First time Taco owner

Been looking at them for years. Already trying to empty bank accounts mostly due to reading too many threads here. Added the N-fab bars (cause the kid needs help climbing in right now). The Bestop because it adds a lot of function I need and I like being able to take it off easily. The dog will be the primary beneficiary of that addition. derp'd the badges, but probably just going to go ahead and take them off this weekend. New wheels, tires, lift and grille are all on the list and some of that will be done quickly.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome brotha

 

Nice

 

Welcome. I like your truck, I have the same year/color. I'm really close to pulling the trigger on the Bestop, how are you liking it so far?



I think I spied an AU decal on your post in the Bestop thread, are you in Alabama?

 

Yeah, I'm in Springville just outside of B'ham. Gonna have to relocate that Auburn decal because the top hides it pretty much all the time.

I love the Bestop. Have made sure to ride around with it different ways all week to get a feel for it. Top fully up, back window out, all windows out. No noise that I can tell with the windows up in the cab. Gone 80 on the interstate with no issues at all. Install was pretty easy, did it alone in a little under 2 hours (would have been shorter but I somehow skipped a step and had to reverse for a bit. It's great for the dog for starters. I also find it useful for picking things up and being able to have some coverage. Lots of times for work I've got parts in the back of the truck that are made out of stainless steel and hated to even stop and grab lunch for fear someone would just snag them for scrap/resale money. Tinting is pretty strong on the windows, so someone would really have to be obviously glaring into your bed to even know what was back there. Gonna get some used camping as well with the kid when the temps here aren't approaching those in hell.

 

Looking good

 

Cool, I'm also in Birmingham. My wife graduated from AU and her parents are down there still (her father is a professer in the Mech. Eng. school) so we get down that way pretty often.

Thanks for all the info on the Bestop. That's the same use case I have (camping/dry storage). Good to hear wind noise isn't an issue since I had that concern myself. Hows the visibility when backing up? The Tacoma already has a pretty small rear glass area so maybe it doesn't hurt it too much more?

I saw if you had plans to lift your truck, if you need any help or anything let me know. (I installed mine myself in the driveway, details on my thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jhcoles-build-thread-2015-dcsb-4x4-trd-off-road.357179/ )

 

Welcome

 

Visibility is alright. I've always used the side mirrors a ton, so maybe I'm not the best judge there. I don't feel like it really changed anything other than the tint when that back Bestop window is in. Like you said, the Tacoma has a pretty small rear window anyway so I'd guess most of us use the side mirrors or take a quick glance more often than your average driver.

Great build thread. Lots of cool stuff there. May ask you some questions about the lift at some point. Also if you ever have an idea on something you want fab'd just shoot me a message here. I manage a steel fab company. We don't typically mess with small stuff but I can spend a weekend at the shop trying out just about anything on my own or with a couple of helpers. Already getting too many ideas from this site.

 

Congrats on your new Tacoma and welcome!