Special_K's Build v2

Well. I'm back after almost a decade hiatus. Not sure how many people I used to hang out with in San Diego are still on here.

Flew up to Seattle, WA this past Wednesday to finalize purchase on a 2019 Tacoma CPO 4X4 TRD Offroad in Cavalry Blue, no other special packages with 18k miles. I think it's a great color. I couldn't find anything within a 600 mile radius of Alameda, CA that matched what I wanted and my best friend in Edmonds, WA found this at Toyota of Kirkland. A 13 hour drive later and I got back home. Some great changes to the 3rd gen that I appreciate after having a 2nd gen, though mostly the same truck I remember and loved. The lack of Apple Carplay in 2019 is my biggest critique and of course the 2020 has it. Oh well. Easy fix in the future perhaps.

No plans to go crazy with this one, just the basic accessories that everyone else does, getting rid of chrome, etc to satiate my mod bug. Shout out to @SimplyMuggle for the wheel vinyl, can't wait to get them on next week.

Glad to be back!


Original hotness:
Build thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/special_ks-4x4-long-travel-build.110605/

New hotness:

 

welcome back...

 

Took the taco up to Lake Tahoe the weekend before Thanksgiving, was in 4H most of the time, no complaints!


Since then, I've got some small mods done, some cosmetic, some to improve use.

- OEM-esque running boards.

5"es Factory Style Side Step Nerf Bar Running Board Compatible with Tacoma Crew Cab 05-15, Extruded Aluminum

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1WZV9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Figured I'd give them a shot and have had no issues with fitment or how they've held up so far.

- Mudflaps. I immediately took these off my 2010 after I got it now years later I found myself wanting them back on. Weird. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MK4M94V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- 3M paint protection partial hood/fenders, A-pillars and leading edge of roof.

- Black plastidip badges, bumper chrome, and grill surround, finished with a few coats of glossifier.

-Matte black Tacoma tailgate inlays.

-White LED interior light and rear license plate swap. Didn't do the vanity lights.

$16 Fyre Flys 9 Piece White LED Interior Lights for 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Toyota Tacoma 6000K 5050 Series SMD Package Kit and Install Tool

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KBF3WP1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Phillips H9 low beams. Trimmed the tab with a dremel and they popped right in. Nice brightness bump for the cost.

$14 Philips 12361B1 H9 Standard Halogen Replacement Headlight Bulb, 1 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YMPN3A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- @MESO V4 turn signals. Stoked on how bright they are. Not about the chrome so these were perfect. Super easy install.

- Sabellco tailgate lock. Extra peace of mind.

- Matte black wheel vinyl from @SimplyMuggle. A couple areas didn't line up exactly with a couple mm overhang or gap here and there, but I'm completely satisfied. Used the wet method and didn't feel like stretching the material. Really appreciated the extra decals that were included. Overall very impressed with how well they've held up to multiple pressure washes!

- JDMFV amber fog light overlays. I like how the amber looks on cav blue.

- OEM black chrome exhaust tip. Stock just looked unfinished to me.

$83 Toyota Genuine Parts - Taco Exhst Tip Blk (PT932-35180-02)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DT4ZPJ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Rad rubber wheel well splash guards. Didn't notice until after I went in to do the AC drain mod that part of the OEM splash guard was torn. I wanted a better solution. The rad rubber guards are super hefty. https://radrubberdesign.com/product/tacoma-2nd-3rd-gen-2005-2017/

- AC drain mod. Followed the thread on here about it. Routed it between the frame and splash guard to avoid getting near the cat. Routed a zip tie through the two splash guard mounting holes to hold the hose in place pointing down.

- Bully hitch step/protector. Got lightly rear ended last week, the guy apparently let off the brake and rolled into me while I was stopped at a light. Small scratch on the hitch was the totality of the damage, but now I'm paranoid. I considered a more heavy duty one, but decided on this because if a similar incident happens again (knock on wood and damn you Murphy), I'd prefer a cheaper piece of metal absorb the impact than my frame.

$70 Bully BBS-1104L Black Bull Series Steel Universal Fit Truck LED Brake Light Hitch Step Fits 1.25" and 2" Hitch Receivers for Trucks from Chevy (Chevrolet), Ford, Toyota, GMC, Dodge RAM, Jeep

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006PPM6BA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Kicker Hideaway sub tucked behind the right passenger rear seat in the cubby. Just the right amount of bass for me. I had the JL stealthbox in my 2010 and I think that would be a little much for me at this point, plus you can't beat the refurb'd price off Amazon.

- Subaru tweeters. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so dropped these in. Much more crisp, worth it for me.

Detail, compound, polish, and PPF. I've been rinseless washing and finishing with Hydrosilex. Going to give the Turtlewax ceramic hybrid stuff a try soon.


Plastidipped grill surround and amber fog overlays.


Tailgate inlays.


Meso V4 Ultimate turn signals.


Wheel vinyl, plastidipped badges, side steps, flaps


Rad rubber splash guards with AC drain mod routed through. Looks like it's dangling a lot longer, but it's only about two inches below the frame.

 

It’s good too see you back! Miss all the off-roading we would do! Can’t wait to see this build

 

Kyle!!! Good memories man. Definitely a different approach with this one haha. A lot changes in 10 years.

 

After researching wheels and tires over the past several weeks, I decided to go with 2020 TRD Pro wheels and 265/75/16 Goodyear Ultraterrain tires in standard load. I knew I wouldn't have any issues going with an OEM wheel wrt fitment/finish and the TRD Pro wheels for this year look amazing IMO, especially with Cavalry Blue not being offered anymore. Got the wheels and center caps off BAM Wholesale Parts...best price I could find especially factoring in shipping cost.

I was initally going to go with the Falken WP tires based off what I read here, but going back and forth on specs and since this is my DD, the Ultraterrains were the best fit for me, through America's Tire. Gorilla lugs and locking set from @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc. Retained stock OR suspension. No rubbing issues yet after driving around today.

 

Whoa, I'm digging that wheel/tire combo. Curious to see how those Ultras hold up long term and off-road. What swayed you to snagging them?

As somebody who had the falkens, I think you made the right choice. I know they are the budget darling of tacomaworld, but they felt cheap and shitty the entire time that I ran them.

Also one point I would mention, I would seriously consider ceramic coating those wheels. If you know what you're doing with it, ceramic is the best stuff you can do for those wheels.

 

Same here, from the limited info I saw on here there wasn’t much in the form of long term reviews. I liked that they were 4lb lighter than the falkens though they were about $45 more per tire. The weight was probably the biggest thing that pushed me to get them. Coupled with the ~4lb less per wheel put me about net zero compared to the stock set up, though not accounting for increased diameter.

Funny you mention the ceramic coat, I had my SSR GTX01 wheels on my wrx ceramic coated to help with brake dust. Same satin finish. Might end up going that route since these don’t look as easy to clean as the former TRD pro wheels. I’m at least planning on using hydrosilex on the wheels like I do with the rest of the truck after a wash, though I know it’s not really the same wrt longevity.

 

I’m embarrassed. I realized after the fact you were up there. That was probably my first week or two back on TW getting my feet wet again with where everyone was haha.