The "I can't spend a lot of money because I blew it on a new truck" build

Surprise, surprise... got a call from the dealer this morning.

Service Guy: "Were you expecting this to be covered under warranty? Because your warranty is out"
Me: (Surprised) "Oh it is? by how long?"
-Service Guy Checks Computer-
Service Guy: "Well... it looks like about a month"
Me:

So, he proceeds to tell me that if I authorize a $125 diagnostic fee, and they find that the TSB does apply to my issue, they will contact Toyota and see what they can do.

I explained it only happens on high crosswinds, yada yada...

Long story short, I will bring the truck in tomorrow when its supposed to be windy and have a tech ride with me. However I will REFUSE to authorize a $125 "Diagnostic" fee for a tech to sit in the damn passenger seat and listen for a buzz. That is just asinine. Especially for a vehicle that is out of a 3yr warranty by 1 month, and weeeelllll under the mileage warranty. Ill be calling the service manager tomorrow as she was out today, and see what she has to say.

 

I need to bring mine in for the kazoo noise before I forget about it. My 3 year will be up in April, and like you, I'm well under the mileage (just turned 21k this weekend).

 

I won't bore you guys with the whole door seal Kazoo noise update, but it can be found here if you are interested -->
Cross-wind whistle (kazoo noise) TSB

Long story short, the dealer replaced my door seals today (after a myriad of events...) and I will check it out after picking it up this evening.


Other than that, I've just been browsing the web and forums to plan out my next mods.

I really want to do a small lift, but I'm probably going to have to wait until tax refund. I travel a decent amount for work, and I get the city tax back on the days I'm gone, so I always use that as my "mad money" fund. Keeping it modest, so I am thinking 5100s on all 4, set at 1.75" in the front. I think I can get away without anything in the back. Right now, the back sits 2.25" higher than the front. I do want some rake, ideally probably 1". So maybe 0.85" would be better?

The plan would be to replace my stock Grandtreks with 265/70r17s when I do the lift. Been tossing around the idea of 255/75r17s as well. I love my firestone destinations LE2 on my F-150, but I want something that looks a little more aggressive. KO2s look awesome, but the weight and price is turning me off of them. I am leaning towards something in a P load. The Hankook Dynapro looks decent, has good reviews, and the price is right. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W looks great as well, but is a lot heavier at 46.5lbs (vs 38lb hankook), even in the standard load. Any others you guys would recommend, with aggressive sidewall and good highway performance?

The Chrome Tube step has to go as well, but I will have a hard time swinging a new set along with the lift. So most likely they will get plastidiped black. If I did replace, I would go with N Fab Podiums. There is one thing that bothers me about the current tube step, other than aesthetics. They sit to high to the bottom door seal to be used as a step. Its much easier to step right in the cab than to step on the tube, then in the cab. That's one reason I would go with the N Fab drop step. That, and I like the look. Not a whole lot of info out there on the Podiums, but I think they look great. N Fab Podium.

All those things are a ways out, but I would definitely like to do some DIY bed lights over the winter. That is one major thing that I miss from the F-150.

I tend research the crap out of things before I purchase, which sometimes is a curse. I just don't like to be disappointed on big purchases, it feels like a waste of hard earned cash. So I appreciate any insight you all have!

Thanks for reading!

Oh yea, I asked to move this to the Gen 2 Builds category!

 

Got some goodies for Christmas! Console organizer, grid-it for the console lid, and the coveted weathertechs. Just in time for some snow.

Crappy cell phone pictures...

 

Nice!

 

Happy New Year Chris!!!

​

 

Not much going on with the truck other than trying to keep it somewhat clean in between snow and the dumping of salt that follows.

Only addition I have made is a bed mat. It should minimize the sliding of stuff in the bed. Shout out to @gunny1005 for great deal on the mat. Quick, easy transaction and good shipping. Will definitely be looking to get some more stuff from him in the future.

Fits great and the "TACOMA" looks nice.


We got around 4" of snow yesterday so I was able to snap a couple shots in the white stuff. Man, the Barcelona Red looks awesome against the white snow.



My next investments will be some basic recovery gear. I'm thinking a hitch with a shackle and a tow "recovery" strap. Probably swap out the stock Sport Tow loop for the OR tow/recovery hook. I know kinetic energy straps and snatch straps are ideal for recoveries, but I think a tow strap will do for what I would use it for. Basically I just want to help anyone out that is stuck on the side or needs some assistance to get going. Not planning on yanking anyone out of a mud pit or 3 feet of snow. On my way to work, I help push 2 people off slick hills and could have helped 3-4 more that were in stick situations if I had some gear. The truck made it easy getting around. No issues when putting it in 4X4. We only had 4-5", but it was pretty slick.

The first couple snows we had, I put 180 lbs of sand in the bed to help with traction. Whats your guy's opinions? Is it needed? I always through some weight in the back of my RWD truck and mustang when it snowed. I could tell a big difference in those vehicles. I left it out of the Taco during this snow, and I got around fine. I would think some weight would have made it even better though. Doesn't really seam like there is much weight over the rear tires. The stock Dunlops don't help. I would like to get some more aggressive ATs soon.

 

Haven't posted in a while, so thought I would touch base. Truck has been great! Very pleased with the gas millage. I am averaging 19.7 combined. My driving is pretty but dead on 50/50. The first 6 or 7 fill ups kept track of highway/city so I know that is pretty accurate. I keep it under 72 (usually). Probably average 65-70 during highway miles. I don't drive like a grandma, but I don't floor it everywhere either.

No more mods to speak of, but I am in the planning stages of the BHLM. Trying to find a set of OEMs on the cheaper side so I can work on them over time and dont have to rush over a weekend or something. Anyone have some available?

Other than that, just enjoying the truck, and our new baby boy!

 

Well, not much has been going on with the truck other than putting miles on it! Pretty much the only thing I have put on it is an Access Original Roll Up cover. I love it! Great quality, easy install, and best of all it allows me full access to the bed without having to pull a cover off. That is invaluable when hauling motorcycles.



I also pulled the tube steps off. I wanted a bit of change, and they actually get in the way of getting in and out of the truck. If I step on them, it raises me up way to high compared to the seat and makes it awkward getting in. In fact, I pretty much always step over them and end up knocking my shin on them, so off they come. Up for sale if anyone is interested! I'll run step-less for a while unless my wife really struggles getting in and out (shes 5'). There is a set of NFabs local here for sale for a decent price, so I may jump on them. Kinda hard to pass up for a reduced price.

My tires are getting a bit low on tread, ~5mm or so (sure, there is a lot of meat left, but I want bigger tires so it sounds like a plausible excuse!), so I've been looking into tire options. Can't afford new wheels too, but I think I want to go with 255/75 17s. Should fill the wheel wells nice. Planning on some sort of Bilstein lift soon, so they should look decent with a little lift too. As a matter of fact, I found a full set of Cooper Discoverer AT3 in 255/75 that were taken off a Jeep. They have half tread, but he is asking $100. Asked if he would take $70, and he agreed! Just need to find a time to make the trip to pick them up. Now that IS too good of a deal to pass up, even with half tread! I was pretty much decided on the Coopers before I found these, so its even the tire I prefer. Sweet!

Other than that, I picked a name for her. Bibiana, or Bibi. I thought a Spanish name would be appropriate since the color is "Barcelona" Red.

Still waiting to tool around in some snow again here in Ohio...

 

Well I must have said the right words to bring some snow our way! We got about 9" this past weekend so I got to play a little bit. Unfortunately we live in an area that throws down salt at even the potential of snow, so it never last long on the roads. Still fun nonetheless. Looks like we could potentially see 12" of snow and ice this weekend, so hopefully some more fun!



I picked up the Coopers as well. I think it was a crazy good deal @ $70 for the set. They probably have 30,000 miles left on them! I really had to resist putting them on right before the snow came though. The responsible side of me kept me from taking off the stock Dunlops that have probably 15,000 miles or so left on them. Plan is to buy some Bilstein Lift components over the next couple months and put them all on at the same time. The 255/75s should fit without the lift though, so I may cave on the tires before the lift happens.



I thought I would throw up this picture I took while riding just before Christmas. We were itching to get out and ride, but all our usual state forest land had just closed riding for the winter. We found a place over in Muncie Indiana. Neat little place to ride.



Other than that, I've just been pondering some plastidip options on the badges and wheels to change up the look some. I also picked up some stock grills from a member on here this week. Working on a concept for a custom grill... details to follow...

 

A little sneak peek on what I’ve been hacking on and off over the past few weeks.

 

Bringing back this dead thread (as if it was ever alive).

Not a ton going on in the past... holly crap... THREE YEARS since I've posted. None-the-less, some things I've done to the truck.

• Joined the DERP club and plasti-dip sprayed the badges black. Removed all badges from the tailgate except for "TOYOTA", looks much cleaner.
• Removed the Sport decals from the bed around the same time. Again, cleaned it up a bit.
• Removed the running boards
• Had another kid, therefore car-seat two is installed
• I abandoned my attempt at a custom grill. Just not enough time I could dedicate for something like that considering the above item. BUT, I did find a pretty cool Chinese grill that is very similar to the Tundra Pro grill. Gives that PRO look without going full poser. No shade thrown on those that have the Pro grill though, they look damn good!
  • This completed the elimination of chrome, I did it!
• Had the coopers mounted, fills in the wheel wells better, but could use a little lift and a *slightly* wider stance. Maybe sometime in the next 2 or 5 years
• Turned over 75K miles a few weeks ago, thinking about a transmission drain and fill. I've done all oil changes my self along with spark plugs at the recommended interval
• Put a pretty cool wheel chock/tie down system on the front bed rail. It was a little move convoluted installing due to my roll up cover. I had to shorten the width because the roll up cover has its own rails on the sides. Also had to space it off the front rail to allow the wheels of the motorcycles to clear the front of the cover when rolled up. Holds the bikes super sturdy and provides a lot of good tie down points to get a good angle on the bars.
• I've hauled a lot of stuff over the past year or so. We renovated the main level of our house so I had a 800+ sqft of Pergo in the bed. Multiple loads of lumber, resin shed, gravel, sand, mulch. Hauls like a champ. Never really notice a load back there except for the Pergo. That was probably approaching 2,000 lbs.
• Contemplating taking Toyota up on the CRC (corrosion resistance coating). But, I have it treated with Krown every other year, and has very minimal surface rust. I think I'm warranted in doubting Toyotas rust "fixes". I just don't want to hear a "well, we tried to fix it and you denied" later on if something were to happen...

Some fairly recent photos as she sits now...

 

Time for a truck update! I'm on the yearly to bi-yearly update schedule .

• Car seat number THREE is in and going strong for a year now. Proof to those who tell you it can't be done, that it can in fact be done. I'm 6' and sit maybe slightly closer to the wheel than I prefer, but its not a deal breaker by any means. We have a Chico Key-fit 30, some Graco rear/forward seat (not a fan of this one), and a Diono 3RXT. I will probably be purchasing another Diono for our middle child who will be forward facing very soon. Then move the baby to the Graco rear facing. The Dionos are the way to go for the slimness factor.

• I just recently picked up a set of 4Runner Off-Road wheels and tires with less than 500 miles on them. SUPER happy with the set. I've wanted to change it up for a bit now, but wasn't willing to shell out $$$ for new wheels. I purchased the take off set, with tires for several hundred less than I could buy new tires for. The Coopers never did balance well, one had a slow leak, and one went flat with a puncture. That was enough to push me to pickup a new set. Found these less than 5 miles away, it was meant to be. Love the extra offset to give a slightly wider stance. No clearance issues on my stock suspension.

• Not much more done to the truck. Oil changes @ 5k intervals, and spark plugs @30k intervals. Every other year I get a Krown rust treatment to keep the brown crumbly stuff at bay, frame looks great. Getting ready to turn over 95k trouble-free miles. Lots of smiles
• We traded in my wife's RAV4 for a 2023 Sienna and we LOVE it! 34 mpg AWD, tons of room, and very comfortable and pleasant to drive. Highly recommend