What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

New headlights and paint matched grill. Still looking good for a 2009.

 

I definitely like look of the '12-15 headlights better (and the third gen even more), but not enough to shell out $1000+ for a new paint matched grille and hood in addition to whatever else I'd need in order to swap make the swap. (Or $65k to buy and mod out a third gen!).

Even looking at the LED/HID/projector/halo scene for the 2nd gens, I'm not convinced that any of these are better than oem style housings. I run 80/100W bulbs with rewired harnesses and relays to support the higher current, and in my opinion, they outshine any modern LED or HID oem headlights I've ever experienced. (And prior to covid, I had been driving rental cars several times per month, spanning the gamut from shitty Kias to luxury cars and SUVs.)

Advances in lighting technology have enabled a transition from reflective to refractive headlight optics, with a corresponding reduction in the size requirements for headlights on newer cars.

But the fact is, the gigantic bug-eye reflectors on early 2nd gens cast an excellent beam, and if you couple that with properly wired high wattage bulbs, you can cast tons of light down the road without irritating other drivers, and without irritating your own eyes with useless blue glare.



Here's the side by side light pattern mid-upgrade. New housing is on the left (the blue tape spot was for alignment). You can see the beam is brighter, better defined, and even has a higher color temperature--even though the bulb itself hasn't been changed and is the same age as the other one. That's how yellow the old housings had become.

 

My headlights are cheap ebay one since my passenger side got busted. They've been good for me bout 4yrs w/ no problems. Just recently was able to score a free pair or used retros that need a new hid ballst & lens that I'm gonna use w/ original oem headlights I still have.
It'll give me something to tinker w/ while I do cmc, pinch weld & save up for 285s!

 

The silver stars I had only lasted 5months and good luck getting anyone @Sylvania to respond about the 1 year warranty. Total BS.

 

Fuck yeah, I needed like a few extensions when I did mine and they’re old, doesn’t lock very well.

 

Would like to sell my rear bumper and hitch receiver. I do not want to post an ad in buy/sell because I know that parts are supposed to be off the vehicle and I don't really have a place to store these right now so for now I will leave them on. Looking to use the money to buy some steel and fab up a rear bumper.

The bumper was originally chrome, 2 years ago I performed a light blast to etch the chrome and powder coated it metallic gray with a high gloss clear on top. I regularly wax my truck 3-4 times a year. Minus the small mark (not even sure what it's from but appears that it would buff out with the proper tool), the bumper is in great shape. No dents or scratches through they powder, would like to get $175 for the bumper and hitch receiver. The color is not a perfect match, paint is has a blueish tint where as the powder coat is more gray but looks way better than black or chrome IMO. Pm me if interested

 

I need to do that also. The fridge keeps shutting the outlet off. When we went to the beach this tine I put it in the back seat and plugged it in the dash

 

Not a mirror anymore but still good for 10 year old truck.

 

Installed a mountain hatch tailgate insert & resealed my softopper rails.

 

I know right. All 5 times I was hit minding my own business. And believe this, what you see after this time is the worst damage I have gotten. Thank you Lord.

 

changed oil, Mobile 1, rotated tires, lots of fun considering they are 35" and weigh about 100 lbs with the wheels and greased all the zerks.

 

Finished my bed storage project for 99% complete. Still need to get a piece of 1x1 aluminum, then get the rubber to go over the top of the main compartment either that or install some L track if I can ever find it. All in all not bad and less than 100.00 before paint. The paint was around 50.00 but I used a marine paint so I knew water and crap wouldn’t get in. I built the compartments around our camping supplies and food storage for when we go out but I also made sure I could still fit tools, air hoses, etc in there if the family isn’t with me.

 

Knocked out a couple of little projects. Needed an oil change and finally got the Fumoto installed. As easy as replacing the oil pan drain plug. I went with the new SX design, which allows you to position the spout wherever you like. Took this pic for those who are concerned with the ground clearance issue. It's certainly protrudes more than the stock plug, but as this shows, it remains well above the cross member. Even if I was doing hardcore crawling, this would not concern me. YMMV.



Also, have been wanting to paint the radiator frame. Didn't like the way it was so visible and contrasted against the rest of the front end. Used high temp paint. Simple job.

before:


after:



Last, finally knocked out the @SpikerEng hood struts. Quality product. Too much light for a decent pic. Love 'em.

 

33’s went on this weekend so I spent a few minutes moving the splash guards forward in the front fender well. Should eliminate rubbing, even at full lock. I simply pushed the plastic forward drilled new fastener holes to hold it out of the way.

 

What roof rack is that??

 

Hope everyone was ok

 

On my list of much needed mods but I’m the least bit worried about hitting it when it’s behind the skid plate lol

 

FrontRunner front and back. Used for RTT, canoe and lots of gear. I have two 90lb dogs, so they get the entire bed.

 

Badass! Thank you!

 

I can't tell if that's meat sauce or marinara sauce on that spaghetti.