First mods - 2018 TRD OR AC - What would you reccomend?

I've been creeping this forum for the past 2 months as I decided whether or not to take the plunge on a new truck or not. Pulled the trigger last week and I'm loving it so far. Came from a 1997 Pathfinder, which I swore I would drive into the ground, so it's a big change. The truck is my daily driver, but it will get lots of use for hunting, scouting and camping trips.

Reading through posts here was a huge help in answering questions I had before I bought, so a big thanks to everyone who contributes so much.

I paid $250 over dealer cost for the truck and got a bed mat and bed extender thrown in, due to some shady tactics by the first salesman I worked with. Took it up with the GM and he more than made up for it. Also had the dealer throw on a set of BFG's as I wanted something a bit more aggressive than the stock tires, but nothing crazy.

I had a full list of mods I wanted to do before I bought it and made some progress over the weekend on a few. Mostly cosmetic stuff, looking to keep the truck clean with minimal chrome as I think that looks best with the QS color.

Below is the list of what I'm planning. What would you say are the best mods to make right from the start, and/or the best bang for your buck/time mods?

Already done
- de-badge (done)
- remove bed stickers (done)
- Tacoma tailgate inlay (done)
- build padded dog shelf for back seats (done)
- PRO grille - ordered 2 piece from Ebay
- Grille garnish - ordered

Planned
-Subaru tweeters
- dealer adjustments for seatbelts, flashers ect.
-blackout wheel decals
- BHLM
- upgrade headlights - trying to decide between HID's and RX350 sti
- paint main dash trim QS body color
- paint over rear bumper chrome. Either body color or black Plasti-Dip.

That's about it for now, I've got no issues with the way it drives so far, though the transmission does seem to hunt a lot. Figure I'll give it 5-10k km's before I start looking to adjust the performance of the engine/trans in any way.

Appreciate any advice or suggestions!

 

Since you already have tires, I would upgrade the suspension. You don’t have to, but it’s night and day when you swap em. a bilstein 6112/5160 is great for your use.

 

I’d upgrade to buy gas money and then hit the trails. After that, keep buying gas and hitting the trails. Then and only then, will you realize you should buy gas to hit the trails sum more.

 

WeatherTech floor mats

 

Congrats on the new truck and welcome to TW, what kind of Seatbelt adjustment do you need the Dealer to make?

 

Skid plates and rock sliders.

 

Drive the truck.

Change/add stuff when you find something it doesn't do as well as you'd like it to.

Tossing on a bunch of stuff just because all the cool kids do it doesn't make it yours. It makes it like theirs.

Two useful first mods though.

Rear diff breather relocation (I'm assuming 3rd gens have this short coming just like 2nd gens. Apologies if not)

Fluid film your frame inside and out. At least before the snow starts next fall.

 

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

Want to get the no seatbelt chime muted as its annoying when hunting.

Going for a clean, no chrome look, which it does seem is pretty popular. I'm ok with it not being that original as long as I like it.

Definitely added to the list.

 

Really nice build, the black/qs combo is dead sexy.

What would you say are the biggest differences you notice when upgrading the suspension?

 

Thanks!
Less nose dive. It is s but stiffer on the road, but once on the trails, I hardly feel bumps. I actually just got back from a mountain run in Arkansas and most of my buddies could barely keep up cause of their suspension. Mine just soaked up majority for it and was pretty stable.

 

Headlight LED or HID upgrade!

 

A few things I'm really glad I did to my 2017 TRD Sport:

- OEM bed mat
- Xenondepot Philips HID Kit (huge improvement here)
- OEM Audio+ system
- Truxedo Lo-Pro tonneau cover
- Pop & Lock to lock the tailgate
- Bilstein 5100's
- TRD Pro shift knob
- Viofo A119S Dash Cam

 

bed mat bed mat bed mat! i woulda paid 500 dollars for one if it was my only option.

 

I am in the same boat just picking up my 18 DCSB. I ordered some CR Bed stiffeners and am getting ready to order sliders today. Sliders are a must have IMO....

 

Tufskinz sells quicksand colored vent rings seeing how you plan to paint the trim pieces.

 

Tacomaworld meets are hilarious

All trucks lifted with same products running same wheels same tires
Bed rack RTT
Same skids

All twinsies going to the mall with $12k in mods

 

Glad to hear you're loving those new lights. The Philips bulbs are a fantastic upgrade over stock! Any chance you have some pictures of everything in action you feel like sharing?

~Robert