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

Where did you get this grill from

 

Being as tall as you are… do your legs constantly hit the bottom of the steering wheel after installing these. I have them installed, and am 5’10” and my legs rub my steering wheel. Just curious if others have this issue.

 

Ebay. Was going to go with the 3rd gen style grill but this was always my original choice.

 

Before I go deep into my educated rant please know that I am retired and I do make and sell seat spacers for hobby income. If I never sell another pair then I have done well with around 4,000 sales since 2019. It isn't very profitable, for me, because I put too much labor into mine. That is not the point. Please read this and get a better understanding of the truth about spacers.
I am in no way knocking the competition and I wish him a million sales. I have been making spacers longer than DDI and I did a ton of research over the years. 1st of all I had a 2008 Taco that was never really comfortable. It wasn't a big deal until I bought a new 3rd gen. Same discomfort only worse with more lower back pain particularly on 2+ hour drives. I have or never had any back issues. I did not like plain round spacers and felt they were unsafe in an accident. I figured I would make my own. The very 1st prototypes I made were for the front brackets. They did not look like the DDI style but didn't matter. The 1st thing I noticed was my knees rubbing the steering wheel on entry and exit. Then I went for a drive. They did not help me. I am also 5'10" tall. They gave me more discomfort within 15 minutes so I trashed that idea. Then I stood back and looked at the seat bottom and realized that they simply sit too low in the rear. I then designed my own rear spacers and now, 5 years later, I still use them in every Tacoma, my 6' tall son uses them and my 6' tall neighbor uses them. I think there is too much follow-the-leader on seat spacers. The 1st thing I tell anyone is that seat spacers are not a "mod' like wheels or a grille. These are made, either front or rear, to remedy a problem with comfort. If anyone is comfortable in their seats then there is no reason to add spacers. In my years of research I have found 2 things that legitimize rear spacers. 1st is the worldwide recommendation of chiropractors and osteopaths that proper front seat posture is that your knees and hips should be aligned. This is a problem with 2nd gen and 3rd gen Tacoma as well as all FJ Cruiser models. This is seen on every web site from experts on seating posture and back stress. Another thing I learned from studies by the National Highway Transportation Safety Board is that you must limit seat pan (bottom) angles. Adding more than 1" in the rear increases the risk of injury in a frontal collision due to "submarining" under the dash or steering wheel. Adding too much up front increases injury risk to the pelvic area from seat belts in the lap area. I am not encouraging rear spacers and I am not discouraging front spacers. I am saying that there are scientific proven, and medically recommended, reasons for people to choose seat spacers. They are not a "mod" and they certainly require careful thought before adding them to your vehicle.

 

Re-built my cross member from when I did the 4wd conversion and RC62 swap.

 

Thank you for your input on this. I'm 6'1" and am unhappy with the way my back hurts during long drives. I was initially looking at front spacers, but now I'm thinking I might need to start with a rear set.

 

No, I've also got my steering wheel at the most up angled position. Likely depends on how far forward/backward the seat is too

 

Thx

 

Thank you so much for this. My issue ( among many) is that I don't drive my truck any long distances, so I never really noticed any discomfort, last month I drove to the beach ( about 2 hrs) and it was bothering me somewhat, may need to look into these ( I'm 5'11")

 

Had a flat on the open road. 1st time ever. Spare held air which was great. Came to realize my Michelin's while still having usable tread, have 115K on them! Winter is coming...so I pulled the trigger on something I've thought about for a while. Came with a newer set of rubber, although I probably won't keep them much past winter.

OEM Swap.

 

Looks great!

 

I have some advice for anyone debating adding any spacers under their seats. Find yourself 2 small pieces of anything roughly 1 inch tall. Plastic, wood or metal that you have in your garage or tool box. 2 sockets roughly 1 inch tall would work. Take a 14 mm wrench and remove the bolts holding the 2 rear brackets to the floor. Push forward on the seat or headrest, lifting the seat, and put those 2 pieces under your rear brackets. Note that the brackets are shaped like a ball on the bottom side. Now sit in the seat (DO NOT DRIVE IT !!!). This is a good simulation of what rear spacers do. It will feel very different immediately. Then remove them and do the same thing under the front brackets and test that feel. Now you know what spacers feel like and how they fit your body. Just remove those and carefully re-install the bolts and tighten them down to around 30 foot pounds. This is better than blindly sending money to someone for something you may not need. I do give a 30 day return for refund guarantee because I am not all about the money. Not sure how others handle refunds.

 

Excellent suggestion.

Front spacers have been absolute game changers for me, and I avg 25k a year. 6 ft tall.

 

6'1" here too, same problem my back kills after longer than a couple hour drive. I tried seat spacers and they didnt work for me. I always take a pillow and put it in my lower back area. works like a charm. just a simple 5-6" thick memory foam pillow I sleep with does the trick. It compresses enough to be barely noticeable but provides support enough to keep me feeling good.

Tried this the second time going to my brothers place in Wyoming (24 hour drive) works every time. I don't do 2+ hours without it.

 

Amazon sells thousands of those wedge cushions for vehicles every month.

 

Picked up a set of used rims and had snows mounted. Just in time I guess, first snow today.

Our neighborhood bear paid a visit as well. He likes to check for any unlocked vehicles.

 

I’m 5’11” and I put seat frame risers on the rear and don’t have that issue, I’d say give that a try. I can’t remember if my legs rubbed prior to the installation.

 

man they look bright as hell. Im tempted but afraid may be too bright. what are your thoughts?

 

They are that bright when you have them all on at the same time. I have installed them in my last 4 vehicles. 1st thing I do to any vehicle. Once you use them you immediately trash the yellowish stock bulbs. The only ones I had trouble with, on the inside, are in the sun visor mirror lights. I learned quick to install them with the led turned 90° so they are not in your face. The only trouble I had outside was rear license plate led lights washing into the rear camera view. Have used them in 3 Tacos and a Camry.