Mod insight needed!

I am in absolutely no rush to get this following items done. Builds take time and takes a lot of money as you all know. I want to make a plan for my truck and when the money becomes available for me personally, I have everything researched out and ready to purchase. Now, for what I have in question and want to get more of my questions answered before I make the purchases and have regrets/second thoughts:


-2"-3" lift kit

with this, I would like to see what you guys already have and how you like it. She is completely stock height right now but I want to give her a little raise specifically for aesthetics and making purpose for my side steps a little more because I am already tall and don't even need to use them to get in (I understand I still really won't NEED them to get in to my truck with a 2"-3" lift but it just makes the allusion that I do lol. This is STRICTLY for looks. I do not take her on the trails anymore really due to multiple flat tires from nails and scratches from trees and tighter trails. She is strictly my daily driver to college/work/normal life. What brand do you have? What height is yours? Where did you get it? How much was it? How was the install, easy, hard, how many hours? Did you have any hiccups throughout the installation period? If so, how did you fix it? Pictures would also help!!



-TRD Pro Grille with TSS garnish and front camera

I have heard a few people complain about the lane departure system and front camera (parking sensor) not working properly after installing the TRD Pro grille on their 2021 TRD Off-Road. What's your experience with this? Have you had any malfunctions? If so, what fixed it? Where did you get it? I would extremely prefer to get it from Canada and would only really look at getting one from America as an absolute last resort. How much was it? Did it come with the raptor lights? If not, where did you get your raptor lights? How much was the raptor lights? Pictures would also help!!



-Window Tint

I have been told multiple things from what level of tint is legal or illegal and websites say different things. I would like to get my front windows tinted and rear windows tinted. I obviously still want to be able to see safely out my driver windows but I'd also like the privacy and sun protection. I also saw another tacoma near my town have a "brow" tint. From what he told me, it was to be "x" amount of inches from the window to be legal. I got that part figured out but now I'm just looking for the level of tint on the front and rear windows. Where did you get it? How much was it? How long did it take to come in? Is it actually legal (please be honest)?

Thanks so much guys! Posting an update when available!

 

I have a 2021 TRD Off Road and purchased the Toyota Leveling kit at the dealer. It has a 2" Front and a 1" Rear. Rides nice! Now I want to upgrade the Tires and Rims. What are you using? My truck came with the 265/70 R16 - GY Wrangler with Kevlar and the basic 16" rims - The tires look too much like Passenger tires! No idea WHY Toyota would even uses them on a TRD off road! Any suggestions?

 

Granted i haven't done any of the following mods myself, i figured i'd chime in because i'm sure there are going to be a few stating to "just use the search feature" for this kind of thing. The research IMO is very fragmented and as you said, you cant just dump $10k of mods into it right away (well most cant), or wish to upgrade as the truck breaks in.

Firstly, i think https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/i-think-i%E2%80%99m-done-gonna-just-enjoy-it-now.736235/ Is a link you are going to want to check out as it seems to me as a very good start. It's a thread that i have saved around for reference even before the purchase of my truck.

My truck is going to be a little bit different use then yours, as i plan to use mine for lots of dirt trails and maybe some less traveled places, my work truck, and daily. Because of this i need something that can handle everything as well as being able to tow my 2400lb camper.

I think the general consensus being at a decent price point is going to be AAL1.5'' in the rear, and bilstein 5100's all around. I currently am planning on purchasing that, as well as considering Sumo Springs for keeping my truck level while towing and a slight stiffen at a very decent price point. They also install over the existing bump stop you will be removing while doing your suspension anyways.

I do not know about the pro grille reinstall and i currently like my Toyota symbol on the front
I currently like the raptor light idea as well, my issue is most seem very cheap and dont want to last more then a few months... One of my very first mods was installing SS3 pro's, i recommend doing this first, functional, road legal, and crazy bright.

My rear windows had a window tint from the dealership. I got a package that installed Guard covers on the hood, front panels, rearviews, handles as well as a window tint as a part of a freebie from dealership so i don't know exact first hand experiences, but from my STI tint it was about $300. Took only a few hours to do both of mine, just no rolling windows down for a few days! If you are worried about legality, "This was the factory tint from the dealership officer" has been my go-to (granted you not going a limo tint)

 

That's awesome! Do you feel it gives enough height? My truck also came with those wranglers with the kevlar. I bought my truck December 2020 and I had to change my tires in September 2022 because I just had no tread left, saying that, I potentially abused my tires lol. I still have stock rims. I'm in the same boat as you, I want to do tires and rims. I want to do a lift to have bigger tires on it. I've started looking at bronze rims for the blue colour on my truck.

 

Wow! Thanks man! That was really helpful. I've been doing some reading because I was one email away from putting tint on my windows and then realized any tint on the front windows in Canada is illegal and will be charged a ticket for it. I just really wanted some tint for the summer months because it gets so dang hot here in the summer time. I'm not crazy about the grille right now but I have also heard about the raptor lights not lasting long. What are the SS3 pro's? Headlights? Thanks again man for the advice, I'll have to go check out that link

 

You're very welcome!

SS3's are foglights from Diode Dynamics. Great company with OEM Fitting fog lights that are plug and play. I sadly did not get the light package on mine so my headlights are a bit lacking IMO. until then it was a great $300 upgrade to hold me over until the $1200 headlight replacement that i'll save for in the future.

 

Lots of options for lifts, depends on what you want to spend and what you’re looking for. I’ve got the Ironman Foam Cell Pro, and while I do like it, it is a little stiff for the weight on my truck. That said, it came as a 3” lift and new leaf packs, a great deal for the price. It’s probably considered a mid range lift.

I’ve got a cheap eBay pro grill and sensor cover. No issues but just make sure the grill is the right type that fits with the garnish. I’ve not had any major problems. Lots of places sells these now. I added a camera thanks to a kit sold but @FreshMexicanTaco.

For window tint, I got 30% all around and then 5% on the windshield brow. I like it. Not too dark but not too light either. Just check state laws, if you don’t want to get it can get pulled over.

Two pics with tinted windows and the one without, on the bottom.
Hope it helps!