted them cause they look awesome!!!

 

they're bushwacker pocket fender flares... comes with a small bracket for additional mounting points inside the wheel well and doesn't require drilling which makes them a plus for most owners... I have em and love the look but i'll be cutting mine up and making them bolt on flares eventually since bushwacker hasn't designed a set of true bolt on flares yet for the 3gen

 

I purchased these off of Ebay, but here is a link if you'd like to take a look: https://www.alligatorperformance.co...oyota-tacoma?gclid=COyIm7qOs88CFcNehgod8IkBOw
They were pretty easy to mount on actually. It used pre existing holes for the wheel well plastic to mount onto the wheel well, as well as gives you plenty of new hardwear. It also has a little tab the you mount on first on the top of the inside of the wheel well, which helps give it support on top and also helps hang it while you install it. I love your profile pic, that looks like some good muddin'!

 

Out of curiosity, why do you actually want to drill hole in your truck and bolt them on, as opposed to how they are manufactured to be installed?

 

I see those install instructions and they are referring to trucks like sports and offroads that have the flares from factory, my SR doesn't have any flares no holes to mount them too!

 

to be functional... i'll be doing more suspension in addition to what I already have which will make the wheel tuck up further into the wheel well... i currently rub a little bit already even with the CMC) so by cutting away part of the fender and then trimming the flares to allow more tuck will result in a much more functional mod... if you want a great example at what im going to do check out Sean's build aka defconbrix he is probably the most famous Tacoma in the nation if not world lol no joke

 

i believe you would still be able to do it... look on the upper inside lip of your fender liners and you'll see bolts/screws that run along the top edge that hold your splash guards in place... those are the holes in which they mount to... but i would clarify with bushwacker prior to purchase just to be 100% sure on fitment

 

This is the most unique 3rd Gen I've seen so far! Very cool!

Are you planning bigger tires?

 

I did not have any pre drilled holes on the side of my truck either, the holes will be on the inside of your wheel well, I am very sure that if you have a 2016 Tacoma SR that you will be able to install these!

 

Oh okay, thank you for noting that. Im always looking for new ideas so I will definitely check out his build! I like your window tint, how dark is it?

 

I had my guy match it to the factory rear so I believe its 20%

 

Yes I am deffinitely planning bigger tires, along with a suspension lift. I'll probably attempt this project in the spring, after it warms up a bit. Winter in MA is like 6 months . I really like your black ones. How big are they? Additionally, your beard is 10/10 by the way .

 

Great photo gallery, your truck doesnt even look real in some of them haha! You've done alot of work.

 

thanks, ha yeah those were professionally done by a friend for my portfolio... he did an amazing job! I have a lot of new stuff going on soon so another photoshoot will be in the works!

 

I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled!

 

Sub

 

Just added the slim profile bedrail under-lighting. It was done in , 5 minutes. These were great because even though I don't mind playing with wires, they are battery powered. They have an attatched remote that changes color/strobe/brightness. Going to post night pictures tonight.

 

I'm interested to hear more about those bed lights. Looks pretty neat, what sort of battery does it take?

Ebay, or some other place?

 

Yup, purchased them right on eBay for a nice 23$/each. They take 3 AAA batteries on each side in a little capsule that I mounted on my toolbox. Out of the side the wires plug into the remote which operates the different functions. From there it hits a strip LED 'tape style' light. It comes with probably like 6 feet of strip, which can be cut along marked dotted lines every six inches or so. Very easy to size and fit. The tape lights are also not bare LED's, they have this water protective silicon-like coating which is as transparent and maluable. It comes with adhesive already applied to the back side of the light, but the remote is alittle heavy for it so I used alittle mounting tape to help it stay flush by the remote section. Great product so far. Did these yesterday and they provide good light if you have one on either side. The remote does not have the on/off switch. The capsule with the batteries does. When you set the lights to the color you like, they stay that way when you turn it off and turn it back on. Place the capsule somewhere discreet but still easy to access from where you think is most applicable for you. For me, it was working late and getting to my toolbox, hence my position.