Black Mingo: SwampFoxMoonDog's 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport Build

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport (Double Cab / Short Bed)
Bought used, November 2020

I'm still trying to figure out all of the current specs, options, and upgrades. I may ask for some help with that from you guys.


Color: Black
Trim Level: TRD Sport

Factory Options
Premium and Technology Package
Tow Package
Moonroof
Bed Mat
Tonneau Cover (missing the actual cover )

Aftermarket Mods
3” Suspension Lift*
Seat mount risers*
All weather floor mats (Husky)*
LED Dome Lights w/ Brightness of 1000 Suns*
Console tray/organizer
ECGS Bushing Replacement for Front Differential Finger Bearing
Pro-style grille
Blackout side mirror turn signals
Gas Cap Holder
Extended Fuse Box Cover
Sill Protectors
Hardwire Kit for Garmin and Magnetic Phone Charger
Bracket for Magnetic Phone Charger

(*previous owner mod)

Mod To-Do List
Rear Differential Breather Relocation
A/C Condensate Drain Relocation

Wishlist
Blackout emblems
Hi-Lift Jack and Mount
Tailgate wireless lock
Header Bed Rail
Additional Bed Bolt D Rings
Smooth Tailgate Cover (aluminum?)
Seat Covers
Remote Start
Amp/Speaker upgrade
GoPro?
Topper (probably A.R.E)
Prinsu Rack
Dual battery
Headlights (less chrome)
Light Bars (bumper, rack, scoop, ditch)

 

I picked this up used while home visiting the folks for the Thanksgiving holiday. I'd just sold a 1984 Chevy Blazer M1009 (Military/CUCV Diesel), and traded my daily driver, a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2WD, to the dealership for the Taco. Funny enough, I got the same exact amount for trade-in as I sold the '84 Blazer for.

On the drive back to Asheville, NC from Aiken, SC


At home and parked

 

Nice Purchase! And Welcome to Tacomaworld. You'll love it, but your wallet may fight you! Let the enjoyment begin!


Also,

I'm looking to sell cover off a 2016. It's the stock cover, so slightly used. Only defect, is on driver side. One of the foldable creases, they have these filler pieces that is a piece of plastic that holds in place the exterior stripping for just the crease gap. So not fully water sealed, but then again it never was even from day one. Seems like an easy DIY, just always new I would sell once I got Bed Bars. Hit with a DM if you want to work something out. I'm in Seattle WA. Can send pics of what the damage piece is as well. Other than that, it's solid as the day I bought the truck

 

Yeah send the pics if you've got em. I'm in NC so the shipping might be a bit cost-prohibitive. I've got the hardware for the cover but no cover, so I thought about getting one just to have it but they're insanely expensive from a dealership. It's probably unnecessary since I'm putting a topper on it in the spring anyway.

 

I'm trying to identify the suspension components and exactly what size lift was put on this truck by thee last owner. The dealership said they thought the suspension was factory but the body was just lifted a bit, but that doesn't appear to be the case. I know the upper control arms aren't oem, and the leafs look like dakars maybe? I'm not sure about the coilovers or shocks. It does appear that the front wheels rub the control arms a little when the wheel is fully turned. That concerns me a little, so I may be looking at spacers or wheels with a more negative offset. I've also got a vibration at about 20mph that I'm assuming is being caused by the lift. Hopefully I'm not too far in over my head here.

 

I was back in my hometown briefly for the holiday and had the used car dealership track down a mechanic that could swap out the finger bearing in my front differential. He covered the labor and reimbursed me for the parts which I had already ordered. The vibration was mild to begin with and seems to have improved, though I still feel like it’s there from around 20-26mph both accelerating and decelerating. At any rate, knowing there’s not a small grenade rattling in the differential is a relief.

On to more fun mods...

 

I replaced the chrome grille yesterday with a pro-style grille. It completely changed the look at the truck. Very happy.

Also had the driver-side tint redone. A day or so after buying the truck, the driver-side front window tint began peeling up from the bottom. I didn’t take any pictures but it looked as though it was catching on something inside the door near the interior door handle. Fixed for now.

 

Installed some Meso ultimate turn signals to delete the chrome on the side mirrors.

Also, not pictured, I installed the Meso Gas Hole (tried the tether-on-the-latch thing for a while, but I like this solution more).

And installed a Meso extended fuse box cover so I can add a fuse for a couple of chargers I’d like to hardwire.

 

Sill Protectors! Easy mod. Hid the scratches and will protect from more scratches.
Before...

and after...

 

Yesterday I installed a hardwire 12v>5v power kit for a magnetic phone mount and the Garmin GPS along with a "built-in" mount bracket from coursemotorsports.com. I actually ordered two brackets, thinking I could make one work on the right side of the radio as well. Unfortunately the bends in the bracket don't line up, and more unfortunately I cut a big notch in it to try to make the mounting hole line up before I realized that. So that's $50 gone into the ether.