@K9Tacoma 2023 TRD OR Build Thread

Updated 3/30/25

Hey everyone,

Welcome to the build thread! I've been modding cars ever since I could drive, and in May of 2023, someone clipped the front bumper of my modded 2014 Lexus GS350 F Sport, and guess what I ended up in for 64 days as a rental "car"? A 2021 SR5 Tacoma! Two weeks in and I knew it was time for me to finally get myself a third gen. I've always admired them from afar and could never get myself to daily a truck, always thought I needed cars with ultra good handling, etc.
I'm not quite at the point in my life where two vehicles makes sense, so I went off to the Toyota dealer in May of 2023 and just "checked" with what allocations they had coming in. This was a time when they had zero ground units. Lo and behold they have a 2023 Lunar Rock TRD Offroad with one option/addition, floor mats! I tell the salesman, write it up, I'll take it. The rest is history.

Feel free to give me a follow on instagram @K9Tacoma for some more content and more updated photos!

I'll keep this updated, I've got links for nearly everything in case anyone wants specifics for what I put on the truck. I've got a few custom things I've built and a few I'm sure I've forgotten.

Mod list:


Interior:

Clazzio Black Leather Seat Covers https://tinyurl.com/emh5z8ac

Leather Steering Wheel https://amzn.to/40TUEMH

Anytime Front/Backup Camera Kit https://tinyurl.com/2rs7yary

AJT Lunar Rock Door Handles https://amzn.to/48xEjz6

AJT Lunar Rock Start and 4x4 Switch https://tinyurl.com/yvzrhr76

AJT V2.5 Shift Knob (Short) https://tinyurl.com/yc4wd63w

Snapshades Tacoma Double Cab https://tinyurl.com/ycv36nbk

Midland MXT275 GMRS Radio https://amzn.to/4eeN8z5

Thinkware U3000 Dashcam https://amzn.to/4ehT3Uf

Carlinkit Wireless Carplay Adapter https://amzn.to/4ehT3Uf

3DMiniStudio Visor Molle Panels https://tinyurl.com/4defvudx

TuxMat Floor Mats https://amzn.to/3YtaFGK

Tiny Tacoma on Dash https://tinyurl.com/3vkx3czn


Dogs:

Custom DIY seat delete

2 Ruffland Intermediate Kennels https://tinyurl.com/5fhrzed2

Dog Fans https://amzn.to/3NQmDoW

Dog First Aid Kit https://amzn.to/3AsOcli

Primo Kennel Pads https://tinyurl.com/5eza3dbb


Exterior:

YotaVerse V2 Tacoma Pro Grill https://tinyurl.com/3vyzyyrv

Grill Raptor Lights https://amzn.to/3YQAL7Y

Prinsu Original Tacoma Cab Rack https://tinyurl.com/4weyvfmu

X-Bull Traction Boards https://amzn.to/40tPgzJ

RetraxONE XR Tonneau Cover https://amzn.to/3NRMYmA

OVS HD Nomadic 180 LTE Awning https://shorturl.at/43M30

Apache 9800 Case https://shorturl.at/Wq9lA

AVS Low Profile Vent Visor https://amzn.to/3Agli7X

100W Bifacial Solar Panel https://amzn.to/48w0shv

KBVoodoo 12in Aluminum VRS Bed Rack https://shorturl.at/ixWm2

Midnight Forest Rain Basin 8 Gal https://shorturl.at/yYNPd

Pelican 1700 Case https://amzn.to/4jtut6I

Spare Tire Y Strap for Rack https://amzn.to/3RrSVs8

3DMiniStudio 3D Printed Grab Handle https://tinyurl.com/yrwee7b3

3DMiniStudio 3D Printed Light Duty Hook https://tinyurl.com/223wdnw4

Tacoma Tailgate Letters https://amzn.to/4ekTlJX


Bed Accessories:

BougeRV 30qt 12v Fridge https://amzn.to/3NQh2PD

Billie Bars Tailgate Panel https://tinyurl.com/kfnpfztr

Fire Extinguisher https://amzn.to/4f6nm1g

Fire Extinguisher Mount https://tinyurl.com/yc4wd63w

VLEDS Bed Light Kit https://tinyurl.com/5cndpbu5

Cali Raised LED Bed Lights https://tinyurl.com/4w7ajns3


Suspension:

Bilstein 6112 https://amzn.to/48DJaiy

Eibach 650lb Coil Springs https://tinyurl.com/48m56ez4

Whiteline UCA https://tinyurl.com/2pnyurck

Perry Parts Front Bumpstop https://tinyurl.com/4wka6tyf

Dobinsons L59-110-R https://tinyurl.com/6dzerm77

Icon 1.5-3” Lift 2.0 Resi Shocks https://amzn.to/3YR9p1F

Perry Parts Rear Bumpstop https://tinyurl.com/2p9krcx7


Wheels/Tires

Impact 8815 Wheels 17x9+0 https://tinyurl.com/2a9rp92k

RRW Extended Thread Lug Nuts https://tinyurl.com/56sddsvy

Falken Wildpeak AT4W 275/70/17 Load C https://amzn.to/4fx0DLz


Armor/Recovery

C4 Rock Runner Front Bumper (DIY custom bullbar and side wings) https://tinyurl.com/3mjtw9df

DIY HC Tilted Rear Bumper

RCI Aluminum Engine Skid https://tinyurl.com/mskvhc39

RCI Aluminum Transmission Skid https://tinyurl.com/jvy7dexv

RCI Aluminum Transfer Case Skid https://tinyurl.com/msdrjnzr

Body Armor 4x4 Revo Rock Sliders https://tinyurl.com/bddxj5hn

AllTop Kinetic Recovery Rope https://amzn.to/4ehMG30

Boulder Tire Deflators https://amzn.to/4ea81vq

OpenRoad 13,000lb Winch https://amzn.to/4fzZtiB


Lighting:

Morimoto XB EVO Headlights - https://tinyurl.com/5xcjnj6a

Morimoto XB LED Tail Lights (Clear) https://tinyurl.com/2de6sv9t

Fog Lights - Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport https://tinyurl.com/2xerurhr

Fog Lights 2 - Diode Dynamics SSC2 Sport https://tinyurl.com/8836jjx5

Ditch Lights - Diode Dynamics SSC2 Sport - Combo https://tinyurl.com/mtpy9j3v

Ditch Light Brackets https://amzn.to/4hvL3BM

Front Bumper Pods - Morimoto BigBanger NCS Combo/Yellow https://tinyurl.com/2p94he5s

Roof Rack Bar - Morimoto BigBanger Bar HXB https://tinyurl.com/2vhcxwwu

BigBanger Support Bar - Custom 15 Series Aluminum Extrusion from TNUTZ.com

Reverse Pods - Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Flood https://tinyurl.com/4ahvet73

Chase Lights - Diode Dynamics SSC1 Yellow Sport Flood https://tinyurl.com/3xjteyrr

Diode Dynamics Ambassador - Use Code K9Tacoma for Free Shipping!!!

Mirror Turn Signal Lights https://amzn.to/40Cqn5f

Raptor Lights https://amzn.to/3CbOtJH


Electrical

Auxbeam 8 Gang Switchpanel https://amzn.to/3YQAL7Y

Auxbeam Panel Mount https://tinyurl.com/bdhvva9x

Victron Solar Charge Controller https://amzn.to/4iQIY3E

Midland 3DB Ghost Antenna https://amzn.to/3YNT51s


Performance

Stock!


Misc EDC:

Gooloo 4000 Jumpstarter https://amzn.to/40yeAom

Gooloo Tire Inflator https://amzn.to/4ft1ZHe




Recent pictures:

Here's pictures from delivery day! Very stock and very base (for a TRD Off Road lol)

 

I wish I was kidding when I say the backseats came out with less than 30 miles on the truck, but this was a very purpose built vehicle to assist with getting our dogs to various dog sports and to help offload some miles from the wife's 2022 GX460! Custom seat delete getting installed and built on day 1:

Few mods within the first couple weeks:
Paint matched bumper caps
LED Headlights, fog light bulbs
Clazzios

Photoshoot with the pups as well

All within the first few months
TRD Bro (Pro) Grille, Raptor Lights, Tuxmat floor mats, TRD Pro Taillights, License Plate, Eibach Stage 2 kit, Custom TRD OR Bed decals, VLEDs footwells

First "big" mod was the Morimoto headlights, probably where I started to spiral down the rabbit hole LOL

NYTOP Rear Recovery Points

Billie Bars Tailgate Pad

Full speaker swap to the usual kicker goodies!

Body armor 4x4 Revo Rock Sliders

KB Voodoo VRS Bed Rails on my RetraxOne XR

Self installing OTT!

Prinsu as an early Christmas Present with an OVS awning

How she sat for a bit over the winter months, some light off-roading along a road trip to MA for family visit:

Picked up some used Morimoto clear tails, full morimoto lighting now!

Auxbeam to switch my then 3 different lights

Exciting, wheels are here and time to test fit!!!

Little side project in the meantime, custom hand built bed stiffeners

WHEEL REVEAL!!!!
RRW RS7-S 17x8.5 +0
Falken Wildpeak AT4W 275/70/17

 

I promise I'll keep more up to date on mods now, just dropping everything I have photos from, but we will be caught up here soon!

DIY Cab Mount Chop, those 275s would grab the cab mount on deep stuff and I really don't want to lift my truck much more since the dogs jump in and out of it all the time.
(disclaimer I am a self taught welder, no professional work here LOL)

AllTop RTT acquired, first camping trip with youngest pup!
Another DIY welding project, custom fridge slide for my BougeRV fridge, started with flat bar steel, the latch, and a set of HD slides from Amazon and got this beauty created:

AllPro Steel Low Profile Bumper Installed!

Added a 13k Vevor winch to the bumper along with some DD SS3 Pod lights
And we're to the present! (May 2024)
Did a viper cut, didn't really need to, but wanted the extra clearance for off-roading as well as I liked the look!

Last weekend's off-roading trail drive! Had a blast and the truck laughed at any obstacle that I could've thrown at it, more to come!

5/19/24
From this past week, finally got myself the rest of the bed rack from KBVoodoo! Looks so good, I spent this week getting a water tank so we can wash off the muddy pups during adventures. Midnight Forest 8 Gallon Rain Basin, super cool design and I ended up building my own pump system and I'm going to give that a shot and see how it pans out for us. I also went ahead and fabbed up some fork mount brackets out of some scrap steel I had laying around for my bike to get mounted on the drivers side.


6/19/24
Decided to take advantage of a sale that OVS was having on gear and got their 180 LTE Awning, I loved their 90 degree in terms of quality and construction, but to be honest the 90s are a pain to set up solo and I used it less as a result, this is one man friendly and offers a bit more width of coverage (albeit not as long).

6/22/24
A pupdate, because K9Tacoma, duh!

7/13/24
Bifacial 100w solar panel from amazon wired up to the starter battery (H6 AGM) which usually runs my fridge all the time. Definitely helps it stay topped up when parked in the sun, hooked up to a DCDC Renogy Charger I never used for a dual battery setup.

7/19/24
Meme photoshoot because why not!

7/29/24
Alltop Tent mounted back on the bed of the truck, but this time on my proper bedrack!

8/5/24
AES intake manifold spacer installed, great addition and gives freeway cruising in 6th just a tiny bit more torque!

8/8/24
New tent cover from OVS (shhh don't tell anyone), in reality I tore the one putting it up on the rack by myself (lesson also learned on that one) and apparently alltop doesn't sell covers? Whatever, used the sewing machine and sewed on some velcro to the zipper portion of the alltop cover, and then that attaches to the velcro on the OVS tent cover.

Also custom 3D printed a 3rd brake light since the Amazon one I was running filled up with water in a matter of like 3 weeks. 3 individual LEDs in a 3D printed housing.

8/29/24
Tacos and Toyotas event north of Philly hosted by a friend so of course I had to come out and support!
Camped that night:

9/4/24
No big additions as of recent but I've got my eye on one, stay tuned!

9/13/24
AllPro rear bumper! Super excited for this one, a ton of custom touches by myself. Fitted DD SS3s instead of the cheapo lights they ship with, tinted the SS3s so they blended in with the bumper better. Custom t tap harness to steal signal from the reverse lights so no wire hacking up. Working on some 3D printed bumper plugs since my truck is a base OR and doesn't have parking sensors, the ones from AllPro are too obvious IMO.

 

11/19/24

Couple small ones since my last update in September. Eibach Stage 2s got thrown in the trash, apparently I "overloaded" them with a small winch and bumper so they were making all sorts of racket, Eibach refused to warranty and would only let me "send them in for testing" yeah I'm not uninstalling one shock and sending it in for testing. Whatever lol. Bilstein 6112s in with some custom painted Lunar Rock 650lb eibach (lol) springs. Springs showed up used (nice luck on my part) so I decided to sauce them up! They ride so much better than the Eibachs did.



Icon 2.0 resi shocks in the rear and Dobinson L59-110-R leaf pack, finally a proper rear leaf setup! I was waiting for BF deals at this point and finally done lol.


11/13/24
New steering wheel from IS automotive group (instagram business only)



11/27/24
Ideas floating around... new welder, messing around with practicing welding tube together (I'm self taught, no judging here lol!



11/28/24
New Impact 8815 wheels, got asked to be part of the launch of these so how could I pass that opportunity up!




12/31/24
Cooking up some new ideas on a bedrack change. If I'm completely honest with myself I don't use my RTT enough to make it worth it up there, plus it can always go back up there if I wanted to. Moved my spare up there and a Pelican 1700 case with a custom mount!






1/9/25 New Morimoto XB Evo headlights! Love the design on these.




1/26/25 update:
Been a minute, nothing too crazy, or did I end up cutting my bedsides? Read further to find out...

1/16-1/18/25
Cooking in the lab, DIY HC Tilted style rear tube bumper creation! Laser cut pieces from sendcutsend and everything else was 1.75in tubing I bent on my affordable bender!










1/27/25
C4 Rock Runner Bumper finally shows up!!!! Ordered Black Friday, and just now got it, time to chop!


Installed it as is, used a tap and die to install some M6 holes on the bottom of the top bar so I could get both fog lights on there. Looked ~fine~ but I knew it was a temporary solution. I was planning to add a bullbar and modify the side wings.

2/3/25

Messing around with my tube bender and some 1.5in tube I bought to mess with this bumper. Ended up with a very pleasing bull bar, so I tack welded it up, drove around for a few days to make sure TSS wouldn't freak out, good to go so she got burned in!


2/7/25
Messing with the side wings, I really hated that they came up so short of the factory fender flares, so I extended them! Still plenty of tire clearance.


2/11/25
Final piece of the puzzle was reworking the "fog light pocket" area of the Rock Runner, that way I could push the fog lights into a protected area and more towards the side of the truck, mock up and then some welds!

All done on the front bumper mods!!

2/20/25
Speaking of waiting, USPS lost my original Morimoto BigBanger pods so I waited around for a few weeks until they finally shipped me some replacements, sit perfectly on either side of the TSS sensor and below the bull bar! Great addition to the front end imo



3/18/25
Working on some mounting/ideas for the BigBanger bar.... aka finding a temporary solution while their pod links were on backorder still. I ordered a custom cut 47in 15 series piece of extrusion to mount the BigBanger bar to, since Morimoto doesn't offer any roof rack specific mounting brackets.


3/21/25
Got 4 of the pods up and did a small lil adventure trip for my birthday weekend, looking good!



3/26/25
YESSSS all pods are here (I screwed up and ordered two NCS pods and you can see they have a different backlight brightness so just keep all BigBanger pod lights the same) still no pod links in yet, so they're just bolted to the bar on their own brackets currently.


3/28/25
Everything is here and I've got a plan! Front bumper lights are HXB, so I'm swapping those with the two NCS ones I ordered for the light bar, so NCS will be on the bumper and all HXB up on the rack, LETS GOOOOOOOOO.

Real issue here, BigBanger backlight is so bright it legitimately makes my hood completely bright orange at night, ruins night throw distance vision so I made a kill switch to interrupt the signal to the BigBanger backlight and I can turn it on and off whenever I want. Pics of said orange hood and then with the backlight off. Wiring diagram for my elaborate double relay setup, and my cool DRL switch. (you can totally use your switch panel for this as well, I just didn't want to use up an icon).

Some glamour shots

 

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@Road_Warrior as promised, everything to date! Enjoy and lmk if you have any questions on anything!

 

Looks great. Bought your trucks twin from same dealership in July 2022. I'll keep my eyes out for you rig around Columbus!!

 

Thanks for tagging me! That is such a gorgeous rig you built and really great photos too. They blow all the iPhone pictures in my build thread out of the water lol

I laughed at the part where you said the Morimoto headlights are when you started going down the rabbit hole. They were so expensive but so worth it in my opinion. They totally change the look of the truck. I have the ones with the amber DRL’s as well.

 

Thank you for the kind words! It was past due to get everything written down besides just on instagram. Truck really has come a long way in just under a year, I'm very excited to be able to see a side by side once we hit that 1 year mark.

Most of my photos are from my iPhone along the way and as I'm installing goodies, but I am a hobbyist photographer also (I really am a jack of all trades lol) and do enjoy getting some good snaps of the truck whenever I can.

The morimotos were so "expensive" to me when I first bought them, so well worth it over the TERRIBLE stock halogens. Little did I know that basically every mod you want to do to these trucks costs AT LEAST a pair of these headlights and then some. I kidded myself when I first got the truck that it was just going to be OEM+, and let's just say UPS kept showing up with more parts, and I've spent many many hours in the garage installing goodies, wouldn't change it for anything though!

 

Yeah I agree about the stock headlights. Especially when you pair the morimotos with a good pair of LED fogs…bright as can be.

I’ll definitely be following along here!

 

Great write up will follow along! Been debating on 275 or 285 got my Eibach stage 2r and same size rims wheel offset in my garage ready for me to install when I get back from vacation. I think you've sold me on the 275 wildpeaks!
How was the process on the self tuning? that's definitely next on my list.

 

I enjoyed your write-up. I wish I had the patience to document the mods I've done to my Lunar Rock. Maybe, one day, I'll compile all the pictures and notes I have and post them to TW.

 

Dooo it. The lunar rock might be the best color out there. Especially when tastefully built up.

 

Great looking build. Are the Apex AirLynx still working well for you? I'm getting ready to install them in the next few days. Did you use their swaybar relocating kit, or did you already have one installed?

 

Sincerest apologies, must've missed your notification. Yes, they're still on the truck and working great! I top up the air on them probably once every few weeks and they usually lose around 25-50psi in that time, which isn't bad to me. My eibach stage 2 came with a relocation kit so I just used that versus drilling into the frame and putting in rivet nuts, personal preference.

 

Good to hear, I just got back from a trip to Moab after also installing those Airlynx on my Tacoma and my friend’s Jeep. Really happy with the way it handles off-road now, and I can only feel a little bit more body roll on-road vs stock.

Also just saw your Apache case piston upgrade, might have to copy that with one of my pelican rifle cases…

 

Hey sir, quick question for you. I also have the Diode Dynamics fogs but I do not have the amber backlight feature…

Is the amber backlight what makes your DD fog lights match the amber DRL of the morimoto headlights? I’m trying to get a nice constant amber theme going on, like yours, and I also have the morimoto headlights with the amber DRLs.

 

Hey K9..
Couple of questions: How are you liking Headstrong leaf pack? Do you think the additional blocks are needed for lift if just have Eibach's up front with just under 2" lift?

Also, where is 20" Rough Country light bar...don't see in pics?

Thnx