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Newbie owner questions

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Br1ck, Sep 23, 2024.

  1. Sep 23, 2024 at 1:13 PM
    #1
    Br1ck

    Br1ck [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Male
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tacoma base
    none
    I just bought a 2004 base model with a toolbox in the bed. I'd like to know your feelings about it. The locks seem very flimsy. I do have a very beat up basic toolbox, a camp chair and some bungee cords in it. Nothing particularly valuable. Do you think it's worth the bed space? It is very new. Should I just leave it unlocked?

    Since there is no interior space to speak of, should I buy a new radio and just stream music? Can't see carrying CDs, or perhaps there is a five CD capacity deck available. $300 max. What say you?

    I love having a bare bones truck with a four banger and a stick. It's ultra clean and getting a new clutch and steering rack as we speak. I've always wanted a small truck and most are too big for me.
     
    treyus30 likes this.
  2. Sep 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM
    #2
    rocknbil

    rocknbil Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2023
    Member:
    #414860
    Messages:
    837
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Vehicle:
    2003 Taco Ext Cab DLX TRD 4WD MT 3.4L
    My Everbuilt box with gull wing lids (opens from the sides) has been on five trucks over the last two decades and wouldn't live without it. I love being able to open them from the sides without two people or climbing in the bed, those boxes make no sense to me. I've replaced the original 20 lb support shocks after the first 5 years or so with 40 lb shocks and they've held up well. If you're not happy with the locks, find new ones that fit and change them.

    Can't say, I replaced mine with stock, the CD player stopped working. Always stock with me. :-D Put a newer Pioneer in wife's Rav4 with a backup cam and she likes it but glare is a bit of an issue. Gimme those knobs and buttons any day. :p

    taco-rear-rotate.jpg
     
  3. Sep 23, 2024 at 4:36 PM
    #3
    Chuy

    Chuy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2008
    Member:
    #8328
    Messages:
    3,777
    Gender:
    Male
    Lakeside, CA
    Vehicle:
    07 V6 DCLB 4X4 Sport
    Silver Taco
    My 2nd Gen has the optional oem 5-CD stereo deck, but I don't use it, ever since I plugged in a FM transmitter. It is a Nulaxy KM18. It can pair with your phone via bluetooth, but I have a micro SD card in it that holds my entire music collection. It is very easy to transfer to another car, like a rental when traveling.
     
  4. Sep 23, 2024 at 5:34 PM
    #4
    Red_03Taco

    Red_03Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2021
    Member:
    #381170
    Messages:
    1,369
    Gender:
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    First Name:
    Jerad
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma Xtra Cab 4WD
    Those FM transmitters are legit. My wife use to have a '90 Lexus ES250 (sweet car), and we had one of those Bluetooth capable FM transmitters in it. It's basically.a sub $20 device that brings any car with FM radio into the 21st Century
     
  5. Sep 23, 2024 at 6:24 PM
    #5
    treyus30

    treyus30 It's 70% complete 70% of the time

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2015
    Member:
    #158054
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    First Name:
    Trey
    Mesa / AJ, AZ
    Vehicle:
    '99 5VZ-TT 14PSI+
    Two spooly snails, Haltech 2500, 35s, 125kmi, raptor lined
    I had a box after I sold my topper for like 5 years and rarely used it so I sold it. Handles always had issues (and an amateur could pick it in a minute).
    Have had a tonneau cover for about a year and vastly happier with it. Only thing I need now is a tailgate with a lock.

    Entire OEM sound system is trash. You could spend $200 all in and have an improvement.
     
  6. Sep 23, 2024 at 6:25 PM
    #6
    treyus30

    treyus30 It's 70% complete 70% of the time

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2015
    Member:
    #158054
    Messages:
    7,704
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trey
    Mesa / AJ, AZ
    Vehicle:
    '99 5VZ-TT 14PSI+
    Two spooly snails, Haltech 2500, 35s, 125kmi, raptor lined
    And any car at the stop light too ;)
     

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