First $1,000...what are the modifications you make?

Blind Spotter Mirrors
RC seat covers

 

Like you, I purchased a used 2023 in Nov last year. I have a covered service coming up so will see what Toyota tells me is needed. With that said, I added the following:
- SaBellCo tailgate lock
- Side steps (only cause my kids were having trouble getting in)
- Taco Garage DMM (cause I hate vent mounts)
- CaliRaised LED cat shield

As of now, I'm done with extras...just want to drive the truck and then we'll see. Good luck!!

 

My favorite thing I threw a grand at was some 265/75r16s

 

oh, the tailgate/PopnLock kit. Factory tailgate locks, but not with the key fob. Stupid its not standard, but its good to have so you dont have to manually lock the tailgate. helps deter people stealing the tailgate as well.

 

Last year there was a discussion about those mirrors. Because I did not want to replace with Rav4 mirror units I did *something*. When driving a Corolla the side mirrors were pointed straight back ... worthless otherwise. On the truck "straight back" does not show what is directly to the side of the truck so I aimed my mirrors down to show what is directly to the side. Looks strange but is better than replacing the entire side-mirror unit for a "blind spot" part.

 

Pay down the note.

 

Save the $1000 for when the timing cover leaks. JK

Maintenance, tires, brakes, lights, oem bed mat, hush x act contour floor mats, rough country seat covers...

 

I am considering you already did oil change and fluid changes. So, first thing I would do is get some paint protection all over the truck. White paint is known for bubbling and rusting, and on Tacoma paint is not that great either.


If you live in rust belt, get woolwax or oil-based undercoating too.

 

Tires for sure. Maybe some Firestone Ride Rite air bags if you put any weight in the bed. Stock ride height will get you into more than you think off road.

 

First $1000 spent on a 2017? Tools and maintenance

 

Maintenance map can be found here.

Here are some personalized mods that I enjoyed doing:

• One touch auto up/dn passenger windows,
• One touch auto rear window.
• Fram locking gas cap,
• Oil catch can,
• Reverse the S-mode shifter,
• Tuxmat,
• Tune,
• MESO dual maps and overhead lights,
• MESO volume control fix,
• VTAIL total taillight conversion,
• Gashole
• TVD Vinyl interior blackout kit and shift indicator,
• ATJ or MESO interior door handle covers

 

First thing is check all fluid levels. Then check when last oil change was done vs recommended time frame. Usually 5,000 miles/8,000 km or 1 year. Change oil and filter if necessary. Then cool your jets until you've lived with it for awhile until you figure things out like what you really need, want and can afford.

 

Not the most expensive tool, but ... JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard?) screwdrivers. Standard phillips head screwdrivers can strip the heads off many screws on a Japanese car.

 

That’s the spirit…
The old guy has is wife drive him to a Toyota lot in her 2015 Acura RDX to pick up a Pro, and then he calls it a day. ;-)

Btw, congrats on the truck.

 

IF YOU HAVE TO ASK... You do not NEED any modifications. Drive the truck and then see what your use requires.


I'd suggest - in priority order:
- If you did not pay for the truck in full - take the $1k and pay down the loan.
- Maintenance - All fluids; especially if you do not know their condition / age with certainty. (Spark plugs? A few cans of Woolwax if still in good shape underneath?)
- A Maintenance fund - Put a few buck away for any needed bits / repairs that may come up.
(For any remainder after the above - see #1)

 

Dude, you got a new truck, celebrate with hookers and blow!

 

Tune

 

100% my Tacoma to match the fox shocks on the back are over $1000 and i still likely would need to get better UCA to really do things right!


but if I had $1000 loose and ready to spend, line the interior with sound deadening mat. and throw a better Bluetooth head unit in the thing. and likely your $1000 is gone with just that but truck is going to be way nice sounding and more quiet!

 

Maintenance like fluids and filters. Then things like a bed mat, floor liners, skid plate, LEDs where possible, etc.

 

I got mine brand new so Priorities were different. You night want to think about maintenance things like oil change, differential, transfer case and transmission fluids at that mileage especially with no knowing its service records fully.
When I got mine new my first $1000 were LoMax Tonneau cover bed mat and seat covers. of course I had the truck as a claimed Allocation for like a month before it came in and I bought a bunch of small things like glove compartment and center console organizers ahead of time.