I AM BRUTICUS (build thread)

Upgraded to Alpine Halo 9
Loving this new head unit. 9" screen is amazing. The best thing is no more glare from the sun. Great combo with the Infinity speakers. The unit comes with Apple Carplay, Bluetooth connection, anytime rear camera display, HDMI input and maintains all the OEM controls and functions. Sound is much stronger and clearer. Looking to add an amp in the future. Also now there is a cubby for a CB hopefully.

Biggest pain on the install was trying to get all the wires to fit behind the unit. With all the additional harnesses and Maestro control units, it barely fit. I'm not looking forward to ever pulling it apart. Eek.

Here is a thread on the unit for those interested.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/alpine-halo9.542412/

 

Doing Some Cutting
Getting ready for the fender chop...

 

Interesting sun shade. Who makes it and where did u get it?

 

Sorry for the late response. It is a covercraft UVs100 custom sunscreen.

 

awesome thank you!

 

BAMF Tacoma Front bumper reinforcement brackets

Upgraded the Pelfry brackets with the BAMF @JLee brackets. They are beefy and easy to install. Used a floor jack to support the bumper when bolts are loosened. The first side was a little tight (a little grease and a rubber mallet did the trick) so make sure you leave the bolt inside the bumper tightened so that the bumper doesn't separate from the frame (this will make fitting the new bracket over the bumper and frame easier). Also before putting on the new bracket, remember to take off the old "L" bracket from Pelfrey, they don't work together.

Old "L" Bracket (located on the back of the frame, sandwiched against the shock reservoir mount)


New Bracket





Note: You will need to remove these frame covers (Back, Front) for the top bolt to go through. I had to break the one pictured here to get it out. The other one pops out easily w a tap from this hole once the cover is removed.

 

Expedition Essentials' SwitchPros Mount
https://expeditionessentials.com/products/switch-pros-mount-toyota-2nd-gen-2005-2015



This mount was made for the newer touch controller (Flush mount 8100 and 9100) Older SP8100 controllers are of a slightly different dimension so it doesn't quite fit through this mount opening. In order to get this to work, I had to add 1/4 aluminum spacers to mount my SP8100 surface mount version of the controller.


You will also need to create an opening that allows the movement of the cable when opening and closing the sunglass holder compartment


You will also need to create a temple to figure out where to drill the holes for the mounting screws


Final installation

 

Finally, Rear High Clearance Bumper

After about a year sitting in my garage, I was finally able to install the Bruteforce Fabrication High Clearance Rear Bumper with Dual Swingouts. It was a used bumper from another Tacomaworld member. It was in decent shape but needed new swingout bearings, a new swingout latch, and paint restoration. The bumper has also made the ride of the truck more solid, especially on the freeway. The truck now feels like it is planted firmly on the road. Since removing the swaybar a while back, the truck has been squirrelly at high speeds. Now with the bumper, it feels solid.

You can also see in the pictures a teaser of the rear fenders cut and fitted with trimmed bushwhackers. More on that in a later post.

Bumper prior to paint restoration. Video to come on the spindle replacement in a later post.


Bumper all polished up and some new taillights. Also trimmed the fenders and installed the Bushwacker
fender flares before the install to make things easier. More on the fender trim in a later post.



The fender cut came out straight. I'll talk more about how I did it in a future post and possibly a video of it.


Restored the paint using some Turtle wax polish to remove the oxidation and water spot build-up. It's holding up ok. I may have to use polishing or rubbing compound to really get it looking good. Gonna have to be careful to not get the bumper to shinny from the polishing compound.

 

Time to cut that tail pipe

 

Yeah, that’s next on the list.

 

Alpha Rex Pro tail Lights (Jet black)

First impressions. Nice light design that is different from anything out there, solid build, high-quality material, comes with a 2-year limited warranty from TacomaBeast. I think I may eventually want to switch to the red versions to keep it to a more OEM style.

 

Transformers fan?

 

In for more details about that bumper...!

 

Bruteforce Fab Dual Swing out. Rocking the same great shop and great price.

 

Upgraded window switches

Saw a post from @nudavinci64 on these awesome switches. I now have auto up and down on all 4 windows plus nighttime illumination. Kit comes with driver and passenger side switches. Simple install as well. Pull up from the top side of the black plate, unplug and replace the switch module. Install in reverse order.

Old switches


New switches

 

Any idea if they make these for 05-011 Models?

 

Sorry, supposedly they don’t make for those years.