2011 Budget Build

I've been debating starting a build thread for some time now, and I finally think I am ready. Gotten a lot of great ideas off the site, and looking forward to feedback from all of you!

I'm doing my build slowly and very budget-conscieous due to the fact that most of our money goes toward the new baby. This may be the slowest build in the history of slow builds, but stick with me because I have high hopes!!

My 2011 Tacoma DC Pre-Runner

The day I drove it off the lot:


Drove down to the lake today to take some pics as it sits in this overcast North Alabama weather: (lake views provided by Lake Guntersville, AL)


Haven't done a lot to it yet, but I started, which is a step in the right direction!

So far, I've:
Debadged and took off the bedside TRD sticker


Painted the Engine Cover (Planning on going back and painting the rest of it a glossy black and clearcoating the red):


I also put new homemade bed cleats on. An Eye screw with two bolts and two washers. Works great! I have yet to take a picture of them. Soon, though... soon...

Future Mods Include:
New Tires (coming soon)
Plasti-Dip Wheels
New Stereo & Speakers (looking at

Pioneer AVH-P4400BH 2-DIN Multimedia DVD Receiver with 7" Widescreen Touch Panel Display, Built-In Bluetooth, and HD Radio™ Tuner

this stereo)

Smittybilt 54011 Black Grille Saver

Bull Bar
Lights in the Bed's Storage Compartments
Hood Scoop (

Sherman Replacement Part Compatible with Toyota Tacoma Hood Panel Assembly (Partslink Number TO1230201)

Sport Hood)
Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust
K&N Cold Air Intake

WeatherTech Custom Fit Side Window Deflectors for Toyota Tacoma - (82389), Front & Rear Set - Dark Tint

WeatherTech Low Profile Window Deflectors
Roll-up Tonneau Cover

And probably a lot more.... haven't 100% decided what all is going to happen.

Look forward to hearing from everyone!

 

UPDATE (3/10/13)

Spent some time cleaning out the interior yesterday and vacuumed and cleaned everything. Wound up doing a couple quick cheap mods in the process.

Painted the door jamb panels
(Picture is on my iPad, I will try to get it up tonight)

Painted center console

 

Looks good man! Nothing wrong with a slow build as mine is the same way.

 

Update (3/10/13, part 2)

I spent the afternoon washing and waxing the truck, and did a couple extra paint mods while I was at it.

As she sits now, looking better than the day I bought her:



Painted one of the Tacoma badges a flat black and centered it on the tailgate. Also painted the Toyota symbol on the 3rd Brake Light, but you can't really see it. May sand that down and try the TRD logo, haven't decided yet...


It's coming along nicely, and so far (Thank God) I haven't had to spend much cash. I'm sure my luck will run out soon enough, though...

 

Thanks man!!

 

Sharp truck and you will get it the way you want it soon enough.

 

I'm kinda in the same boat, got a 7 1/2 month old little guy so my mods have been slow to come and done on a tight budget. Been thinking of starting my own build page myself but hadn't felt as if mine was worthy until the last couple of months.

Of course the mods are not just about the money, now with my son I find that I don't have the free time like I used to. Sometimes I want to go out to the garage just to tinker and find something to do but can't seem to get enough time with both of us working and then when home all of our time is taking care of the baby, cooking dinner, and then cleaning, then its time for bed. It's a life changing event that's for sure.

 

Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Our daughter is 9 months. I've had the truck since well before we found out we were expecting, and I've always been a fan of doing mods (had a cold air intake in my '96 Corolla... Not as dumb as it sounds LOL). The baby changes my shop time, so when I get time like I had this weekend I want to take advantage. Might be months before my next mod though

 

what kind of paint is everyone using that holds up good? just curious as i have thought about doing this myself but not sure

 

For the interior pieces I used Krylon paint+primer in gloss black. It doesn't come out overly glossy which I like.

 

New Tire Day! Scrapped the BFG Ruggeds for some 265/75R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers!

 

Plasti-Dip Day!

Stock 16" Wheels:


Grille Emblem:

 

New Stereo Day! Pioneer FH-X700BT with Scosche install kit and Metra harness. Also hard wired a cell phone charger.

 

Wheels looks great what color plasti dip? Sanding? And clear coating? Did you remove tire or just cover? I am on a budget as well and instead of paying someone $500 to do powder coat plast dip seems like a viable option

 

I used the matte black plasti dip. I had an old bedsheet that I stuffed inside the wheel to cover the brakes and just left the tires on the truck. Estimated about one can per wheel, which cans here run about $6/each. I had thought about clearcoating, but I opted not to in the end. No prep as far as sanding, but I would make sure your tires and wheels are clean and dry. I think the PlastiDip website recommends using an alcohol swab on the wheel before applying. I'd also recommend putting the tire shine on your tires before doing the plasti dip. The spray won't adhere to the tire shine, and it peels right off, so you don't have to tape up your tire. Just take your time, let the dip dry good between coats, and you should be good to go.

I followed the directions of the guy on dipyourcar.com's YouTube page. If you search you'll find a TON of dip videos. Enjoy!

 

More mods today... Plasti-Dipped chrome grille. I like the look. I do think I am going to get a can of clearcoat dip to give the gloss look...


Also purchased a Access Tonnosport Low Profile bed cover. Total impulse buy. Went by a Catalog Returns place in town and they had one. Retail for around $320ish on Amazon, I got this one for $140. Win!