My Cavalry Blue 2nd Gen Tacoma

I had to make an account just to show mine off, This is my 2006 Tacoma SR5 4x4, note plastic is still on the headlights making them look messed up.


Everyone thinks I'm crazy and that I've spent a ton of money. But honestly, I'm a total cheapskate. At first, I couldn’t believe I spent as much as I did on the new head unit, but I’m actually pretty happy with how everything has turned out so far.
I know some of my fellow Tacoma people have spent more on just rims and tires than I’ve spent on my entire build. I’ve had this truck my whole life and I really love it. It’s been with me as I’ve grown up, and I’ve really seen what it can do off-road. It's tough and reliable, and honestly, I don't think I ever want to drive anything else but an old Yota.
I also have a 2003 4Runner just to keep the miles and wear off my Tacoma. Both have over 270,000 miles and have only had basic maintenance. And when I say basic, I mean oil changes regularly, and spark plugs, and a belt after 100k miles or something like that
My Tacoma was originally my dad’s—he bought it right before I was born because the 1st-gen Tacoma he had before (I think it was a 2003 standard or access cab) didn’t have enough room for a car seat. all the major body parts are still original, except for the front bumper. Even the bug deflector and third brake light were just sanded and re-clear coated.

The Cost:

Done So Far

• Headlights: $170
• Taillights: $70
• Clear coat: $85
• Antenna and new antenna base: $70
• Stickers: $30
• Switches: $20
• Sew-on steering wheel cover: $20
• Head unit: $850
• 1 gallon of paint (only used 2 quarts): $350
• Dash cam (Goodwill find): $20
• AnyTone transceiver: $120
• Uniden scanner (had on hand): $0
• USB and USB-C charging outlets: $50
• Bumper: $425
• Tailgate latch and backup cam: $60
• Aluminum plate & aluminum angle for center console box: $40
• Antennas and coax: $100
• Front leveling spacers (2”): $40
• ABS plastic sheets: $25
• Plywood: $20
• First aid kit (painted box from Harbor Freight with sticker): $6
• Seat covers (Amazon refunded and let me keep them): $0
• Center console cover: $25
• Front 9,000 lb winch with remotes (thrift find): $25
• Tires & fender flares (spray paint and primer): ~$170
• Filler and primer for dents (had on hand): $0
• Speakers: $140
• Lug nuts: $25
• Fender flare clips: $13
• Retainer clips: $30
• Sanded dome caps and steering wheel emblem (3D printed; ~¼ spool): $15
• Miscellaneous screws and bolts (buffer room): $100

Subtotal: $2,174

Things I Bought But Haven't Yet Installed

• Chase lights: $35
• Blaster's undercoat: $70
• Undercoating gun: $35
• LED map and license plate lights: $20

Subtotal: $160

Tooling Costs (For Items I Didn’t Already Have)

• Passenger-side pass thure socket for lift spacers: $30
• Random orbital sander: $85
• Sanding pads: $50

Subtotal: $165

Total Spent: $2,499

I actually think it’s less than that—probably around $2,100. I had to go back and double-check a few things, but I know I paid less for some of the items thanks to Black Friday, holiday deals, or just by leaving them in my cart for a while. And for some of the smaller stuff, I was too lazy to look up the exact price, so I just threw out a number that was probably higher than what I actually paid.




Refurbishment photos:

 

Very cool! Looks geeat

 

Wow, I like that quite a lot more than I was expecting to coming in here..nice!

 

I like it!

 

Someone's got to ask, and I've considered doing this as well, what was the cost? How much of the work did you do vs a shop do? Looks gorgeous, going to send to the SO to keep getting her on board with repainting mine in Cav Blue as well

 

Fantastic color choice!

 

That is one beautiful 2nd gen!

 

I was interested in a color change until a painter gave me a ballpark quote of $20k.

 

Welcome from Denver!

 

That sounds about right for today, especially if you want door jambs, under the hood, etc. It's a ton of work. Back in ~1985 we would charge $6k-$7k for a color change, which is close to $20k in today's dollars.

 

Thanks! Just updated the post—get asked that a lot. Did all the work myself, no shop involved.

 

Looks good!! trying to get my truck painted soon. did you take off the window trim molding on both sides? didnt take off rear bed caps? and did you replace the fender rubber trim?

 

Beautiful! Nice work!!

 

I repainted the bed caps before I sanded and painted the truck. As for the window trim, I didn’t remove it—I just masked over it with painter’s tape. After painting, I used Black Trim Restorer from Harbor Freight to clean it up. It’s a temporary fix for the looks.
I’ll probably end up replacing the window trim and seals eventually. The front seals are worn out

 

THanks for the reply - Did you paint over the rubber trim between fender and trim? mine needs replacing so trying to find a good replacement

 

Very cool!

I’ve done a ton of DIY work to my truck but I have yet to muster to courage to paint it myself.
At the rate my white paint is flaking off, it might come sooner than I would like haha

 

Mate inspirational stuff!

 

Very nice! Mine will need some new paint in a couple of more years but I won't be bold enough to change the color. Just maybe add a stripe to help it out.

 

Sick