Apprehensive to put anything other than Toyota parts

Most of the people spending thousands of dollars to "improve" their Tacomas are stupid fucks that desire to be acknowledged by people they don't know on Instagram.

OEM is very good. Some people are skilled enough to make it even better at significant cost. There is very little in between, especially if you have no fucking clue. The aftermarket thrives on dumb fucks that think they can spend their way to improvement.

 

Let's see I've got...

Focal, JL Audio, Kicker, Diode Dynamics, ARB, Meso Customs, VLED, BakFlip, Fox, Icon, ECGS, Rough Country seat covers, probably some other stuff I'm forgetting too.

FWIW, I just bought all oem Toyota diff fluids, coolant, radiator hoses, washers, gaskets and serpentine belt. The upper and lower radiator hoses are absolute thin cheap garbage imo. One was from China and one from Mexico I think. I'm looking into swapping them with the silicone hose kit from HPS.
https://hpsperformanceproducts.com/...eater-coolant-hose-kit-toyota-16-17-tacoma-v6

OEM is good, but sometimes there's better alternatives.

 

I'd recommend the Bilstein 6112, 5160 combo over the trd lift. I think the 6112/5160 was the "trd" lift on 2nd gen Baja editions.

 

I just noticed they make a nice looking low profile tonneau. Id debadge it though if I ever got my hands on one.

 

Ok stock it is ( well, and unicorn stickers). Thanks

 

if you left it stock...it's not a crime. The mod police won't come with a warrant or anything like that.

welcome aboard

 

I’ll be a little different than most here. I have thousands of dollars into my truck (I’ve probably installed most of the aftermarket stuff you can). Nothing is Toyota brand. The only thing I ever buy Toyota are factory replacement parts.

Want to know how many issues I’ve had with aftermarket parts? Absolutely zero. I’d argue a lot of the aftermarket parts are better quality than that what Toyota makes.

Now with that said. If you are popping on generic Chinese Amazon stuff, then yeah you’ll probably have issues. But even then some of that stuff is okay too.

 

35's or sell it.

Seriously though ask yourself does this mod serve a purpose in how you use the truck? There will always be a trade off to any mod. Now there's a pile of quality aftermarket components out there, sifting through the crap to find the good stuff is a challenge some days. I have no problem putting aftermarket products on but I'm right selective about it.
I wouldn't say be afraid of it but have a vision and a purpose for what your doing.

 

I’m wondering. Can you point me to the Toyota tune that improves the drivability of the automatic? If not can you point me to the Toyota suspension kit that will allow me to travel at higher speeds off road without shock fade? If not can you point me to a front bumper kit kit with a Toyota winch that will allow recovery if if get stuck. You know, because only Toyota makes the aftermarket parts you need.

 

I come from 25 years in the motorcycle business. As a Harley Technician/ business owner my advice to my customers was always based on leaving it stock unless I knew them well enough to understand their skills and mentality. Thats not to include simple things like badges, seats, etc. Everything I own is modified because changing things is how I relax in my off time.

I have many mods to my truck. I bought it new and left it basically stock for 2 years. It was a nice truck and very capable, but it's not the end all be all of pick ups and you can ALWAYS make improvements to suit your taste and needs. Now it's more like a toy and I make "excuses" to have to go for a ride or run errands on weekends lol. So much fun!

The mods are tasteful and can be put back to stock if need be as I have kept all of the stock parts. Mods range from simple cosmetic bolts ons to a full stereo upgrade, a 2" lift , ECGS bushing, wheels and tires, etc all done by myself. I have used genuine Toyota parts and aftermarket parts as well. I tend to spend the money on quality stuff and if I get something I'm not happy with it gets returned.

There is nothing wrong with modding your truck OP, you just have to understand that some mods are better than others. You aren't going to ruin the reliability of your vehicle changing grills and tires. There is always room for improvement just understand "improvement is in the eye of the beholder. I'm never selling my truck it's getting passed to my grandson when I'm done with it so resale isn't an issue.

If you cannot do the work yourself that's ok but it greatly increases the cost so it may not be "worth it". Only you can decide that. If you are the type of person that has bad luck, or complains about every little tick or noise, or your super anal, I would stick to simple cosmetics and tires and just run it.

 

First I would suggest that you put a large bandage on your ass and then read what I actually said.

 

The 3rd Gen Tacoma has the largest aftermarket support out there. There are plenty of companies that make really great parts. Now I don't have any bumpers or sliders on my truck however I have had no issues with K&N, Sprint Booster (Same one I had in my 2nd gen installed in a 3rd gen) and other little parts I installed (see build thread). If you are looking for a lift kit you can get the TRD Lift for the 3rd gen by purchasing the full kit which includes 4 shocks, rear block lift, grille/sensor ect...OR you can piece the kit together like many of us have an just get the shocks. I have the shocks and I am yet to install them but in this thread there are many reviews of the lift and photos to set with different ride heights. best part is it is OEM. Just make sure you get a needle bearing so you dont get vibes. All in like $600 for the shocks/needle bearing from east coast gear supply then labor to install. The closest to the TRD lift is the Bilstien 5100. They come with one more setting of adjustability. I had these on a 2nd gen and they rode great.

Here is the thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyota-trd-oem-lift-kit.695620/page-148

 

Your truck has a cold air intake installed from the factory, so don't chase that red herring any further.

Otherwise, just leave it stock and get away from this forum for anything other than maintenance guides. Seriously, there is nothing you truly need that Toyota hasn't already provided to you. If the internet crashed forever and you never knew this site existed, your truck would still run great for 30 years with basic maintenance recommended in your owners manual.

There is an OEM Toyota TRD lift kit if you feel like you can't live without a lift.

 

I am new, people may counter-argue some or all of what I say here ...

You can spend as much in mods as you did on the truck and it still may never go on more challenging ground than the paved road. And you will still be unprepared if/when you hit the trails.

My plan for now is to play defense ... skid plates so I do not kill the underside (oil pan, transmission, etc) and basic (not $3000 worth) of recovery gear. and most importantly ... connect in-person with people to learn how to stay out of trouble while on trail. Just post where you are and when you want to take a trail on a weekend and see if anyone here will guide you, or look on meetup for a group and get skills first.

Anyone who wants to say that "defense and knowledge first" is unwise, please advise.

 

Ok anyone try the heritage grill from Yotaverse?

 

https://runnin4tacos.com/collection...trd-pro-style-grille-3rd-gen-tacoma-2016-2021

 

I'd argue knowledge first, tires second, armor maybe.

I run the aluminum TRD skid, a small bumper, and that's it. I'm not into bashing rocks with my daily and I hate adding unnecessary weight. The truck already is a pig as it sits. But that's just me.

 

Thanks for that.

Not sure I am into replacing perfectly funtional tires until they wear out.

Steel front skid is paid for even if not shipped. I will stick with that, I think. My Corolla lost a splash guard years ago and the accessory belt rotted from rain so skid-plate/splash-guard makes sense to me.

My "basic" recovery kit just makes sense (air pump and tire patch, vehicle jump start, traction boards in case of snow).

Next step is education ... go out with people who have more knowledge and winches/hi-lift-jacks/etc. Start with non-rock crawling because even pictures of it I see scares me.

 

Just stick with TRD parts, you can't go wrong. That's what I did with my Sport. As for my Off Road, I went aftermarket to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. It really depends on what item you're trying to buy and install. I just bought a Rough Country bed mat and I love it, so there's my 2 cents.

 

I wouldn't "level" one of these trucks, they're pretty much level to begin with. IMO you're looking at about $1000 in parts to do a decent 2" lift plus whatever the cost of an alignment from a shop experienced in this stuff is.