Caps, Brush Guards, & Other Stuff

Hello All

I hope to get my new, red 4x4 TRD Doublecab in early June.

I am trading in a 4Runner with 300,000 km (185,000 miles). I'm sure I could keep it another 300,000, if I had the time to work on it, but I don't have a lot of spare time.

I use my vehicle for the usual stuff, plus late season deer hunting. I figure the pick up will be far more practical. For some reason, my dealer freaked when I brought the 4Runner in and there was bambi blood in the back.

I want to trick the Tacoma out. I was hoping for advice

1) Truck Cap. I always though Leer was the best. Any comments?

2) I have hit 3 deer (2 with the 4Runner). In order to limit damage from deer or when I go offroad, I was thinking of a brushguard or grill guard. Who makes the best (I'd go for black).

3) Hood deflector. Do these things do any good?

Any other suggestion of must haves or wanna haves? I don't baby vehicles, but budget is not a problem.

Anybody know a good source for these things in Southern Ontario?

Thanks

 

For a top, I would suggest looking at a Soft Top. Simply because of the convenient it is.



As far as brush guards go. Most "brush guards" are not strong enough to hold up to something like a deer. If you want protection and something better for off roading, look into an ARB bumper. They are a full replacement bumper that you can put a winch on. They look good and offer a lot of protection. Adding this will require you to beef up your front suspension so I would also get a set of OME 886 coils for the front end.

ARB Front Bumper

 

What it cost?

The soft top wouldn't be practical up in the snowy north, however, it would disintegrate in a winter or two.

 

ARB Front bumper costs around $800. They are worth it though.

 

1) Truck Cap. I always though Leer was the best. Any comments?

Based on my solely experience I can tell you that most of them (brands) look great but I decided on LEER because of their brand name and several options I liked to add plus there was more options to select (models) than the ones from A.R.E., SnugTop or any other brand. Take a look of my setup:

 

if you want deer protection, a brush guard really wont do anything for ya. you need a replacement bumper with a grille guard. If i were to buy one, id buy the Shrockworks bumper with full tube on top:
they're kinda spendy but ive heard their quality is second to none, and the repair cost of hitting a deer will be more then this bumper im sure.

 

Somewhat more expensive, up in the snowy north, but not too bad.

Thanks for the tips, all

 

who makes that soft cap?

 

Bestop...

OP- What did you end up doing???

 

Which dealer did you find around Milton for the ARB bumper?

 

I have a 2011 and did a lot of research before purchasing my topper. I went with a SofTopper. They are made within a 45 min drive of BesTop, and they have fewer "windows" which scratch easily, allow for more prying eyes, and provide ample oppurtunities for theft.

I also liked the less "bumpy" appearance of the SofTopper vs. BesTop.

Their prices are very similar, and SofTopper has several color options and can customize the product for your color scheme.

I've had the top now for over a year and haven't had any problems!

http://www.softopper.com/toyota-tacoma-soft-top-truck-cap-details.aspx