What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Today I just drove it around to the various beach parking lots near the house.



Over the course of the last week or so I also did a head-unit install and got my front plate mounted.

For the head-unit I used a Pioneer AVH-2440NEX from my sister's 1995 Camry that just started knocking. I was able to use the same

$8 METRA 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness Fits Select 1987-UP Toyota Vehicles Power + 4 Speaker (Packaging May Vary)

METRA 70-1761 from the Camry but I chopped up its previously ugly install and re-wired it all. Then I added a BATIGE Single Port USB 3.0 flush-mounted into the old cigarette lighter port for USB integration and opted to use a FingerLakes 2.5mm microphone mounted on the steering column rather than the old and tired Pioneer mic with a busted mounting platform. It's off-center which pisses me off but I installed it all in the dark after a pretty long day because I'm an idiot. Then it's all housed and held together by a METRA 99-2814G Dash Kit.

Final Product:

BATIGE USB:

FingerLakes Mic:

Re-Wired Harness:


I was also able to get my front plated mounted with an @ACEkraut low profile LM-0511 mount. Great communication from him and super easy install. Just like my head-unit mic, it's a little crooked right now but that was operator error on my part and I will fix it someday... Probably. Also threw on WeatherTech Clear Covers on my plates in a color they call Beluga Gray.

Front/Offset Look:

Profile:

Overhead:

 

Those plugs didn’t need changing. I would have put them back in after pulling the first one

 

Sorry......Skid.
This is the RCI designated jack point, but as I said, I will also line up with the bolts since that attach to the front cross member.

 

Drove to Harbor Freight yesterday to pick up some cheap tools to keep in the truck.

 

I Still need to do this mod.

 

$17 Cerakote headlight restoration kit came in clutch!! Knocked 10 years off the truck in about an hour.

I do recommend having an air compressor with air sprayer attachment, taking time with the sanding, or even going up to 3,000grit wet sanding, and finally only do one coat of the resin clear. If you wait too long between coats, it will get tacky and blurry or smear.

Other than that, I’d happily have paid $50 for the results this kit provided. Still happy I got it for $17 though.

 

$46 Throttle Response Controller 9 Drive Modes Smart Electronic Racing Accelerator Compatible with Toyota Tacoma FJ Cruiser 4Runner Hilux Prius Fortuner Innova Prado

https://www.amazon.com/Throttle-Controller-Electronic-Accelerator-Compatible/dp/B0BC8GS8QT?crid=5NNKY3I3JHO4&keywords=tacoma+9drive&qid=1681054328&sprefix=tacoma+9drive%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

Decided to try this out, basically knockoff pedal commander. I know it doesn’t change anything tune wise and the same result can be achieved by pushing harder on the pedal, but I like to try little things like this and see how they stack against the real deal, having had the pedal commander before on another vehicle, and must say for $0 out of pocket (free gift card) it was worth the trial and did more to liven up my Tacoma's pedal more than the pedal commander ever seemed to do on the other ride, instantaneous response versus push harder if that makes sense.

 

Pulled out the (purple) wires for the temp in the rear view mirror. Ran the antenna cable for my new GMRS radio. I’ll make another hole with a grommet for the other wires.

 

Looks nice! Each bumper is slightly different so a little “adjustment” may be necessary. You should be able to manipulate the plate and straighten it out.

 

they were gapped at about .43-45 or so. Not great but not bad…

 

is there a good how to on this? I need to do this to mine ASAP.

 

Need to pull back and take more pics. Looks like you will need to strip the entire panel. Looks like old body work on the second image. If you don’t sand down the paint and primer properly, you get ‘bull’s eyes’ under any new paint.take it to a good body shop, not MAACO, to get it refinished. My2c.

 

I am in the same boat on the diff breather mod. I like the spot in the cubby you ran it to. Did you go straight up and run down the underside of the bed?

 

will be good enough for now, will touch up later

 

I have to do that to mine as well. Looks exactly like yours did where did you come across the touch up paint from?

 

NAPA auto parts! called ahead and they mixed it up and was ready in a few hours, was about $40 cad

 

I'm gonna get with my napa store as well so assuming you gave them your paint code? And they had it mixed up for you?

 

yep i gave them my paint code, but they can figure it out for you if you give them your vin number

 

I'll do that tomorrow so I can get my door sills cleaned up! Thank you for the help that helps out big time.

 

Anytime! this should help too! also i would spray with clear coat after, i have to do this still as well