How long should I keep everything stock before adding mods to a new Tacoma?

First thread,

just picked up a new 2023 Tacoma Sport, wondering how long you guys would wait before adding mods, also debating if I should pick up the Bakflip MX4 tonneau.

Literally just picked up the car from the dealership today, and wondering if messing with the factory rail system the same week is a bad idea.

Looking forward to getting active on this forum

 

Well, your on here... that's the first step. Lots of great information and builds to check out. Wish i had known about Tacoma World when i first got mine (made the mistake of installing a spacer lift a month in ) Good luck and Welcome Aboard!

 

Drive it for a little lol, add stuff when you have problems and a mod is the solution.

 

at least 3-6 months.

 

It depends on the “mod”. Will it cause issues with warranty? I waited until it was out of the first set of warranty's before I did major surgery. Stuff like backflip covers just do it.

 

Easily removable add-ons (wheels, tires, tonneau, skid plates, sliders), I would do now if I needed. More permanent changes wait until you have it paid off. It has been spoken of in here that some fabrication shops may check with legal owner (aka ... the bank) for some modifications.

Small internals like radio buttons, custom control buttons, drill-add-ons may be harder to remove if you must.

 

Had mine done before i left Dealer. & it’s been Good.

 

Welcome! What I would do first would be: window tint, tonneau cover (I have the mx4 and it’s great!), power tailgate lock, pop and lock tailgate collar lock (to prevent tailgate theft), and catalytic converter shields. I’d also get new wheels and tires because the stock ones are ugly haha. Welcome to an endless money pit!!

 

As long as possible

 

close to 1 year i would say.

 

i would wait on tough to undo/reverse and stuff that needs more research like lifts and bumpers. Easier decisions, and stuff that you can afford to lose, or swap back, go for it.

First mod for me was cat shield as soon as i could get one.

My favorite mod is a shift knob swap. Wish i did it sooner, it’s inexpensive and easily reversible though. Got it from Twisted Shifterz.

I am pretty happy with a diamondback fastback tonneau. It was a factory second and uses the stock rails, would be easy to uninstall revert too, though i doubt i will ever need or want to as long as i have the truck.

 

I told my self I'd wait 6 months before modding my 23 TRD Sport. Turned out to be closer to a year because life happens. Glad I waited though because initially I was all in for a very pricey King suspension lift with the goal of fitting 33" tires on the truck. Fortunately the time waiting and researching allowed me to come to terms with me only wanting top-tier and how I actually use my truck (as my daily driver - 90% paved roads, occasional trail). I switched to a Bilstein 6112/5160 set, SPC UCAs, and Icon AAL. The tires and alignment were done yesterday and I'm actually picking her up today.

TLR Give yourself some time to research and come to terms with what you want, your budget, and how you use your Tacoma.

 

I would start with quality of life mods like floor mats, running boards and such then work your way into fun mods.

 

Yes. I would recommend you wait until your truck meets your driveway. After that moment you're ready for making any mods.

 

tune it before lifting it

 

I second a few mods mentioned here. I am very conservative when it comes to modding
1. Power Tailgate Lock if you put on a camper top or tonneau cover. Having to manually lock this is a pain and or remembering could be a liability.
2. Floor Mats
3. Tune (Most important and best mod I have done to date. Wish I had done it sooner. It made the truck so much more enjoyable. I hated driving my truck, it was like I was fighting for it to do what it was meant to do... now I love the way it drives. It took me 5 years to do it... as other will say, I wish I had done it sooner. I went with an OTT tune.
4. Diode Dynamics fog lights... fairly inexpensive for vastly improved night driving benefits.
5. I upgraded my suspension to the Eibach Pro with Ikon RXT leaf pack. But I have a GFC and the additional weight along with gear I carry made the stock suspension ride like crap. I put the Eibach on 3 months ago and that along with the tune are two things that made me now love the way my truck rides.

Everything else depends on your lifestyle.

 

Yes!

 

I had the full TRD accessories added (except the shift knob) at purchase so I already had a few mods from day zero.
Having said that, my “best” mods have been the RAV4 radio knobs, rubber bed mat, some extra bed rail cleats and the front bed rail, and the “OCD” center console tray.
And pop in some Philips H9 bulbs in your low beams if you drive outside city limits.

Nothing all that pricey, and each of them makes the truck better.

Timing: I’d say “now” on all of them….maybe hold off on the rail and cleats if you’re getting a cover.

 

I drove mine for about 3 years and 36k with basic mods. Trd wheel vinyl, TRD pro grill, window tint.

Then the big mods started. Then I paid it off and the cutting and grinding began.

 

Thanks for all the input guys, I'm honestly probably gonna listen to @YatYas1833 and @MattiasdelTaco and pick up a Cat Shield from Miller.

I'll be doing a lot of interstate travel and stopping at hotels, and my state in particular loves their cat theft. It also seems like the most reasonable way to justify starting to spend money on the truck . I already bought the rubber bed mat, and will prob look into a tonneau cover next.

@yellowdogpaddler, whats the deal with the OTT tune? I'll be around Bama next month, wondering why i'd wanna opt into it.