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

I've been wanting to rip my truck without a topper on it for awhile. But having that "lockable" storage in the back is so nice..... I could also sell my canopy for like 1400 bucks so that would be nice too

 

Changed the wiper blades. The $8 replacement blades(RainX or Michelin) only lasted six months. Installed Rain X Hybrids, $15 at Walmart that are doing a great job. See how long these last.
I am also in the research process of buying new tires. Cooper Road + Trail are the #1 contender. Also need to replace swollen lug nuts.

 

Similar boat, I've been running with no topper for the last couple of months and am tempted to sell it and run either a softopper like @b_r_o or get a roll style tonneau cover. Truck just drives better with it off IMHO.

 

New to me bed cover put on the truck today.

 

Ugh, dont tell me that

 

I was honestly just going to beef up my Suspension to handle the topper better. But one of the options makes me money, the other loses it

 

Honestly..... I want to strip the topper and goto stock sized tires just for shits and giggles. It would feel so much faster

 

First hand wash of 2025.

 

Started a new adventure. I’ve never worked with fiberglass or bondo so this will be interesting. Got the rings pointed and added supports. I’m going to post a full build thread in the A/V section when they’re complete.

 

Did most of the 60K mile service today.Oil change, new spark plugs, engine air filter, coolant drain and fill (radiator only).

I followed the Gen 2 guide sticky, but things are a little different with the 1GR-FE 6 cyl.



I couldn't get at the second bolt for the air intake tube so I loosened the hose clamp and removed the primary filter housing to access the passenger side bank. Other than that the guide was perfect and gave me a lot of confidence to simply do the work!

The plugs looked good but the points were clearly worn. They were all Denso so good job to the PO who clearly replaced them at least once.


I took the advice to hang a cup below the oil filter housing to catch the drips and that worked perfect.



Coolant looked good, just a couple shades darker than new I only did the radiator but I'll do it again in the fall, maybe a full flush?

Anyway, thanks to everyone on TW for helping me feel a lot more comfortable working on my truck. This thread is a great help for motivation too.

 

I've taken a significant amount of weight off my Tacoma, and I can confidently say, as can several friends who've driven it, that it feels like a completely different vehicle. Most Tacomas dyno around 200 horsepower (give or take 15 hp), which is considered underpowered, especially for a Double Cab Long Bed like mine.

From the factory, the power to weight ratio sits around 21 to 22 pounds per horsepower, depending on the exact trim and equipment (roughly 4,300 to 4,500 pounds curb weight). After the changes I’ve made — removing the spare tire, switching to lightweight aluminum wheels, downsizing to tires with a 55 sidewall, pulling the carpet and stripping about 22 pounds of sound deadening, installing an aftermarket exhaust that dumps mid cab, and a handful of other tweaks — the difference is noticeable.

I'll be the first to admit this setup isn't for everyone. Most people probably think I’m crazy, but when it comes to a truck like the Tacoma, every pound makes a difference. Add a rear sway bar and a set of good summer tires, and you'd be surprised how much the driving experience changes. It genuinely transforms the character of the truck, making it tighter, more responsive, and a lot more fun behind the wheel.

I used to autocross back in the day, and weight savings, especially rotational weight like wheels, is a huge part of the game. That principle still applies, even to something like a Tacoma.

 

285/75 17’s

Can’t say much about snow, doesn’t really do that here, and it’s looking like my planned trip for elk this fall is screwed…so probably not on this set.

 

Yesterday I finally pulled the trigger and started in on the big 7 electrical upgrade. I pre-purchased the cables from JeepCables.com and bought a blank power tray from PowerTrays.com for the install. I’m glad I started early in the day because this took way longer than I thought it would.

Here are the new cables I installed compared to the OEM wiring harness.



The Jeep Cables came with a beefy inline fuse from the battery to the alternator so I installed the fuse block to the Power Tray. I am also planning to install on board air, which is why I added the circuit breaker.



After a long day, I was able to get her put back together and started her up!



The end result isn’t as pretty as I had hoped for. At some point down the road I’m already thinking about shortening some of these cables. I did my best to run the new ones through the old OEM electrical harness, but the alternator cables and the cables connected to the negative battery terminal are a little long. At the end of the day I’m just glad the cables all reached and the truck started.

 

Exhaust got finished up!

 

Replacing my swaybar bushings the OEM were rotten.

 

Wiped the stupid Ironman logo off of my en-suite room case finally.

 

Don’t forget the PCV Valve.

 

Replaced my HVAC blower motor resistor. Now my A/C works on all settings again, not just max.

 

im in the market for this. where/how much?