04 Tacoma Build Thread

I got my truck a couple of years back, and recently I've decided it would be fun to start modifying it, making it more my own, and maybe a little unique. This threat will chronicle my struggles and help keep my ideas all in one place.

Starting off with some pictures of before I did anything. Truck was stock when I bought it as far as I can tell, and all I added was a hard shell and a toolbox in the back.


Here's my first mod, added a solid 20 horsepower:


Next up is my new bench seat. Cost more than I wanted it to, but I'm really happy with the results. Back seat is about the same size, but the bench does sit a little more forward than the buckets did. Loss of the center console is temporarily fixed by an ammo can wedged under the passenger's side, between the seat and a ridge on the floor. Stays pretty good aside from panic braking, not sure how well it will stay off road, but I'll find that out in a couple weeks. The loss of the cup holders isn't fun, but I'm working on a solution, just waiting on my new cup holders to show up from Amazon before I can give that a try. Probably going to bolt them to the side of the shifter boot.


Now I've got a bracket poking out just behind the shifter boot, looks like it was probably supporting the cup holders or something when I still had those. Any ideas what to do with it? Might be able to bolt a new cup holder to it or something, let me know if you have any ideas!


Next up is a lift. I already have new 15" wheels with 33x10.5 tires ready to go, just waiting on Bilstein 5100s all around, OME Dakar leaf springs for the rear, and 881s for the front. Once all that is on, I'm going to take a break on modding for a bit and spend some time with it out in the woods, mostly because it's hunting season and I've got a freezer to fill.

After that, plans include a grill swap, a whole lot of rocker guard, dog mod for the back seat, the corner light turn signal mod, plate bumpers, and a winch.

I'm also on the look out for jerry cans that fit between my toolbox and the sides of the bed, so if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

 

Just a heads up, you can buy a front center console from a single cab that has cup holders built in already.

 

I have a shifter bezel that would fit your truck with cup holders you might be interested in

 

That's good to hear!

I'm very interested, could you send me a picture?

 

It's expandable, it's from a bench seat, auto, 4x4 excab. It's a bit darker grey, all the pre01 trucks are

 

So that cup holder sits on the driver's side? And that solid bit at the back will cover the hole in the carpet?

 

No it's upside Down in the pic, it extends a bit farther back but not enough to cover the hole I would imagine. Cup holders on passenger side

 

The split 60 /40 bench is nice also, it has an arm rest and you can still recline

 

Oh I see. I'd like to give it a shot if it'll fit. I can't imagine it'll be cheap to ship though. How much do you want for it?

 

He has to use his old boot though no?

 

Usually the new console comes with it.

 

20+shipping you can use your old boot or I'll send you the one I have. Pm me your info

 

Also that metal tab can be used for another cupholder for a total of three. I don’t have a pic.

 

Let me get back to you on that. If the cup holders I ordered don't fit the way I like I'll buy that off you.

That's good to know, I'll have to see if I can find one.

 

New user so pardon me if there’s rules on commenting old threads but this is exactly what I want to do with my 2nd gen. I know it’s a shot in the dark but I would love to see how the truck came out and if you did anything to the back side of the bench

 

Unfortunately I had to sell the truck. Having 3 kids will do that to you.

I built a platform for the back seat for my dog to lay on. Padded it with shag carpet and foam so she would be nice and comfy. It was a tight fight so it didn't move around, and I raised the platform just enough for some storage under it.

The lift was fun but if I had to do it again I'd do it differently. I had hope for adding armour so I went with the heavy duty springs front and rear. That sucked for driving around unloaded. Also, even the C load 33s sucked on anything but a downhill.

If I did it over I'd go for 6112s and 5160s and the regular duty springs. 882s up front and regular Dakars with no add a leaf in the rear. I'd also stick to SL highway tires, and either go for a narrower 33 or a 32 so I don't have to listen to the rubbing on the front mud flaps.

I never got to any of the other mods. And I ended up just tossing 3 of the largest Jerry cans I could find into the bed willy nilly.

Any other questions, let me know.

 

Thanks for the info that’s very helpful. I am actually hoping to get a winch bumper soon which will add around 250-300 lbs to the front end. I’m on stock suspension now and as much as I love off roading most of its miles will be as a daily commuter taking the kid to school and back so I appreciate the notes on not going over board.