05 Taco Build

I started off with a 89 Toyota Pickup. She was stock when I got her in this is how she ended up prior to me upgrading to the 05.




Here's my newish to me Taco. I bought her from my dad when my dad upgraded to a Tundra.


At first I was bummed out since the 89 was stick shift and 4x4. The 05 is automatic and 2 wheel drive. I never really liked the truck but it was a killer price and I was tired of continuously fixing the 89 to keep her alive. It wasn't until pismo beach that I truly fell in love. I never got stuck out there and had a smile from ear to ear the entire weekend. I have since then been showing the Taco nothing but love and hove slowly been upgrading things here and there.

I also towed my brothers jeep up to Rowher Flats and I was surprised how well the truck handled it.


Recently I did the reverse light fog light bulb mod where you put the fog light bulb in place of the oem fog light bulb. I dropped in a 50w bulb with great success so far. No melting or blown fuses.

Oem bulb on the right and new bulb on the left.


Before


After



I also added led's to the bed of the truck and wired them to an oem looking switch I found on Amazon. I wired the light inside the switch to be on when the bed lights are on. That way I know from inside the cab when my bed lights are on.





Most recently I noticed that one of my rear blocks had a hairline crack in it... upon further inspection, this is what I found!


I replaced those blocks with some aluminum ones that I found at my local O'Reilly for now.

Future plans include removing the front spacers and replacing them with spindle lifts. For the rear I was thinking of replacing everything with new leaf packs but I just did a recal that replaced the oem leafs so I'm thinking of just going with a 3 pack add a leaf. What do you guys think of a 3 pack aal vs a full leaf pack? I really don't off road too hard... at least not yet lol.

 

Today I cleaned the MAF sensor and throttle body. The truck is WAY more responsive now.

Before



After

 

3-pack progressive AAL has been ordered from @HeadStrong Off-Road! I was bummed when I saw that they were out of stock but I'm happy that I called because Marie was able to help me out

 

There's no going back now...

 

I finished the grill and the only thing left to do is install my new custom logo. As you can see there are two larger holes in the center of the grill mesh. That's where I will be through bolting the logo. That way I can change out logos whenever I change my mind on what I want.

 

I did the fog light mod. The one I did is different from the any time mod. This one allows you to only turn on the fogs with the low beam and high beam.

Here is the link that I followed
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-fog-lights-on-with-high-beams-brights-free.214484/

I also finally fixed the oem fog light switch itself. The light inside the switch had burnt out.

Here is the link that I followed for that
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-2nd-gen-fog-light-switch-bulb.361300/

Difference being that somewhere in there they mentioned buying the bulb from radioshack for a fraction of the cost compared to the toyota dealer.

Below is a pic of the bag as well as the bulb itself that comes in the bag. The oem bulb had an orange silicone sleeve so I transfered that over to the new bulb.





I had almost forgotten that the switch is even supposed to illuminate since it has been out for so long.

I also finally added my logo to the shallow satoshi grill!

 

Picked up my MF-1050 from pepboys and also purchased a set of 12 foot booster cables. I spliced the booster cables to the compressor like recommended in another thread. This allows you to reach all tires and still have the compressor right next to you.

I also relocated my trailer wiring harness.

 

I just want to say thank you again to Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. She really took care of me and I finally got my 3pack add a leaf installed. I decided to leave the overload leaf in. Of course, like a sucker, I did t take pics or measurements of the before lol. It did seem to raise it a little higher than what it was with the 2" blocks.

 

I am so glad that I was able to help you out! It should settle in a little over time, new springs can take a little bit. But it gives you an excuse to go play!

 

I figured it would settle in a little over time. Either way I eventually want to get the MaxTrac spindle lift for the front so I little extra height in the rear will benefit me down the road. Hopefully early 2017 .

 

Just let me know when you are ready and I will see what I can do to help you out then

 

Thank you very much! I will definitely do that.

 

Nice Build! How is the compressor holding?

 

I haven't had a chance to take it out on a trail yet. I've only played with it in the drive way but so far so good. My brother has VIAIR on board air and he refuses to believe how fast this thing can fill a tire. Pretty soon we're going to have an inflation race LOL.

 

Funny you say that. I am between the Master Flow and

$91 Viair 88p Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 120 Psi, Forup to 33" Tires)

Viair 88p.

 

Next time you out to Rowher Flats hit me up. I also have a 2wd and live about 10 minutes from Rowher Flats.

 

Sounds like a plan. I've barely been getting into the swing of things. I usually ride dirt bikes and just recently got into playing around with my truck. Do you go out on Fridays or just weekends?

 

I never been into dirt bikes until recently. I am starting to want to buy one. But can't afford so many hobbies. haha
I am off weekends but during the summer I am up for a friday afternoon.

 

I can't afford them all at once either. I just shuffle between them to keep it interesting LOL. Between this, dirt bikes, air rifles, and salt water aquariums you would think I'd make a truck load of cash HAHAHAHAHA. I just get lucky I guess.

 

Today I got to meet the guys from @CaliRaisedLed at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, CA. They're a good group of guys. We talked trucks for a while and I ended up buying 2 hand held flash lights and one head lamp. They have great products at even better prices.