Newbie owner questions

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

And any car at the stop light too