Just the start of the addiction

Hey guys and gals! When I was looking to get my very first vehicle, I started looking at, of course, Ford's and chevys. Back in Texas, ain't you see anyone driving a Toyota, let alone a Tacoma. Being stationed in SoCal, I saw my first Taco, and I fell in love.

Saw this '09 gal back in Oct 2015, and immediately had to purchase.
When I got her I said to myself "I'm only going to get a new stereo"

Little did I know the true beauty, and addiction a Tacoma creates..

I'm a DIY kinda girl, but with not alotta time away from work, everything is off to a slow start, but will be updating as time goes.

Upcoming:
Retrofit headlights: Morimoto color changing halos, innovated led projectors-ORDERED!-- put on
Oracle fog lights -ORDERED!-- put on
Bull bar -ORDERED!-- put on
Body wrap (black on top, mirrors, hood scoop, rear bumper)
3" suspension lift
Window Tint
wheels and tires (gon' be awhile for these)
Build own cargo rack, can be turned into "shell"
Build platform for mattress and storage

If any yall have suggestions, I'm all ears!!

May 29th - put on my baby bull bar

June 3 - well. First Fuck up. Was trying to separate the fog light housing from lens to put in my simply oracles, and had bad luck with the heating part....


It seems like the fog lights aren't sealed together like headlights are? Anyone have experience in this area??

June 5 - turns out you gotta cut em instead of heating. Live and ya learn right ?
Sooo with that said..
Paint job is a little rrough, and lens are super scratched up, but I'm super proud of my work ! Eventually I'll spruce em up.

June 27- testing out angry eyes. Love them! Gonna repaint with correct white to match and out them on my new headlights when they come in

July 4-
Got my American Retrofits in the mail Friday and new exactly how I was going to spend the Fourth.

Was gonna get a head start the night before so I didn't have as much to do the next day, yet I didn't know what I had begun haha. Wasn't aware the whole process of just to take out headlight housing also included the removal of everything, so made that last annoying screw hidden under the bumper a stopping point for the night. 0830.. And off to a great start! Immediately took off headlights thinking it was gonna be a short day.. Boy was I wrong.
Took out new headlights and had no idea what all the wires were for.... There were no instructions!!! Spent all morning trying to read truck manual, trying to find YouTube videos.. Was not getting anywhere. Don't know how I ended up figuring some of it out to be honest, but it took me hours.

Took a break in between to work on fog lights. Since the previous were accidentally melted some... Ordered some new and just stuck the Oracles on those bad boys. was planning to paint white but they don't look too bad as black.
At this point I just place the headlights in place . I was still stuck with the wiring. I didn't know whether to put them in relay box with the fuses. Eventually found out putting straight to battery was an option and from there everything clicked. A lot of it feels like I jerry rigged it.. But hey, everything works! May have one of my mech buddies help out with it to make sure it's right.

Also painted Toyota emblem on grille white

Finished for the day at 1800.. 9 1/2 !!!!!! That wiring kicked my ass.

Only problem now is that fog lights don't run... Any suggestions??

Also, not sure if I wanna put angry eyes on now..
Will get night pictures for sure this evening of headlights running ))

UPDATE
so lights are super fucking bright (pic is without high beams) <



Here's front of truck.

.. So project tomorrow is switching the wiring from led lights as regular beams and the halos to daytime lights so I can have halos by them selves vs having the projectors over powering.
Educated myself on relays, pretty simple actually.

Good thing I take leave this next week, gonna be a long project still.

July 20
So working 12 hours, plus school at night, just hardly any time to work on the taco..
But... Moment I've been waiting for.. I am now able to run projectors and halos separately, or together, when desired.

Been a long wiring journey, but not finished yet. Still have demon eyes to work with, fog lights, AND fix the tail running lights.....
To be continued...

July 23:
Got my new stereo head receiver put in

Now to put the bypass mod, and route usb and AV plug ins to the front

 

Welcome to the club!

 

Welcome to the madness!!! Enjoy your stay.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome! The build was the fun part, makes me want to get another.....

 

Welcome to TW. I guess I'll be the first to say you might want to look into a better lift. Body lifts are sorta looked down upon here. You might wanna read a little here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/suspension-lift-info-includes-pics.142677/

 

X2. Looks good so far. I would also advise to stay away from body lifts. Go with a basic 3" suspension lift at the very least if you want to lift it. You'll get more ground clearance, less vibration, and other pro's.

 

June 27- testing out angry eyes. Love them! Gonna repaint with correct white to match and put them on my new headlights when they come in

 

Got my American Retrofits in the mail Friday and new exactly how I was going to spend the Fourth.

Was gonna get a head start the night before so I didn't have as much to do the next day, yet I didn't know what I had begun haha. Wasn't aware the whole process of just to take out headlight housing also included the removal of everything, so made that last annoying screw hidden under the bumper a stopping point for the night. 0830.. And off to a great start! Immediately took off headlights thinking it was gonna be a short day.. Boy was I wrong.
Took out new headlights and had no idea what all the words were for.... There were no instructions!!! Spent all morning trying to read truck manual, trying to find YouTube videos.. Was not getting anywhere. Don't know how I ended up figuring some of it out to be honest, but it took me hours.

Took a break in between to work on fog lights. Since the previous were accidentally melted some... Ordered some new and just stuck the Oracles on those bad boys. was planning to paint white but they don't look too bad as black.
At this point I just place the headlights in place . I was still stuck with the wiring. I didn't know whether to put them in relay box with the fuses. Eventually found out putting straight to battery was an option and from there everything clicked. A lot of it feels like I jerry rigged it.. But hey, everything works! May have one of my mech buddies help out with it to make sure it's right.

Also painted Toyota emblem on grille white

Only problem now is that fog lights don't run... Any suggestions??
Will get night pictures for sure this evening of headlights running ))

UPDATE
so lights are super fucking bright (pic is without high beams) <



Here's front of truck.

.. So project tomorrow is switching the wiring from led lights as regular beams and the halos to daytime lights so I can have halos by them selves vs having the projectors over powering.
Educated myself on relays, pretty simple actually.

Good thing I take leave this next week, gonna be a long project still.


So good and bad news. Sold my 2009 due to it not being 4x4... but gained a 2003 that's 4x4 and I'm loving it!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/out-with-the-new-and-in-with-the-old.461560/#post-13709247

 

Currently on vacation back at home, and right before I left found that my running lights are completely out. So gonna have to check the fuses then I get back, but it's all I can think about ):

 

Found the one let the saving begin

 

So I experimented around and made some paracord o shit handles
Problem is the indents made for the previous handles just doesn't appeal me very much.

 

So, maybe you could cut the original handles so there is a small stub left over at each end where the handle attaches, then drill a hole in each of the stubs which will give you a place to loop your paracord handles through.

Get some from a junk yard before you cut your originals.

 

July 20
So working 12 hours, plus school at night, just hardly any time to work on the taco..
But... Moment I've been waiting for.. I am now able to run projectors and halos separately, or together, when desired.

Been a long wiring journey, but not finished yet. Still have demon eyes to work with, fog lights, AND fix the tail running lights.....
To be continued...

 

July 23:
Got my new stereo head receiver put in

Now to put the bypass mod, and route usb and AV plug ins to the front