bttrbsch's Bolt-Crap-On Build Thread

Owned the truck now for 2 years, and going to try and recap everything that I've modified and adventures I've gone on. Going to be a lot of catch up early on, but aim to keep this thread up-to-date once I get up to speed. Without further ado...

 

I purchased this 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road in December 2019. Bone stock, not a single aftermarket part on it. Purchased through a private party, for a price considerably less than what these trucks are going for in the Covid market....



At the time of purchase, it had 40,000 miles on it. I bought it to replace the 2002 Toyota Tundra I was driving. I still miss that Tundra to this day, it had 180,000 miles on it when I sold it and I've been told that the engine inside of it could have carried on for many more. Even though the Tundra is considered a full-sized truck, it felt the same as the mid-size Tacoma since it was an access cab.



I still don't know the exhaust the Tundra had on it from a past owner, but that V8 bark sounded so so good. I also do miss the longer bed, even though I hardly used it during my time of owning the Tundra.

You'll see my full-sized shuttle pad on the Tacoma (awkward), skis that don't fit the 5 ft. bed (awkward), and Wal-Mart bin that doubles as a truck toolbox (awkward).

 

Within two weeks of ownership, I had a new sound system in the Tacoma (priorities). I believe it was my first thread discovered on Tacomaworld: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/premium-audio-upgrade-for-less-than-250.510424/

Kicker door speakers front and rear, sound deadening on the doors and back panel, and Subaru tweeters on the front dash. A few months later, I purchased an all-in-one subwoofer, I believe it is this model (or similar):

$130 Rockville USS8 8" 600w Slim Under-Seat Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer Sub+Amp Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Rockville-Un...41276894&sprefix=all+in+one+su,aps,133&sr=8-3

I'm very pleased with the sub combo, it provides the bass boost I was looking for without needing a box, external amp, or extra wiring.

 

Short bed, big couch.

You'll also see the Odero running boards I installed on the truck... I think these look really good compared to Predator running boards or otherwise. They tuck up against the door panels and can be flared up and down by loosening the hardware. Sorta "faux sliders" if you will.

 

Ski trip up to Mt. Baker!

 

Installed some Raptor Lights. Love 'em or hate 'em, I think the amber lights look good on an orange truck.

Picked up a Softopper in the Tri Cities, WA. I love how it can fold up easily and be stored without hassle. Great option for someone renting and doesn't want to deal with storing a fiberglass topper or need a friend to help remove the canopy. Folks comment on the canvas topper all the time - seems to be the item that draws the most interest on the truck.

The photos below are from a camping trip in the St. Joe National Forest (North Idaho).

 

Installed some amber fog lights like all the Instagram overlanders are doing. These things are bright! To date I'm not one of those guys who will drive on the highway with them on blinding others...

Taken up camping up near Mt. Baker:

 

Purchased a Yakima shuttle pad designed specifically for the Tacoma. The price is worth it to have a pad that fits the tailgate well, allows for the latch to be accessed, and the rearview camera to function properly. Well-made too!

 

Softopper works alright with the pad, though I did find it annoying to drop the tailgate, position the bike, then raise the tailgate up to secure the bike into place.

Photo taken in Hayden, Idaho.

 

Installed the MBRP exhaust system. Initially, it was wayyyy to loud. I hammered an auger into the tailpipe to act as a baffle and that reduced the volume by about half. Ended up selling the exhaust after owning it for 1-1.5 years.

 

Purchased some Amazon generic seat covers for the driver and passenger seats. May not be fancy leather covers or the tightest fit, but for $25 I'm happy with them. I can hop in after I'm all muddy from mountain biking and the dirt get transferred to the cover, which can be removed and washed easily.

 

I missed it earlier in the thread but I removed the "TRD" sticker from the bedside. I think the truck looks really sharp with that decal removed.

I added blacked out emblems to the doors as well as black tailgate insert lettering.

I also spray-painted the chrome bumper caps. 2 years later and I'm shocked that the paint isn't chipping or flaking... I didn't do any prep work or primer - just hit them with a rattle can of black paint.

 

I added some gym mat-style flooring to the backside of the rear seats that fold down. I found that the hard plastic was not grippy and items slid around easily when placed on top of the seats when folded down.

 

Added the TRD pro grill... I feel like this is a right of passage for anyone who owns a third gen. Initially had issues with the cruise control sensor, but after adding some washers and giving it a week or two to calibrate it figured itself out and hasn't given me any issues in the past years.

 

Added a light bar behind the grill. I absolutely love the "hidden" look... light bars across the roof or elsewhere stick out like a sore thumb.

 

Installed the Auxbeam F16 LED lowbeams. Ran those for a few months then sold them.

Over the 2 years I've owned this truck, I have gone from halogen, LED, HID, halogen, HID, and now back to LED. Yes seriously. I cannot figure out how to get bulbs that work well with dark and wet Western Washington roads.

Halogen: Mediocre intensity, mediocre throw
LED: Bright intensity, low throw (poor for seeing longer distance on the highway)
HID: Low intensity, good throw

 

Installed blacked out sequential turn signals in the mirrors. Looks pretty cool when unlocking the truck (and turning of course).

 

Got a rock chip in the windshield. Went to a windshield repair place to have it patched. They have to heat up the glass to apply the sealant, and since this was during the wintertime the glass cracked all the way across. Soooooo new windshield had to be installed.

 

Wanted to move the bike out of the bed to allow more useable space for camping trips, so ordered the 1Up Heavy Duty Double rack. High upfront cost, but man this rack is built well and should last me for many years to come.

 

Summer drive to Mt. Baker!