Darkfader’s mod/shenanigans/BS thread

I like to keep a record of my vehicles and “build” threads are the most fun. So I figured I’d start one. I hesitate to call this a build, it’ll be more of a mild bolt-on mod thread. There will be lots of pics!

Here’s my ‘18 Sport M/T DCSB the day I picked it up, 1/4/2019

 

Within 12 hours (1/5/2019) of taking ownership, I swapped over my 2017 T4R trail wheels and added a set of spidertrax I had just purchased for the 4Runner.

4Runner down:



Not my fault, but a real bummer. Insurance was a hassle, especially since this happened two days before Christmas, so all the holidays stretched out the process.

Spacers and wheels:



I like the spidertrax, and I’ve never had a problem with them. Always use red loc-tite and torque to spec, then check spec at every rotation and you’re good.

T4R trail wheels:

 

I definitely had some rub with the 265/70-17 wildpeaks and spacer combo. I’m pretty sure the trail wheels are a +25mm offset too, whereas the stock sport wheels are +30, so I was touching the chin spoiler and the front mud flaps. Adding the spacers and 4Runner wheels gives me the equivalent of -6mm offset if I’m understanding it correctly.

Anyway, off came the chin spoiler and a heat gun made reshaping the flaps a breeze.(1/6/2019) I barely touch now when turning on a change of incline and reversing at 3/4 lock. Not bad but still touching. Hopefully a mild lift will cure that.

I like the poke:

 

New door kickers from Crutchfield, and Subaru dash tweeters arrive Tuesday 1/8/2019 and were promptly installed. The Crutchfield adapters didn’t accept the 6x9’s very well but I have no rattles at this time and it definitely sounds better than the stockers. I do foresee a sub and amp from ********* in my future though. I’ll probably add sound deadener at that time as well.

Stock speakers were lighter than air! I’m surprised they sounded as good as they did.



All six are now replaced with the kickers. I think ********* 5 channel amp and custom 12” enclosure will make me happy. Still need to research though.

 

Next was some tint. 1/9/2019, I had my tint guy hook it up. He told me the rear metered at 28% and he only had 20 or 35 so I chose the 20 for now and if the difference bothers me, he’d do the rear with something to match. He also did a 5% strip on the visor. It’s been overcast here so I haven’t seen it in the sun but so far I can’t really see a big enough difference to bother me. It’s definitely different from the inside but I don’t care about that.

I definitely like the look:

 

I have a 32” CaliRaised LED bar for the lower grill, but I ordered it for the 4Runner, so I’m in the process of returning the brackets and exchanging for the Tacoma brackets. I’ll couple that with an AirOnBoard switch that I also already have for a factory appearance.

After that, I’ll be lifting. I’m leaning toward 5100’s and the 3 leaf pack from Headstong. I ran the 5100’s on my ‘13 sport M/T along with firestone ride-rites and enjoyed them. With this truck, if I go 1.55 on the front Bilsteins, and the 1.5” leaf pack, I’ll basically keep my rake which is only a half inch. Maybe because of my tonneau? Seems everyone else has more rake than that. :dunno

I definitely plan on adding heated seats. Most likely black Clazzio’s with red stitch and heaters. I have three open switch blanks below the HVAC, so two seat heaters and LED bar will fill those nicely.

I’ll be ordering seats and lift within the next two weeks or so, and I’ll keep the thread updated for sure.

As always, tips, suggestions and general BS will be appreciated and encouraged in this thread.

 

Man those 4Runner wheels look great on that black truck. Nice contrast & the Wildpeaks are awesome!


Sorry to hear about the 4Runner tho

 

Damn near forgot I ordered a pro grille. It came today and I couldn’t wait for the garnish to put it on. Although I never received a warning light for the TSS for the 90 miles I drove after the install. I saw some guys don’t need or run the garnish. Wondering if it’s worth the 50$. Besides the step bars, I’m chromeless. Anyway, 1/12/19, pro grille installed:

 

1/14/19

Left the truck at the tire shop to put the stock sensors in my T4R trail wheels so I didn’t have to stare at the light any longer. Works as it should.

No more:



Warm fuzzies:

 

1/19/19. Swapped black step bars with a fellow Tacoma owner who bought my stock sport wheels and tires. Added a new union sticker, and washed the poor thing because this black paint gets dirty if you look at it wrong. Also seat heaters came today. Still a while until the Clazzios arrive, but I’m getting some wiring plans together in the meantime.

 

Are those the Clazzio seat warmers? I'm liking those switches & curious how they light up

BTW the crime scene unit us watching you!

 

Haha, they’ll never take me alive!

I did not go with the Clazzio heaters because those switches were the dial type with the green and orange lights. These are the “besond” brand carbon heaters. The photo of the switch lit up showed it being blue so I’m hoping it’s a close match to the rest of the factory switch lighting. Once I have the rest of my electrical sorted, I’ll get them wired and mounted and post pics.


EDIT: curiosity got me so I just tested the illumination and the seat icon does in fact light up blue. Not sure what color the hi/low lights will be but they are small and I won’t mind if they are orange.

 

Excellent thanks for the info. The switches look exactly like the new Toyota switches which I've seen for almost $100 each! I'd like to keep things OEM looking also so these might just be a win

 

1/21/19. Installed AVS in-channel vent visors. I used GooGone to remove the logos. Perfect fitment and super easy install.

 

2/8/19. Installed Redline Tuning hood struts this evening and 86’d the prop rod. These should be factory equipment on a vehicle at this price point IMO.







I’ve just about collected everything needed for the final audio upgrade and I can get started wiring everything up. I’ve got to get the caliraised LED bar, which I installed 1/23/19 but forgot to update, and AOB switch wired, the seat heaters, and of course the amp. I went ahead and got the blue sea dual usb charger to replace the cig lighter while I’m in there.

 

Nice mods so far. Keeping it simple/cheapish making the truck look better. I like the look of the spacers with the 265/70, I might do that when I need tires next time around. Truck looks good.

What will you be using the lift for? Harder trails? Improving appearance?

 

Thanks @Mushu , I had 5100’s, stock coils, and Firestone ride-rites on my 2nd gen and was thoroughly satisfied with the ride quality and towing/hauling characteristics. I’m anxious to get it lifted and have been torn on what to do exactly. My considerations so far:

1. 5100’s, stock coils, 1.5” setting up front, headstrong 3 leaf AAL without overload, Firestone bags for trailering.

2. 5100’s, OME 887(or whichever coil nets 2” of lift), Headstong 3 leaf AAL WITH overload, bags for trailering.

3. 6112/5160, 3 leaf AAL, and bags.

There’s no word on when option 3 will be available at this point (national backorder) and I’d like to do this in the next month or so, so option 3 may never happen.

The lift is mainly for looks as the stock Tacoma is super capable of the light off-roading I’d ever want or need to do.

 

Nice nice. I bet the 3rd gen will ride similar with similar lift kit and you'll like it. I asked mostly because I think it looks good as is with those spacers and you could get away with just running Firestone bags on stock suspension probably. But also probably will look better with the lift

 

Saturday 2/23/19 I started my wiring project. Switches for the light bar and heated seats were done and most of the wiring. Didn’t quite have enough speed wire to complete the stereo wiring so I put everything back together to revisit. Finished everything up today, 2/28/19, and the stereo sounds great but I think the amp needs a little fine tuning and then some cable management to clean everything up. Light bar works great and is activated by the dash switch and the factory high beam switch. And it’s bright. Hopefully the clazzios arrive soon and I can finish the seats up. Harnesses for the seat heaters are in place and show 12v when turned on.

 

3/3/19. Installed a set of white raptor-style lights from runnin4tacos today before the weather set in. I did the quick wiring installation using an “add-a-fuse” but I may figure out a clean way to tap directly into the DRLs.