My low-key mods.

As the Builds Thread caption reads: "Build-up threads to document upgrades you are performing on your Tacoma".

Therefore, I will be documenting the well thought out and well researched mods that I will be perfoming on my Tacoma.

This will not be an off road beast. I simply want to get the most out of my truck by adding those small features or fine touches that will make it more entertaining, cosmetically appealing, functional, and unique.

I hope this thread can motivate others to "individualize" their truck and give them ideas on what to do. It's your truck and it should reflect your style and personality.


For Reference: Bone Stock '09 TRD Sport w/ Towing Pkg

 

Mod #1: Tranny and Rear Leaf TSB

 

Mod #2: TRD Cold Air Intake












Truck passes "shake down" test.

Celebration:

 

Mod #3: Paint Calipers

Take your time with this!! Be patient. I did 3 coats and waited the 24 hours before I drove it. The paint was glossy and smooth when I finished.

 

Future Mods: Lamin-X yellow fogs, always 400w inverter, additional outlets in cab, on-demad back-up camera, TRD exhaust, and other things I haven't thought of yet.

 

Excellent. I'm in a serious mod withdrawal. I just bought my truck about 3 weeks ago. and usually don't wait that long till, I can start modding, but this time around a little strapped for cash with the taxes and all this year. dammit.

 

lookin good. the calipers are awesome. i did three coats on mine with the duplicolor kit over a year and a half ago, and they still look like the day i did them.

 

Lookin solid. We will have to get together this summer and have a SE MN mod day. What are your impressions of the CAI thus far?

 

Thanks.

I like the CAI. Haven't experienced (nor did I expect) some massive performance gain; but it's there. But when you get on the throttle, you definately know it's there! Wicked loud. But don't hear it at all under normal cruising conditions.

I went out cruising around yesterday afternoon right during the heart of the "blizzard", didnt' get too crazy or anything but when I got back I took the cover off of the filter box thing and there was no water or snow or anything in there.

 

Nice!

 

Mod #4: Lamin-X Yellow Fogs

Not all that unusual but I love the look.

 

Looking good!!!

 

Mod #5: Anytime Back-up Camera


This was kind of a pain in the arse (for me anyway). So just a few pics; and then I'm going to finish my Bud Light.

 

CAI sounds good on the outside bud! Nice lookin truck as well! Good running into you today.

 

Haven't been on the site for a while so this post is a little late but, I'm glad you could hear it! I obviously hear it on the inside but have wondered if others could hear it too.

I've been pulling down just over 18 mpg with it doing 70-75 on the highway.

Pulled off the cover the other day - after all the rain we had lately - and there's no evidence whatsoever that water ever found it's way in there.

See you around!

 

Oil Catch Can Mod

I went with this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oil-Catch-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

It's good quality; the fittings ARE NOT plastic. I put teflon tape on all the fittings. I had my wife perform a "leak down" test on it and she was unable to blow into it or suck from it while the other port was sealed.



I used some scrap square tube for the mounting bracket. I drilled the holes on my drill press and used the stock hole locations in the engine bay.






I mounted the ring (that came with the can) on the metal bar after I painted the bar. I also hit the 2.5" long M8 bolts with some paint.




I didn't really "clock" the can at any particular angle.




Then I attached the transmission cooler line (3/8" ID). I didn't remove any hardware to get to the stock hose. Just reached in there.


The biggest issue is that the fittings that came with the can are way larger than the fittings on the engine. I really had to work to get the hoses on. I then clamped the hoses with hose clamps at the can and reused the factory fasteners at the engine; and hit the clamps with some paint.




I attached about 16" of hose to the drain valve for short term monitoring. I will eventually run longer hose down near the oil drain plug and empty the can during oil changes if I can go that time interval of emptying the can.