HSmith_11’s 2001 College-Budget Build

If i had cow shit on my truck it would be going in an automatic touchless asap lol

 

It's pretty much a weekly, if not daily, thing around here. One trip through a cow field and it's dirty again, no matter how hard I try to avoid it.

 

while I don't deal with said cow crap, we have mag chloride out here in winter. Talk about a fast way to destroy a frame!
I like seeing other high school builds (I graduated in 2017), the ones that are actually thought out and tasteful mods. Not just the bling and DB lifts.
We had 3 tacos at my high school. A 2nd gen built to be a show truck, 35s and a DB. A green 2000, that I actually helped put the lifts bumper and tires on. And my truck.
Love the silver! looks like it'll last you a very long time, all depends on how you take care of it.

 

Here’s one of the reasons it’s so hard to keep my truck clean...
I have to weekly task to feed him which means I have to trek through 100 yards of cow crap and whatever else is along the way. Luckily today wasn’t as wet as it has been recently or else my truck would have been much worse.

Side note: I just realized my rear passenger tire is wearing MUCH more than my other 3, specifically in the middle of the tire. What’s the issue? Tire pressure? Should I rotate my tires?

 

Sweet rig man! Looks almost identical to mine before I got my bumper. I’m a senior in high school too and I know the struggle lol.

 

What bumper did you go with? And what suspension? I’d also love to see some pics!!

 

I went with the trail gear low profile and welded on a light hoop. I’m still on a 3” spacer. But here’s the link to my build if you want to check it out.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/seamonsters-build.500256/

 

Oh and here’s a pic before the bumper.

 

Nothing new truck-related, but a some personal stuff has happened lately... Baseball season started a few weeks ago, which will be my last since I'm a senior (been playing since I was 4 or 5). Looks like it's gonna be a pretty tough season based off of our first few games.
On a more positive note, I've officially been accepted into James Madison University (my #1 choice at the moment) and the honors college at Virginia Tech. I'm now waiting to hear back from UVA on April 1st.

 

It's been way too long since I've updated this thread. So here's what's happened since...

I finally bought some OME 881 coils + 3/8" spacers. I also decided to install a differential drop kit while I was at it.

A short time before the new suspension parts, I acquired a beautiful new dent via my brother in a rush while backing up a tractor with a bucket. (Just last week, I got an even newer dent on the passenger side right behind the ext cab window from a basketball hoop falling due to high winds. However, this one is less noticeable.) The good news is that we have a family friend that does body work for a good price.


Another problem arised when I shorted my amp. Long story short, I removed my sub for some extra room for a few hours, and the speaker output wires touched. I called about a warranty I had, and I was told the product was no longer available. The only amp that was similar and in stock was $50 more than then what I paid for mine but... They ended up giving me that one for free anyways! Thanks Cruthfield Tech Support!

The last little mod I have done recently was plastidipping my window trim which was needed badly. The final product (I'll get pics later) is a little textured since I rushed through the process, but it still looks much better than before. I'm thinking of plastidipping my front bumper and fender flares next...
Here are some "before" pictures:


And finally, I'll finish this post up with some personal updates. I got accepted into all the college I applied to and decides to attend James Madison University with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Pre-Dentistry. Luckily, I was able to bring my truck as a freshman which usually doesn't happen (I had to get my employer to right them a letter to prove that I had a reason to drive home every now and then) and I'm about an hour away from Flagpole Knob, which is a popular trail around here. I'm actually planning on going either this Friday or Sunday to meet some of the other members from VA.

And I finally gave my truck a much-needed hand wash from top to bottom.

 

Finally got around to installing some Christmas goodies. First, I got a tonneau cover (Literider) from my parents which will be perfect when I travel to and from college in the rain. Mounted up pretty easily with an extra set of hands at the beginning.


Second, I got a set of Husky floor liners from my grandparents which I was in desire need for, since my old ones were worn pretty badly. They fit almost perfectly and cover plenty of space as well as go up the sides a little.


Finally, I received a set of KC C2 LEDs from my TWSS @TaylorU. I just finished finding a place to mount them on my rear bumper by using some universal mounts found on Amazon. While I was hooking up the wiring harness, I decided to move my switches to a new location rather than having them hang by my leg as they did before. To do so, I used some of my dad's dental equipment (for making dentures) to cut out a plastic insert that "snaps" into place pretty well, so I won't need to glue anything. As of now, all the pieces are installed, besides the wiring extension that will go in the middle and run along the frame of my truck, which is scheduled to come in tomorrow (Just in time since I leave for college again the day after).

 

Also, I finally got the nasty dent fixed on my rear fender. In my opinion, it turned out great! The area is only noticeable if you shine a light at a certain angle.

 

Hi. Wondering if you can let me know where did you purchase your ditch light brackets ?

 

Rago Fabrication. They bolt to the hinges under your hood and don’t require any trimming or drilling

 

Thanks! Going with Rago. Nice truck BTW.

 

Lovin the truck! I’m also a senior in high school and I’ll be going to Baylor later this year. Definitely a struggle to afford modding these trucks, but definitely worth it in the end! Keep up the good work!

 

Thanks! I need to get a more recent picture up since I’ve added a few things this month.

 

Thanks! I’ve learned that lighting and some small interior mods are definitely more wallet-friendly. It also takes a little longer to find information on the smaller mods here on tacomaworld, but it’s works out for me since it helps me burn more time while in class lol.

 

Agreed, I just ordered some of the caliraised side projecting ditch lights, hopefully they are as good as everyone say!

 

They’re great for me. It makes a huge different over my brights since my headlights are so dim. It’s also nice to keep them pointed forward but still have plenty of light to your sides.