What would you do to this 4 banger Taco

I got this Tacoma back in December, and the only thing I have done is swap out the stereo. I want to do a couple of upgrades, but I wanted some input from you guys. This truck is mostly for driving around town with a little offroading. I am also towing a 2500 lbs boat.

01 Taco Pre-runner 4 cyl 2.7
Here is a list of a few:

-lift kit (2.5" maybe)
-New tires
-Black wheels
-Differential locker
-Black Paint job (Matte?)

I hear that matte auto paint is just as difficult to maintain as house matte paint so I may pass on it.
I need some new rear tires so I need to get some soon. I would love to get some Method race wheels with some new tires, but we are doing a lot of home improvements so the wheels are going to have to wait. If I were to get 4 new tires (cooper discoverer), would I be able to swap the tires once I get some new wheels? Discoverer tires are the only ones that I have actually looked up. Any other tire suggestions?

 

I'd hit it.




















































































With everything but the paint job. Coopers are a good choice and I believe they are on sale with a rebate at the moment.

 

If you want a matte looking paint job, maybe try Line-X or Monstaling it. Ive heard it's really easy to take care of and you don't have to worry about it fading.

And yes as long as the tire fits the new wheels.

 

I really love the look of the Discoverers. Glad I can get them swapped out in the near future. 2.5" lift wouldn't be obnoxious, right? This is the one I am currently thinking of getting http://bit.ly/2ok5R3u

Would I need a leveling kit if I wanted my truck even in the front and back?

Thanks for the paint tips too.

 

GEN1 trd alloy rims

 

2.5" isn't obnoxious. 2.5-3" is the average lift height here. However, I think you should do a bit of research before tearing into lifts. Rough Country lifts or specifically spacer lifts can damage or even break shocks and add stress to other suspension components.

If you want it done the cheapest but safest way, you'd want adjustable Bilstein 5100s and Add A Leaf in the rear. However since you're probably on stock suspension, you should replace all 4 shocks, buy Old Man Emu coils, and a new leaf pack, and possibly Upper Control Arms. But that adds up quickly.

 

Thanks for the tips!!! I will look into the info you provided. I actually replaced the control arms last year on my 98 camry before I sold it.

 

start cheap!
New headlights, maybe make your own grill, LED everything.

 

I was heading that way. I want to smoke out my head/tail lights. I know I might get a ticket, but I love the way an all black truck looks. LED? Is there a conversion kit that you need to convert them? Never really thought about changing them up like that.
Make my own grill? Like paint it?

 

Don't go down the rabbit hole! I'm guessing you're a younger member of the forum. Invest those couple of thousand bucks and get a good start on retirement. Otherwise you're just taking a perfectly decent $6,000 truck, throwing a couple of thousand at it, and will be left with a $3000 truck with alignment and drivability issues and a paint job only a mother could love.

Not to say you shouldn't have fun. Find some cheap 4Runner wheels on Craigslist, get some better tires, and go out there and bang around with it. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised how far you can go with it.

 

Haha. I am going to take this process slow. First thing is going to be some new tires, and to figure out why my truck smells. I know it's an 01, but not even my 98 camry smelled. My wife always knows when I have been in the truck. Not good! I can't describe the smell...maybe old? The driver's seat is pretty beat up.

*I'm 32, and have a retirement/trust fund set up already for my family and I.

 

what would I do?

swap in a V6, 4wd parts, and add a manual trans

 

wisdom

 

I never do anything for my cars. I just want my truck to look nice. If i decide to do the paint job, it will be a few years down the line.

 

I wouldnt bother smoking anything out, with my experience it doesnt last and starts looking pretty bad after a few months. As far as LED goes, they are super cheap. Interior map lights and dome lights are awesome with LED. Also the rear license plate light LED makes it look cleaner. You can make your own grill out of expanded metal, you can find it pretty much anywhere!

 

also take the running boards off as soon as possible

 

Lose the running boards and mud flaps
add slightly larger tires and SCS wheels (pic below, choose your finish)
tranny cooler if you're towing that boat often
upgraded brakes

don't do the paint unless you're planning on keeping it long term
don't convert the differential unless you want to tinker with the damn thing constantly. I like to drive.

then go have some fun in it.

+1 on adding to retirement (young) brother.

 

I'm the same. For the most part, the less you change, the less problems down the road. So long as the car is properly maintained.
I have a 2" OME/Dakar lift only because the stock suspension had enough, and I figured the 2" was enough for me.

 

I am definitely going to pass on the smoked out lights now. There are some nice LED lights that have that smoked out look already.

THOSE MUD FLAPS ARE UGLY!!!! I can't believe I never noticed it. Why get rid of the running boards? Replaced maybe? Just asking. Thanks for all the tips guys. I never even heard of a Tranny cooler. Definitely going to install one. I hear B&M makes a good one.

 

Hayden make real good trans coolers as well. Cooper Discoverer AT3s are nice tires.