deusxanime's 2020 Cement OR 6MT mods/upgrades/build

Yeah, it is crazy easy. If I had to cut holes and do any wiring or anything, I'd just skip it. But it was so easy that I didn't see any reason not to!

 

FINALLY installed my TRD cat-back exhaust I bought way back during the 40th anniversary/40% off sale. Originally, I was going to put it on my 2019, but when I decided I was going to trade that in of course I held off. It was a pretty simple install, just removed the 2 bolts holding the exhaust pipe together after the Y pipe, slipped out the hangers (ok that was a bit of a pain, but surprisingly not as bad as I thought, didn't even need to get the special tool or spray with some kind of lubrication to get it out of the rubber holders, just took a bit to work them out), removed the old exhaust pipe and muffler, put the new one in, and re-bolted it together.

I didn't look at any instructions until I was trying to find the torque spec (yeah I'm one of those silly people that actually try to use them) and realized the bolts where 14mm! I had grabbed 15mm and used that since it is common, looked right, and worked to loosen them, but found out I was wrong! Luckily it didn't seem to have damaged or rounded off the bolt heads, and I was able to use the 14mm socket to do the final torque down of 35 ft-lbs. It might be because I prefer to use the 6-sided sockets rather than 12 that saved me, since I surmise it may have helped keep it from slipping around the corners of the bolt head and rounding them off.

Another note - I didn't jack up the truck initially and was able to barely wiggle out the factory exhaust. I tried to get the new TRD exhaust in after, but I think the tip is just a bit longer and I could not wiggle through the area between the axle and box with the way it was. I got my jack and jacked up the passenger side to give me a bit more room between them by dropping the axle down some. That also gave me a bit more gap between the leaf springs and frame. With that I was able to slide the exhaust tip above the leafs and wiggle the bend through that area. Was a bit of a pain but worked!

I took it for a test drive afterwards and it isn't a huge difference. A bit of a low grumble/grunt now, especially as you accelerate and bring up the RPMs, but at idle I don't think I can even tell. I like that though as I'm not a huge loud, obnoxious exhaust kind of guy. I've heard this and the CAI (which will be coming up next probably, as I got that during the sale too) can help with towing and give a bit more power at low RPMs, so that is my real motivation. Oh... and I guess it looks cool too.

Some quick pics post-install:





I also have a couple videos I tried to take before and after to compare the sound. If they turned out decent and I can find a good place to upload them, I'll add them to this post.

 

Doing the hitch swap on my Odyssey a little while ago (even less room to work with) I finally caved and did a small shallow bucket of soapy water. Didn’t take much at all, just a little bit of smearing on the hangar and made the rubber much easier to slip off/on. I was honestly a bit surprised how helpful it was. Just in case you have to futz with it again later.

 

While I was under there after finishing up the exhaust, I re-torqued the U-bolts since it has been a few hundred miles since I did the SumoSprings install and they recommend checking that after about that long. A couple were a bit loose, so it was a good thing to check! In fact, since I had to tighten a couple of them, I'll probably re-re-check them after a few hundred more!

 

Yeah I saw that as a recommendation, as well as WD-40. I think I'd go with the soapy water like you, as it would be much less messy and easier to clean up afterwards! I also double-checked and O'Reilly has the specialty tool for exhaust hangers for ~$25 that I was prepared to run and get if I REALLY had trouble. Luckily neither was needed! I think maybe since the truck is so new and hasn't seen any winters or anything, the rubber has not dried out at all and was still very pliable. I did have to use a channel lock pliers to get one of them started, but that was it, the rest I was just able to push out by hand.

 

I did the TRD Cold Air Intake (CAI) yesterday. It was pretty simple and I didn't take any pictures really, expect at the end, but this video basically had the entire thing laid out and did a great job with step-by-step instructions. Pretty much just followed along with what he did and was good to go. I haven't really noticed any difference in sound, but only gotten a chance to do a short test drive, so we'll see if I notice anything longer-term on the butt dyno and such.

 

While I was under there, I slapped on the other little goodies I picked up just for the fun of it during the 40% off sale. TRD radiator and oil caps!! They are worth 5 HP each I think, so +10 HP, right?!?! Wooo! Anyway, they look nice.

 

Finally, since I had the isopropyl out to clean a spot for the CAI sticker, I also prepped and then put on the 3D printed Cement colored glovebox "TACOMA" inserts I picked up a while back. I got them off TW but it is so long ago, I'm not sure if I can find the thread for them. If I do I'll add a link to it in the OP like normal.

 

Updated OP with links and part numbers.

I also found what I think may have been the thread where I got the glovebox letters and ordered from. It has been so long I'm not sure, and unfortunately it looks like the links to buy them are dead now, so might not be available anymore (at least from that seller).

 

Hi, did you get a quote for the Toyota Platinum Warranty 10/125k?

 

Yes I did. I'll PM you the numbers for the 10yr/125k and others as I'm sure they probably don't want them out on the internet as they can change, etc.

 

If/when you make a decision on tires, please do post your thoughts and what you went with in your build log as I consider your judgement sound and your research impeccable. TIA.

 

I just had a mini write-up about them over in the "What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?" thread. Check that out if you want to know my current thought process on it.

 

Also, just as an update, I've gotten sidetracked by... Animal Crossing. LOL kind of got caught up in the game the past couple weekends and haven't gotten much done.

On Sunday I did try to put in my Redarc trailer brake controller in the panel to the left of the driver, but ran into a problem with the OEM switch fitment in the @MESO custom panel I had ordered for there. Sent a message to him, so hopefully I hear back on whether I'm doing something wrong, something changed in the 2020s, or whatnot.

I also ordered the @MESO Total Taillight Stage 1s because not only do they look great, but I got a tip from a fellow MN TWer that they work well to tap into for the third brake light when installing a topper. I'm expecting my topper order to come in anytime and am allergic to tapping/splicing into factory wiring, so it is great timing. Since I'm going to put the TTS1s in, I'm very tempted to do the TRD Pro taillight swap as well to get rid of that chrome strip in there. Argh need to quit spending on the truck though!!

 

So we don’t have any inkling at all that Toyota might release an LED taillight to match the 2020 LED headlights?

Kind of amazing they are doing pro taillights with halogen bulbs. Given that 2021’s are on the road now it seems MESO is nearly required for anyone wanting an OEM look with LED bulbs. Maybe there is some hope for 2022.

I am very tempted on TTS1 but for now holding out to see what he comes up with for the 2’s and because the flip fob would be a must have if it makes it to market.

 

We forgive you but don't let it happen again.

TTS1 will looks sweet and I agree, please get rid of those chrome taillights! 2020 pros are fine but I think look a little too street. I think the the 2019 ORs look the best.

 

At this point, I wouldn't expect them to do much of anything else until the entirely new refresh on the TGNA platform in a few years. I was surprised they even bothered with doing the LED headlights though, so maybe we'll be surprised by the tails as well. Or maybe they'll just do token stuff like the Trail Edition to keep it "fresh" until then.

 

How much did your Xpel PPF run you? My guy is backed up two months.

 

It was $750 for the partial front package (all of bumper and grill area, headlights & fog lights, and about the front 1/3 of hood and fenders), door edges were free (with $300+ purchase), door cups $20 each, and then A pillar & front of roof was another $150. All in, it for that was around $980 + tax.

 

ill have to look back in my notes when I’m back in the office next week but that looks right in line with what my guy will charge? You still satisfied with the results?