Apprehensive to put anything other than Toyota parts

Just advice...

Get to know your truck by of course, driving it and reading your owner's manual. (If this hasn't already been suggested)

Spend time on here reviewing threads that pertain to your goals, i.e. add-ons/builds.

Read what others say in those threads...some are good replies, others not-so-much.

If you feel compelled on an add-on/build, send a PM to the thread starter.

Another suggestion is, "don't be anxious to buy things".

In the nearly 2 years of my ownership, I've spent roughly $5K on add-ons and other stuff.

I didn't spend it all at once but it did add up rather quickly.

Enjoy each add-on and savor it before moving on to the next. (This is where the anxiousness comes into play) lol

Enjoy your truck and feel confident in your decision-making.

Happy Friday!!!

 

You know, OP, you could have the best of both worlds. Keep your current as your daily driver with what I call useful cosmetic mods like maybe some blind spot mirrors or perhaps the cool grill with Toyota written on it. Maybe a bed map and/or a tonneua cover. Floor mats or seat covers. Things that are again cosmetic in nature and don't affect the reliability of the truck.

Then, pick up a used Tacoma and make it your project truck. That truck do you the big lift, big tires, cool looking shocks, roll bars, lights, whatever turns you on changes. It's not that uncommon for people to do things like that. If you break the project truck, you're not stranded until you can fix it.

 

All solid advice on here. The gem I picked up from TW was to leave the truck alone for 6 months to a year to see how you use your truck. Im often in the mountains. So, I ended up with TRD OR suspension take offs on my SR5 with some A/T tires. Which you have. A lot of after market stuff is comparable to what you already have (waisted money) unless you are really looking to off-road the crap out of your truck. Added armor, lifts and bright lights are useful but takes away from daily performance, gas mileage and accident/pedestrian safety. There is also the risk of unnecessary squeaks, rattles, electrical gremlins, and changes in maintenance schedules.Toyota has it dialed in for the daily drivers/ weekend warriors.

 

I like to say my truck is 90% stock. The "biggest" aftermarket mod I've done is the KDMax tune, simply because the stock tune was driving me nuts. In addition I have a heritage grille and front camera bracket from Taco Vinyl, a Meso total tail stage 1 kit, and a few other small completely cosmetic items. Everything else I've put on my truck is OEM, although it's not a ton of stuff. The suspension is 100% stock and will stay that way.

As others have said, there is nothing wrong with keeping your truck stock or using OEM TRD parts and accessories. Bottom line is, it's your truck and the only opinion that matters is yours.

 

2GR-FKS is not a V6 u wanna start modding even with simple stuff like CAI etc.

 

Tell me more

 

I've had a Sprint Booster, (not made in china), for a few years.
On my 2nd first, now on my 2022.
No problems whatsoever.
Makes the truck way more fun to drive.

 

I reread it again and it's just as dumb of a statement the second time.........

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/premium-audio-upgrade-for-less-than-250.510424/

 

So I followed that advice for a while. Kickers in all six positions, key amp, plus an underseat sub. Last week I traded the front four for a pair of components and it was night and day. I was happy with the kicker CS, but I'm happier with the Focals.

The new and hot "cheap upgrade" according to the gurus is this: reasonably priced components up front, rear speakers optional, mini-amp, and plenty of sound mat for the doors. The downside for reasonably priced components- pay attention to the range. The Focals I bought bottom out at a mere 50 Hz. (A cheap 6x9 will hit 30). So with mine, a small sub suddenly becomes a required component.

 

Ok, not wanting to start another thread. My " off road " will most likely be a pavement princess and I imagine that I will get flamed for this, but I am comfortable putting the TRD lift kit on my truck ( someone else will install).

 

Thanks

 

Thanks! Will check out that link and keep this in mind. Lots of learning to do before I start... but came from a car w/ a Harman Kardon system and it was fantastic. Really feeling the difference. I expected it when I bought the tacoma, but didn't know it would bother me enough to fix it this fast.

 

Has anyone installed smoked rear tail lights made by Winjet? Got them from Extreme Terrain

 

4WD trucks perform better in questionable (mud/snow) which can exist near/on pavement. Trucks also carry big boxes easier than Civic or Corollas. It may be a "pavement princess" compared to many, but it still does more than Civic, Camry, Accord, Corolla ...

 

Stock suspension kinda sucks. ...Wheels, too. ...Prius exhaust and rowboat shifter suck, too. ...Definitely gonna get a lighter battery at some point, should help with Taco lean a bit. ...The OEM speakers are trash...On my SR, anyway.

 

Take your time. When you have an idea or a specific mod in mind: search and do your research in here first . Ask questions just like you did in your original post. This is a rich resource, especially on aftermarket vendors and mistakes someone made installing or changing something. Likes and regrets. Most likely someone here has already done the same or similar modification or add-on you are considering and will have posted lots of good info on how it went, what went well and not so well, feedback and opinion on the parts and vendor and probably most important, why they removed the mod/part/etc and sent it back. You're actually getting some great feedback already! I have only done a couple of minor changes to the interior and exterior. I'm going to do all of exterior badges with black plasti-dip and I'm thinking of adding side steps which will be OEM Toyota. I also changed the central grille section to the TRD Pro style. (aftermarket part)

I like to stick with Toyota OEM service and maintenance parts. I use their filters, brake parts and lubricants with the exception of the diff, xfer case and engine oils. The everyday maint parts are not much more expensive as compared to aftermarket especially from a local dealer who is selling parts on parts.toyota.com. The one I use seems to beat everyone else by 5 to 15 dollars. When they have free shipping going on or free pick-up at the dealer, it's a no brainer. The one I use ships same day and uses UPS which is close enough for next-day delivery. The dealer actually in my town is at full list or more at the counter and will not match the internet dealer parts prices. Go figure. There is another Toyota dealer on-line parts outfit near me; their parts prices beat everyone by a good amount, but they inflate their shipping charges big time.