SoCal 2023 TRD OR Build

Hello TW,

Wasn't planning on posting a build thread as there are so many here. I realized that I’ve spent hours looking over other builds here and it never really gets old. So many good ideas to be found digging through these build threads. So why not post mine.. I’ve got some catching up to do since I purchased this new in May of 23. I think this will be a relatively mild build compared to some. A happy medium between performance and budget friendly. I’ll include everything I do from major to minor additions. Any thoughts are appreciated! First up will be the obligatory TRD Pro grill swap. Then a suspension upgrade and larger tires. Took her home on my Birthday. 2023 TRD OR MT. Took some time tracking down a MT. I think I lucked out in that I got this one with no markups and before any dealer adds.

 

Sold my 2001 to use as a down payment. Broke my heart.. Loved this truck. 325k miles with hardly an issue. I decided to sell because I wanted to get a new Gen 3 while I still could. Also she finally develop a transmission leak. Labor wise I didn’t think it made sense at 325k to pull everything without replacing the original clutch and rebuilding the transmission at the same time. Considering the labor cost and what I could sell it for I chose to sell.

 

Never was a huge fan of the stock OR grill so the Pro swap was a no brainer. Had to get a little creative getting an OEM Pro grill with Toyota’s rules.. I did buy the sensor garnish aftermarket since the OEM garnish price is ridiculous.

 

I apologize for not having measurements. Should have taken before and after heights. I can take current measurements if anyone is interested. I had everything installed at 88 Rotors in SoCal. I believe the collars are at the 6/4 settings. AAL in the rear with the load spring removed. Load spring will go back in when I get a cap.

Bilstein 6112/5160

Westcott Designs Preload Collar

Camburg Tubular X-Joint UCA's

Rear AAl

Toyo AT3 285/75/r16

2023 TRD Pro Wheels

 

Cali Raised 9 pc interior LED light replacement. A nice little upgrade for about $25. 2 Map, 1 Dome, 4 Vanity Mirror and 2 License Plate.

 

Snugtop GB Sport… Got this at a nice discount. It was the floor model for over 2 years. Nice thing is that it was manufactured in Long Beach CA. Leer has since moved Snugtop manufacturing to Mexico and QC has been suffering since. Reinstalled the rear load spring after getting the shell.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/u1xntinW3UE?si=OcguWmt74rHKSJWQ

Just a short clip that Toys For Trucks took for their social…

 

Removed the bed decal.. (hairdryer and a little patience) Added tint and ceramic coat. Was on the fence about the ceramic coat. I just don’t have the time to detail myself anymore. Supposedly good for 5 years. Longer if you go in for an annual refresh. We shall see…

 

Cali Raised Trail Edition Rock Sliders (Kick Out)

 

Sweet truck

 

Thanks!

 

Replaced the chrome OR tail lenses with the black Pro lenses. At the same time I installed the OEM bed lights, Total Chaos bed stiffeners, and the VLED Standard VTAILS with the LPR Reverse License Plate Light bar. Pictures don’t do justice to how much brighter my reverse lighting is. The two infotainment pictures are a before and after. Bed stiffeners are or are not effective depending on who you talk to. I figured it’s cheap insurance since I have a cap. I chose Total Chaos because their stiffeners come all the way to the top of the bed.
https://youtu.be/Q8FIVHF-47Y?si=_pCvPyxDrZK7cTO4

 

I have the same VLED's total tails and TC bed stiffeners. Good stuff!

Clean truck.

 

Thanks.. Yeah, I occasionally see a Taco with the VLEDS. It’s like a secret society of Taco owners lol..

 

I can tell and I love how you've done your research and I know you're going to build this truck out sick. You have a vision and you know what you want and it feels good driving a truck you're building for you. It's looking good man.

 

Thx.. Appreciate that

 

Installed the ARB Twin Compressor. Used ZRoadz mounting bracket. Pretty tight fit when you put the air box back in but it fits. I held off connecting the switch. Gonna be working on a power management and switch system soon.

 

TRP Pro shift knob. Because I like the looks.. ‍lol Not the most ergonomic design for a MT but you get use to it .