Need Dad Mods

I am expecting my first kid in April and am curious on if anyone on here has some handy and useful mods that I can do to the inside of the truck that you have noticed made a difference. Car seat is going to take up a chunk of the space in the back so what would be good to get to create more storage? Tips for places to keep certain items? Any and all ideas are welcomed! Also need dad jokes because my wife loves (hates) them!

 

Here’s your mod right here... time for a trip to the dealer

Congrats on becoming a dad

 

The big ones were kind of universal:

-- Learn how to install a car seat securely. Find a place that will allow you to test fit car seats to be sure that you can install it well and will fit. There are different sizes.
-- There are liners that you can put under the car seat so that all the mess is contained to some extent. It was helpful with leather seats and almost a must for fabric.
-- Get the little mirror that attaches to the rear head rest so that you can get a peek at the situation back there through the rearview mirror.​

 

Overhead interior molle racks would help with some storage and other interior molle areas. Behind and under seat organizers

Dad jokes?

 

I married a good one. She agreed that a van will never be in the picture. She said I would get a Tundra before we got a van! Thanks!

 

Minivan. Sienna.

Heavy duty shop vac for the yearly goldfish round up.

Ear plugs for the driver.

Enjoy Fatherhood.

 

Go buy those mini cereal bags and keep them in the truck at all times. I cant count how many times we have been out and the kids decide they are now hungry.

Also, put a roll of toilet paper, spare cloths, and diapers in the truck at all times. No matter how well you plan, your going to forget one time. I got a meso overhead molle rack and filled it with bags that hold things for my kids.

 

Keeper!

 

Put a towel or seat cover on the back seat. The baby seat and inevitable bottles will make a mess in the back.

Tell the wifey she has to ride in the bed because the baby comes first. She'll love that one.

 

Hey Congrats!
Weather tech floor mats for the rear is good, Also add a box of wipes under each seat for good measure.

 

Backseat sun visors. Quick & easy mod. Source some visors from an FJ. Here's my step by step how-to walkthrough with OEM part numbers:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-seat-visor-mod.615755/

I also added some collapsible tinting screens that stick to the window. Even though the windows are tinted, this makes it cooler and darker in the backseat for naps.

Put some type of cover over the rear seat that allows access to the car seat anchors.

Install some solid floormats but keep in mind hard mats will make barf splatter. (Ask me how I know).

 

Hookers and Blow! Oh wait, wrong thread!

 

Congrats! Lots of good suggestions already. I said I’d never get a minivan then traded in my Tundra for an Odyssey after my second.
When the kids got a little older, I got rid of the Odyssey for the Tacoma.
They really trashed the Odyssey. Get Weather Techs and some good seat covers! And boxes of wipes.

 

I will tell her but if I suddenly go ghost on the forums you know why!

 

Congrats!!! Tacoma is small for car seats. Some are massive. There are some good websites out there that compare dimensions etc. I’ve got 4 kids and have bought the 3 in 1 or 4 in 1 seats have never really cared for them. Wife and I have had the best luck with specific seats and buying new ones as they grow for that specific time frame.
With my first baby a very kind nurse taught me how to swaddle the child. I became a swaddling pro by the time my new little family left the hospital. I’ve been swaddling little ones since then and it makes you look like a real man taking a crying infant, swaddling them and stopping the crying. So best mod you can do for yourself is learn to swaddle that little one. Congrats again BTW it’s amazing to have a little one.

 

Two close friend couples said the same and within two years they both had a minivan and they both wished they just got one from the start. So I guess my advice is to be ready for a minivan? I have no kids, so not much help. Congrats on the family, though. Much fun times ahead

 

Nono, your in the right thread, just at the wrong time.

 

Congratulations on having a baby OP.

With 1 baby the Tacoma is fine. With the 2nd baby I had to sell the Tacoma. Did I buy a mini van? HECK NO. I bought a used Land Cruiser. Plenty of space.

 

1,000,000% this........

 

Congrats! Alot of good stuff on here already mentioned. Im dad of 5, 2 under 5yrs.

Must have because its my truck: paper towel roll, couple of plastic bags or ziplocks (throwups and accidents), baby wipes, and snacks and extra set of clothes+diapers. Never leave home without these. I second the rear facing mirror as well including seat protectors and kick mats, and having a heavy duty shop vac.

I have Plano sportsman trunks in varying sizes in my bed holding my gear sorted by kids, recovery, camp, ect. Easy grab and go depending on the situation. Once the carseats are down. Say goodbye to under seat storage.

For me I do drops and wifey does pickup. If its in budget, buy carseats for both vehicles. It is a $&@&%*# PITA to unstrap a carseat (latch type) with the additional rear strap. Why? Cause when its tightened then you cant tip the seat forward anymore. If you don’t already have them, Diono and Nuna have some pretty low profile seats. I run a rear face, and a front face in the back.

Enjoy the ride and seriously, don’t sweat the small stuff. Something I remind myself daily.