Buy once, cry once. What are some things you wish you have shelled the extra cash out for initially?

Kind of wish I waited for premium and tech. Manual Tacos in the color I wanted were few and far between around where I live, so when one popped up 1K miles away I flew to get it. The next week a dealership 350 miles away got one in with premium and tech. I emailed them out of curiosity and they quoted me the same price I paid for mine. Although they are both things I don't desperately want, it would have been nice to get them basically for free in a sense.

I still casually look from time to time if the same configuration pops up around me and haven't seen one. I guess it was just dumb coincidence at the time.

 

My big one is winches. I'm on my 3rd. Smittybilt, cheap warn, come up. Cheap Chinese shit is never worth it in safety gear.

Other stuff I've bought multiple times and replaced, but never a BOCO scenario. You buy what works best for you at the time, and then things change. This includes front bumper, tires, bed racks/canopy, sleeping setup, suspension.

 

Like most people, in the past i’ve tried cheaping-out on everything.......Tools, tires, work boots, welders, alternators, pocket knives and wheel bearings all immediately come to mind.
Maybe i’m wiser now, but so far i’ve bought only quality stuff for my Tacoma.
Most things are cheap for a reason, other things are overpriced for no reason. Research everything and you’ll usually get quality stuff for whatever you’re willing to spend....

 

Personally, I think i bought all of the right mods the first time for this truck. Ive learned the hard way on past vehicles. Wish I would have gotten the Premium package though. Would be nice to have dual climate, auto headlights and a sunroof.

 

wrapped.

 

Should have gotten 33" MT's instead of 33" A/Ts.....

Really happy with my tires but more aggressive tire would look cooler

 

5100+888

Found the front to be way too stiff. Now looking to upgrade which I should’ve just done from the beginning.

 

His thread? Lol

 

Balled out and got Camburg UCAs and Kings. Then I started looking at aftermarket LCAs since mine are seized. Realized that when you add the cost of it all together, I wasn't much off from a +3.5 LT kit up front.

Camburg UCAs: $600
TC LCAs: $1850
Kings: $1500

LT:
+3.5 Kit w/ axles $3500
LT length Kings $1500ish

Delta: ~$1000

 

Ultragauge. Thought it'd be useful to monitor fuel economy and stuff but after a few tanks I didn't even care anymore... MPGs were crap and not going to ever get any better. Then it became a PITA to reset it with each tankful, there was no good mounting place (plus I was paranoid that some teweaker would see it and think it was a cell phone or radar detector and break into my truck for it), and eventually I just yanked it and stuffed it in the center console. I think it's still down there. It may be useful some day if I ever need to check a code or something, but I certainly could have lived without it.

 

I'm really happy with my scanguage, esp since it is small and I can tuck it on top of the steering column and nobody is the wiser.

My mileage is pretty terrible too, but I tend to play the instant MPG as I'm rolling around town on my commute and it has def helped.

 

is smitty back?

 

I was about to go the same route, but I never bought kings or LCAs luckilly. Got 5100s and 887s with TC ucas up front because I blew out my factory shocks. Just gonna try and hold out for some LT

 

On my last truck I got a cheap tonneau cover but really wanted the Lomax/weather tech. Got my Lomax cover this time. Worth it.

 

Glad I got both packages. BSM is really handy for freeway driving and I finally have a phone that can use the wireless charger. But the heated seats.... oh those are the best gosh darn thing after a long winter hike.

 

Bed stiffeners seem silly in retrospect but I saw too many bent sides in here and got paranoid. I guess time will tell.

 

LIGHTS. Cheap LED bars are a complete waste, my oem halogen high beams reach farther.

For up close flood stuff get whatever, but if you need DISTANCE spot lights for high speed night desert driving you need to just spend the $ and do it right the first time.

So just got some Baja Design hyper spots and will order a 10-30" spot BD or Rigid bar to go with them soon.

 

I’m in LA so we don’t really get winters. Would have still been nice to have though. However, I had a steering wheel heater in my Porsche and that was amazing!!!

 

Wish I'd bought the flip-up side windows for my shell, and the sliding front glass.

 

4x4