'18 DC TRD OR 6spd Manual - final recommendations?

Hello All,

Just submitted my order for a Cement '18 DC TRD OR 6spd Manual Taco with TRD Premium and Technology packages and TRD Pro Front Skid Plate!!! I can't wait! There's something about a manual Toyota pick-up that seems so right. Saw a few new OR Cement Taco's here that have got me feeling excited about the color.

I do have a couple of days to change my order without penalty, so......

1) I have the TRD exhaust spec'd -> I've not heard too many pros or cons regarding this (only the sound being unexpected at times with the shifting of the auto trans. With the Manual Trans, I've not heard many comments....so not inclined to remove from my order. Would you keep/remove? Any thoughts?

2) Predator Tube Steps -> I do not have these spec'd. I'm torn on the appearance and generally feel that they may not be so practical. I'm 6'3" and like a "step-less" taco for ingress-egress. I don't see any intense off-roading where they would be in the way (mostly sand dunes) but do seem to think they would be prone to getting "snagged" on things. Question.....if they were completely FREE, would you add them?

3) DR Roof Rack -> I don't have these spec'd. Would you add them? I need to review the specs of these to understand weight limit.

Thanks!

 

You will enjoy the Manual.

 

Congrats on ordering a manual!! Gotta keep the legacy alive.

I would leave everything as you have it. TRD exhaust is a very mild exhaust... Louder than stock, but no drone which is nice.

You couldn't give me side steps

I would not get an OEM roof rack. Instead I would opt for a prinsu.

 

I ha e seen two examples of the predator tube steps.
One where you can actually remove the step part to make them look like sliders, and the one that the steps are fixed to the rest of the unit.
If your gonna get the predators, you should go the removable route of you ever should need the clearance.

 

Perfect order ma man

 

I dont get why people get steps. If you can't get in your own truck without steps you shouldn't have lifted it so high. Unless you have kids . . . Im 6'4" might be biased a little. Love my MT. gear are a little too tall IMHO. drove it around in the desert in 4lo and was amazing though. Should have come with 4.56 from the factory.

 

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt...but really?

 

Im referring to the 5'6" broteen with his lifted chevy 14" over stock on 37's.

 

if you can truly get Predator steps for free, try them out. you can sell them for a good amount of money if you don't like em.

 

I love my MT, especially when I hear people complain about AT issues.

 

That sounds like the truck I just bought! If the steps are truly free, get them and sell them for other fun things. If the truck is stock, I don’t see much need for a step, this truck isn’t that high. I don’t know about the exhaust, I didn’t buy this to be loud, I have a fun car for that.

I would keep it the way you have it cause there’s a ton of fun aftermarket goodies out there.

 

1. Yes
2. No
3. No

Just another’s opinion.
Save the money and buy a Prinsu or Front Runner, etc.
I highly doubt predator steps are free. Everything costs money.

Ended up going technology free, and glad I saved the $$$. To each his own though, the heated seats are about the only appeal.

 

I would actually prefer the fabric seats, but want the seat heaters....must be getting old! I wish the seat heaters were stand-alone option, but oh well. I thought there used to be fabric seats WITH seat heat...but maybe I'm dreaming. As I type this, I'm actually making myself re-consider premium package....probably would survive w/o seat heat and really do like no sunroof (wind noise, headroom, future rattle potential...)

 

Welcome to TW. I skipped premium tech for similar reasons.There's always seat covers with built-in heaters (Wet Okole, Clazzio, etc.). Just have to wire them yourself. Nice upgrade over any of the stock seat options. You can add heaters to your stock seats too. There are a couple of good threads on that here.

 

My truck has cloth heated sests and they are awesome, pretty sure the 2018s have to be leather to get heat.

 

I

Wow didn’t know they changed it to have leather in the 18s with heated seats?! That sucks.

When I was looking to buy with heated seats on the 17s, I remember it being cloth, unless you were buying a Pro.

R.I.P.
*definitely disappointed Toyota removed the 5MT from the 2.7L I-4.

 

Nice call on the manual trans. Here is CA it is a theft deterrent as not many people can drive them anymore. I also find it awesome when offroad. No downhill assist crap for me. 4 low and first gear gets me down hills nicely.

As far as the steps, I would not bother with those and just get a good set of rock sliders. The All Pro sliders on my truck have taken some major abuse, and keep going. Of course there are MANY vendors for sliders. Just do your research.

Looking forward to seeing a photo of your truck. I have a MGN, but LOVE the Cement color. I got mine used so I did not have a lot of choice though.

 

Thanks, I thought I remembered the cloth with heat option....oh well.

Leaning towards keeping order as-is.

 

I'm sure you would have no problem finding someone with cloth seats who would throw you some cash to swap their cloth for your leather. The 2016-17s with premium/tech package had heated cloth seats, so you could very quickly and easily swap the seats. Or you can swap just the upholstery with someone without heaters, but it's more time-consuming. I know it's not ideal, but it's an option.

 

I actually would very much consider this ....in a used vehicle. Don’t think I could get over exchanging the crisp-newness of my leather seats with 1+ year old fabrics. Who knows though, maybe I could find some in pristine condition.