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

JohnDoeFasho · Sep 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM

PaintFadeParade said: ↑

Just the hood and roof! Highway Robbery, and that was the cheapest quote I got.
Click to expand...

That is criminal..!

I’ve got a really good guy that’ll do the whole truck, correctly, for $4500. Just debating the 2.5 conversion and not a “must”.

tacokarl · Sep 7, 2025 at 10:53 AM

PaintFadeParade said: ↑

It was a process, but mine included additional steps that may be optional depending on how bad your paint is. Mine was completely gone in some spots and very flaky in others.

Steps I took -

1) Sand down paint on hood and roof (I went 400, to 800) to smooth it out a bit and remove flakiness. This was my first mistake, if I had taken it down to bare metal everywhere the rest of the steps would have been easier. I don't think there was any reason for me to save any paint since the rest was failing so badly. If I could go back I would sand the fuck out of everything.

2) After the sand I had multiple large places where bare metal was visible. I covered and taped off the truck to avoid overspray and hit the hood, roof, and door frames with about 3 primer coats followed by 4 coats of glossy black spray paint. The spray paint was my second mistake, I did it outside since I don't have a garage and it was too windy. The paint ended up being alright but it looked like a complete DIY spray paint job (this was more user error than environment, I believe).

3) A week or two later, I used a random orbital to wet sand the hood from 1000 to 3000. This actually did a great job removing the orange peel from the spray paint and I believe if I had taken the truck down to bare metal this would have really improved the look of the spray paint. Since I had not taken it all the way down, it look splotchy, spray paint mixed with some original paint. I also sanded a bit too aggressively and the primer was peaking through in a few spots. I did not sand the roof, which ended up not being an issue at all with the vinyl. If I had left the hood with the orange peel it would have been fine as well.

4) I borrowed a family member's garage and the help of my uncle who has wrapped some car panels before and he and I used 3M 2080 vinyl to do the hood, roof, and door frames. It turned out WAY better than I expected.
We only had one problem when some stray vinyl pulled the old and fragile paint off of the grill. I wrapped the grill after that happened, but it turned out so poorly (I'm definitely not a professional) that I'm considering removing the grill and sending it down then hitting it with plasti-dip or spray paint to cover the mess.

All in all it was a super fun experience and I love how the truck looks now!
If I could go back I think I would just sand it down to bare metal and then primer and paint then lay the vinyl, no sanding the paint.
I didn't want to just wrap over the metal in case of rust, and I learned that it's easier for the vinyl to pull off the primer unless you have a coat or two of paint on top.

Before

After Dry Sand

Before Paint/Primer

After Paint

After Wet Sand

After Vinyl

Click to expand...

Great job, looks amazing!

blnewt · Sep 7, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Coolant flush (almost to 200k miles on my 2015) 7gals distilled, 1 gal concentrate Asian Pink Peak Coolant, 1 gal 50/50 mixed coolant.
Iridium spark plugs

fasteddieyj · Sep 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM

Started a mild audio upgrade on the 2014 this weekend. Line converter, amp and 10" powered sub all in the passenger storage cubby. Got both cubbies cut up and the components mounted. Got power through the firewall and run to the back. Also got driver side speaker wires run. Hopefully done by the end of the week.
Also ordered tires for the 2015. 285/75-16 Patagonia MTs. Install is scheduled for Thursday evening. With some card points, the set of 4 cost me $975 mounted and balanced.

PaintFadeParade · Sep 7, 2025 at 2:28 PM

tacokarl said: ↑

Great job, looks amazing!
Click to expand...

Thanks Karl!

Minny Taco · Sep 7, 2025 at 3:38 PM

UMC said: ↑

I bought axles with high angle boot from cvj as well. They have been great and held up to a lot of abuse
Click to expand...

Awesome to hear, thank you.

DoubleB · Sep 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM

Replaced the roof moulding on my ‘06 that disappeared a few months ago. Found a used OEM set on eBay for $25.

outdoorgb · Sep 8, 2025 at 6:03 AM

Prepping for a Portland to San Diego and beyond road trip. Greased drive line. Also hit the Dexter EZ grease fittings on my RV. Damn, four years old and first time I hit them with the gun. Between the two, I bet I put in 1/3 of a tube. Way to save on grease at the axle factory.

FWIW, Dexter EZ lube fittings are a "pump until old comes out the front". Clean up old with brush and rag. Pretty easy job.

elricfate · Sep 8, 2025 at 6:28 AM

As dumb as it sounds, moved my Kenwood DMX7706S from wired android auto to wireless android auto with one of those dumb little wireless adapters, the Ottocast Mini 2025 version. Works well. Pairs with my phone (Pixel 9 pro) and has android open in under 10 seconds once the radio has booted.

themanbearpig012 · Sep 8, 2025 at 2:48 PM

Hazzi03 said: ↑

I used Maguires headlight restoration kit and loved the way it came out. Longest/hardest part was taping off around the headlights. Here's some before and after pictures. Great project to do with instant gratification/results Even under the influence of your favorite garage "drinks" and some tunes. Took my time and about 2hrs from star to finish with some refreshments in-between

Click to expand...

Oh wow that looks amazing. I'm gonna have to get some

JohnDoeFasho · Sep 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM

DoubleB said: ↑

Replaced the roof moulding on my ‘06 that disappeared a few months ago. Found a used OEM set on eBay for $25.

Click to expand...

Just… just make sure they are very well secured.

Me tracking one of mine down (after correctly installing and even using some epoxy):

Where to get a new set for $40 btw:

DoubleB · Sep 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM

JohnDoeFasho said: ↑

Just… just make sure they are very well secured.

Me tracking one of mine down (after correctly installing and even using some epoxy):

Click to expand...

It is still there after my daily 45 mile commute.

However, I found this in one of my brand new tires this morning. These were just installed on August 18th and have about 500 miles on them. New tire will be here Thursday. Rolling on the sweet spare with the black wheel.

JohnDoeFasho · Sep 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM

DoubleB said: ↑

It is still there after my daily 45 mile commute.

However, I found this in one of my brand new tires this morning. These were just installed on August 18th and have about 500 miles on them. New tire will be here Thursday. Rolling on the sweet spare with the black wheel.

Click to expand...

Mine was for many commutes as well.. Just trying to help

ZColorado · Sep 8, 2025 at 6:09 PM

themanbearpig012 said: ↑

Oh wow that looks amazing. I'm gonna have to get some
Click to expand...

Take a very close look at the Cerakote headlight polishing kit. I believe there is a sealer step which makes all the difference for longer life.

Musubi3 · Sep 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM

PaintFadeParade said: ↑

It was a process, but mine included additional steps that may be optional depending on how bad your paint is. Mine was completely gone in some spots and very flaky in others.

Steps I took -

1) Sand down paint on hood and roof (I went 400, to 800) to smooth it out a bit and remove flakiness. This was my first mistake, if I had taken it down to bare metal everywhere the rest of the steps would have been easier. I don't think there was any reason for me to save any paint since the rest was failing so badly. If I could go back I would sand the fuck out of everything.

2) After the sand I had multiple large places where bare metal was visible. I covered and taped off the truck to avoid overspray and hit the hood, roof, and door frames with about 3 primer coats followed by 4 coats of glossy black spray paint. The spray paint was my second mistake, I did it outside since I don't have a garage and it was too windy. The paint ended up being alright but it looked like a complete DIY spray paint job (this was more user error than environment, I believe).

3) A week or two later, I used a random orbital to wet sand the hood from 1000 to 3000. This actually did a great job removing the orange peel from the spray paint and I believe if I had taken the truck down to bare metal this would have really improved the look of the spray paint. Since I had not taken it all the way down, it look splotchy, spray paint mixed with some original paint. I also sanded a bit too aggressively and the primer was peaking through in a few spots. I did not sand the roof, which ended up not being an issue at all with the vinyl. If I had left the hood with the orange peel it would have been fine as well.

4) I borrowed a family member's garage and the help of my uncle who has wrapped some car panels before and he and I used 3M 2080 vinyl to do the hood, roof, and door frames. It turned out WAY better than I expected.
We only had one problem when some stray vinyl pulled the old and fragile paint off of the grill. I wrapped the grill after that happened, but it turned out so poorly (I'm definitely not a professional) that I'm considering removing the grill and sending it down then hitting it with plasti-dip or spray paint to cover the mess.

All in all it was a super fun experience and I love how the truck looks now!
If I could go back I think I would just sand it down to bare metal and then primer and paint then lay the vinyl, no sanding the paint.
I didn't want to just wrap over the metal in case of rust, and I learned that it's easier for the vinyl to pull off the primer unless you have a coat or two of paint on top.

Before

After Dry Sand

Before Paint/Primer

After Paint

After Wet Sand

After Vinyl

Click to expand...

Glad the wrap turned out well for you!
In my area (Hawaii), the wrap on horizontal surfaces last at most 3 years. My general plan has been to replace at the 2 year mark. Wrapping for me is easy enough, but just don't wait too long to replace. I did that once and it was a pain to remove the deteriorated wrap. Normally it comes off in minutes, but my wrap had been on for a while.
Wraps have been great for me. Low maintenance. It really saves on the areas I polish.

PaintFadeParade · Sep 9, 2025 at 4:36 AM

Musubi3 said: ↑

Glad the wrap turned out well for you!
In my area (Hawaii), the wrap on horizontal surfaces last at most 3 years. My general plan has been to replace at the 2 year mark. Wrapping for me is easy enough, but just don't wait too long to replace. I did that once and it was a pain to remove the deteriorated wrap. Normally it comes off in minutes, but my wrap had been on for a while.
Wraps have been great for me. Low maintenance. It really saves on the areas I polish.
Click to expand...

Good to know! I'm thinking 2 years will probably be the time frame I'll use to remove/reapply, too.
Do you have any tips for cleaning, care, and maintenance?

will.i.was · Sep 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM

Finished up some more of my rock/puddle/courtesy leds.. tied into dimmer circuit so they fade in and out with remote or my programmed alarm key function. Solid state relays and pwm controllers ftw

20somethingwidataco · Sep 9, 2025 at 8:37 AM

will.i.was said: ↑

Finished up some more of my rock/puddle/courtesy leds.. tied into dimmer circuit so they fade in and out with remote or my programmed alarm key function. Solid state relays and pwm controllers ftw

Click to expand...

Okay thats sick. I've always wanted some extra "unlock" light.....

Musubi3 · Sep 9, 2025 at 11:13 AM

PaintFadeParade said: ↑

Good to know! I'm thinking 2 years will probably be the time frame I'll use to remove/reapply, too.
Do you have any tips for cleaning, care, and maintenance?
Click to expand...

I'm fairly minimal when it comes to my vinyl care, but aside from washing it, I've been applying Griots Ceramic 3 in 1 wax, just so the water beads nicely on it. There're other cleaners and protectants that are probably better than what I apply. Just wash with something gentle. Harsh stuff would probably hurt the vinyl.

BigCountry762x39 · Sep 9, 2025 at 11:28 AM

DoubleB said: ↑

It is still there after my daily 45 mile commute.

However, I found this in one of my brand new tires this morning. These were just installed on August 18th and have about 500 miles on them. New tire will be here Thursday. Rolling on the sweet spare with the black wheel.

Click to expand...

well that new often if you take them back they will warrantee the tire because its not "patchable"

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