2018 DCSB TRD OR RWD build - Cement Mixer

The chrome rear bumper caps have no place on that truck anymore I decided, so I think I'll pick up some of the black ones.

 

Looking sweet already and I'm sure you haven't spent too much compared to the amount you can easily dump on a Tacoma lol. Are you working towards an offroad beast or more of like a light trail hitter on the weekends. Look forward to seeing the build grow.

 

10k mile update. Went into Service for complimentary 10k mile maintenance.

This was my complaint list:

• Driver window rattling when rolled down; dealer ordered new trim piece and tightened something that was loose
• They updated ECU; I'm not sure with what, but it didn't seem to change too much as far as driveability.
  
• There's a light clunk somewhere in the front suspension. It's from the lift kit so they didn't touch it. I am going to have to remove and reinstall struts; everything else is tight and fine. I suspect a spring isn't settled right in its perch or something.

Otherwise, I installed 16x8 XD 301 Turbine wheels on the Falken Wildpeak 265/75R16s and I'm very happy. TRD center caps snap right in place of the wheels' center caps which is awesome.

 

Couple updates here.

I modified the center caps so the caps would be flush with the wheel face; I think it looks much cleaner.

That thread here - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-aka-this-took-too-long.591839/#post-19834575





The next step is to add center cap covers (here)- https://www.etsy.com/listing/577691...YCbANcQBstlxr93-ErtKciNYq98ysNAEaAv8kEALw_wcB

And 6 or 8 mm grey wheel vinyl pinstripes here - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wheel-Rim-...g:R2EAAOSwsW9Y2e0p:rk:1:pf:0&var=550945747300

So it looks like this (photochop)-

 

After the wheel project, its BHLM time. I've done lens replacements and retrofits before so I'm not expecting it to be too bad. For my BHLM, I'm going to do the following:

• Stock projectors for now, I'll do the XD HID update
  
• Retrorubber to reseal
• Semi gloss / satin black for bezel pieces
• I'm about 90% sure I'm going to paint the chrome high beam and turn signal buckets black chrome with that duplicolor black chrome kit with maybe a single pass of the translucent black; I just want to dim the chrome a tiny bit. I know lighting will take a hit, but frankly the low beams are good as-is and I'm sure the turn signal won't be impacted too badly.
• Toyota PT413-42191 Fog Light (Black)
  • https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-PAIR-REP...Envelope!92592!US!-1:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true
• Pro grill (PT228-35180)and garnish ($21 on ebay)

 

Got my center caps done. These were the ones I found on Etsy. I also got the BHLM done. It was pretty tiring but it turned out very good! I was trying to just slightly mute the chrome with the duplicolor 'shadow chrome' kit, but it laid down so poorly that I ended up painting the turn signal buckets and high buckets gloss black. The turn signals are fine, the high beams are basically useless. I did improve the stock low beams with a DDM ultra HID kit with 4500k bulbs. The low beams look great with decent light output from the stock projectors. I'm pretty sure those will be sufficient for now.





This was my post for the black headlight mod (BHLM) for anyone that's interested-

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bhlm-ddm-ultra-hid.596428/

 

Couple updated pictures. 33s, black grille surround from SR and mirimoto fogs.

 

Ok couple more updates since then. We're getting pretty close to the end of the road pilgrims.

Added 1/4" strut spacers to bring the front back up after the 885 springs settled about 0.5" (originally 2.5", settled to around 2").



Had an alignment after that. I can say that while it aligned to factory specs, the steering at freeway speeds does feel lighter. It's manageable, but it's on the cusp of wanting more caster to get that heavier wheel feel.

 

Next it was a few more aesthetics. I bought a knockoff pro grille; I would have bought an OEM but they are legit in national backorder, so I'll use this as a placeholder for now. I massaged it quite a bit; I painted that background of the stick on T and A black because the all grey letters frankly annoyed me. I also cut the molding tabs off, pulled the double sided tape and JB welded the letters to the grille. Much better.

 

Out back got some updates.

Weld on rear tip, bumpershellz (black TPO plastic), and DEPO Pro Tails. I actually had to pull the black TACOMA letters from the tailgate, it was just getting a little too much.

 

This thing has gone through quite a bit more updates. I bought 16x8" Rota Grid X Offroad wheels in a +5mm. I THOUGHT since they were drilled and designed for a taco, they would fit a taco. It ended up being quite a bit of work that involved 0.75" wheel spacers to clear the rotors.

The saga is here- https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-wheels-dont-fit.607680/

Moral of the story, I did get them to fit and they are gorgeous wheels.

 

Next, I decided I really wanted a scoop hood, so I looked to the aftermarket to get it done with OEM scoop parts. Thread- https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-much-would-you-pay-for-a-skewp-hood.605629/

 

Next, I decided to paint the Rota wheels' centers to be lighter. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/think-im-going-to-paint-the-wheels-input.613266/

I love how it turned out. The wheels look pretty amazing IMO.

 

The next step was to add some more attitude. I didn't know about the Maxtrac 4" spindles for the 2WD trucks. When you look at the cost of going with a proper 3" setup (springs, shocks, a-arms, etc.), you'll find that the 4" spindles are cheaper AND keep the steering and suspension geometry dead stock. Sure, 4" is a little higher than I wanted to go, but for all of the headaches, I am a proponent of these. Once I went from the 2.5" coil/shock setup to the 4" spindles with good alignment, I couldn't believe the difference in driving manners. The spindles add 2 deg. of caster, so the shop can get the truck dialed to that 4 deg. sweet spot.

This is the new setup: 4" Maxtrac spindles with extended brake lines, 5100s up front on 0 notch with stock springs, rear extended RCD 5100s, extended rear brake lines, rear 1.25" blocks and 1.5" wheeler add-a-leaf.

 

Looks really good! For what ever reason, I thought all 3rd gens were 4x4. Not that I didn't know the RWD configuration existed, but when I was looking, I hadn't come across a single RWD TRD. Keep up the work.

 

Thanks! I toiled with getting a 4wd for a long time and especially since I've had 4wd trucks my whole life, but I'm in SoCal with 0 bad weather and the rear locker is all I need to not get stuck in the sand and trails I go on.

 

Quite a bit going on here now so I'll update.

I did a cool treatment on the Tacoma side emblems that I like . This included painting some aftermarket black door emblems red (Rustoleum Carnival Red), and then putting TVD Vinyl Graphite vinyl inserts over the red emblems. This could also be done by painting the overlays and putting them over the chrome OEM letters.

 

I had the tailgate wrapped from a local vinyl shop and then ordered TVD Cement TACOMA vinyl inserts to put over the black wrap. It's a nice touch and makes the TACOMA look like it was actually cutout from the black wrap. Most vinyl shops should be able to do this.

 

Next, September 2019, I leveled the truck by bringing the 5100s up to their first notch so it didn't have a front to back rake anymore. Here the truck is 4.5" front and 3" rear. I also removed the TRD bedside graphic which I ended up liking way more than I thought I would.

 

From this point forward, I have kind of entered a new phase of whatever this build is. From here on out, things start to get cut haha. It happened when I found a killer deal on 315/75R16s.