Best Investments For Newbies

Just got my 07 taco a few weeks ago after trading in an 03 in with 270k miles and I'm looking to lift and changes tires but what are some easy mods to install in the mean time? pics if possible

 

You completely misunderstand the definition of investment. Just sayin.

 

Ha. I was thinking the same thing. Best investment would be to sell the truck then put the money in 401k or some appreciating asset.

 

go to the "mods & tutorials" section provided, then go to "cheap tacoma mods" and take a look and the 2nd gen info. Securing your tailgate from theft is a popular one… go peruse my man… peruse to your heart's content.

 

Floor liners.

 

I've been away from the off road aspect of 4wd ownership for almost 20 years. Recently started heading back into the woods with 'em again. Over the years, there's been a turnover in the people who "wheel". I've noticed a few things about quite a few of todays crop of "newbies". Primary on my list is this; I see quite a few newer drivers (and a few older guys) out on the trail with no real solid recovery point on the rear of their trucks. Most trucks come with tow hooks on the front. Never enough....but at least one. On the rear, either nothing at all, or, a receiver hitch WITH NOTHING THERE TO HOOK A CHAIN OR STRAP OR WINCH CABLE TO.... I suggest a clevis of some sort, or at minimum, a ball hitch. I've got a Warn clevis that goes in the receiver.

More often than not, if you get stuck, the best way to "un-stick it" is to pull the truck back out of whatever you drove in....You need a point to hook to on the rear.

When pulling another vehicle, it is UNADVISABLE to pull with your truck in reverse. I have a front ring and pinion out of my last Jeep hanging on my garage wall that is a reminder of what can happen when you're pulling in reverse from your front bumper.

If you take 'em off road enough times, you will eventually get a truck stuck. Fact of life. It happens to everyone eventually. Best to be prepared and have a solid recovery point BEFORE you need it.

 

Since the first two comments offered ZERO help.

Here are my thoughts:

Bedmat
Recovery gear

 

Here are some mods that I have done and have been happy with all of them:

Redline Hood struts
Console Vault ( a must if you carry a firearm and have to leave it in your truck sometimes)
Anti Dark hood lights
replaced dome, map and license plate lights with led
Husky X Act floor liners (I like these better than the Weathertech)
bed mat

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-free-mods.4838/#post-45403

 

Thanks for all the input! now just comes the part where i have to make the money for it all

 

unlewser, I think OP was considering an investment in his happiness and overall feeling of wellbeing. Not entirely unlike the feeling when you invest your time and effort into popping a nut. Now, many investment advisors would council their clients on the relative value of popping a nut by rubbing one out vs. via coitus. What these investment advisors are trying to do is measure your tolerance for risk. I would argue that what they are really attempting to do is discover your preference for a sole proprietorship or a partnership arrangement. In this situation, if your investment goal is to pop a nut you really can't fail with either plan. Of course, the long term implications of either investment option could complicate your decision.

 

Best investment on a new used truck......a full tune up and a solid check up from a good mechanic.

 

Hey, KyleNowad. Thank you for noticing. You're very perceptive. I'm enjoying a celebratory glass of Gentleman Jack. Celebrating because I just adopted a stray German Shepard. Found him walking a fence line in the middle of the ranch. Very unusual to see a dog like this in the middle of nowhere. He, Bogart, is the 5th German Shepard I have owned. Had to buy the other 4. Also, I just finished planting rye for winter grazing. No small task. Now all I need is a little rain. Gotta say, life is pretty damn good. Hope you're having good time as well.

 

I just got a new one too. I did the daytime running light mod (80 bucks), de-badging is always cool too.

 

A part time job to cover all the mods and group buys that TW sucks you in to.

I would suggest floor liners, bed mat, and a ImMrYo Mirror bracket.

 

Come on ya'll. An investment is anything that helps the future. So anything to protect his truck or make his truck more useful is an investment. Think about it like this: If I were to spend $1000 on a mod for my truck after I had 100,000 miles on it. and say that when I reached 200,000 miles I sold the truck. That mod cost me an extra dollar for every 100 miles I drove. Now, say I'm the OP and just bought a truck. Brand new, 0 miles. If I do the mod now and sell at 200,000 miles the mod only cost me 50 cents per every 100 miles.

So OP my suggestion is this: Do whatever mods are on your wishlist that you can afford. Get your truck as close as you can to what you want as soon as you can. Then you can get maximum joy from your truck for the longest amount of time.

 

I would change all fluids. If its a manual replace it with a quality synthetic like redline or even Mobile 1.