2012 TACOMA MEGA-THREAD

and a couple pictures of mine, which I just blacked out the emblems and front end. The lower valance was a dark gray, and after using satin black bumper coating it now matches the grill (was easy taking everything apart, mostly just a bunch of tabs). Next up is a scan gauge2 and oem roof rack. Finally maybe black aftermarket rims. Lots to choose from.

 

^ like the idea of matching the lower valance to the grill - can you tell me what paint you used (make)- also did you do any prep w/ it?

danke

 

I used Dupli-color bumper coating in satin black (auto zone or pep boys). Just made sure it was clean, and sprayed several light coats.
I used #200 sandpaper on the grill badge for about five minutes, then cleaned it up with a rag and sprayed SEM interior/exterior trim black. That is great rattle paint that doesnt need primer and sticks well. Used it on the other badges too.

 

That looks good. Toyota should have made them that way. Great job!

 

thanks

I'm thinking I might go w/ body color on the grill badge, can't decide on the Tacoma badges- body color (would blend in), black or even red

decisions, decisions

 

My 2012 TRD offroad

 

Congrads nice color too! I'm in G-Town a lot fishing. Maybe we will run into each other.

 

were you on the island yesterday? caught a glimpse of a truck that looked like yours down by 8 mile road

 

did you take off whole front bumper to remove that lower valance?

 

Howdy Tacoma lovers,
I just want to chime in with my two-cents on ‘before and after’ regarding the factory sound system. In short - factory speakers suck! They are pathetic – see attached picture of factory 6x9’s. Full volume on, I can easily carry a conversation with the passenger. There is very little tone control and the screeching/crackling effect at volume settings above 50 is just plain aggravating.
I have a 6-speed Access Cab 2012 Tacoma with what factory calls "six speakers". I decided to upgrade the setup with all JL components.
First trick: where are speakers #5 and #6....? In my last Tacoma, they were in the back of the cab - this one I checked the doors, back seats, floors, ceiling - nothing.
Finally, through the process of elimination and fader control on the radio - I found the missing two: up above, behind the headliner, midway in the cab... no vents, grills, or openings... just hidden and blocked by cardboard, curtain airbags and the ceiling liner. (wtf?) My goal was to leave the stock head unit, maintain factory look, and try to add alot more sound - highs, mids, and lows. A local place (in Hamden, Connecticut) has done just that. Current setup has 11 speakers and sounds... AWESOME!!!
Stealthbox has good lows, 6x9's and 6.5's have great mid’s, while the others carry the highs. Steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, and usb/aux controls all work as intended. Finally, I have an audio system that sounds great even though it doesn't look much different than the factory setup. Mission accomplished. I Love it and highly recommend it.

Happily

M.

 

that sounds crazy- what were they thinking???????

 

sounds like someone was asleep on the line.

Anyone know if theres a way to disable the automatic locking doors?
I hate how I can click to remote the open the doors, and then if I dont enter within about 30 seconds they relock!
Im afraid to leave my truck with the keys in the ignition...say at the gas station for a minute..it might lock me out?

 

It's nice to hear someone else say that the stock stereo sucks. I had the JBL and a lot of people kept bitching at me to leave it stock because 'it sounds great". After they heard my stereo they all retracted their previous statements. All stock stereo's suck ass.

 

^ this question

 

actually I didnt remove the valance, since there were two tabs holding the center part of the valance that I couldnt get to without probably removing the main bumper
but, I did remove all the other clips and tabs around the circumference, and was able to pull it out about one inch around the sides and tuck some masking paper in there which made spraying it a lot easier. Not as easy as having the valance out on a table, but it was a nice clean job that took at most 45 minutes with 3-4 light coats of paint.
Basically made the masking job a lot easier.

 

^ thanks- I think I'm going to tackle that project this weekend have a TRD exhaust to install as well

 

^^ I did my lower Valance as well.. Except I used plasti-dip and it matches the grille perfectly..
I also tryed taking it off, but no go. So I just taped/masked it off...

 

Time to rip it all off and get a plate bumper.

 

Few of mine

 

I may just paint my lower valance black today after seeing yalls....as far as the stereo goes, i love my JBL with Entune and NAV...I did rip out the stock 8" sub and installed an Alpine Type S 12 in its place, sounds perfect now