blaklabl's 2021 TRD OR Cement Build Thread

Well, I'm content doing small mods as I go along on things that are important to me. Overall I am extremely pleased with the Taco and plan on keeping it mostly stock but doing tasteful changes. My background was in Jeeps previously, and I learned over time that not every mod is a great idea, despite how it might look. This is my DD and I don't need 35's, a lift, etc., just a solid reliable and sporty truck to take me mountain biking (my true passion).

So far in the first week of ownership, I have swapped out the interior lights with LED's as well as replaced the "T" emblems in on OR wheels with the red TRD overlays. I also have the tailgate handle decals and interior glovebox inserts coming in cement grey, as well as a TRD license plate frame (so I don't have to advertise for the dealer) and the TRD grill emblem from a member on here in the gray colors.

Next up will most likely be replacing speakers (I have premium non-JBL), tailgate power lock install (OEM) as well as bed mat (OEM). Probably need to also do the tailgate anti-theft thing too, just not sure if it's worth a $30 piece or if just the hose clamp with heat shrink tubing will do - any thoughts on that?



I also am looking to go with an LED headlight bulb replacement, but that's a rabbit hole I have resisted thus far. It's just crazy to me that they don't already come with them, the lights are so gold/yellow compared to the DRL's.

Thanks for following along!

blaklabl / Eric

 

Tacoma's do come with optioned LED headlights for your year and trim and previous year 2020's

Keep up the upgrades though!

 

Yes, I understand that. Unfortunately inventory in my market is/was extremely limited and I didn't have a lot to choose from, nor did I have the time to wait for a special order.

 

Not much, but something

 

Nice truck and welcome to the forum

 

Okay.

then maybe I just don’t understand that statement of why don’t they when they do??

 

Maybe so, I don’t think I can help you.

 

Installed the OEM bed lights today, seriously a 1-beer and 1-tool job. I’m pleased w/ it.

 

Also got out for a ride this weekend...

 

If you want to see what your TRD OR will look like in 3 years, I started in the exact same place. Sorry in advance, it's just the way it is.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2018-dcsb-trd-or-rwd-build-cement-mixer.548718/

 

You have a beautiful truck. Nice work!

 

Easy stuff this week. OEM Power tailgate lock, OEM bed mat, and added some flair from TVD Vinyl to the tailgate and glove box.

Next up this week - Kicker Subaru tweeters and OEM LED fog light (black bezel) upgrade.

(and yes the vinyl are both cement, it’s just the lighting. Perfect match if anyone is interested)

 

Tweeters today. The difference in sound from the stock (premium, but not JBL) vs the Kicker cannot be overstated. It’s actually shocking. Now I can hear mids and highs without having to turn it up so damn loud. Worth the $$ for sure.

 

OEM Black exhaust tip. Install was a little more difficult than I expected, actually it was the removal of the chrome tip it was replacing that was challenging. The new one went on easy.

 

Installed new OEM LED fog lights with the black bezel. Super easy, didn’t need to remove the grill or go in behind the fender as expected from various YouTube videos.

 

As someone that has always gravitated towards “black out everything” on my vehicles, this time I wanted to try something different. I’m not a fan of chrome, but black/silver tastefully done can be very complementary. Truth be told I spent the first 3 weeks of ownership drooling over TRD Pro matte black wheels, plastidip/covering the emblems, etc. I knew that if I went down that rabbit hole I’d never be satisfied until everything was cement or black - and as I said earlier in this thread I wanted to keep it stock-ish but do some personal touches.

So, I didn’t catch the line item on my dealer add-ons and they charged me an embarrassing amount for the TACOMA letter inserts in the tailgate. These particular inserts are chrome with a matte black center, so I figured I’d make lemons out of lemonade and do something with the V6 and Tacoma emblems that fit in with it. I returned to TVD Vinyl for some matte black letter overlays that match the tailgate inserts and I’m happy with the outcome. It’s easy to remove if I do feel the gravitational pull of blacking everything out, but at least this is more unique.

First pic is of the tailgate inserts as I got them from the dealer. The rest is what I did with the TVD decals.

 

A good wash after a weird night time dust/rain storm last night.

 

Additionally, when I replaced all of my LED interior lights, I also did the license plate lights. Well, as many have found they are REALLY bright at night and it throws off the backup camera video and can make it harder to see.

There is a thread on here with a license plate light cutoff wiring harness when going into reverse, which I guess is cool but seems like a lot of effort to just knock down the brightness a bit. So, I just popped out the lenses and tinted them with some simple self-adhesive tint from Amazon (more than I will ever use, but about 1/10th the cost of the harness be hawked on here) and it knocked down the brightness just enough. The plate is still illuminated at night, with the white LED light, so works for me.

 

Eye and Ear candy....

 

Hikari "Eyes of Megatron" low beam bulbs (driver side installed, passenger is stock halogen just for comparison). I have the OEM LED fog lights, and these compliment them very well. I also am impressed with the quality of the light, the distance throw, the cutoff...all the stuff the "megathread" on headlights said wouldn't be the case.