Cheap/Free Mods

Sasquatchtaco · Jul 2, 2017

TTacoSR5 said: ↑

New 2017 Taco owner here. Overwhelmed by the info on this forum! Good stuff!

Anything in this cheap/free thread that I should look at for a 3rd gen?
Click to expand...

Give it time.. eventually you'll find something that you think could be done better. The first thing I did on my 2nd gen was the rear view mirror mod. It annoyed me to no end. It's set too low on the windshield.

(ImMrYo Rear-View Mirror Lift Bracket)

DrFunker · Jul 2, 2017

droidzika said: ↑

Give it time.. eventually you'll find something that you think could be done better. The first thing I did on my 2nd gen was the rear view mirror mod. It annoyed me to no end. It's set to low on the windshield.

(ImMrYo Rear-View Mirror Lift Bracket)
Click to expand...

That was one of my first too.

duece5811 · Jul 3, 2017

Can't wait to see what Gen 3 stuff pops up on here. Just bought my 1st Taco 1 week ago. 2017 with 42 miles on her. I've already ready SO many things that have been placed in my "Taco Wish List" favorite folder...lol.

VERY happy with how she is so far, but as with all good things, there is always ways to make it better. Just have to see what I "need" to make her fit my personality better.

Rabbidllamas · Jul 8, 2017

I Get more comments for my fly rod antenna.

mrlee · Jul 8, 2017

Rabbidllamas said: ↑

I Get more comments for my fly rod antenna.

Click to expand...

That's what she said..

DrFunker · Jul 8, 2017

Rabbidllamas said: ↑

I Get more comments for my fly rod antenna.

Click to expand...

@Sig45

brapp_kid7 · Jul 10, 2017

Nice

Sprocket1505 · Jul 11, 2017

Sub'd

KCi238 · Aug 12, 2017

This was a pretty cheap tacoma mod for my bed cap. I'm not trying to spam but I thought it was fitting to put the link in the cheap tacoma mods as well as "show me your rack" lol.

https://youtu.be/QqBoa_4fCkc

itsraymondang · Sep 20, 2017

piercedtiger[OP] said: ↑

Several ways to do this, but this one was the easiest for me, and I haven't had them come on 4-hours after turning the ignition off like other methods cause. Apparently at least one other method ties into some ignition or emissions circuit that turns on 4 hours after the truck is turned off to deal with emissions so the fogs come on for a few minutes. I parked in front of my living room window for a year after doing this and never saw them come on once so.....

Tools/items needed:

wire stripper

1 quick splice

1 female blade connector

6" of wire

drill/bit same diameter as wire

shrink tube/electrical tape to reinforce crimp connection (optional)

Locate the green wire on the plug in the pic

splice into it

run the wire to the fog light relay through a hole to keep it low and not hit the cover

crimp on the female blade connector onto the wire

pull the fog relay and bend the terminal in the pic to the side

put the female blade connector onto the bent terminal on the fog relay

replace fog relay

NOTE: The 2012 relay is located in a different position

This is how the relay tab is bent:

Edit:
Yes, this will allow you to turn the fog lights on or off whenever you want using the fog light switch as long as the key is turned to ACC or ON. Doesn't matter if headlights are on, off, low beam or high beam.

To help reduce confusion, this is what a quick splice looks like:

Click to expand...

Is this the same for the 2017?

steveo27 · Sep 20, 2017

Rabbidllamas said: ↑

I Get more comments for my fly rod antenna.

Click to expand...

4w? 5w?

KTJO 4x4 · Sep 20, 2017

itsraymondang said: ↑

Is this the same for the 2017?
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Would like to know as well. I just asked this exact question in another conversation.

Rabbidllamas · Sep 21, 2017

steveo27 said: ↑

4w? 5w?
Click to expand...

3w more like.

LIazard · Sep 30, 2017

piercedtiger[OP] said: ↑

UPDATE:
The ones I used have really rusted, some barely move and one snapped off the mounting base so now I'm looking to replace with stainless steel ones from here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#3076t13/=rugkyn
Click to expand...

Those are zinc-plated, not stainless. I agree stainless is needed, severe rust is probably due to grinding/enlarging holes.

RivetNutBob · Oct 14, 2017

piercedtiger[OP] said: ↑

I've had a lot of people ask how I mounted my Hi-Lift jack, and I can't believe I forgot about it doing this thread!

Parts/tools needed:

2 pieces of angle iron around 4-5" long

2 1/4"x1.5" bolts or machine screws (I used 1/4-20 machine screws and nuts)

2 1/4"x3" bolts/machine scews (I think I used 1/4-20's here too)

6 lock nuts (same size and thread as the bolts/screws above)

2 wing nuts (same deal as the lock nuts)

2 1" diameter (IIRC) washers - just check that they fit into the bar on the Hi-Lift

2 - 1"x2" aluminum blocks or something that will fit inside the tie down rails to hold the bolts/machine screws. You might be able to use heavy washers and cut so you have 2 flat sides to prevent them from rotating inside the rail.

1/4" titanium drill bit (don't bother trying steel bits with angle iron unless you have extras or can sharpen them)

drill

cut off grinder or a metal saw (sawzalls suck, I went through blades like crazy with little progress)

1/4" wrench

Here it is mounted in the bed, but this would work on any of the side rails. My original cover blocked both side rails, so that's why it's there!

These are the brackets, left then right.

You can see the aluminum blocks behind each bracket. They each have 1 1/4-20 machine screw through the hole in the center with 1 lock nut prevent the screw from turning while mounting the bracket. The bracket then goes on with another lock nut.

The left bracket was notched to bring the jack in closer while the right one could not be cut due the jack base. Again, both screws/bolts have a lock nut to keep them in place. The jack is place over the screws through the bar, washer placed over the screw, and wing nuts tightened. Easy to remove without tools, but holds solid even while offroading. I used to hear a rattle and tighten them, but the jack sitting on the washers has actually cut small notches in the screws which helps lock it on.

An optional variation would be to use perforated angle steel (galvanized pieces around 3ft long sell at hardware stores for $10 or less). It would already have holes in it to cut down the labor, but you'd need more washers or larger bolts/nuts. It would probably be easier to work with too. The angle iron I got from scrap bed frames was a real PITA to work with. I tried a sawzall, torch, hack saw, and small cutoff grinder until I bought a cheap chop saw from a tool show. That does all my big cutting, and the cutoff grinder does the smaller work now. A grinder with sanding disk would be good to clean up the edges if you want. I didn't bother.
Click to expand...

RivetNutBob · Oct 14, 2017

I'm interested in seeing everybody's HiLift bed mounts, both homemade as well as commercial. I'm a noob here and am looking to put one in my new 2017 Off Road. Pics would be great if possible. Thanks.

DrFunker · Oct 14, 2017

Easthill Bob said: ↑

I'm interested in seeing everybody's HiLift bed mounts, both homemade as well as commercial. I'm a noob here and am looking to put one in my new 2017 Off Road. Pics would be great if possible. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I used these and modified them a little.

Work great.

RivetNutBob · Oct 14, 2017

DrFunker said: ↑

I used these and modified them a little.

Work great.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bud. Do you have a tonneau cover and if so did they (the jack) interfere with it hence the modification?
Interested in know why and how you modified them. Thanks again.

DrFunker · Oct 14, 2017

Easthill Bob said: ↑

Thanks Bud. Do you have a tonneau cover and if so did they (the jack) interfere with it hence the modification?
Interested in know why and how you modified them. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Have a shell, so they fit great.
Had to drill the holes a bit bigger for the t-slot bolts and added some "feet" to the bottom so they would hit the bed.

RivetNutBob · Oct 17, 2017

Rabbidllamas said: ↑

I Get more comments for my fly rod antenna.

Click to expand...

Sweet!

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