Vader Build Thread

Hi Folks - I'm creating this thread to document the mods on my 2020 TRD Offroad Tacoma, "Vader". Vader has 400 miles so far, and i'm up to 15 mods, either already applied or ordered. I've already spent way too much money at the dealership two weeks ago, why stop now?!

Here's the backstory that got me to this point... My wife used to have a 2015 Tacoma that we bought new back in the day. For the 30k mile oil change, I left the dealership with a 2018 Tundra, also the wifes. I had been driving a 2014 Scion tC since new, because I used to drive a lot for work and 28 mpg, manual, two-door scion was helping with a mild case of mid-life crisis and I've always loved to mod. You can judge. I'm fine.

Fast forward to more recently and I'm getting a divorce and my ex's father decided to buy my kid a new dirtbike. After lifting the dirtbike into the hatch back twice... that was that. I picked up kiddo two weekend's ago, drove through In-N-Out and ended up at Toyota. Boom. Dirtbike hauler for kiddo, Vader for me! Also, I got suckered into a 7-year warranty and dent removal, yada yada. My kid is 10. I figure, by the time I'm done paying this bitch off, it can be his. He'll be a high school stud with a bad ass Truck, learn manual, boost confidence, go camping with buddies, haul football gear, get the prom queen, yada yada and I'll finally get my AMG C63 s.

 

The first mod, wasn't even a mod of my choice! Dealership added and arm and a leg in the form of wheels, tires & lift. Not sure if any of this will remain. They sort of took part of the fun away from me being able to select exactly the wheels and tires that I wanted. But for now... they'll do. Here's a pic day 1, still at the dealership.

 

My second mod, was more of an add-on. The very next day, young skywalker and I hit up the dirtbike shop to get a stand and a ramp!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Here's my forth official mod and only in that order because shipping was quick!! AVS low profile smoke window visors. The third mod was a center console organizer. Do you really need a picture of that?!

 

Crap. Going backwards here, but here's a better image of the first mods done by dealer. Since I didn't get to choose this tire/wheel combo - do any of you want to convince me that these aren't a crappy combo?! I like that the tires aren't very loud at highway speeds, but haven't yet gone muddin'.

I just found the wheels on Gear Off Road website. It's funny that they're called "Big Block".



Question for ya'all... are you curious about items I've already purchased, or would you rather me not tease and just show pictures as they get installed? Thanks!

 

There is no choice in the survey for "BOTH A and B"... You may want to add it.

The force is strong with this one!

Don't tease! What else do you have in the bag!

 

I like how you think! Poll option #3 added!!

I've got a few other additions that I've done already so I'll take pics of those tomorrow, then I'll create a list of items already ordered and just waiting to be delivered.

 

Nice truck dude! Those wheels and tires look good, and I've heard good stuff about Toyo m/ts. From your pics it sure doesn't look like much of a lift on there, if any. Hope the dealership didn't stick it to you to bad on all that shit. Anyway welcome to Truck Gang

 

Congrats on the new truck. What did you end up paying for the dealer installed upgrades and warranties? What did you get for a lift?

When I purchased my truck, everything they offered for add on modifications were 50% higher than what I would pay anywhere else. They tried to push the sale based on being able to roll it in with the loan, as if it justified the additional cost. I tried to work a deal with the dealer to swap out the OEM tires, they were 25% higher in price than a regular tire shop. I ended up swapping out my tires at Discount Tire and then sold the take offs to to a used tire shop, saved myself over $750 over what the dealer offered. I was surprised at the huge difference in price, and caught a bit off guard when the used tire guy offered me $100 per tire. I immediately agreed, and then realized that I probably still left money on the table. Oh well, it was still a lot cheaper than going through the dealer.

 

Truck gang, got to see the video

https://youtu.be/YFrEiKcYrFQ

 

There’s a ‘builds’ sub-forum for people to post their build.

 

Did someone say hookers and blow?

 

@Hobbs someone is talking about you

 

HAHAHA. First time I've seen the Truck Gang video. Comedy.

Damn. I thought there was a 3" lift on this thing. I'll have to find the dealership documents again and find the cost of all the upgrades. Yeah - it's totally shady.

First round talking with the finance guy and my interest rate was way too high and over 6 years & I went in already knowing my credit scores across all 3 bureaus. He comes back 5 minutes later and said he got me down to 1.9% for 5 years. I was excited, but douche-face McGee didn't tell me until later that in order to get the 1.9% over 5 years, they had to add some other $4k package to help "protect & prolong" the value of the truck.

I can't wait for an ambulance chasing lawyer to get wind of these types of practices to start some class action lawsuit by dealers. Reminds me of the Wells Fargo adding extra checking accounts for quotas and banking in on the extra fees. I'm a bit pissed because with the dealer added extras, I know i'm paying 2x normal costs to have it done at a specialty shop.

I should have played hardball but I'm an idiot.

Also - if this thread belongs in a better location, is that something an admin can help me relocate to?!

 

Okay... so I've got the decal guru CBoy working on a new bedside decal for me. I pinged him last night but I don't want him to see my vision because I want him to use his own creativity to come up with something on his own. So please don't tag him to this thread, but... I told him it's a black truck named Vader. I want to black out the truck and the decals also black... but in matte. Here's what I'm thinking, but I'm looking for you fine folks to tell me what you think or how I could improve these two options. If we nail it, i'll share with CBoy only after he provides me his first mock up. Let me know what you think and how I could improve!

The font I used is called "Agency FB" but I'm curious to see if using the actual Star Wars font would make this better.

A.

B.


The only difference above is the Toyota Logo vs. 4x4. Let me know what ya'all think and if I'm a douche. Thanks!

 

So now I am very curious, what exactly did you get, and what did you pay for it?

 

I already know I paid too much for what I got, trust me. I've already owned a 2015 Tacoma and a 2018 Tundra. I don't need everyone else telling me the same thing. My (___|___) still hurts from the dealership. That said, it's all relative. I keep thinking that resale value will be better, I got the dent protection package, yada yada... I'll beat the crap out of it and get my money's worth out of it. That'll help me sleep better at night. I still have the window sticker and dealer upgrades... but honestly, I'm trying to avoid looking at it. ha ha ha ha

 

I like option A better. Vader holding text just looks a little odd.