Looking for some advice for a person new to cars, let alone Tacoma's

I've worked in the automotive industry for years, but never actually owned one. Always owned a motorcycle. I wanna go backpacking/caving more often so I am going to buy a Truck. Which is why I want a Tacoma, rarely ever saw a problem on them, and the best affordable car company.

- Are there any large capacity alternators available for the 97-98 model Tacoma's? 70 amps is all I can find :/ I intend on using a loud sound system and installing a few extra lights. Preferably on the back so people won't tailgate me (joke) It's for a 97-98 V6 3.4 fyi
- I'll think up some more questions later.

Stuff I don't really care about or want to hear about:
- Lift kits, Cold-air-intake, exhaust, tires (I want BFGoodrich All-Terrain with 265/75-16), Pretty much any mods other than strengthening it.

 

p.s. planned mods:

- Dorman heated seats (I'm always cold, except for 90+ degrees, Celsius!)
- BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires
- DDM Tuning 55watt headlights
- Powder coated black body "paint"
- Spray-on bed liner
- AEM piggy-back FI/C module
- .50 cal gun turret for hunting feral pigs.

 

Yes you can swap a GM 150-180amp alternator in and it works great. Also i think its Green Machines that makes like a 250 amp one but its very pricey.

check this out http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/141109-ho-alternator.html

i have a huge sound system and when i used to bump it i went through 2 batteries in under a year so yes, stock is not enough for a good system. This mod is high on my list.

 

I got into an argument with a customer about his batteries going bad and how he wanted a larger battery for his sound system and he called me an idiot for not knowing anything about cars when I am a technician...

What year/model does that alternator come off of? Chevy? GMC?

Edit: nevermind, lol @ 95 Cadillac Deville

 

Well for lots of lights and a system, an aux battery is the way to go with a beefy alternator. You need both really. I will especially with OBA..

 

OBA?

I really wanna make a custom system that heats the engine block by remote activation and/or while driving so I can be warmer sooner using an auxiliary battery only so I can still start. Oh and it'll just be two extra lights, maybe four.

 

55w headlights? Please no.

 

The DDM tuning 55-watt HID headlights are 5000 lumens each, where as normal bulbs are 900-1200 lumens (900 in Tacoma)

 

Just get the 35w man, i have 4 55w HID from DDM in Hella 500s, there is no way you could drive with them and not blind people. Its not safe.

OBA-On Board Air, basically a compressor.

And i wouldn't do block heaters either, might busted in the middle of a meet this last summer in the mountains. Sucked.

 

Exactly. Way too bright. I have 35w and they blind people all the time. Tacoma headlights that are stock blind people, Tacoma housings with 55w will be extremely unnecessary and unsafe to other drivers.

 

Okay here is the thing, I had 55 watt HID on my motorcycle and knew people who did too and there is no issue with blinding people. Hell my dads VFR800 has four bulbs (stock) with them and on low we saw him passing us (opposite directions) and it wasn't bad at all. It's all about the aim of the headlights, not how bright they are. Look into DOT regulations on that. You have to adjust your headlight aim when you lift your truck and a LOT of people don't know that. Most people don't even know you can aim their headlights so one is cockeyed blinding people and they are wondering why people are flashing their brights at them.

 

Do this and then argue with me.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/1347221

 

Why did you ask if your just going to argue with guys that are giving useful info???

 

Did I ask about the HID headlights? No, I asked about the alternator. They argued first, and it's based upon an opinion too.

 

OP wasn't asking about lights, and he doesn't sound like a moron, so I'm sure he'll figure it out. The only thing I will say is get a proper 4x4 with a locking diff. If you get a prerunner, you'll eventually regret it. And if you get a prerunner with trd stickers you'll REALLY regret it...

 

The OP listed planned mods which one was a 55 watt HID upgrade which in turn is rediculous. The OP needs to educate themselves on putting an HID setup in a reflector based housing. The OP shouldn't have listed the mods if he or she did not want feedback.

 

lol you mean like Honda's with type-r badges when type-r never came to the states? Well what model should I be searching for? I really do NOT want to upgrade the suspension, so a real TRD off-road package is required. How do I spot them? I read something about a certain type of differential stock in Taco's (btw I am SO going to remove the MA on my truck badge ) I can't remember what it was though :/ If all diffs are the same then what diff should I look at? Yes there are some nasty roads I'll be using to get to the trails I want to hike, and I do not want to get stuck at all. I once drove my motorcycle down a mild dirt/mud road to get to a trail and hide our bikes from traffic to prevent theft

Why don't I want to upgrade the suspension? It gets expensive! I don't really plan on doing actual off-roading or trail riding.

I HAVE 55-watt HID's in reflector based headlights with NO problems at all, and insulting me on my knowledge when you don't know what I know is immature and short-sighted. Do you really think that someone in the automotive industry doesn't know about this? Who owns a motorcycle store? That I haven't seen projector headlights and how dim/non-blinding they look to oncoming traffic? I mean I live in a rich neighborhood and several people have cars with these items. How many times do I have to say this? Besides, they are $55 a pair.

 

p.s. do 97-99 models have ABS? MSN says no, but rockauto.com lists parts with or w/o ABS and even wheel speed sensors.

 

I would say get a small lift just to give you the clearance. If the trails are as bad as you think they are and you can get a bilstein eibach setting for under 500$ trust me the stock 4x4 and prerunner don't sit high enough for you not to drag. I did have the 35w on my old 95 and that was plenty bright enough, but if you wanna go the 55w to each his own. Another thing you could do is get a viper alarm with remote start so that the truck is already heated up by the time you get in it.