Clean, Purpose-Built 3rd Gen SR5

Just installed the Meso Stage 1 Total Tails. Super easy install and I absolutely love the relocated turn signal.

In my opinion it’s much more visible and safer with the bright yellow color and lower position. I surprisingly did not need the load resistors.

 

Yup. I have that too. You may have issue when backing up while turn signal is activated which means turn signal is hyperflashing. That I have issue in mine but I don't care.

 

Yeah I don’t care too much about that backing up thing either, I love it overall!

 

Super happy about this one…Sliders from SOS off-road went on today. Really happy with the quality, I know the company is no longer around but I was able to get them used from another taco owner.

 

Looks good! Go put ‘em to use!

 

Thanks! That’s the plan! The truck is coming along nicely.

 

I know you were think Westcott sliders but there’s ones we’re probably cheaper and had no lead time, am I correct?

 

Yep, exactly.

My plan was to buy sliders later on down the road because they’re so expensive. Then I found these for sale in my area and I felt like it would have been stupid to pass on the opportunity since they were exactly what I wanted. No lead time and no shipping fee so why not?

It definitely saved me alot of money down the road.

 

Not a mod to the truck but I guess it counts as an accessory. Got this from Amazon so my 4 legged buddy can get in and out without hurting himself.

 

So I ordered my ARE CX cap on February 23rd. They gave me a projected “load” date of May 21st. Apparently the only date they will give you is the day the expect to load it on the truck, not even the date it will ship.

I figured I would give them a few days so I called today to check the status. Now they say the toolbox is still being built at a different plant and when it’s done it will be sipped to their main plant and then my cap will be assembled. They now have “no idea” when it will be complete.

It’s already been over 3 months, this is so frustrating for something that’s so expensive. I needed it for a big trip I have coming up the first week of June and it surely won’t arrive by then. I’m almost regretting ordering it at this point.

 

Sorry to hear that they take so long to build a cap for you. Toolbox? You get commercial cap?

 

Not a commercial one but I opted for a toolbox on the interior, on the driver’s side, for secure storage. So the sides will have the solid doors that are panels and not windows. The rear of the cap will still be a window. I’m pretty excited, if it ever gets here lol I’ll have a lot of extra room for toys to take on trips

 

Cool. I like that. I wish I get that one for mine.

 

Yeah I’m pretty excited, I’ll post some pics whenever it arrives!

 

Look forward to that.

 

I am at a pivotal point in my young truck’s life and looking for advice/opinions from anyone who wastes their time reading my build thread lol

I’ve taken my baby in to the local Toyota dealership for the first 3 service intervals. I really dislike dealerships because I don’t trust that they actually are doing the work they claim they are, and even when they do work right it’s way overpriced. I was trying to just get my two free years of maintenance out of them, since there isn’t any major work during the first four service intervals anyway. Sadly, I caught them in a lie during the 15K mile service interval.

Long story short, I found out that they didn’t rotate my tires when they said they did and even put it on the service receipt.

I’ve also seen so many horror stories from dealership service errors around the forum that it’s truly concerning.

My question for you guys…

Is there any harm to the resale value of the truck if I keep it extremely well maintained, and keep all the service records, but go to an independent shop?

My goal is to keep this truck for probably the next 20 years and put 300K + miles on it. I don't plan on ever selling but I know sometimes life throws unexpected things at you, so I want to be prepared just in case.

I already have an independent mechanic shop that I trust a lot that I have taken previous cars too. Do you all think I should go ahead and just start going there or try a different Toyota dealership?

When I originally bought the truck I had dreams of having a truly high mileage Tacoma with all the service records from the dealership, but I guess that may have been a foolish dream.

Thanks for any input!

 

Toyota doesn't care which shop you go to... as long as your truck is well maintained.. Unless you have warranty for something as long as it doesn't conflict with after market mods, in that case, take the truck to Toyota.

About the resell value: Yes it will be good resell value as long as your truck is well maintained, no scratches, no dents, etc...

Before you sell the truck, get value from Toyota then get value from the private buyer... see which is higher... It would be better if you go more than one Toyota dealership if you have many in your town. It may vary from each dealership.

 

Thanks man! I appreciate the input.

 

I have around 3,000 miles worth of road tripping planned in the next month so I figured it would be a good time to replace the cabin air filter, since I’ll be spending a lot of time in the cab coming up and it’s allergy season.

I guess this is just one more thing the dealership doesn’t bother to do. Literally just went in for my 15K service interval and this is the old vs. new filter…I kind of thought maybe they would at least take it out and shake the leaves out


Good thing I switched it out!! My allergies would have killed me within the first 1,000 miles. Check your air filters friends!

 

Grateful for my General Grabbers today.

Had some pretty huge mounds of sand that accumulated in the roadway (none in the pic because I had to actually concentrate on that part of the road). The Grabbers handled them like a champ even with a fully loaded bed plus two kayaks on the BillieBars.




Bonus pup picture: