Work truck mods!

Hey everyone,
I bought a 2020 trd sport and am still waiting for it to arrive. It's my first Toyota and first 4x4.
I work in residential renovations as a working general contractor. I'd like to see the mods someone of you who work in the trades have made to help make your work easier.

Things I am leaning towards:
A hard fold tonneau cover. I'm looking at the Leer HF650M but being so new I can't find any reviews on it. Just a couple of installation videos and none of those are on Tacomas. Like most, moisture and security plus being able to use most of the bed space for tools, materials, oversized items etc are the main concerns and I am trying to find the one that best addresses those concerns.

2. A headache rack. As such the tonneau would have to be compatible. I have to park in an underground so heights are an issue. I will see how much clearance I have once it arrives. An add on to this is some sort of removable rack at the rear near the tailgate to allow for the occasional transporting of longer items over the cab. Ie, extention ladders, lumber etc. in a horizontal position. Shorter items like 4x8 sheets of ply or drywall can be put in the bed so not worried about those.

I'm in southern Ontario just outside of Toronto in case anyone is wondering.

Thanks everyone.

 

Back Rackkkk, love mine, and so does my back window haha

 

Bed step

 

Back Rack, bed mat, GOOD set of ratchet straps (like Erickson, not a Cambodian Tire special bin deal) and some weathertech mats are all a good start for making the truck more functional and easier to keep in decent shape.

 

I’d probably go with the best looking ladder rack one could find. For me, ease of loading is paramount if I have to do it over and over, whether it’s racking pro on a climb or loading bins and tools and sheet goods into the bed of a truck for a job.

 

Big things for me,

I'd get the Backflip trifold personally. That leer is similar, looks good.

Upgrade tires, sell oems right now if you're a contractor. Get Toyo AT3 or any mild all terrain, so the truck looks like a truck and you won't get stuck.

Headache racks don't usually work with tri-fold covers.

Do a fluid film on the frame, toyota has longer warranties on the frames now, but you live in the rust belt of Canada.

If you put about 500lbs in the back, consider a mild spring helper like the Sumo spring or Timbren spring, you can read up on them here.

 

As previously mentioned headache racks aren’t compatible with most tonneau’s. If you really need the headache rack maybe consider some mounted tool boxes or even a Decked system to keep things hidden and secure.
I second the fluid film suggestion to help the truck last.

 

I don't even think my compound miter saw would fit under a tonneau. I'm not a pro, I've just flipped a few houses and do handyman stuff on the side, and I can't even remotely imagine fitting tools and supplies for any job under a tonneau. You need to think bigger.

Get a proper camper top, put a rack on it, and call it a day. Drywall and lumber are easy to put on the topper rack. All your tools will stay dry and secure in a topper, and there's tons of room for smaller supplies in there too so you take less trips to the store. In general though, keep in mind the Taco's no substitute for a full-size truck for real work - you'll need a trailer if you're getting dirt, gravel, or more than a few sheets of drywall or plywood.

When you get the camper top, pay the extra for the side opening hatches ("windoors") and the tool boxes behind them. They're perfect for quick access to common tools and are an upgrade you won't be without again.

Here's my toolbox on my ARE MX high-top topper. Even with the roof rack, it fits my the 7' garage. When the door is closed, you can't tell anything's there:



And opened up, tons of tools or whatever else you may need at your fingertips. In addition to tools, I have stuff like bungee cords, ratchet straps, recovery gear, folding chairs, etc all there too. It's pretty dense storage:

 

Welcome. You do know a Tacoma has very little room in the bed right? Very little will fit under a tonnau. My portable table saw won't. My mother saw won't. Any jobsite tools would fill it up in a minute. The bed is shallow is the problem. With my Tundra, bed is deeper so stuff fits.
I second the suggestion of a topper. Otherwise, it will just not haul much for contractors.
Most contractors here drive 250 or 350 trucks with an 8' bed, topper and big ass trailer. Not a Tacoma lol.

 

I bought a TRD Off road and the springs were just awful. I had to upgrade the leafs, so I did shocks as well. I went with a custom ladder rack and a mx4 tonneau.

 

I got my own business and I run a flatbed, not in your proffession, its a tundra tho, when looking for a great work truck evaluate mpg, payload

 

The Weathertech floor liners look awesome. I especially liked the backseat floor liner is one piece all the way across. A set has been ordered. Lol. Thanks for the heads up. The bed mat I ordered as an extra and I just checked the ratchet straps I have and they are Eriksson.

 

That's a sweet looking bed drawer system! Did you buy it or make it yourself? Love the custom rack as well.

 

The Tundra would've been an option except getting a full size into where I park would be difficult and many of my customers live in older neighbourhoods with no driveways, where there's a lot of traffic due to their proximity to the downtown core and street parking is at a premium. The truck will mostly be used to haul whatever tools I need for a particular job. If I need to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood or drywall it's only occasional and usually only a few at a time. Larger amounts I just have it delivered.
I haven't fully committed to a tonneau and will look into the toppers a little more. Going to look into the ones that have the windoors as another poster mentioned. Any other suggestions?

 

I'm assuming the TRD Sport would have the same issue? I'll definitely be looking into this. Thanks for the heads up!

 

I built a wooden "platform" in the floor of the back seat to level it and so I could throw stuff in there when bed was full.
I also had a canvas back seat cover for use when I didn't have my platform. I've hauled bags of concrete on my back seat lol.
Lastly you need a hitch hand. I built my own but I think most could buy it cheaper.

 

No the TRD Sport has different shocks and brakes. Much more firm for street use and brakes are normal instead of being designed for off road. Mine was a sport. Never had a problem with carrying a load, the truck just didn't like pulling a 6K trailer, hence the Tundra.

 

Oh man I know the feeling of hauling things inside the cab that's not meant to be there. If you only knew what I've been using the last few years. My business has grown year over year the last 4 years and had to upgrade. I can't wait to "Escape" what I have now. Don't hate me!...lol