Clone Trooper Build

This 2012 TRD Sport 4x4 Upgrade is Toyota truck #6 in the family. Previous editions, all 4x4: 92, 93, 97, 2000 and 2006. I've been hooked since seeing Back to the Future and Marty McFly's truck.

Since there are so many storm trooper build's, I've decided to call mine the Clone Trooper build from newer (older in series) Star Wars saga.

Mods to date:
- TRD Supercharger
- Heated seats
- Katzkin two tone leather
- Inalfa 925 power roof
- OEM black tube steps
- OEM bed mat
- OEM hood protector
- OEM roof rack
- TRD catback exhaust
- TRD front skid plate
- BFG AT KO2 275/65/18
- K&N air filter (removed with Volant)
- Scanguage II
- Rhino rear receiver hitch step (gone)
- Access brand tonneau cover
- Weathertech tinted vent visors
- Weathertech floor mats (OEM all weather stink)
- TRD 1st gen boost gauge
- Volant cold air intake with ram air scoop
- Custom TRD CAI cover from member Coupe
- Fab Fours black powder coated rear bumper
- Fab Fours black powder coated front bumper
- Warn winch
- Icon Stage 5 suspension (3/1/14)
- MattGecko's bed light kit with remote
- CSJumper's LED's - interior dome and map plus back up lights
- HiLift jack and mount kit in the bed
- Ambiguous retrofits, FX-R Projectors with XSB Halo
- DirtyD510s Weathertech sticker mod
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trd-replacement-decal-for-weathertech-floor-mats.407112/
- Thinkware X500D front and rear dash cam, tucked wires


Mods in waiting (awaiting release from manufacturers):
- Hidden power sliding rear window (maybe parts from the '17 Tacoma retrofitted)
- Paint that pinch weld


I tried selling my 2006 on here, but ended up trading it in:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...78339-fs-2006-rad-red-trd-sport-dcsb-4x4.html
The day I traded in 2006:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/182723-goodbye-2006-hello-2012-a.html

As it sits 3/25/14:


First day, mod free:


Some of the first mods (roof rack, TRD exhaust, new tires, vent visors, bed cover):


I'm not a big off-roader, so I get my wheeling fun on a smaller scale:

Traxxas Summit play time at Presque Isle state park in PA!

To date, the BEST mods for me so far is leather interior and sunroof.
The leather:
So many options, but going with the storm trooper motif, I opted for: two tone, gray and black with black contrast stitching, center butt and lower back panels are perforated, upper and forward bottom panels are not. Upper fronts have white TRD logo stitched on top of black thread for offset. They are heated (just in time for winter and wow, does that high setting get hot!) I liked the switches in the console vs. on the side of the seats.

I've included an image of the pattern schematic from Katzin. There are two differences from prior years:
1) Rear headrests fold down so there is a hole for the arm latch to protrude
2) The rear seats have all "straight" lines - no curves like on the original material (see pics).

Note that I had them leave the arm rests existing gray vinyl...my opinion, no need to pay to have that turned to black vinyl. (Note: 2012 models have vinyl, not cloth armrests). Also, the center console was left the factory black vinyl also. They have already received their first Lexol cleaning and conditioning!

The sunroof:
Again, much research, debated between Inalfa and Webasto. Inalfa won because they had the special trim ring for the Tacoma ribbed roof. Inalfa 925 (largest you can get) which also has auto close feature. It was also important to me to have the control switch mounted on the lower left in one of the blanks. I ordered an extension ribbon cable for them to be able to run down the A pillar. The 2012 has the bluetooth mic in the upper console so the switch could not be mounted there (easily, that is). Plus, I think it looks more factory on the dash. They took the Inalfa piece off that goes around the switch so it fits nicely in the blank. My other big must was to not cut up the sunglasses console. I saw soo many pics of other members that got theirs chopped and it did not look good to me....not factory. As you can see in the pics, the console was moved up 1.5" and stayed intact. Installer also wrapped the new headliner beautifully around it...he did an amazing job! He said he spent a lot of extra time to make it right. The roof is not pushed back further to make this fit as I've read many complain about moving the roof back to save the sunglass console. I look up and I see out!

There is all new headliner and of course, it dropped the ceiling height down. I'm 6'4" and have no issues rubbing against my head. The installer was over an hour from my house and I drove home with it open all the way in 30 degree weather....it was awesome...of course my seat heater was on

It has been raining all week and dry as a bone inside. 3 year warranty and I'll go back once per year for free cleaning and lubrication.

The installer:
The first place I called gave me a quote on leather and sunroof, then he said his sunroof installer just quit so he has to "train a new one". His next sentence was "So when can you bring it in?" Yeeaahhh...let me call you back.

I then found Sunroof and Restylers City Inc. in Mentor, Ohio. Their installer has been doing this for 30 years. They sat down with me and I showed them EXACTLY what I wanted. They do 80% dealer work. After giving them pictures, descriptions etc., they ordered Katzkins. I was all set to drop off the truck and they called to say the leather did not have the contrast stitch and Katzkin corporate said "just give the guy $100 off"...the installer said no way, make a new set, the customer wants this. Darn right, waited this long, get the order right. Leather came in a couple days later so I dropped off truck. Drove my wife's RAV4 for several days, felt like a go-kart. Install took 3 days, but was fine by me. Felt like Extreme Makeover - Truck Edition when I went to pick up. The installer, again, went over everything with me, they went above and beyond. They even took in process photos for me which I'll upload soon. No wrinkles, no glue remnants left on roof, the interior was spotless when they finished. I would highly recommend them. I asked them to save the sheetmetal they cut out of the roof (see pic)...have my wife make a scrapbook page










I'm so sorry, that had to hurt....but you are so much nicer with a new window!


The TRD Supercharger and CAI are supposedly soon to be out. I'm planning to do this in the summer. I've been debating about this because my alternative is to get a used Turbo or Supercharged MR2 from back in the day as my speed toy. I just love driving this Tacoma though!

And seriously, come on Weathertech, these OEM mats suck, get your new product out!

Wish list for 2013 Tacoma:
- power rear sliding window
- heated mirrors
- factory leather and roof option

Let the research go on....thanks for checking out my build!
To be continued...

 

sweet truck man, very tasteful and simple mods, what are the dimensions of the 925?

 

looks great!! what did that sunroof run you?

 

Thank you....roof dimensions are 19" x 37".

 

Thanks....roof was $1,100. Ribbon wire extension $25 to put switch on dash blank. Extra labor to extend switch $75. Trim ring was $79. Cruising with the roof open....priceless.

 

Also, installed my Scanguage with a tape measure belt clip modded to the case along the headliner...nice because it is hidden, wires run up the A pillar and tucked in headliner, very easy to see yet not be in line of sight.

 

cool, I'm looking at putting in 2 22x38 pop up roofs in my DC, just trying to get a feel for widths and how wide they actually look in person

 

Scratch off Weathertechs....got the full set so all weather mats can go. Wish they would have incorporated the rear seat snaps for a factory look.

 

Looks great man...very nicely done!

 

Got a price match from TRDParts4U on the supercharger and fit kit from the dealer. Paid for it Monday, got here yesterday, being installed today. Picking it up tonight!

 

That's a box full of boner right there...you're gonna love it...

 

Have to wait another day, picking it up at noon tomorrow. They said they needed more time, I said fine, I'm paying a fixed fee. Make sure it is done right. Just don't be joyriding in my truck all morning!

 

2012 TRD Supercharger installed today!
Bucket List Item #17
I've been waiting like many for TRD to release the fit kit for 2012. It came out in April but finally decided to pull the trigger on supercharger. I'm definitely not going to do it myself so I can get the 60K warranty, so I went to Ganley Toyota in Akron, Ohio where I bought the truck in October. First, I asked if they would price match the blower and fit kit from TRDParts4U....which they did ($3,850). I also asked if they would do the install for $750....they did. After searching here and elsewhere, I've found the install price anywhere from $400 to over $1,000. I'm figuring owners that got $400 bought other stuff too. This dealer said they have done two S/C installs before. My mileage at install was 16,622.

I ordered it Monday of this week and it arrived on Wednesday. When I paid for it, the list price on the invoice was like $5,762 and the fit kit was over $500..... Install was scheduled for yesterday, I told them if it takes more than the day, no worries about keeping it overnight to finish up in the a.m. They asked me if I wanted to see it before I left....I said....well....maybe.....HECK YEAH!


They originally said it would be done Thursday, but it ended up being done early this morning. My wife and I drove to the dealer and she still does not quite understand my "little kid on Christmas morning" emotions...oh well. I'll finally have more horsepower than her 269 HP RAV4!

When I picked it up, went around it to make sure there were no dings on the truck. I also check the mileage....they put 5.5 miles on it, that is reasonable. They put my old parts in the bed and did not plug my Scangauge back in the port (no big deal, but to me that is customer service). I popped the hood and my eyes got big:


I took to the highway for the ride home....impressive, and definitely sounds like an angry sewing machine, but way cool. It definitely felt heavier, but that might just be from me driving my wife's RAV4 go kart for a few days. I stepped on it a few times and was giggling like a school girl most of the way home.

When I got home, first thing I did was wash and wax....and clean up the engine compartment:


Took my new spare parts out of the bed:

I had a K&N filter in the truck already they replaced with the TRD. Won't be needing it so I'll probably give it away to someone if they pay shipping.

They did not put any of the badging on so I cleaned under the hood and applied:






I know a lot of S/C owners prefer to go stealth, and maybe I will later, but I could not help applying the badging, just to see how it looks:


Here it is from a distance:


Now....
Warning to all TRD and other brand CAI Haters!
Do not read beyond this point:
I ordered the Airaid CAI this past week and it arrived today.



I called Airaid after doing more research just to check compatibility with the blower. They were not sure if it would fit. I've decided not to take a chance and will be sending this back. I want the TRD CAI but it is delayed. When I was at the dealer on Monday I picked up the 2012 Tacoma Accessories catalog. To my suprise, it was listed in there, but with a big asterisk:

*Due to extensive product certification requirements, this product's estimated availability date is Winter 2012.



I can wait...I like stuff being factory.

The last thing I want to get is the white face TRD boost gauge from the 2001 Tacoma. I'd get a single gauge pod and mount it under the USB plug in the console.

While I love my Katzkins and Inalfa moonroof, I'd have to say this is the best mod to date....even though it is only day one!

__________________
James 4:10 NIV

The Clone Trooper Build

 

this truck makes me leak pre-cum. well done

 

Pimp

 

good start/

 

looks great man! I love to see another Ohio Tacoma on TW!

 

nice . not sure i like the rims (i dont like chrome) but it doesnt matter what i think its your truck!

good to see another toyota family. weve had a 4x4 '87 4-runner, 4x4 '86 and '92 pickup, 03 Sienna, my current 4x4 taco and my dads rockin a stock 4x4 '06 taco that i keep trying to get him to mod

 

Oh shit! I wish I had your truck!