3rd Gen- on a budget/college student build

Hey everyone, after a little over a year of owning a Tacoma, I figured I’d start a build thread. When I was 18 years old, I was put in an extremely unique situation to buy a brand new Tacoma. I walked off the lot with a 2018 MGM Double Cab Long Bed TRD off road 4x4. I immediately knew I wanted to mod it, but still being a teenager, I knew I shouldn’t spend my income entirely on the nicest and best parts on the market. I needed to put aside a decent amount of money for college and an apartment. Many of my parts were bought pre owned on Facebook, Craigslist, and here on TW. After extensive research and travel, I’ll explain to you how I obtained this look for around $5k.


Mod list


Suspension:

Billstein 5100’s on all 4 corners on 2888 coils with a Deaver AAL- 1k from headstrong off-road


Lighting:

Cali raised 30” hidden light bar

Cali raised ditch lights and brackets -$250 for both from TW member

Amazon Led headlights and fog lights- got it paid for by school to run LED headlight test

Amber lights- $20 on amazon


Wheels:

Pro comp fake beadlocks- on sale for $400 for all 4 on amazon


Tires:

265/75/16 Falken Wildpeaks- $480 total on amazon


Armor:

Demello rock sliders- $500 from Facebook

TRD pro skid plate- $200 from Craigslist


Shell:

Snugtop with lots of options off craigslist- $1000


Roof rack:

Martin cab rack- $500

Martin shell rack- $500


Cosmetic:

TRD pro grill- $60 on EBay

Interior LEDs- $20 on amazon

Plasti dip- $5 on amazon

TRD pro taillights- $150 on Craigslist


Common questions:

Why did I get a long bed?

• I’m actually a huge surfer and my truck is primarily used for to and from the beach with lots of surfboards. I can fit surfboards in a short board, but it is much more convenient in a long bed.
  

Do I even off road?

• Sorta. I go to baja Mexico all the time and I go to very remote locations where 4 wheel drive and good clearance is absolutely needed.
  

Why didn’t I get bigger tires?

• I travel from Berkeley to San Diego, California very frequently and MPG’s are critical during that drive. Also, I couldn’t find a good deal on 17” wheels and I don’t want an E rated 285 tire on a 16 inch wheel.
  

Future plans:

• 255/85/16 tires
  
  
• TRD pro headlights
  
  
• Light bar on roof rack
  
  All feedback is welcome! Thanks for looking.
  
  photos:
  
  

 

Nice looking truck!! How do you like the Martin racks? Is the cab rack removable?

 

Yeah it is. So far so good. Pretty much a prinsu.

 

Wish I could find a deal on sliders like that

 

I got extremely lucky. I waited a whole year to find a deal on them like that.