What should I do to my 2nd gen Tacoma?

Being a new driver, I'd suggest you just drive awhile. Idea's for modifications will come to you on your own time. Example, when I'd stop at a traffic light in my 77 nova with 4 different colors of primer, the roar of laughter drowned out my radio, I figured it was time for a better sound system. Maybe on your way home from work you encounter a blind downhill turn you wish you could see better, think about upgrading lights. Possibilities are endless, some stuff is good, some is absolute garbage. That's where forums like this really help. Search, and you'll find someone who's already tried a product you wish to purchase, or had the same problem you're encountering. You'll also find people who decided, I want this, nobody makes it, I'll make my own. Now they make hundreds for others who want the same thing.

Something else to think about, you mentioned 230k on the odometer. I suggest you not go crazy spending thousands. Keep it simple on a tight budget. Maybe save up and trade up.

Welcome to TW.

 

Thanks for the advice! I’ve been driving for a little over a year now but definitely gonna get new lights soon since the ones I have are pretty crappy

 

Welcome to TW

Suggest you put in a nice stereo/speakers, wash wax and detail it, drive it well and keep it up. Open a Roth IRA, save your money like it was a small truck payment. In a year you will have a little bank saved up, your dad will be so proud of you, he will help foot the bill for the down payment on a newer truck. You will know what you want by then, and if you stay in these forms you will find yourself amazed what you can do, all the possibilities. Good luck.....

 

If he enjoys driving his truck the best advice is to keep driving it and not buy a new truck.
We are on here saying that Tacomas are the best and last a long time, 230k is nothing for these trucks if they have been looked after.

 

read all of crashnburn80's posts, start with this one, then click and read all in his sig:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eel-tire-combo-trd-rock-warriors-ko2s.381030/

the reason i say this is because he will get you in the right mindset as to how to approach modification of your vehicle, if any

for example, a 6" lift with 100 lb per tire/wheel combo might look cool, but there are severe drawbacks and it might not fit how you utilize your truck

 

Fair, keep driving, I have seen 450k on a Tacoma so he can have it for as long as his dad did. He also can spend a boatload of money fixing it up. It is his choice. My suggestion was really saying save his money. If he really wants a fixed up truck start with something more close to his target or end point.

Suggestions are like opinions, everyone has one and is entitled to express theirs. I am not judging.

 

Welcome to TW
It's a shame the way the anti-5 lug elitists treat a new member just because he doesn't drive the "cool " version.
Check out the 5 Lug section of the forum for specific info on lifting your truck

ETA Whoever switched out the original steel wheels for those larger Highlander wheels did you a great favor. The original wheels are undersized and ugly.

 

At the top of the 2nd gen section is a really good write up on headlight upgrades. The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

 

I’m sure you could find a set of XRunner wheels with rubber on them locally cheap.

- Paint the bezels in your headlights black, wet sand headlights to make them look new.
- Set of fog lights
- Color match the grill, mirrors and door handles.
- Sport Hood/Hoodscoop
- EBay/DEPO Black tail lights
- Tint
- Paint the center section of bumper

 

Yea man didn’t know about the 5 lug thing but it’s all good and yeah the wheels definitely look a lot nicer than the ones it’s supposed to have

 

I like this man might have to put some of these ideas on my truck

 

I think 5 lugs are awesome, so I have one.

Here's the deal. It does everything I need it to and it's budget friendly.

I've done a few things that I enjoy, but nothing anyone would get too excited about. Bed mat, tonneau, under-rail lighting, diff breather mod, intermittent wipers, Weathertech mats/window vents, fog lights, interior LEDs etc.

I went from the stock 215.75 to 235.75 on the OE wheels and gained 1" of ground clearance. No rubbing, cutting or lifting needed. Not visually stunning, but put it next to a stock 5 lug and it shows.

There is a forum here dedicated to 5 lugs. Learn how to maintain your truck well, yourself, and it will serve you well for a long time at low cost.

I'm not sure I'm familiar with those wheels in the pic. Any info on those you can share? Are they a Toyota wheel?

BTW, you can make it sorta-kinda xrunner looking, but unless you want to swap in a v6, you'll just be another poseur. And that's not cool.

 

Use your spare cash to make sure the truck has routine maintenance. Buy a washable air filter. Use OEM oil filters. Drive your truck where you want to go and what you want to do. If it needs something, then buy it.
Here's something inexpensive that you can play with; an OBD II code reader and app for your phone that shows real time info. About $25.

 

LCE headers
Uni-filter
Take out Secondary filter in intake
Headlights
Taillights

 

Thanks for the advice man! And the wheels are toyota I think from a highlander according to someone on this forum

 

Just think of how often many 4x4 owners actually put it in 4wd? Not too often at all. Probably 99% of Tacoma owners could easily get with a 2wd. A slightly taller tire, and tips from the 5 lug forum I'm sure will get you damn close to what you want. Without causing any headaches.

You've got a great truck there that'll last you a long time to come.

 

Very Nice Truck, Have Fun With It. Enjoy

 

Well now, you've just knocked down what the last 36 posts built up, nice looking rig!

 

Thanks come a long way

 

Don't try to make a 13 year old truck something that it is not. Unusual stuff: Update the fluids if not recently done. Differential, radiator, power steering pump, transmission. Flush the brake system. Put a hose clamp on the tailgate passenger side hinge. Check the belts. Check the pressure in the spare tire. Grease the driveshaft fittings. If it does not have one, put on a wiper control stalk with an intermittent position. Make sure all the light bulbs work.