Cheap relatable upgrades

well I would start with basic maintenance items, like all the fluid changes, brake fluid flush and tune up if needed. I used the 3m head light restore kit with a good spray can of clear coat to fix my yellow hazed lights. Mine came out much better than I expected. Otherwise, start saving your money, and drive it as is.

 

Nice! Looks to have been well cared for. When you need to replace tires I would shop craigs list for different wheels. Sometimes you can find great deals when folks who have deep pockets yank off their nice low mileage factory TRD Off Road etc. wheels for bigger custom stuff. That would make it stand out more plus be functional.

Case in point, my SR before and after. Tires and wheels 1K, tires still had nubs on them. Just new tires alone would have been near that. Start saving and welcome to TW

 

I totally agree with the wheels! Look around on craigslist and people who bought new 4 runners/tacomas always are taking off the really nice stock TRD wheels for aftermarket and selling them pretty cheap. It made a world of difference on my taco for not much money

 

Don't do the LED conversion. I just bought my truck and they had done an LED conversion. Sure they look cool but they work so poorly at night I'm shocked they are even legal. I have already bought replacements headlights and can't wait to put them on

 

A 97 has glass headlights if I’m not mistaken…? Not much to do about cleaning them other than replacement. Correct me if I’m wrong.

 

Cheap and good typically never go together. I got my truck new off the lot when I was 17- and I did a bunch of relatively cheap mods. Fabtech adjustable lift, rock lights... eventually built my own sliders and swing out tail gate with booger welds and all... Eventually, I had to replace all that junk cause it was junk and I was just trying to save a buck. Save up and do it right.

 

Unless they replaced the original style with H4 replacements, then it can be glass or plastic.

 

This is the best answer and advice. Ever.

 

Cheap mod locking glovebox. Cost $20

 

I painted my truck flat dark gray when I was 20 with a harbor freight paint gun and quarts of Rustoleum. Terrible mistake, but hey, I learned a few things and it looked great for a while.

Also built a custom full-width sub box for the rear that fit dual 12s. That thing kicked and you could still sit on it if you wanted. Still got it in the attic and kinda want to put it back.

 

Fun fact. no LED drop in bulb is DOT certified and technically can get you a ticket. Same for HID drop in bulbs. Hell even the 100w halogens are not “legal” that being said. Properly aimed high wattage halogens perform the best and are least likely to get you in trouble (some states will issue fix it tickets for led or hid bulbs in halogen housings)