New to trucks and Tacoma, retaining resale value?

I pulled the trigger maybe a bit too soon on a '23 TRD Off Road. I say too soon because I went access cab, and that may have been unwise. What things should I keep in mind to retain maximum resale value?

I like the Tacoma so far, other than the touchy brake. I'm coming off of a '13 Crosstrek (f*ck CVTs) and I had already pushed dumping it a little too long (187500, salvage trans, electrical problems, fresh trans leak etc.). This has twice the power, real gears, and a much better reliability rep. I like having a bed, considering what I hauled in that Crosstrek (lumber, logs, salvage, 900 someodd lbs of mild steel once). Tbh, the brakes are more a dog problem than a me problem, as she was getting tossed on her first trip. She also is a nose out the window kind of girl, which doesn't work with the access cab.

The question is, what should I do/not do in terms of upkeep and mods to retain resale value? I am thinking if after doing my best to make the dog comfortable it's still not quite there, I may try to move to a double cab even within 1-2 years.

Constraints:
The dog is going to be in the cab.
I live in Houston right now so salt is not a concern, but may move to CO next year, and either way will road trip to some mountains.

Mods I'd like or have considered:
A roof rack, mainly for skis
Larger rear shocks
Platform for the dog will happen anyway, but a rear seat delete to maximise the space for that would be best.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW

If you are lucky, you get your money back you paid in mods.
I never have been lucky, I’m always lost the money I spent on mods.
I’d suggested doing as little as possible in mods. OnLy so one you need.
Like the dog platform. Other than that, keep it stock and keep your money.

 

Here in AZ, a person was passing through the valley, between houses so decided to walk trails for a while before deciding where to land. Driving a 2003 Tacoma, looks were definitely NOT new but apparently still ran well. He did not understand the retained value of a solid 4x4 Tacoma in AZ, so was surprised when he walked up to his (had been for a while) parked truck and found a note: Will buy for $3500, please call xxx.xxx.xxxx.

 

A good rule of thumb is to just forget adding value to your truck. It's at maximum resale clean, well maintained stock... now I add all sorts of stuff. Rock sliders skid plates work in total of 3 to 5k... but most buyers see a truck that some asshole scraped over every rock in Colorado. Same with lifts, why did he lift it? Oh no.... did he drive it through mud?


So every mod is also a detractor in some way. When I sell a truck I strip everything I want off it for the next truck.

Keep your stock rear shocks those are easily stored and changed back. Keep your rear seat stuff with the shocks. The roof rack is a net 0 add so removing it or leaving it won't matter. The OEM one looks like absolute shit. Treat yourself and buy a real roof rack. They are not cheap. But if you move to Colorado you will thank me later. I'd look at RCI-Offroad



We need pics of the dog, the truck, and the dog in the truck...


Welcome to TW and maybe Colorado

 

Thanks people

I figured as much when it came to mods, you will never add value to a vehicle except for some super niche resto job or racer. I am more concerned with making sure I don't detract value. And it sounds like the lesson is don't do anything you can't reverse in a day or so's work.

I didn't get a good pic of the truck itself today, so here's dog. The good news is the simple garage rug stapled to OSB sitting on top of toolboxes has already made a big difference
- taken from the idea in this thread
We'll take a road trip this week and find out more.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome! And from what I know depends on the market. I bought a 2020 2wd but during the whole used car value prices, I did end up making 4k more than what I paid for originally