What do you do first to your new truck?

If you have a professional ceramic coating done, no washing is really needed....just a good hose spray and any crap will clean right off. I haven't touched mine with any soap since i got it.

 

Get 6 cans of RP-342 and have at it. If you live in a salty area, your truck will thank you.

 

Just a thread here ans some common sense. i hought maybe 5 spraycans and a gallon to brush on wht i couldnt spray.

lower the spare tire to get underneath, and remove the front skid plate bd front wheels to get the suspension.

i also used body cavity wax and wands to get in places the cosmoline wouldnt

some folks in cold states removed door panels but i didnt do that

oh one good tip is that tin foil is great for maskiny brakea and lines and anytjing you dont want the stuff on. and buy some $3 pillows from wl mart to lay on.

not complicted but a full day job and nasty

 

Yes, the OEM remote lock.

While you can certainly lock the the tailgate manually, I just find it really convenient to lock it with the remote. Having it locked lessens the chance someone will grab it. (The tailgate comes off very easily and can be stolen in a moment- as an alternate look at the hose clamp mod.)

Same with the cats on the Tacoma. They are fairly exposed and the amount of ground clearance makes them an easy target.

As for OEM OR capability, yes, I think you’ll be fine. Upgrade what breaks when it breaks.

 

It really depends on you interest rate? (IMHO No interest is the best interest!)
Paying it off can save you hundreds of dollars!

Carrying Interest is giving people money for Free!

That's not very good advice!

 

and wear a respirator. even outside, inhaling cosmoline or woolwax is no bueno

 

Terrible advice? Whatever. It's not your money that he paid his truck off with.. He can pay off on things if he wants to... he doesn't need your permission or advice.

At least I don't have to pay the bill since it's all paid off. That way I have money to save for something I want or need...

 

Thanks for the advice! It does not snow here and it’s parked in a garage, but I have no problem being overly careful.

 

Well, now I have a list of things to do to my new taco also....

 

Wow, that’s impressive. How much did the ceramic coating run you, if you don’t mind my asking? How often does it need to be redone? Looks like there’s a local place here that specializes in it, need to reach out and get an estimate.

 

Thanks for the info and advice. There’s a lot of theft here so you make a solid point - hadn’t thought about tailgate getting stolen. Is the OEM remote lock something I should have them do at dealership before I take ownership? Or can it be installed later? (I wouldn’t do it myself - not very handy or experienced and don’t want to experiment on my brand new truck!)

Also, the cats on Tacomas?

 

Do you think this is necessary in the desert in AZ? I’ve seen some folks think yes, but others say it collects all the dust - there’s so much dust here!

 

Thanks for the cosmoline input. I’m renting a house right now and don’t have a garage, so definitely concerned about a potential mess if I do it myself. Wonder if a shop can do it for me…?

Do you know if the remote lock needs to be pre installed in the truck or can it be added later? I’m waiting for mine to be built (any day now) so trying to get a sense of what, if anything, I want done by the dealer before I pick the truck up.

 

Yeah I’m all about protecting the truck. Did you do OEM mudflaps? What about side steps? Waiting on my truck to be built any day now and trying to figure out what I want the dealer to install before I pick her up.

 

Drive it stock for awhile Ha like a fart going over in a church . You will be addicted like the rest of us and theres no going back . Lol you will be fine

 

Cool, thanks. Curious what that looks like. Do you have any pics of it? That sounds fairly easy too - I’m a total novice who’s hesitant to do much of anything to my new truck for fear of messing up Lol

 

Paint protection and road trip to break in the engine.

 

The lock is an easy install but I pushed the easy button and had my dealer install it prior to delivery. Be careful though and as convenient as this is don’t overpay. When installed by the dealer prior to delivery it is covered by the warranty or extended service contract if you get one.

I would have happily paid for the cosmoline job but I could not find anyone to so I did it myself. The cosmoline store sells a big ground tarp so you can do it outside and not screw up the ground where you are staying.

I bought some tall jack stands for the front to be extra safe with the wheels off.

 

Sliders come plated in different angles so they could be used as a step. Sliders bolt or weld to the frame. I believe most of the ones you mentioned bolt to the cab. Just something to think about. I admit I went overboard for what I’ve done thus far.

 

Good to know on both fronts, thanks. Ground tarp would make a big difference for sure. And I’ll reach out to my sales guy about the lock and see what they’ll charge. Like the idea of the truck arriving with that already done and being under warranty.