Buying a new 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 today, need some advice.

I am a new member and this is a great forum. I am buying a 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 Double Cab with the 3.5 V6 and 6 speed automatic transmission today. I am getting the Blazing Blue Pearl with the TRD Premium Sports Package and the Technology Package. It has the all weather floormats, paint protection film pkg hood and door, and the Predator Pro step bar. I really do not want the Predator step bar because I dont want to hit my leg shins on them. I am hoping I can get the dealer to take them off and give me a credit if possible. Does anybody that has these steps add some input on these. I am thinking about adding the 2 into 1 LED DRLs and Fog Lights. Are these LED lights worth getting and does anybody have any input on this item. Also I might be adding the chrome exhaust tip and possibly the Chrome Tacoma Letter inlays for the tailgate. Any input on these items would be very helpful. Is there anything I should know before picking this TRD up? Like low trans fluid, TSBs, and anything else. Thank you for any advice as I am a newbie.

 

Every thing you have the dealer add, is just another way for them to over charge you and take more of your money.

 

Chrome was over in the 1950's. Stop it.

 

Don't let them get your email addy, will be bombarded with satellite radio requests to sign up, plus the dealer will program it into the radio. Goes on for months. I got the floor mats, thought would be nice to match the truck name.
Duane

 

Chrome LIVES!!

 

To answer your question, I have no idea, but my best guess is that they’re sold in packages for a reason, and the idea is to get you to buy stuff you don’t want in order to get the stuff you do.

If you’re forced to take the steps to get the truck though, you could always sell them. You can get a lot of money for them, especially brand new.

 

Chrome rocks. Old school rules!
Duane

 

Not everyone likes to plastidip their brand new ride until it looks like a 17 year old's POS jetta that some kid painted in a wal mart parking lot.

 

I ground off my steps and added Herculiner bed liner

 

Oh...Welcome!

 

Skip the all weather mats as the OEM ones are crap. Save your money and get weathertechs.

Skip the chrome addons as you can get the better, cheaper from Tuffskins (do black instead of chrome IMO)

Skip the lights and get some proper lighting for your intended vehicle use. I prefer Baja Designs but also have some Rigid lights too.

Skip the exhaust tip, you can get it cheaper and put it on yourself.

Basically, get out of the dealer the cheapest you can and then get enthusiast aftermarket parts to make it how you want

Mine started as a 16 TRd sport 4x4 but has been customied to suit me using the knowledge and info of this forum. The dealers are usually idiots and want just your cash.

Edit: welcome to TW as well

 

No, there were all those Plymouths in the 1970's.

 

As to the predator steps... I've had them on two Tacomas and never hit my shin on them, nor has anyone getting in or out of my tuck. On the other hand "I" don't actually use them much for getting in and out... but my wife does so you know how that goes. They are somewhat handy for getting access to the roof for cleaning and what-not. Keep them... try to get dealer credit.... what ever suites you but I think you need something down there as the truck looks bare without some sort of step bar.

One accessory I asked for and got thrown in at N/C was a Homelink mirror allowing you to program your garage door opener. This is one tech feature that is actually useful on a daily basis. Also, maybe ask them to throw in a TRD Cat Back exhaust. This will come with a chrome tip. They might not bite, but it's worth asking.

 

If you want/need steps (only) or simply like the look, keep the Predators. BUT, do NOT think of them as any sort of protection off-road. You are bettor off without Predators off road. Use the money for real sliders.

BTW - My dealer wouldn't take the Predators off and my wife thought they would be helpful as steps. WRONG. She now wants them gone. Tired of banging/scraping her legs when getting the dogs out of the truck.

I'm getting rid of them as soon as I can get myself to choose which sliders to get. SOON!

 

I sold my steps for $300 and my chrome exhaust tip for about $30. Paid for the BAMF sliders - on one side

 

Clearly someone wasn't driving in the 90's. Chrome and more importantly, chrome rims were HUGE.

 

I’m a fan of the 2 in 1 LED Projector Fog Lights with LED DRLs. The LED lights were an option on my previous ‘17 TRD Sport. The fog lights really brightened the view upfront. The only drawback in my opinion was the mismatch halogen headlight bulbs, but I still enjoyed the LED lights as an option.

 

If you plan to off-road at all, I’ll echo the others’ sentiments to axe the steps. Get some sliders and you’ll be much happier

 

Even the early 2000’s with at the chrome 20 in spinners

 

Here is my update. The salesman called me to let me know my new Tacoma TRD Sport had come in and was detailed and ready for me to pick up. It had to be sourced from another dealer about 350 miles away, as they could only find 2 TRDs that were similar to what I wanted in the Southeast. The other other one they found had the Predator steps plus a lot more accessories that I did not want. So I went down to my local Toyota dealer this afternoon. I just reminded my salesman that I had bought a new 2016 Highlander Limited Platinum and a like new, low mile used Toyota Ccorolla Le for one of my daughters from them in the last 2 1/2 years. It also helped that they know I personally know the owner of the dealership. I told my salesman and the parts manager I did not want to bother the owner about this little issue of removing the steps. They said they did not want me to bother the owner either. So they are going to take off the Predator steps for no charge, give me a full credit and replace the factory plugs where the step bolt holes are. They also gave me a very good price on the 2 in 1 LED Projector Fog Lights with LED DRLs and the TRD Chrome Exhaust Tip with free installation. I decided against the Chrome Tacoma Letter inlays for the tailgate. So I will be picking up my new TRD Sport on Thursday afternoon for $41,500 including tax, tag, and title. I took it for a test drive and loved it. Any more advice on things I should be aware of when I pick it up? Also any other advice or suggestions on setting this truck up would be appreciated. I plan to do more to this Tacoma. Can you get LED headlights instead of the factory halogen bulbs? What are your opinions on the TRD Catback full exhaust system? Again thank you to all of the forum members for your help and knowledge helping out a newbie.