Cheap mods you are proud of

This is slick. Nicely done.

 

I just need to get unlazy and hook it up to something. I've got wires running to my aux fuse panel. Originally it was going to be reverse facing lights on my roll bar style light bar (even have a connector ready to go) but it's been 4 years and I'm...lazy.

I've toyed with making it run an underglow kit, but I'm probably too many years past my FnF days to do it with a straight face.

 

Looking good method nv305s machine finish. I'm a big fan of these wheels . I get many compliments

 

$33 Sill protectors/appliques.

 

$6 “heritage” decal from Amazon. Needed some modification to separate the colors but necessary imo.

 

Second favorite… white letters on new set of Falkens. Oil based sharpie and a steady hand. We’ll see how long it lasts lol but should be easy enough to touch up here and there.

 

If it doesn't hold up, they make specific paint pens for this application.

Tire Ink | Paint Pen for Car Tires | Permanent and Waterproof | Carwash Safe (White, 1 Pen)

$13 Tire Ink White Tire Paint Pen - Waterproof Permanent Paint pens for Car Wheels Lettering | Car Wash Safe and Durable | Made in Japan (Pack of 1)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSJ0XZX

 

How about engine bay lighting, or a few courtesy LED lights facing downward using the running board for mounts, and dimmed with an Oznium Fade-in/out module?

 

Not sure if you are serious, but you ARE from warm and sunny San Diego, so I'll elaborate.
Here in the land of snow and freezing rain, one thing that does stick to our otherwise frictionless stock composite boxes is ice. It gets in the grooves and kind of "locks up" when the wet snow freezes and expands. So having the bedliner in place actually makes it easier to remove accumulated snow when it's cold. The "ice snakes" that form in the grooves can be quite durable and stubborn when its minus 10.

Having said that, I do recognize the fencing does add a certain "Beverly Hillbillies" touch to the otherwise modern-looking vehicle. Might paint it black this summer...

 

I have a '17 and my passenger handle wasn't touch sensitive. Replacing that with a copy of the driver's handle is probably my favorite mod. Cheapest would probably be buying the wireless ODB port plug in that let me turn off a lot of the annoying beeping the truck does. $20 well spent.

 

tell me more…

 

that's a tough sticker. would have expected it to come off in a few days

 

Yup. It is still on. It’s been on since April 2021.

 

On the way home from the dealer I noticed a strong glare in the windshield from the dashboard. I went online and saw I wasn’t the only one. After about a week it irritated me enough and bought these decals.

https://tvdvinyldecals.com/products/premium-cast-matte-black-vinyl-anti-glare-decals-for-tacoma

I’ve spent a few thousand on mods, and I still think this was one of the better ones.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/passenger-door-smart-key-system.545524/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/carista-app.515086/

 

I started with 3/4" Poplar and haven't noticed any significant deformation. They do bow a bit when I stand on just one of them.
I haven't slept on mine, but I made a set for my son as well and he and his girlfriend have slept on them a few times with no noticable bowing.

 

Did the radio knob switch (for the RAV4 knobs) today and that is literally the shortest duration "thing" I've ever done on our Tacos. Topping up the -49 degree windshield wiper fluid took longer.

The RAV4 knobs are $ 17.66 each in Canada through my dealership, but in my humble opinion are totally worth it. I often adjust the radio with gloves on; tested how it worked today and the bigger knurled knobs are very convenient. I think they look better too.

Speaking of -49 degree wiper fluid...something else I have done on my previous truck that I'll do on the new one once it warms up a bit, is to ream out the drain hole at the front of the passenger side of the box to 12 mm (1/2"). The factory hole seems to get blocked by leaves and "stuff" quite often, and having the low-side hole a tad bigger allows more of the crud to flow through without plugging the hole.

Edit: just saw the full-size photo online...that's snow that blew in during the knob change...big storm coming in.

 

This sounds like a great idea. You have a pic?

 

I think my sarcasm alarm isn't working today, but in case you are actually sincere..........it's just a bigger hole. (inset juvenile "that's what she said" joke here.)