Cheap/Free Mods

Well, it's not a film. It's a plastic lense. So it cuts down the reflective part and makes it a little less visible when the lights are off, and maybe a little less visible during the daylight. Basically you're only seeing the turn signal bulb flash rather than that whole section light up from the lense spreading out the light. But at night they are plenty visible.

I also did the alternating signal mod so the flashing should be more visible anyway.

 

Ah ok. Im going to go do the BHLM right now!

 

Sorry to double post but....

Im doing the BHLM and before I put my headlights in the oven I need to take out the main headlight bulb but I cant seem to get it to come out. I got the big rubber piece off thats around it but how do I get the actual bulb out.

Also on the other lights I just unplugged them but the bulbs are not out. Will that be ok?

 

I would take all the bulbs out to be safe. The main headlight bulb has a spring clamp that holds it in place.

I just twisted the housings for the side marker and signal bulbs so the bulb/harness just hung down while I pulled the light out. Helped keep my fingers from touching the bulbs and ruining them too.

 

You can replace the stock reverse bulbs with Sylvania 886 bulbs. Just need to cut them as per the diagram below. Most people have better luck with a dremel and cut off disc to cut the bulb off as close to the base as possible. Wire cutters and other things have broken the wire to the filament.




Original thread here: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t93076.html

 

Ok... claiming ignorance on the current setup of the reverse light bulbs: after you cut the leads, does it just plug straight in, or do you have to make further modifications?

 

Yes.












Seriously though, I think they just plug in after you cut the base/plug off. I haven't even looked at the stock bulbs.

 

I might pickup a set of these on my way home...

 

Apologies for my being a tardy devil over the timespan on this one. Honestly, I'm worse than a five year old for getting distracted and sidetracked. I'm having a run on the downloads/articles site to try and get some more updates and manuals added over the next couple of weeks or so. I'm especially trying to get the sections that are looking a bit thin on info updated.

So...., might one ask a small favour? I'm personally not sure which are the best/most useful posts from this thread to add to the modifications sections, (plus I always get sidetracked by links and such when I start reading through). Would it be possible to post the post id's of the info/posts that would be well suited for going up there? My apologies for being a pain.

Cheers.

 

Well, I try to add actual mods to the table of contents on the first page to help people wade through the clutter of other posts so you could start there I guess... The links should go directly to the post in this thread if it's posted here. Other mods may shoot off to Toyonation or Customtacos.

 

Oops. I'd not noticed those links under the mods sub heading all linked to posts here. (Where is the awfully embarrassed smiley when one needs it)? Cheers for that pointer.

 

...I'm not sure how many of these will apply directly to the Hilux Surf though. Take each one with a grain of salt as the Surf isn't exactly a Tacoma.

 

These will be going in a specific Tacoma section. Some of them would be doable on probably quite a few of the different Toyota models with only a minor, (if any), change required, by the looks of it. At least if they're in a Tacoma category, however, people will know they have to adapt the instructions to suit if they get the urge. Plus, it makes pinpointing the mods you're after easier when they are categorised by models or makes. I deviate on that area with the manuals and lump them all into a single category because they're easy enough to find just by using the search, but articles are a different beast. It's more natural to find those by category rather than name/description alone.

 

did this mod yesterday, loks great and will never get bent up again,,, became a tw member today

 

2001 taco 4dr

Getting ready to do the bed lights as well as install some antennas. I saw a write-up somewhere on removing the back seta, panels and roof panels. I need to do this to install the antenna on the roof and feed the lights through the two small "plugs" at the rear bottom of the cab on the passenger and drivers side.

Anybody know where the write-up is or how to get to those plugs from the inside?

 

What mod exactly?

 

Not exactly dirt cheap but cheaper than most.

A wireless Back up Camera has been a lifesaver.

I never realized how hard it would be to see with a Snug Top Shell and a double Cab Long Bed.

I got this from Costco for 89 bucks.
Easy to install and really helpful.



A real cheap extra are these cup holder Phone holders.
I keep a pen and gum in mine.



Last but not least are a CD Visor Sleve. 5 to 10 dollars, get them at Best Buy.

 

I just put some LED lights in my map lights and dome light. They are pretty bitchin. here's the difference between the LED and the stock light.


i got them from superbrightleds.com
the total was 15$ for the two map lights and dome light including shipping.


EDIT: for the map Light I am currently using a 36 LED dome light. Is is 10X brighter than the little festoon bulb I had in there at first
http://www.oznium.com/flexible-5mm-led-dome

 

EDIT: I switched to a 36 LED dome light and it is MUCH brighter than the 6 LED festoon bulb

http://www.oznium.com/flexible-5mm-led-dome
here are the ones I used.

WLED-x6 LED bulb - for the map lights.

3910-x6 LED Festoon bulb - for the dome light




http://superbrightleds.com/1157.htm