From Busted A/C to Beadlock TRD: Cajun 3rd Gen Limited Build Thread

Last Update: April 11, 2025

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• Year: 2017
• Trim: Limited
• Drivetrain: 4wd

Build Thread Purpose: To document the modifications I've made to my truck, and showcase the trips I've taken, for the purpose of sharing my experience with other Toyota enthusiasts, adventurers, and professional procrastinators alike. I've learned everything I know about my truck from TW, and I hope that my experiences support others' projects as well.

Build Goals:

1. Utility and Reliability: I will only install high quality parts for modifications that have a proven value proposition.
2. Performance On-Road & Off: The best modifications improve not only off-road prowess, but enhance day-to-day drivability and comfort.
3. Adventure Enablement: Eventually, my goal is to outfit the truck well for my wife and I to comfortably travel long-distance, on- and off-road, to places like Banff, Alaska, and beyond.

Story Time



I was in highschool, driving my 1996 green Honda Accord LX with a busted a/c and manual windows around mid-summer time in Lafayette, LA. I pulled up to a stoplight behind what was then, the brand new 3rd generation of the Toyota Tacoma. I remember specifically thinking to myself - "damn, that's a handsome truck - I gotta get one." Then I scooted off in my little Accord. Years went by, and I went through many cars, a Toyota Camry, another Accord, an F-150, an Acura MDX.

20 years later, I was browsing stock at a Ford dealership outside of Denver, when I noticed the Toyota badge of a little black Tacoma hidden between two Super Duty's in the used lot. As I approached to the truck, I thought to myself that there was no possible way this truck had reasonable mileage, and it was likely dogged out. The Colorado market for Tacoma's is high, but it was ridiculous in 2021.

Nevertheless, I peered into the window to discover its beautiful hickory brown leather upholstery. Then, we read that it had only 45k miles, and had one owner, and it was priced relatively well below average. That was it, I bought the truck.

In the dealership parking lot the day I bought it.


That Hickory Brown leather is what ultimately sold me.
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I immediately began taking on some serious trails in Colorado including Slaughterhouse Gulch, Crystal City Road, and Pinyon Flats to Medano Pass near the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and noticed that, even stock, the truck was incredibly capable.

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I slowly began modifying the truck, starting with armor and suspension, some cosmetic and minor functional improvements, as well as wheels and tires.

Later, with improved suspension, and miscellaneous modifications.




Current State
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I've been obsessed with the truck since my first test drive, and never plan on selling it, hopefully pass down to my future kids.
My goal with modifications is to first focus on modifications that improve both daily driving comfort and off-road performance. Then, I'll take it step further on outfitting for increasingly demanding offroading, and longer camping trips.

Every modification I've made and plan to make, I consider how it will result in the greatest net increase in on-road comfort and handling, offroad capability, as well as aesthetic taste.

For example, all of the armor I have or want to install is entirely or mostly aluminum, the wheels I picked are an OEM Toyota product that's relatively subtle. I don't want it to be a head turner, unless you're a Toyota enthusiast, or someone who appreciates thoughtful builds.

It could take years until it's a "complete" build, but I'm also likely to never stop tinkering with it - I've completed all service and modification work myself. Mechanical work is one of the few things that can shift my mind away from work-related stress.

Completed Modifications:

• Armor
  • IFS ; Bare Aluminum
    
  • Body Armor 4x4 Revo Rock Sliders

• Suspension
  • Bilstein 5100 Shocks
  • Icon Vehicle Dynamics AAL
  • Old Man Emu 2885 Springs

• Wheels & Tires
  • 16" TRD Bead lock style alloys - bronze
  • Falken Wildpeak AT3W 285/75 r16

• Lighting & Electrical
  • Diode Dynamics SS3 Fog Lights w/ Amber Accent Lights
  • Tacoma Lifestyle Side View Mirror Sequential Turn Signals
  • Headlight H11 to H9 DIY bulb conversion
  • Diode Dynamics interior and license plate LED bulbs
  • FBC license plate light DIR
    
  • VIOFO A119 Mini 2 dash cam
  • Meso Customs map and dome lights
  • Hot Shot Offroad All Lights On
• Miscellaneous Exterior
  • Cali Raised LED Bed Channel Supports; added self-adhesive rubber edge trim
  • LEER 100R Camper Top
  • Weathertech Window Deflectors
  • TRD Pro Grille with Raptor Lights
  • Replaced chrome LTD mirror covers with oe black
  • Replaced chrome LTD fog light bezel with oe black trim
    
• Interior
  • Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions Dash Mount

• Engine
  • AFE Magnum Pro Dry S Filter
  • Metal replacement Toyota oil filter housing

Planned Modifications:

• Armor
  • RCI Rock Sliders (5-degree angle) w/ Top Tread Plate
    • Note: I'll eventually write up a piece on why I'm replacing my current rock sliders.
  • RCI Skid Plates (1/4" 5052 Aluminum)
  • RCI Rear Diff Skid Plate
  • Backwoods Adventure Mods Hi-Lite Overland Front Bumper (full bull bar)
  • Backwoods Adventure Mods Hi-Lite High Clearance Dual Swing Out Rear Bumper

• Suspension
  • Upper Control Arms
  • Hammer Hangers HD Shackle Hangers (3.6" Archive Shackle) w/ High Clearance Cross Tube
  • DuroBumps U-Bolt Flip Kit
  • DuroBumps Rear Bump Stops and Front Bump Stops
  • Timbren 4WD Rear Active Off Road Bumpstops

• Brakes
  • StopTech Rotors + TRD Performance Pads

• Miscellaneous
  • In-cab Sound Deadening
  • Upgraded CarPlay Stereo
  • Pop & Lock Powered Tailgate Lock
  • Start-X
    $168 Start-X Remote Starter Kit for Tacoma Push to Start 2016-2019 || 3X Lock to Remote Start || USA Brand
    Remote Start Kit

• Lighting & Electrical
  • Diode Dynamics Stage Series 42" Amber Light Bar(s) w/ DLR Backlight
  • Diode Dynamics SS3 Ditch Lights w/ DLR Backlight
  • Overland Equipped Aux Power Kit

• Adventure Enablement
  • Prinsu Pro Roof Rack
    
  • ARB CKMTA12 Twin Motor Onboard Air Compressor
  • ARB Air Lockers
  • Warn EVO VR12-S Winch

 

Great write up, mods and planned mods! Sounds like you’re had a good adventure.

I had a Honda accord my senior year as well, manual everything including transmission. That little thing was a blast to drive as a teenager.

 

Awesome thread and build! I’ll be following along!

 

Appreciate it, my man!

 

You probably noticed, but I modeled my thread off of yours - I like how it's organized, tells a good story

 

Appreciate your feedback, man! I plan on posting more specific write ups on some of the work I've done. But let me know if there's anything missing, or if there are specific mods/ projects you're curious about.

And nice - re Accord. I actually loved that car - drove like a go-cart. Very fun to drive as a teenager. Wish I had a manual! That's always fun.

Mine looked identical to the one below - it was pushing over 320,000 miles by the time we sold it.

 

I had Mustang during my junior and senior high school years. I loved that car I had.

Great thread, looking forward to your complete build.