What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

That’s right! Idaho is awful!

 

Nah, it’s legitimate. At least for Idaho. Colorado is really nice though. I recommend people move there.

 

Installed my ditch lights couple of hiccups but overall happy with the result. my only critique of Baja Designs is that the lights themselves don't have enough lead wire. they were barely long enough for my truck and first gen Tacomas are some of the narrower trucks to begin with. also had an issue with fitting the plastic clip under the hood too. think that i'll cut the connectors off and splice the wires together to keep it lower profile. that will also help the hood close better I think. other than those issues the install went smoothly, ran the wires under the plastic cowl and then used some zip ties to connect to the truck's wiring harness for cable management. it's not the prettiest wiring job but it works.


I don't know who did this clearanceing for the wires...

or the beautiful tape job to cover my crimp connectors


oh yeah, and they're plenty bright, pay attention to the license plate on the wall in the garage:


doesn't look like much but this is in broad daylight with the garage lights on. should be awesome at night.

but this might be an issue...


anyone have any ideas? or maybe a recommendation on a stubby antenna that still works ok?
was thinking about this one, i've only got about 4" of clearence before it starts to seriously interfere with the light again thinking i may just take the antenna off and leave it in the cab for the odd time that i decide to listen to the radio

 

I'm pretty sure you installed you brackets on the wrong mount. Are those Rago ditch light brackets?

 

nope, CBI. these are how they are supposed to be installed. they don't fit on the hood hinges anyways, holes don't line up. took my cues from @Yetimetchkangmi and a guy at MULE expedition outfitters to confirm that this is the correct install.

 

I squeeze those release tabs with 90 pliers, often gets em moving

 

My Rago ditch are a little tighter in

 

Looks good man. I have a cheap set of auxbeam on mine for now to see how much I even use them... and money needed to go other places. Those look really well made and solid though. Will be interested to hear how you like them down the track a spell.

 

I just left mine there, doesn’t noticeably affect the light output I don’t think.

but my antenna has rubbed my light quite a bit

 

yeah, i actually didn't buy them for that reason. i wanted something that would hide behind the A-pillar from the driver's seat so that it would have as little impact on my visibility as possible. that and they were about double the cost of the CBI brackets.

 

hmm, i'll take a look tonight, if i remember to go for a drive. taking the antenna off and on is so easy that i don't really mind going back and fourth on testing.

 

yeah, these ones have a limited lifetime warranty and were only about 200 for the set, so i figured it was hard to go wrong. worst case scenario, i'll decide i don't like ditch lights, use the driver's side bracket for the CB antenna, pull the passenger side off, and put these on the tabs on my ARB bumper.

 

Not noticeable here, atleast not for me


Well shit, that’s kinda the wrong side I guess

 

might be different on yours since you have a 99. on my 99 the antenna was a lot taller and skinner than the OE one on my 04. if i can get one of those, or anything that is taller and skinner than my current one then it might work better. anyone have any leads on one? they are proving elusive on Ebay, Rockauto, and other parts sites. might call the toyota dealership to see how much it is, but knowing them it'll likely be ridiculous

 

Got one side done...ish (Pre-Runner knuckle w/ ABS - Converted to manual hubs and 4x4)

Sadly another member for the Ronald McDonald club. Really wish they were red and not yellow... but not enough to take them off and paint them. Just needs some mud!


Now the other side...

 

I’m running the Rago brackets and I don’t see it as an obstruction from the driver seat, although I run the seat in the furthest back setting which might not work for everyone.

 

Its install right. I have the same brackets.


I have the OEM antenna though on my 03 and its not as fat so never had issues myself.

They look great though, cool to see them on the truck, nice and discrete.

 

Red Tundra brakes and complete the trifecta...

 

damn that’s a ton of preload.

 

13'' coils.