2021 Trd Off-Road Daily Driver/Street/Off road Poser Build?

In December 2023 i purchase this 2021 TRD off-road with 24,000 miles.
It had the LED light package and that's about the only option.
I have had the truck for over a year now and figured it was time to document a build thread. I bought this to replace my 2014 Nissan Xterra Pro4x. I liked the xterra but it was getting long in the tooth and a bit maintenance heavy. I modified it, learned to wheel more technical trails with it and drove it all over the country.
It took daughter and I on wheeling/camping weekends in Vermont, Maine, and Pennsylvania.
It took us on a week long bird hunt in North Maine Woods.
It took my wife and I on a self-supported beach vacation to Cape Lookout Island in OBX. Finally it took a friend and I on a 5,000 mile roadtrip to a backpack Elk hunt in Colorado.

It was a good vehicle to learn hard lessons but ultimately, i needed something that wasn't keeping me busy with maintenance or repairs from self-inflicted mods or trail damage.
Life changes and i needed something with bed and a back seat, a bit better fuel mileage, reliable, and trouble free. So unwisely, i got another Tacoma lol. I made an agreement with my wife that if i did get a newer truck, i wouldn't wheel it. So far i've held to that agreement.







My 2001 4runner (pictured in 2019)


My 2004 Tacoma (pictured in 2021)



BUILD LIST

General Maintenance/Repair items:
December 2024: NHOU applied at fatbody customs

Exterior Modifications
Diamondback SE smooth bed cover
Meso smoke sequential led mirror turn signals
Tacoma Vinyl PTM rear bumper caps to replace the chrome
Meso taillight LED switchback conversion harness
ARB single compressor on Rago mount
Removed mudflaps

Drivetrain/Suspension:
Rough Country 2" Coilovers (FB marketplace find for $150 uninstalled)
1.5" Headstrong AAL kit (Another FB marketplace find NIB for $150)
Factory front bump stops with 1/2" spacers (no idea if it helps but it was a free mod)
OEM 2022-2023 tacoma trd pro wheels- graphene ceramic coated
OEM black lug nuts
295/75r16 Bfgoodrich KO3s

Interior Modifications
Custom scanguage II center console mount
Scheel-Mann Vario F drives seat on Tolerance Stack Installation Bracket/Kit.
WeatherTech Floor Mats front and rear

 

I have a couple goals with the truck
-I drive 25,000 miles a year and want a truck with good driveability and little compromise. Lightweight wheel/tire package, scheel-mann seat swap, future regear and OTT. I put a lot of seat time in the truck every week and can't be miserable while doing so.
-Maintain "decent" fuel economy. During the first 12 months of ownership in stock form, it has average 22mpg during my weekly 90 highway/10 city commute.
-Clean, OEM+ look. I have no need for an overland build or a stack of armor. The truck may get a winch and sliders in the future. I don't have any plans to start wheeling again so i will gladly accept the off-roader poser status.

One theme you will see is my work with a tight budget and waiting for deals. With the exception of the tires, i haven't paid full price or even more than 75% of the retail cost for anything. I set search alerts, wait for deals and jump on them when they come up. My diamondback bed cover retails for $1800 new and i was able to buy it for $600.
I would never spend $2,100 for a new Scheel-Mann Vario F seat but i found one used, somewhat local for $700. It was an odd find because my search came up with a jeep gladiator for sale. the add description said it had this seat as well as the factory seat included in the list price. I messaged the seller and asked if he would sell the seat separate and here we are. Keep an eye out for deals, have patience, and you can save thousands!