Some basic truck questions from a noob

So I was just told that my Tacoma has been delivered to the Dealership. Being this is my first truck, I had some very basic questions. I appreciate the TW community and their advice for me. FYI, I am getting the DCSB 4x4 OR MGM.

1. Is there a size limit the spare tire compartment can hold?

2. Can you lift a truck after getting it leveled? I see a lot of people here talk about getting one or the other. My friend told me to get it leveled, just wondering if its easy to level on top of that if I want to raise the truck some. I am looking to get the dealership to level it so it remains under warranty.

3. My friend told me to get a 2" level, but he drives a massive Ram truck. I am looking to get 17" KO2's down the road. Is this a good size for these tires, or too much?

4. What are some examples the rails are used for in the bed of the truck? I assume some Tonneau covers use them and I've seen things around here such as bottle openers, but anything else commonly used?

5. Are there any wheel locks that come stock or does those need to be purchased separately? I've also seen complaints from the purchased spare tire lock from Toyota, should I avoid it?

6. I also asked them to check the tranny fluid level and U-joints for proper grease. Any other suggestions before I drive the car off the lot?


I've ran across different answers in the past few weeks around the forum for some of these questions, just want to get some additional opinions.

TIA

 

1 yes spare tire is around 31 inches or you can cut the metal ears off for a bigger spare
2 No, lift or level pick one
3 decide if you want lift or level 2 inches will be too much. 17 is fine for a rim but the tire size is what's important
4 I use my ratchet straps on them but don't use the toyota cleats that are plastic since they suck but many accessories can be mounted to them
5 Not sure about stock check out SCSwheels they have good wheels light and cheap and good locks
6 Tranny is sealed and seeks are already greased. It's a 3rd gen drive it and try to enjoy

 

6. Zerks ---ask dealer to check the zerks on the driveline for grease

 

Yes, tranny is sealed, but it can be checked and it needs to be checked. Manually checked, not with techstream.
Congrats on the truck, the OR looks good in MGM.

 

Well I went yesterday, test drove the bad boy. They claimed to have checked everything as far as ATF and the grease. The sales guy said he printed out that how-to transmission guide and gave it to the mechanic.

Vibrations were barely there (whew!) but my biggest disappointment in the truck that I somehow missed was the lack of a sunglass holder in the OR. As simple and petty as it may be, it was one of the better features I've enjoyed in my previous car. I assumed the OR had it since the sport did, just in a different position due to the Crawl Control settings. Other than that, everything seems great.

 

Specifically... Only the offroad 4x4 doesn't have them. The "offroad" 4x2 still has sunglass holders. It really is a powerful creature comfort once you get used to it. Like a backup camera.

 

I almost had second thoughts about going for the Sport 4x4. Now I'm looking at Amazon at those crappy clips for holding glasses.