Rucks Reef - 2017 TRD OR Build

Finally pulled the trigger on a Tacoma back in August 2019. I needed something to tow my 21-foot boat.

I bought a 2017 TRD Offroad 6 speed manual with 27k miles from a Honda dealer. One previous owner, the truck was pretty spotless. I have several things planned, new grille, wheels, tires, etc. Here is what it looked like from the dealer.

 

This is what it looks like still, ordered method wheels (701 matte black 16") and ko2 (265/75/16), hopefully, they should arrive this week. As of now, I am not putting a lift on, so I went with the tire size that people say is the biggest that works with no lift.



The TRD Pro grille arrived, and so did my Cali raised lower LED. Hopefully, I will install both tonight and have the front end looking a little different.

 

So far I'm not impressed with my KO2s in the snow, hopefully they do better for you in that hard pack Antarctica snow! Nice find.

 

Why dont you like them in the snow?

 

Mostly I was making a joke about Antarctica. My KO2s came with the truck and they are about at the end of their life. Not the time to make a fair assessment.

 

Understood, got nervous for a second, I do a lot of driving in VT.

 

Thanks for choosing us! Cant wait to see some photos!

 

Planning on installing it tonight !! Will update soon!

 

Tonight's project. Grille and Lower LED bar by Cali raised.

 

Grille and LED are on. Followed youtube instructions and the install was fairly simple.


The grille makes a huge difference visually. I bought a 'cheap' one, it was $106 but still looks as good as an OEM trd pro grille. I went with all black letters.


I also upgraded the headlights. I went off the advice of @tgarza74 from a thread I made in October. I just copied his recommended setup.

Regular Head Light


$38 OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER LASER H11
https://www.amazon.com/generation-brightness-headlamp-64211NL-HCB-passenger/dp/B07FXRDJW2
Fog

$19 HELLA H11 Yellow-55W YL Xtreme Yellow Bulbs, 12V, 55W 2 Pack
https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H11-Yellow-55W-Xtreme-Yellow/dp/B079VYZ2TP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=30SJUAVK5Q2JZ&keywords=hella+h11+yellow&qid=1569944982&s=automotive&sprefix=hella+h11+%2Cautomotive%2C445&sr=1-4
Hi-Beam

HELLA 2.0TB HP2.0-65W High Performance H9 Bulbs, 12V, 65W, 2 Pack
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SHPZWQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Looking good bro!

 

Wheels and tires got put on. Method 701 16” black, KO2 265/75/16.




Cant wait to put the boat in the water...

 

What boat? How does it pull it? My wife and I are thinking seriously about getting a 18-22ft center console to use on the lakes around us and at our vacation property in South Carolina. Mostly inshore stuff with occasional offshore with great weather.

 

Its a 1981 Mako 21. Restored it with my brother and dad. The Tacoma pulls it fine, weighs 3,000lbs (depending on fuel). I haven't taken it on any log distance towing trips yet, but around town, i have no issues on steep hills. What brand boat were you looking to get?

 

Been mostly looking at key west, Parker, scout and sea hunt. Not really brand dependent. Just want a solid, no wood boat. Would love forward seating as well

 

Last night I re-installed the air deflectors. For those who have the lower LED, the brackets/mounting system calls for their removal. I saw on some threads that members put them back in. I made some cuts to remove where the air deflector catches the lower vent, once removed, the upper portion of the deflector just clips back into place.


This is the section I removed.

 

All good brands, I primarily fish (on a budget) so restoring an old boat was my only option. But thats awesome you are looking for one, good luck and let me know if you end up getting one.

 

I’m definitely not looking to spend a fortune or buy new lol. Restore would be great for me, just don’t want to get into allot of structural stuff

 

So I did some thing extremely controversial. I added an exhaust and intake. Since I tow a boat, a stainless steel system was a no brainier, I just went with the TRD exhaust. Good build quality and OEM. I got it 20% off, so I said F it and also got a TRD intake at 25% off.

My results, TRD exhaust is def louder. Quiet when driving but way more rumble when accelerating, especially with the MT. The intake I can hear sucking more air. I feel a tad better throttle response, but nothing really major. Regardless, Im happy.


Hauling the exhaust.

Exhaust new and old side by side.

The Exhaust was easy to get on, the hardest part was removing the old rusted bolts. I used a sawzall and cut the heads of the bolts off, once I did this, I removed the stock cat back system. Then I used pb blaster and a torch to try to loosen the remaining part of the bolts, then used a screw extractor and removed the rusted bolts from the welded nuts.




Installation of the intake was easy, just followed a youtube video.


I also bought a set of Rigid led fogs, also a super simple mod.



Lastly I installed bumper caps. They were cheap plastic but match the guards on the wheel well perfectly. They also look better than the chrome IMO.