My 2nd Tacoma, big upgrade

Hello TW, My name is Craig, I live in the Phoenix area of Arizona. I just traded in a 2015 Tacoma Sport lease for a purchased 2016 Tacoma TRD Off-road. So far I'm absolutely in love with all the upgrades Toyota has thrown at the 3rd generation models, but as per usual with anyone interested in vehicles, there are some definite improvements to be made. First thing I need to do is get some wheels/tires/suspension under the truck, and after that Im attacking the horrendous audio system. I drive about 100 miles a day for work, so big 35" tires and heavy offroad wheels are out of the question, and I spend a lot of time in the seat listening to music and podcasts (Hooniverse, TST, and Larry Kosilla are my go-to's). Im also finalizing the overall theme for my build, it will mostly be commuter minded with OEM+ feel of upgrades to get out in the dirt on the weekends up north where we go camping pretty frequently.

My build philosophy is to purchase upgrades that will last a long time, and that wont be too aggressive for the chassis or drivetrain. I want some added functionality for storage and bed utilization for camping and range gear, so I think a quick connect bedrack will do the trick. Keep a look back here as I document my journey with the truck.

Also, if anyone local has a 2016 White TRD Sport that doesnt want their hood, please let me know, I'd be happy to trade! See ya soon!

 

Welcome!

 

Congrats on your Off-Road and welcome!

 

Congrats on the new rig!

 

Once you do one mod, you keep doing them. With a 100mile loop to work, I would be hesitant to put any mods into larger or more aggressive tires, because you will likely burn most of the rubber on the highway going to and from work. You would also be surprised what you can put the stock truck through before you need any upgrades.

 

100 miles a day would have me in a comfy, slightly older, econo box instead of beating on my new ride.

Double the MPG, less depreciation, less worries. Allow the truck to be an actual long term pleasure.

But that's just me.

Of course it's also amusing you love the 'upgrades' and yet feel you immediately have to change wheels/tires/suspension (on a pavement pounder) and horrendous audio. On a $35k choice. That's rough.

 

Welcome to the club!

 

Thank you for your input.

 

To everyone else that has sent some form of welcome, thank you! I should be rolling over to the car audio place today to have a discussion about what I want and what the best solution would be.

 

Congratulations on the new ride. Hope you love your 3rd Gen as much as I love mine.

 

Congrats and welcome to TW. Your mod wallet will be punching you in the nuts any day now.

 

Thats awesome. Haha. But Im not sure if that'll help on my 100 mile commute when it comes to gas mileage.

 

Yeah be careful there! Higher stance, bigger tires, and changes to the aerodynamics like bed racks and high clearance bumpers will shave off some MPG for sure.

 

Congrats and Welcome to TW Craig

 

I have no plans for bumpers, and the bed-rack will be something that is quick connect. So it wont be on the majority of the time.

 

Got out into the dirt today around Butcher Jones with a friend of mine who just picked up a '17 Tacoma TRD Offroad.

 

Like the blacked out grill

 

Thanks! Im glad it was painted instead of plastidip, I think it wouldnt have held up so well with having sand and rocks thrown at it.

 

Nice new ride