The "I can't spend a lot of money because I blew it on a new truck" build

Hello everyone! Fairly new to Tacoma World, but have been browsing a lot over the past couple months while looking for my Taco. You can check out my introduction thread that entails some of my search and why I chose a Tacoma for our growing family. I Wanna Fit In!

Just a heads up, this wont be an overly exciting build. Building this truck is just not a priority (money or time wise!) with a baby on the way and searching for a new house (along with doing some renovation to our existing). This truck is a daily driver, so improving functionality as a daily driver is one of my main objectives. Appearance is also a driving factor in what I am planning for this build. You won't see anything crazy, probably nothing super ingenious, or anything that's going to make you say "WOW!". Especially with all the awesome trucks on this forum. But, I like documenting all these things so I can look back on things and see how it changes. Plus, maybe it will help some others out along the way!

***CHECK OUT THE BOTTOM OF POST FOR LIST OF CURRENT MODS/CHANGES***

Here's the starting point. 2015 TRD Sport DCLB with 19,000 miles. Pretty much completely stock, minus some window tint done by the previous owner, which I like. Went a bit over budget, but still got a good deal. Of course, that means less money to put into it now, hence the title of my thread.


Truck is pretty much pristine. Which makes me very motivated to get one side of the garage cleared out! We have a new 2016 Rav4 Hybrid in the other half, so I can't kick the wife out. Not likely that I could kick her out even if she had a 94 corolla...


A bit of perspective on what my truck is used for:

• Daily driver
  • To work and back, about 45 miles round trip, 85% highway, normal traffic.
• Hauling motorcycles
  • I'm into vintage motorcycles (mostly smaller CCs) and I do some trail riding on a modern-ish dual sport. I have a small 3 rail trailer that I use, but also load into the back of my truck.
• Modest house work
  • Re-doing a bathroom right now, mulch, leaves, etc.
• Camping
  • Mostly camping for trail riding or vintage bike meet events. 3-4 times a year
• Hiking
  • We frequent the Smokies to hike and occasionally camp. We would most likely take the wife's Rav4 if not camping though
• Baby Hauler
  • 2 goofy crazy fur babies 70lb & 50lb
  • Motorcycle, they are my babies too!
  • Human baby - This was my main motivation (aka excuse ) for getting the Taco. I have a standard cab F-150, but no room for a baby seat!
• No serious (or non-serious really) off road stuff.

Some of the plans I have for the truck:

• Black badges and partial de-badge
• Black tube step, either plastidip or trade??
• 2-3" lift. Most likely Bilsteins only or Bilsteins and OME coils
• Tires to go with above lift. I have stock dunlops on now, which I heard are no bueno
• Probably paint stock Sport wheels to save some cash. I don't really care for blacked out wheels, so probably a dark grey
• Random mods here and there. Organization stuff, some lighting, other things that I see on here that make me spend money, etc.

Feel free to make suggestions, comment, or make jokes at any time!

Well, that's enough blabbing for now. Ill end by showing off my babies LOL


CURRENT LIST OF MODS/CHANGES

• HVAC Knobs - Post #2- Credit to --> https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/climate-control-knob-upgrade.471645/
  • Amazon -
    A/C Air Conditioning Control Switch Knob Button For Toyota VIOS(2002-2006) Vela Vitz YARIS (Black)
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XD843MS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • EBay?? (Looks the same) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/4pcs-A-C-A...ash=item212ef842c7:g:yrQAAOSwU8hY61ED&vxp=mtr
• TRD Grill Badge - Post #2 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006RW5NNY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Wethertech Floor Mats - Post #24 -
• Center Console Organizer - Post #24 -
  • Vehicle OCD™ (Organized Console Device) Toyota Tacoma Center Console Organizer (2005-2015) - Made in USA
    $18 Vehicle OCD - Center Console Organizer for Toyota Tacoma (2005-2015) - Made in USA
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A5UEOLG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p2qtAb0ZA5FP5
• Grid It Console Door Elastic Organizer - Post #24
  • $19 Cocoon CPG10GY GRID-IT!® Accessory Organizer - Medium 12" x 8" (High-Rise Gray)
    https://www.amazon.com/Cocoon-CPG10GY-Grid-It-Organizer-Gray/dp/B002T0HRVY
• OEM Bed Mat - Post #27
  • From member Gunny1005 @ camelback Toyota
• Access Original Roll Up Cover - Post #29
  • From Truck Alterations (Excellent price!)

 

First Mods!!!!! Whoooo!!!!

I found that a lot of people changed the knobs on the HVAC controls. I though it made the inside look a bit more refined, so I went ahead and bought these knobs. $16 on Amazon.

Stock knobs daylight

Aftermarket knobs daylight

Stock knobs night

Aftermarket knobs night


Also bought this TRD badge on Amazon. I think its a nice little detail that sets the grill off.



Made the first haul of my motorcycle over the weekend. We went to ride in the North Cumberland WMA in Tennessee. It was incredible. Awesome trails. Around 200,000 acres to ride on. Highly recommend if you like trail riding.

 

Sweet truck!

 

Read the title and immediately thought to myself, "I wonder if I could have put the $6k I've put into my truck so far into something better... nah."

I have no ragrets.

 

Awesome truck!! welcome friend! hope you enjoy the truck and trail riding!

 

Yeah , you will fit in. Nice truck.

 

Yeah I thought I went over budget when I bought mine, turns out you just become cheaper and more frugal so you can afford mods.

Good looking truck!

 

Thanks for the welcomes!

A couple things to add to the to-do list, mostly protection type stuff:

• Krown treatment
  • Weathers here in Ohio aren't that bad, but you would think they are trying to preserve a side of beef with how much salt they throw down. Then, they act like its an emergency when they run out of salt at the end of the season... I'm sold on the product. I think fluid film is just as good, probably the same. But, it is worth it for me to have someone apply it, so I take it to Krown.
• Xpel clear protectant
  • I can't decide where all I want to put this. I would like to put in on the front bumper, grill, fender flares (to correct the different gloss level when compared to the body of the truck), rear bumper, and headlights. However, that would set me back a grand. May end up just doing the front bumper, grill, and headlights for now to protect against rock chips etc.
• Ceramic coating
  • I was skeptical when my buddy was telling me about this, but I'm sold now. He has a polishing hobby, so we would do this ourselves.
• Tailgate reinforcement
  • I really don't like the idea of only having the plastic liner as support in some areas of the tailgate
• I have the "Kazoo" window wind noise
  • Looks like the is a TSB out for it now. Will I be covered under warranty?
• Seal hood scoop
  • I noticed after a rain, I opened my hood and quite a bit of water came in the hood scoop. If it was functional, it wouldn't be a problem (actually it WOULD be a problem depending on where the water was going!), but it bothers me.

Ill start adding links to my mods, as well as keep a running list on my first post!

 

I got my kazoo noise fixed for free by the tsb.

 

Can you weld? Make your own stuff! Saves a lot of money.

 

Did they replace the door seal? Just schedule an appointment and let them know whats up?

 

I'm in much the same boat as you with noting having a lot of free cash to spend on the truck but sometimes the low budget or well planned expenditure builds are just as cool as the blow it all at a shop long travel or expo rigs on here.

 

Those are some great and very happy looking puppies! Nice truck, too, OP! Now I need to go find those knobs on Amazon. I'm sold.

 

I had to bring a copy of the tsb with me to the dealer. They were clueless as to the issue. They ordered the seals and next day it was fixed

 

Sweet truck looks familiar to me. Welcome to TW. Pics from day I got it to as is today still stock...looking

 

I enjoy reading those just as much as the big builds! I think its the cheap ass in me LOL. I always like to see how much can be done for so little.

Thanks! They can be a pain, but ya just cant live without 'em. Here is where I bought mine. I had another member PM me about them. I referred him to the thread I found on here. I added it in my first post down at the bottom! My knobs had a bit of slop in them when I installed, so I took someone's idea and cut two little squares out of a zip lock baggie, and put over the posts when installing the knobs. It did the trick!

Looks like I'll be printing that guy out and waltzing into the dealer like a bad ass! (shhh, don't tell them I'm not a bad ass, or that my truck is past the 3 year warranty period by 1 month!!!) Curious to see if they make me try to replicate the noise, because it only happens at 70+mph with a strong crosswind. If so, that tech will be in for a hell of a ride!

 

Nice! You have the '16 sport wheels! I have been tossing that around in my head. Any reason you switched you step tube style?

 

I say get the wheels really improves the look I think. I sold the nerf bars didn’t like them an the tubes were free they will be gone once I get sliders.

 

Well damn, I looked at your thread for about 10 seconds and then ordered the A/C knobs! Looking forward to seeing how they look!

 

Krown treatment done right before a bunch of salt was dumped on the roads. We got all of 1 1/2 inches of snow. Thank goodness the salt was there, the roads would have been impassable!



Also cleared the garage out to get this puppy covered! Tight fit, but it will do.

Unfortunately I had to move some bikes out of the garage to do so...
Upgrade for this guy! I do have 2 on the patio now though. It's covered by the deck and canopy above, so hopefully it keeps most the weather off of them.

Also turned over 20k. That was quick!

Dropping it off at our local dealership for them to "diagnose" the noise from the door seal. I'm 100% confident I will get a call from them saying they can't reproduce the noise, yada yada...

We will see what comes next.