Modded for purpose.....or preference

I've had a Mercedes S320, a BMW 745Li, a Cadillac Escalade, and Plymouth Prowler, amongst other vehicles. I have never enjoyed those vehicles as much as I enjoy this truck.

I originally intended to buy an F150 or a Ram1500 but realized they were simply more truck than I needed, and I was at a point in my life where I was trying to reduce the amount of "things" in my life to only what I needed and could manage, and the Tacoma fit perfectly.

I've made minor "mods," although I consider them to be additions more than mods. I love to read the board because I see the mods (improvements?) that others have made and, although mine is a daily driver, I love the mods (lifts, larger tires, and, damn!!!, the Ipad mini head unit replacement I've seen, but don't have the knowledge, experience, or balls to attempt) that have been reported here.

My truck is a daily driver that occasionally hauls very small loads or my Aliner Scout Camper (1800lbs, +/-). I often wonder, are the mods that are made by most of you made for the purpose for use, as in off-roading, or simply as a matter of preference.

I have pretty much limited my "mods" (additions) for practical uses, but I have to admit that I am a little jealous of some of the mods I've seen posted. (Especially the Ipad mod!)

 

The things I have done to this truck all serve a purpose. For me if a vehicle is very well done, purpose built, and capable, its beautiful. Lifts, spacers, "stance", winch bumpers, and etc for the sake of bling just looks really silly. Like jingle trucks. I didn't feel that way as a teenager of course but my tastes have become more refined in the last 35 years.

 

Likewise, all of my "mods" have been purpose driven. Light upgrades for safety and convenience, badge removal for ease of cleaning and upkeep, phone mount, seat heaters, bed cover, organizers...all for better use as intended.

Those who lift and add equipment to further their usage are in agreement with my outlook.

But...if you bought it...do with it as you please!

 

This is my last truck(hopefully) that I will own so I'm modding it with both practical utility type mods and fun mods. I'm getting old and as long as I can afford it Ill mod it with what I please. Now I haven't been able to talk myself into a lift but I could see it happening in a few years.

 

So far what little I've done to my truck has been for a specific purpose. I would love to put a bunch of shit that I don't "need" but unfortunately house mods need to come first. Stupid home ownership sucks.

 

I retired a couple years ago and the first thing I did was purchased a used 05 Tacoma truck. Even with 94K miles there's no rattles at all and it's great for hauling stuff! Like to tinker with it, so far found some used mag wheels, replaced front brake pads, valve cover gasket, new plugs, headlights, blocked the fresh air vent, painted the plastic cowl, repaired air injection pump along with installing hewitt-tech by pass kit, drain and fill differential & transmission. Hopefully will be installing headers and vortex throttle body spacer on it soon.

 

I definitely stick to things that are practical.
Trailer hitch, snow plow, bt/nav header, 2wd-low range hack, trac-low hack. That's it. All the goofy modifications that people do to make their trucks look like a dog dragging its butt on the carpet carry zero appeal to me. A vehicle is a tool to do a set of jobs, so it should be adjusted to be most practical at doing those jobs.

 

all mods current and future are all for purpose, that being 4 wheeling, camping, hunting, and for the dogs. we take it on all road trips and it is getting the use I dreamed about. no fake BS buy it to use it.

 

Little bit of both.

I've always wanted a lifted 'Yoter. So.. I lifted mine.

As a side benefit, I needed better rear leaf springs for occasional loads (1000-1300 lbs) and got them with my lift selection.

Dakars FTMFW.

Only offroading my truck sees is camping, and it's in organized campgrounds.

 

My mods are usually a mix of purpose and aesthetics. Example: my LED light bar. I wanted the light bar because I wanted better lighting when I'm offroad at night or in bad weather, but I spent a little extra money when I bought it to get the one that I thought was the better looking unit. Basically, function comes first, but I strive to maximize the aesthetics while I'm at it.

 

Purpose built.
Hunting/fishing truck

 

yup, pretty much all for purpose. Sliders for protection, tailgate skin for strength, lift for better ride / ground clearance, tires for traction..... etc.

 

For each his own! Their heavy duty, reliable, easy to get into and out of, and they hold their valve! Only thing that makes my skin crawl is when someone puts furry carpet on the dash and tassels in the window!

 

I actually want to see an example of a 'yota sporting these appendages. They don't come around my neck of the woods!

 

Both.....but I'll be honest, who hasn't had the though of 'ya shit'll look bad ass when I do such and such mod'

 

The only mod that I've done that's cosmetic is derping and debadging... My lift is subtle and functional, the shell is for camping and keeping my stuff dry, and the tires, well... we all end up with better tires

 

I'm a function over form kinda guy.....But.....There are dozens upon dozens of options with every aspect of improving a truck. In some cases, the "either/or" is not always a clear cut choice. There may be two (or more) choices that accomplish the same end result. Quite often in those instances, the "tie breaker: comes down to which one looks the best. I'm working towards a goal....Getting my truck as capable as is possible while keeping it as practical as possible. Those who know me best will tell you I'm not at all impressed with how much money you can afford to dump into a given mod. In fact, I'm MORE impressed when a person can accomplish the same end result on LESS money. I have to laugh at people who determine the "quality" of an item by it's price tag. That said, there is still a price than must be paid in order to reach my goal.

I can't count the times in my life where I've sit and listened to someone spout off about all they've done.....all they've spent, in order to get a truck that's capable of doing the same thing I did on 1/10th the cost. I'm happy for them if that brings joy to their world. But in the end, I always wonder just who it is they're trying to impress. Most notably is the trend towards lighting up a truck like the streets of Las Vegas....The "HEY! LOOK AT ME" look. Again, glad it make's 'em happy, just not my cup of tea.....

 

Function before fashion mostly

 

I've owned dozens of trucks & cars. And I have never modified any of them.

With one exception being my 1971 Chevy van. I customized it with bed and fridge and stereo and carpet, etc.
I was a teenager so I guess one could classify it as purpose.