tonered's Weaksauce Taco Build and BS Thread A.K.A I'm supposed to be content, dammit!

Hey, Folks.

I wanted to stay stock, but there was no resisting the draw of modding the Taco.

Here's where it started:


2017 Taco Sport ACLB (non-Technology / non-Premium Packages) with the 6spd MT purchased from Rodland Toyota in Everett, WA

Here's the current situation:




OR envy taking hold:


Post-suspension Swap (+1.50in):


Pre-suspension swap:


Pre-Softopper:



Mod List (Mostly in Order of Appearance):

Air Dam / Chin Strap Removal
No Bracket Front Plate Installation - see Post 15
@Hoangde 's HAI override cable
Debadge / Desticker
@rrentrop 's Vinyls of to hide the interior chrome
@micwillia 's Cubbie Covers
Cubbie Cam Locks from Lowes
@CaliRaisedLed Bed Stiffeners - see Post 87
Visor Sticker Removal - see Post 130
Hitch Shackle
HF Tow and ARB Recovery Straps
HF Spare Shackle
Lund Genesis Soft Tonneau - in storage
Bed D Rings - see Post 87
Toyota Front Accessory Rail
Taco Truck Rear Window Sticker
@FreshMexicanTaco 's Taco Sauce Only Rear Window Sticker
Intake Charcoal Filter Removal
Sway Bar Delete (SBD)
Painted Center Cap Badges - SCC Ray10s now
Functional Skewp Mod (now OR Hood Swap) - see Post 6
Front Camera - gone
@7r41lbr34k3r 's Custom Shift Knob and V2 Shift Boot Collar with blacked out chrome - see Post 36
BirdDawgIndustries Rear View Mirror Riser - see Post 15
Derp'ed Cheesegrater Grille and Flares - see Post 247
Rear Diff Breather Mod
@FreshMexicanTaco 's V1 Dashtop Multi-Mount (DMM) with extra RAM balls and X-grips
@MESO V4 Turn Signals
@MESO LSP7 Switch Panel
Clutch Accumulator Delete Mod (ADM)
@NoOne 's / @MESO 's Full ‘C' Brake Light / Amber Turn Signal Mod - TotalTail Stage 2 now
Rigid Industries Diffused Flush Mount Reverse Light
Fender Guitar Radio Knobs
Rok Block Tailgate Seal
Matching Front Window Tint (20%)
RedlineGoods Shift and E Brake Boots and Center Console Cover
Blue Sea USB Port
Notched (coped?) 2x8s for 2nd Tier Loading - see Post 32
Passenger Floor Mat Snaps
Painted Steering Wheel Badge - assist from @JimmyRigged88 - see Post 19
Scuba Tank Mount for AoB - Viair 300P now
Peerless Auto-Trac Tire Chains (need to sell / for 265/65R17s)
@OVTune - Current Tune: 04B14 Ultimate Test Tune on 92

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vf-tuning-for-manual-transmission-3rd-gens.687939/​

Subaru Kicker Dash Speakers
Pre-Axle Dump with Downturn Tip (TRD Exhaust with Down Turn Tip now) - see Post 18
AoB Switches
Bolt Hitch Pin
@lapoltba 's 2Lo Mod (2LM)
Bike Mounts - Homemade
Fire Extinguisher Mount
@YF_Ryan 's Tailgate Chain Mod - see Post 32
@Shellshock 's DIY Deflator / Inflator - see Post 86
Bed Mat - SB LB and cut for D-rings and Stiffeners - see Post 87
24in Driver Side and 22in Passenger Side Wipers
LED Fog Lights
Laminex Yellow Fog Light Protectors
265/70R17 SL Nokia Outpost ATs with a matching KBro spare
Faux Pro Intake - HPS Intake Tube 57-1600-BLK and TRD PTR03-35160-AE Flow Accelerator - see Post 98
Softopper with blacked out rails and fittings - debadged - see Post 67
3rd Brake Light for Softopper - see Post 16
Bed Lights - see Post 17
Rally Armor Universal Mud Flaps
Clear Vinyl for Top of Tailgate
HF Motorcycle Carrier - see Post 34
Rear Camera Anytime finally wired in
4WD Knob Mod - dechromed and no push for 4Lo - see Post 25
@7r41lbr34k3r 's V2 Shift Boot Collar - see Post 36
Viair 300P with Automatic Mod (VAM) - see Post 73
TRD Skid - see Post 57
Winch Receiver Plate - see Post 58
Instrument Panel Speaker Delete - see Post 132
@MESO Flip Fob - see Post 135
Drivers Side Grab Handle - do not buy this! You've been warned.
OR / Pro Tow Hook
License Plate Light Off in Reverse Harness - see Post 152
Static Climbing Toolless Cup Holders - Custom 64oz size - see Post 167
TotalTail Stage 2 with help from @NoOne
3/16in Bed Drain Hole Plugs
tonered Softopper Tag - see Post 168
Energy Suspension Front Bushings - see Post 169
Yukon Clamshell Bushing
Hooke Offroad Tailgate Panel
Bilstein 5100s (4th Circlip left / 3rd Circlip right / +4in rears on the way)
Icon RXT Option 1 Leaf Packs - see Post 170

Check in with HotshotOffroad.com / @memario1214 for great help and prices​

Carrier Bearing Drop Shims
Updated Dual USB Charging Port on the left side of the LSP - now with an power switch and power lead harness from @daveeasa - see Post 183
@MESO DC Map and Dome Lights - see Post 180
DeWalt Toolboxes for rear floor leveling - one modded for Viair storage - see Post 180
Baofeng Radio and Mic Mount - see Post 198
400w Anytime Mod with Rear Seat Outlets - see Post 199
OR Hood Swap - Skewp-ectomy- see Post 200
Pro Exhaust with Pre-Axle Dump - see Post 202
Dometic Two Port Panel and SNAFU, fridge, and ARB app - see Post 212
Tiedown for storage case and fridge - see Post 213
ARB Recovery Point - see Post 216
Radiator Support End Covers - see Post 218
AVS Vent Visors - debadged - see Post 235
TG Lock Harness - see Post 236
Rogue Offroad Poly Body Mounts - see Post 262
SCS Ray10s swapped in (FINALLY!) - see Post 265
BAMF Hangers and Shackles - see Post 268
BelMetric Lower Coilover and Shock Bolts - see Post 280
Wheelers U Bolt Flip and Bump Stops


BTW, I got my amateur radio license - KJ7ZGF with APRS setup.


Any questions, lemme know.

Have a good one,

tony

 

Reserved.

 

1. what does the functional hood skewp mod do / look like from front and underneath?
2. what is the override cable?
any more plans or just cosmetic?

 

Thanks!

It cleans up the signature line.

 

1. I quickly got tired of slush and car wash soap coming out of the Skewp and splashing the windshield right in my line of sight. So, I cut off the back of the unpainted section. It has been great since.





The orange clip was not noticeable, but I did eventually painted it black.


2. It is the head unit override cable so that all functions are available all the time. It was mainly to get the front camera and anytime rear camera.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-navigation-override-smartphone-mirr.501617/


In my mind, the mods so far have been mostly functional, just not on the true crawling order yet. I do have plenty of plans, just spacing out the costs.

-- Tank and hitch skids - I am bouncing around the idea of the RCI bumper
-- Sliders
-- Winch - the SSO Slimline is neat, but a rear winch ability has me thinking
-- Rear locker

The one thing is that I have not really found the limits just yet other than the stock tires.

 

I didn't see "exhaust chop" in this list.

Also, I highly endorse the above mods. I love my SSO Slimline (with Warn M8000) and my RCI rear bumper. You'll gain massive clearance by removing the stock hitch. The added reverse lights are another huge benefit.

 

Oh shit! Thanks for that reminder. Updating!


Yes. I am using a Rigid flush mount with the Full "C" mod. It works great. Having two on the RCI would be even better.

 

Well, if you decide to pull the trigger, I highly recommend getting it from truckbrigade.com @Truck Brigade

They don't collect tax and shipping is free. I got mine in exactly 2 weeks from order to delivery.

 

Nice! Will do.

 

Oh, and I might recommend getting it bare metal and having it powdercoated locally. Avoid any risk of transit damage. I think you could get it done for about $150.

 

Exactly. I would just derp or spray it at home. I know you struggled with your rack and all the other PC issues on armor that get posted.

 

you have the BirdDawgIndustries Rear View Mirror Riser??

How did you make it fit? I got one and it is too tall so the mirror points at armrest instead of being useful

 

you screw the plate right into the plastic?

 

Sorry that I missed these posts.

I was able to adjust the pivots. Lemme find the pics. I'll add them here.

Here they are:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-rear-view-mirror-relocation.459684/page-4#post-17503098

Yes. I drilled new holes in the plate to match the existing holes in the bumper, then added two new holes in the bottom to secure it.

Just in case, this was the best picture that I have of it:


Since then, I replaced the rusty drywall screws with SS ones.

 

Softopper 3rd Brake Light Mod:




Using:

12V LED Strip:

Led World Black PCB 5M 5050 SMD 300 Leds Red Color Waterproof Flexible Strip Lights DC12V

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MNCASKK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2in Wide One Wrap:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0TTVVC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1in would be sufficient to hold this puppy in place.

I had some SAE connectors lying around, so it was no big deal. I tapped the left brake light and routed it through a small gap between the bed and rail.

 

Mood lighting with LED strip leftovers:


Powered when needed with my jump pack.

 

Axle dump pics.

This didn't start out well due to the thick metal gauge and my first failed HF tool:


The better solution (I wish it was a mandrel bend):

 

One of my favorite mods because it is seen every day, yet blends into the background unlike the shitty chrome:

 

pdip? i like that one. haven't done anything with the chrome inside yet. waiting on MESO.