DUCTACO “Jr” Build

Took delivery of my 2023 White TRD Pro 6MT mid October. Miss the simplicity of my 1st gen sometimes, but sure missed shifting gears.

Current Stuff:
- RSI SmartCap EvoA
- OEM Audio Plus Reference 500 system
- Diode Dynamics SS3 Max Selective Amber Fogs
- Diode Dynamics XPR reverse light LEDs
- Diode Dynamics SSC2 pro ditch lights
- Switch Pro + Powertray set up
- RCI Bed Stiffeners
- RAV 4 Radio Knobs (best $20 I've ever spent)
- RCI Transmission and T-Case skids
- RCI 20 degree sliders
- Icon RXT Leafpack (stage 2)
- 5x SSW Raptor 17x9 -12 (Matte Black)
- 5x 285/70/17 Wrangler Duratracs
- 2Lo Mod
- Core Shifters Short Shifter
- YotaWerx BH 2.0 AD+AGM

Stuff Waiting in the Garage:
- Baja Designs S8 Lightbar
- BAMF Hybrid Front Bumper
- Smittybuilt x2 winch

Future:
- 5.29s
- Somewhere to mount the spare

Stock


At a hair under 200 miles ON THE Odometer I drove up to Oregon and picked up my SmartCap EvoA from Mikes Custom Toys. Can’t recommend them enough.





Shortly after getting home I had a chance to install the OEM Audio Plus Reference 500 (dual amp single 8” sub). Fairly easy install - Lots of clips and busy work, took my time as to not break any clips/tabs. Fair warning 22/23 owners will have to do a permanent modification (cut a hole) to the right rear plastic storage seat cubby. The result was a nice clean system, exactly what I was hoping for. Mids and highs are awesome, lows are not shake your brain rattle the license plate, but blend well with plenty of thump.

gotta hack this piece (driver side rear seat storage cubby) up, but once the enclosure slides in you won’t see it.




I do wish I added in sound deadening while I was there. Not getting any rattles, but while the panels are off I’d recommend it.

 

Finally got around to getting the RCI sliders on, Diode Dynamics SS3 Max Selective Yellow fogs and SSC2 Pro Ditch lights.

 

Sound deadening installed and sealed the front and rear doors and removed the plastic vapor barrier. I used a mix of Siless hybrid 200 mil and Amazon Basics 80 mil sound deadening material. Impressed with both for the cost. Used friction tape on contact points and door fasteners. All in all vibrations are gone, sealing off the doors improved mid bass a bit, and road noise reduced. Should have done at least the front doors when installing the OEM Plus system 500. Took some time but happy with the results. Still have enough material to take care of the back wall behind the passenger seats.


spent another half hour rolling this out afterwards and adding a few small pieces after a knock test. Covered about 50% of the interior door skin. Door shuts like a safe now.

KT athletic/trainers tape works great here, friction tape was a bit too thick.

Friction tape

Friction tape

(Yes, the door drain ports are not obstructed)

 

Got to installing the Powertray and Switchpro.

Reached out to Powertrays for the CFR relocation bracket and had some questions answered. Jeff and team were super helpful.

The battery tiedown CB holder along with their kit is top notch.



Ran ignition and dimmer fuse taps to the injector fuse and RH low beam fuses. Might run the trigger to my high beams to run ditch lights and/or light bar. Pretty easy to run through the bottom of the fuse/relay box without drilling. Final install tip, much easier to get the Switchpro panel cable through by unpinning the 4 connectors in the molex connector.



Ran the power cables for both OEM Audio Plus amps to the powered Blue Sea bus bar.




Not much for us manual tacomas in the way of mounting the panel where bed light/clutch cancel/TC switches are located. The QI charger is garbage so made a mount that angles the panel up about 30 degrees or so.

 

Update: got the RXT Pack (stage 2) on with Archive garage U bolt flip kit and Archive’s yellow bump stops along with the Westcott front collars on a this past summer. Loving the truck as it is right now.

 

Core Shifter went in tonight. Absolutely recommend to anyone on the fence.