Replacing the bed side sticker

When I first got my Tacoma the "TRD Off Road 4X4" bed side sticker was such an eye sore because it was silver and all the other accents on my truck are black. I either wanted to just remove it or find an all black option to replace it. After looking on Etsy I found a matte black version of my bed side sticker.

Below is a link to where I purchased my replacement bed side sticker.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/554605...-1-4&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&bes=1&col=1

I'm going to explain a quick step by step process of how I removed my factory one and installed the new matte black sticker.

This is how my truck looked with the Toyota factory TRD Off Road 4X4 bed side sticker.



The first thing I did was gather all of my supplies I would need for removal and the new sticker install.
Pictured below is the following items:

Paper towels and glass cleaner
Rubbing alcohol
Goof off
Blue painter tape
a soft felt squeegee and a small plastic squeegee I had from another vinyl kit.



After gathering your supplies the next step is important to have a good looking final product. My truck was a little dirty when I started, so I used the paper towels and glass cleaner to clean the surface around the factory sticker. It is important to have a fresh clean surface to help the next step work correctly. After cleaning the surface you need to use the blue painters tape to tape around the perimeter of the existing sticker like seen in the photo below.



Once you have the perimeter of the existing sticker outlined you are ready to remove the factory sticker. The step is going to require patience, on the driver side I got the sticker off in 2 pieces, but the passenger side kept ripping into small pieces it was ripped into like 20+ pieces. Just be slow and patient when removing the factory sticker. But taking the sticker off isn't the worst part, once the sticker is removed you will have all the lovely glue left on the vehicle. I used the goof off to remove this sticky finish, which is another thing that will take patience and a little bit of elbow grease. The photo below shows what mine looked like after I got the sticker off with all the glue still on the vehicle.



Once i got all of the glue removed from the surface using goof off, I used a paper towel and rubbing alcohol to make sure the surface was clean for the new sticker. After cleaning the bed side I grabbed my new sticker and placed it on the bed side lining it up with that blue tape outline I created earlier. After i got the new sticker lined up I used a few strips of blue tape to hold the sticker in the correct place.



After you have the new sticker lined up with your blue tape outline its time to begin the install process. What I did was pull back about half of the backing paper then cut and remove half of the backing paper. Slowly using the felt squeegee you lay the sticker onto the bed side and use the squeegee to press the sticker onto the truck. Continue laying the sticker onto the truck until you have installed the whole sticker.



Now that the new sticker is installed on the truck you are almost done. Remove the white wax paper backing that the sticker was attached to, then remove the blue painters tape outline you created. Congratulations you now have a new and better looking bed side sticker on your Tacoma.

 

Great write up and an improvement for sure.

 

Wow - what a difference! Nice job!

 

I like the masking tape idea! Maybe I’ll give it a try.

 

I used to work in the service department for a Toyota dealership and I learned that trick from one of the technicians.

 

I really think the truck looks much cleaner with no sticker there at all. To each his own.

 

And I like how the silver provides some contrast and gives a focal point.

Guess that's why Taco parts and accessories are such the cottage industry.

Cheers!

 

The black looks much better

I removed mine altogether and (carefully) used a heat gun - stickers came off in once piece and I had very little residue to clean up.

A good heat gun will burn the shit out of your paint of you're not careful though, but keep it back 6-8" and work slow it can make the process a little easier.

 

I think some folks make a cut through the backing paper before getting it lined up and taped on. That's my plan. Thanks.

 

Does it drive any better now?

 

That was a -10hp mod.

Looks better imo though.

 

Good job!!! I honestly like the silver better imo though.

 

If you want to "support local" there are several members on here that make custom stickers. @CBoy808 made mine probably 4 years ago and it's still like new.

 

that's how we applied it to my dads 2011 after it was repainted black. He picked a custom one from eBay in red with a deer head. getting the right measurement on each side was tricky with nothing to go on from an old sticker but we got it ok.

I much more prefer no bedside sticker but to each his own. Get what you like.

 

That is good to know for future reference! thank you

 

I'm pretty sure there was at least a 10hp gain after the install, definitely worth it!

 

I appreciate the info, if I plan to get any decals in the future I will have to reach out

 

Excellent job looks much better in black!

 

That looks awesome. I had the dealership remove all the badges and decals before delivery.

 

I’m sure the info is here somewhere. But if you do remove the decal and keep it naked, what type of wax do you use? Can I use a spray on detailing wax, Like Meguiars quick wax?