Modifications

Hi guys I have a 2017 tacoma trd sport. practically stock. I’m looking to do some modifications in the sub $500 range. I’m looking to do off-roading but I want some useful mods that could help everyday life. What would y’all recommend to start off with. I’m planning on getting tires soon but saving up for that. I’ll be in Florida and be dailying most of the time. Thanks

 

$500 won't buy many mods, save it for gas $$$$

 

Not wrong there!

 

Do you have the title in hand mod yet? I’d start there if not, at the end of the day that feels better than any cheap $500 appearance mod to the truck.

If you already got there then $500 can get you some skid plates.

 

Don't go modifying the vehicle unless there's a specific purpose for it.


You can't buy much of anything for $500.

 

Bed mat. Subaru tweeters by Kicker. Diode Dynamics LEDs for your overhead light, map lights, visor mirror lights. Floor liners. Cat shield.

 

ARB front recovery point, aux trans cooler, nicer floor mats, 1/3 of a hard tonneau cover....

 

Fumoto oil change plug and Motivx oil filter wrench to make oil changes easier. Bed mat (Tractor Supply stall mat, $50, cut it to shape) to keep things from slipping. @christian06 $45 tailgate lock to prevent theft of the tailgate. H9 headlight bulbs to replace the H11 (remove the green insert for the H9) for about $25 on the pair.

These add immediate and lasting practical value with little cost.

 

Save up for full RCI skid plates

 

Front skid plate …bed mat … might be able to find some used shocks that were taken off an off-road. To help with ride quality when off-roading.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-mods-you-are-proud-of.786170/


52 pages of ideas. Have fun.

 

Bed mat, Big Gulp, and a corn dog.

 

If you’re wanting functional Offroad accessories around $500 or less, my recommendation is rock sliders & engine skid (agree with previous posters on going with RCI. They are great quality and they run sales often. I run them on my truck) and a hitch skid (you can find these on Amazon). If you have those protection mods and some good tires, your truck can go A TON of places.

 

More expensive, but if you wanna take your truck’s wheeling capability to the next level, getting a rear e locker from someone like Eaton is a HUGE performance upgrade for the TRD sport.

 

Are you serious? - the OP is talking $500 and you are suggesting an e locker - when would the OP ever need a locker with out all the other off road mods that would have to go with it if they were ever going to utilize it.

 

Even RCI skids push the limit of the given budget. Expanding the budget to catalytic converter guards with the wings on the transmission plate or different brand catalytic converter guards makes more sense in my opinion than lifts/lockers/shocks.

 

Dude asks TW for $500 ideas and receives a $5k idea ...classic TW

 

TW =

 

OPTION 1: Get an OTT tune about $500 it's worth every penny - no more gear hunting and you get a very peppy truck.

But . . . . if you are really serious about getting into off roading with your daily driver on a really limited budget - then;

OPTION 2: Assuming you are going to get some decent AT tires and that is not part of the $500 budget - get 32s (265/75R16 or 265/70R17 depending on your wheel size but stay with the stock wheels - they will fit on a Taco with stock suspension with no rubbing - I did it and went off road). Look on line for some used rock sliders - new they can cost over $1000 but maybe you can find some used. They bolt on - not complicated to do yourself but a PITA - very doable (I did it with a friend - it's just bolts but got to get them lined up, they are bulky and heavy and some of the bolts are tricky to get to the nut to tighten so what looks like on YouTube takes 10 minutes takes an hour per side) but have a friend help you do it. That might expend your budget but you will be able to do some light off roading on trails designated "Easy" and as you gain some experience even "Moderate" trails - again I did it with a truck much like yours. I did moderate trails on 32s on stock TRD Off Road suspension ie no lift. As you meet folks that off road or even someone on here that is near you might even give you their used stock TRD Off Road engine skid plate or sell it to you really cheap - like $25 ( I would have given you mine free a couple of years ago if you were near me in NC - I literally chucked it at the dump - they are not good 3/16 steel but better than nothing). Off road armor and suspension mods can really get expensive so if you just stick to forest roads and like I mentioned "Easy" designated off road trails you will be fine.

 

Denso iridium TT spark plugs. https://www.carparts.com/details/To...Zs55pkX1xySDOxW9hMxoCfacQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
And definitely a tune!!!!! Best mod ever! 450-500 bucks