stan23's 2022 TRD Sport 4x4 build

10/16/2022

I wanted to lighten up the interior a bit and saw these trim pieces for sale from Tufskinz. For 20 bucks, I'd give it a shot. I ordered the lunar rock color and the color doesn't look all that correct to me, but not a big deal. The fit and look is great. Subtle, which is what I wanted.

 

OP I am a really big fan of your thought process, all of this seems incredibly well thought out and well planned.

How do those tires ride? Curious how they'd compare agains the Michelin LTX AT2's

 

Hi, thanks! The truck has been a fun project for sure. I think the tires are fantastic for me, which is 99% on road. I never had the LTX AT2s, but I did have a set of Defenders (LTX MS2) on 2 different trucks and the Trail terrains ride just as good as the defenders! They've been quiet, shimmy free and road feel is excellent. I can't wait until snow season starts so I can see how they perform there.

 

10/19/2022

2 mods today.

1. The Amazon LED fog lights were good, but they had to go. The beam was just a little too wide and scattered for me. I could adjust them lower, but they didn't have the nice sharp cutoff I saw on 'good' fog lights. After going through all my options, I decided the OEM LED fogs were the best bang for the buck. They were inexpensive ~ $120, and the beam is perfectly cast with a sharp cut off to not blind drivers. I do the fog install from top of the engine bay after removing the grill, I found it's the easiest and fastest way.

2. This is something I wanted on my first 3rd gen, but didn't get to install. The TRD air filter - it looks like a re-branded K&N which is fine for me. In contrary to other folks, I noticed not a single difference over the stock paper filter. No noise, no 'quicker throttle' - nothing. I think a lot of folks get that placebo affect when they install something that costs $$. Personally for me, I bought it for the convenience of re-using the same filter.

 

1/20/23

Installed the intake flow accelerator today. Good time to check the air filter (was clean as the day I installed it)

The accelerator does nothing. Absolutely nothing btw.

 

1/26/23

I like the current tail light design, but hated the chrome strip on it. It clashes with Lunar Rock IMO. I decided to get the 2020+ TRD Pro tail lights. Shipping from Toyota was quick since it really came from about 30-miles away.

Before/After

 

2/8/23

Having purchased an OEM grill, I was always kind of bothered by the non-OEM garnish for TSS. It kind of stuck out like a sore thumb and colors were off.

A member here was selling an OEM one , so I bought it and installed it. Much better looking!

Before :



After :

 

This is the situation I am in too...I want an OEM garnish as well, even much more now that I see the difference in your pics!

 

I paid $150 for a used one, which functions exactly like the one I took off, but it looks so much better!

 

Looks great -- the difference is striking!

 

4/29/23

Having had my suspension on for the last 8K miles, and everything has been perfect. I decided to get a maintenance alignment to see if I can get more positive caster, and make sure everything was OK. I've driven the truck over some rough terrain over the last season. I made an appointment at my fave 4x4 shop here in the SF Bay Area (Klean Ridez) and they were able to get me +2.5 of caster. The truck immediately felt more stable on the highway and the steering feel too. Very nice.

While there, I told them I was debating on getting a 1/2" block in the rear to give my truck a slight rake again. My front has been lifted 1" on Fox 2.0 and leveled out. Turns out he had some TRD Pro 1/2" blocks take offs and I had them throw in on for me for a very reasonable price.







Now with the 1/2" rear blocks installed!

 

Here is a better picture of the Fox 2.0 suspension with 1" lift on the front and 1/2" TRD Pro block installed on the rear.

 

10/21/23

15K miles on the last set of tires (BFG Trail Terrains) and the inside and outside edges developed some scalloping. America's tire decided it was not normal, so I replaced with a set of Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws. It's a much more aggressive tire, but so far so good.

 

3/7/25

Well, bittersweet day. The 2022 Lunar Rock Tacoma has been traded in and I now have a 2025 Underground Sport Hybrid.

I loved both of my 3rd gens, but wanted to try something new, and the 4th gen was just the ticket. I considered the Ranger Raptor, but price was a bit higher and the moonroof was not available which is a big thing for me.

Excited for the next chapter and I'm still in the Tacoma community!