NOI's LowesRunner build

So at the prompting of @Chase8059, I'm making my first ever build thread. Enter my new to me 2011 Access Cab SR5 4x4, 122,018 miles on the clock. Black because every truck I buy ends up that way in spite of my best efforts. This is my first Tacoma too, so cherries are popping everywhere apparently.

I bought the truck mainly to avoid having everything delivered, and to run errands in. It's been a while since I've had a truck, mostly because we had three kids in the span of three years (twins the second time), and there was a vehicle rotation as a result. Since we've got that covered, the third vehicle (my toy/hobby one) could be a truck. Well I'm in love, and it's going to be my constant companion I've got a feeling.

Anyway, decided to start sprucing it up and as most things I do, it will developed a life of its own. I'm sure of it.

Mods start next week. Wish me luck.

 

Good luck

 

Swapped an exhaust for a car I no longer own for these puppies the day after I got the truck. Just need some center caps and lug nuts, and TPMS is missing on two of them...tires have like 10 miles on them.

 

TW essentials started early. Thanks UPS!

Swapped out the old grey Weathertecs for some Husky Liners X-act Contours in Black. Immediate improvement to the look of the cab, and these are so much better than what was there. Really impressed with the design and install of the securing devices. Nice job Husky, and thanks to our vendor, @Zach.RealTruck, for the group buy.

 

These bad dads are next. Group buy goodness again.

 

looking good

 

I plan on adding bed stiffeners soon, so I went to double check the condition of the d-rings to see if I needed new ones while I was at it. Whoa...the bed bolts are ruuuusty. Shot them with some PB Blaster and started to remove them for sanding. I’m glad I’m doing this now when it’s planned, because in the middle of a project would have pissed me off. Breaker bar required.

I got interrupted by the rain, but they’re cleaning up good. Using some auto enamel I had in the garage, so it’s a free improvement. I’ll be hand torquing, so it should hold up ok in theory. I’ll put them back in with some anti-seize as well. Should make the stiffener mod go quicker when I’m ready.

 

I've got these two long deep pinstripes on the passenger side, likely from bushes...too low for nefarious activity. They were on the truck when I bought it. DIY paint correction would be cheap...but what a pain. Thinking I should just LINEX the fender flares and lower rockers below the door crease...get the grill and bumpers while I'm at to get rid of the chrome. Hmmm.

 

Should be a good weekend if the weather holds out.



Wonder what this is for...?

 

Wrapped up at work early and put in some zen time on the bed project. Decided to redo the bolts in bed liner paint instead, that way they’ll match the bed stiffeners which needed a more durable finish.

 

Here they are. Want a few more coats so I’ll install this weekend.



And this bed liner paint is addictive...started sanding and painting lots of the bits in the bed area...I have issues.

 

Vent shades went in too.