Plim's Taco build

We just got back from our trip to Utah. We drove about 2700 miles in total. We visited Zion and Bryce. We went to Capitol Reef through the back country, which required some mild off-roading. We also went to Arches and we drove the Tower Arch trail. The truck did really well (my TRD Pro Taco's suspension is stock). Here is a video I found on youtube that gives an impression of that trail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3DhKHtAR5k

We also went to Canyonlands (Island in the Sky), for which I had back country permit. Here is a video impression I made for my family in The Netherlands (it has some titles in Dutch):
https://youtu.be/wQoxTKaz-jw

Everything went really well with the truck, except for the fact that my Diamondback cover shifted forward after about 250 miles of off-road use. I had to loosen the fasteners, and push it back about half an inch. But other than that: Never bottomed out, or hit any of the skid plates, did not hit the sliders, no body damage, just a few scrapes on the mud flaps.

 

We camped at a site called Labyrinth. We got there just in time to see the sun set.

 

What a dream. Looks like a great trip.

 

I got myself the CBI Hi-Lift rail mount kit. This way I can leave the jack in the truck bed, without it obstructing the view from my rear window.

The only problem was that the kit was supposed to come with 4 spacers, and it only had 2 in the kit. 3D printer to the rescue

 

As I was already 3D printing, I thought I should also improve on the plexiglass switch panel I made for the Anytime Camera switch. After tinkering with a file I found on the internet, I was able to modify it so that it would fit my switch, and also have a blank space for a future switch (regular Toyota size). The panel is MUCH sturdier and the switch is no longer crooked. I will probably do another improved iteration on the design (and remove the Taco icon in the middle), but for now I'm happy.

 

As I was tinkering with the truck, I also made time to finally install the tailgate lock, which operates together with the central locking mechanism. I purchased the official Toyota part, which includes all the wiring and is totally plug-and-play (Toyota Part Number:

$162 PK3B6-35JS0 Toyota Genuine 2019 & Newer Tacoma Short Wheelbase Tailgate Lock (PK3B6-35JS0)

PK3B6-35JS0).
Installation was easy, and even with the stock ground clearance I didn't need to put the truck on my Quick Jack 5000 to be able to work under the truck. This is quite different when I'm working on my Mustang.

The Toyota dealer hadn't installed one before, and based on the number of pages in the installation manual they quoted me $1200 for the install (just the labor). As I had already read the instruction, I decided I was going to do it myself in around 2 hours. It turns out my estimation was correct, and I saved quite a bit of money.




For anyone interested: here is also the installation manual.

 

I installed the 2016-2019 TOYOTA TACOMA LED BED LIGHTING KIT GENUINE OEM ACCESSORY

$225 PT948-35160 Genuine Toyota 2016-2019 Tacoma LED Bed Lighting Kit

PT948-35160

Really happy with the outcome. If you follow the instructions, the wire loom is the correct length (on some of the YouTube videos people seem to find the wire loom is too long... Not sure why that is.
What I like about this kit is that they go on with the regular interior lighting, or with the bed light (on top of the cab).


This is the official installation manual in case anyone needs it.

 

I really wanted to have Apple CarPlay. So I installed the Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX.
Nice thing about this, is that the screen is 9". Gaia GPS is now also Carplay enabled, so no need to mount the iPad anymore

New Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX flush mount install

 

So this is the WT7600? I thought they were floating mount only? Did you just use the WC6600 as a guide and do the same stuff?

 

Correct, this is the DMH-WT7600NEX.

Here is the complete order list I used. I forgot to order the GPS Antenna adapter, so I easily modified it using the plastic of the Pioneer connecter (no cutting):


Items

Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX

Quantity Price Total
1 $995.00 $995.00

S&G Wire Cutter/Stripper Tool

Quantity Price Total
1 $17.99 $17.99

Posi-Products™ Car Stereo Wiring Harness Connectors

Quantity Price Total
1 $5.99 $5.99

MasterSheet Installation Instructions

We will send your MasterSheet by email.

Quantity Price Total
1 $0.00 $0.00

American International TOYK974 Dash Kit
Satin Black

Quantity Price Total
1 $19.99 $19.99

Crutchfield RCA Adapter

Quantity Price Total
1 $4.99 $4.99

Metra 40-LX11 Antenna Adapter

Quantity Price Total
1 $7.99 $7.99

Metra AX-TOYUSB USB Port Cable

Quantity Price Total
1 $11.99 $11.99

iDatalink Maestro RR Interface Module

Quantity Price Total
1 $119.99 $119.99

iDatalink HRN-RR-TO2 Factory Integration Adapter
ADS-MRR module also required

Quantity Price Total
1 $39.99 $39.99

Subtotal

$1,223.92

Shipping

FREE

Sales Tax

$113.18

Total

$1,337.10


Payment Method
Payment Type Amount
PayPal $1,337.10

 

Thanks for the info! About to order mine now! Was there any issues making it flush mount? Just had to trim the bezels/metal nipples?

 

I used the "American International TOYK974 Dash Kit".

I mounted the unit to the top half. This means that the screen is connected to the head unit at the top (hanging down). That way I had more clearance behind the head unit itself for the wiring to attach. Especially the USB connector is fairly long.
To make it even easier, I removed part of the white plastic behind the radio. (I guess you could also get a 90 degree angled usb-C extension cable).

I slightly modified the dash kit bracket so that I could move the radio farther back, and slightly lower (easy to do with a small file, or a rotary tool).

 

Do you have any pictures from your install? About to order this cause I was looking at the 10" but didnt like the floating aspect...wife is fairly clumsy and I can see it getting hit a lot hahaha

 

the white plastic channel in the picture above, has a lid. It can easily open. I just cut it off. Gave a lot of extra room. The entire channel is clipped onto the metal bracket. Unclip it, and it can be moved back further.

I didn’t take any other pictures. It’s really not difficult. in the picture, you also see the wiring for the anytime camera mod. Don’t get confused with those.

 

I went back to my truck and took the bezel of for some clarifying pictures. I hope it helps you.

 

Bro thank you so much! Looks super easy to do it that way! Is there any issues with it bouncing/shaking? (The screen)

 

Nope not at all. I have taken it on a very mild off-road trip, with plenty of washboards.

 

Thanks Pascal for you sharing this modification you did on the HU bracket. I just did the install with the bracket you used, modified it as to your pics you posted above and the unit fits nice and flush into the dash now. The adjustments you made to the bracket was spot-on. Looks so much better this way. Thanks again man for your help with this mod. Cheers.

 

Hi Plim / Tacoma 17

For the 7600, did you use the bezel or just the brackets from the dash kit? I see you had a JBL unit.

I can get a 7600 for a decent price so considering it rather than the 6600.

Thanks

 

Nice insight man. Few questions about your camera set up. I want to install a fwd facing cam too. The taco already has a rear facing, and I have a 7600 on the way. 1st, did you already have a factory backup cam, and are using it still with the 7600, and 2nd, does your fwd facing cam still work with the 7600. I have an AVIC 8600nex in my other car that has a bagillion inputs to include the option for a fwd cam, but it's a sedan so I never bothered to put in one. That car also didn't have a backup cam until I put one in so I'm just wondering how all the factory stuff is meshing with the new head unit, and fwd cam you have now. Thanks!