Micwillia's "Snowy TuRD" Build

Speaker Upgrade
I barely took any photos on this project but, I have photo comparisons of the OEM speakers to the upgraded ones. Here's a link to the thread with all the information. I have to say the difference between the OEM and the upgraded speakers/tweeters is a night and day difference; I used to hate having the music at any kind of louder volume with the windows, etc. just because the sound was so muddy and low quality sounding. I think I ended up spending ~$200 for all of the speakers and it's probably been some of the best money I've spent for the truck so far.

The install itself wasn't too bad to get done; the hardest part for me was just getting the door panels to pull off. I've never done that before, so I was being tentative about how hard I pulled. The Tweeters are direct replacement just pull the OEM ones and drop in the new Subaru ones. The door ones were just as easy using the supplied adapters that Crutchfield provided.

OEM Speakers:


Upgraded Speakers:

 

Tacoma Emblems Dipped & V6 emblem removed
There's plenty of examples of people dipping pieces so I won't go too in-depth on the process. Basically mask off around the emblems and spray a few coats on, then remove any overspray. I didn't a pretty bad job this first time due to it being colder than I should have been spraying in; so I'll have to redo them but, since its' just Plasti-dip it's easy to do that. I also pulled off the V6 emblem on the tailgate to give that a cleaner look. To do that, I just used a hairdryer to help warm up the adhesive enough until I could use fishing line and pull the piece off by flossing it behind the adhesive/tape.

 

Optilux Yellow Fog Bulbs
Since I live in the Northeast and try to get into the mountains as often as possible in the winter I figured installing some yellow fog lights would be useful for the times I'm driving north in a storm. Very easy install, just pull the old bulbs and pop in the new ones.

 

@mesojdm Ultimate LED Turn Signals
I thought I took some picture but, I guess I'm losing my mind or they are on an old phone. Install was nice and easy after watching a video on how to get the mirror covers pulled off. I screwed up on one side and ended up breaking a clip that would secure the top of the turn signal but, there is still a screw securing it so it really didn't matter in the end. Great purchase to help delete some more of the chrome on the truck.

 

@MetrickMetal Front License Plate Frame
I hated the look of the OEM plastic box that is used to hold the front license plate and came across this frame that reuses the OEM drilled holes but gives a much cleaner look to the front end. I used some Stainless Steel hardware and lock nuts to secure the plate to the frame and have had 0 issues with it. @MetrickMetal was a great help when the frame I got in wasn't perpendicular making it basically impossible to mount the plate to it; he helped out and made a change in the design and got it back out to me in no time.

 

Snow Tools Holder
I wanted a way to keep my snow brush/shovel in the bed but not have them sliding all of the place. So a quick trip to Home Depot and I was able to throw this together; it's essentially a painted piece of wood with 2 tool holders screwed onto it. I added a eye-bolt and carabiner to secure it to one of the back bed d-rings. So at least now my tools stay close to the tailgate for easy access and don't slide around too much; I'm sure if I put some kind of non-slip material on the bottom of the wood it would keep it in place better.

 

Custom License Plate Frames
Back: A local/meaningful sticker bombed frame with an enamel clear sprayed over the top to protect it from the elements.
Front: A Boston Bruins custom made frame; 3D printed the lettering then hand painted white & gold. The frame started as black so I taped it off and sprayed a white & gold stripe using enamel spray paint. Used JB Kwik Weld to secure the lettering to the frame, then hit everything with an enamel clear coat.

Blank Canvas


Sticker Bombed Frame


Bruins Frame


Finished & Installed Product

 

good evening, where can I get one of these frames? thanks.

 

skip that, I see he's not making them anymore. shoot.

 

I do remember seeing someone making a similar design recently but, can't remember where.

Found it

 

Hey Mike, didn't want to hijack the other thread, here is a link I saw and plan to implement with my spare.

Hodakaguy's Overland Tacoma Builds - on to new adventures.
Hodakaguy's Overland Tacoma Builds - on to new adventures.

Seems that some BFH action might be required anyway....
Good luck

 

Do you have any idea how the bolts holding the hoist are removed? Hard to see above to know if there is a head to the bolt or not.
I'll probably start with just pounding those holders out of the way but down the road this could be an option

 

I have not done mine yet. Looks like one of those ratcheting flat wrenches could be an option.... If not, it might be necessary to lift the bed, which would be too much for me.
My 255/80/17 spare fits OK now, if I pull it back while it's being raised, that's why I didn't bother revisiting it yet.

 

Good to know I've got 255/85R16, so mine should be fairly similar. I'm going to crawl under there tonight and I'll let you know what I can figure out under there

 

micwillia, I knew when I seen your plate and some of the surroundings in your pictures that I had seen it before. We are neighbors, I live in Millbury. Are you printing emblems?