Where do you buy your 1st Gen toys?

So I've had my 98 4x4 for a good 9 years now, but it's only recently that my buddy turned me on to this site and you guys seem to have some pretty good advice so I thought I'd ask around a bit.

I've been thinking about getting some new accessories for my truck for about 9 years now, but I wanted to know where you guys get stuff for your 1st gen tacomas? Whether it's online or at a shop some place (Southern California shops would be especially good for me) I'm always interested in new toy stores.

Two of the things I'm looking at right now are a grille guard
http://www.dealsofsteel.com/product_info.php?products_id=542

And some Nerf Bars
http://www.dealsofsteel.com/product_info.php?products_id=383

I'm kinda going with an all black theme, if ya couldn't tell. Never shopped with Dealsofsteel.com before though.

So, tell me where you buy your toys!

 

that site has those customer reviews on the side bar, and they all say that the company isnt legit. they dont send out the stuff and just steal your money.

id be careful.

but on a lighter note, I buy all my stuff from 4x4connection.com.
those guys are real legit and they have ARB stuff for the cheapest that ive seen it.

When i bought my front OME suspension the guy called me that evening and told me that it was back-ordered and asked if i wanted it directly shipped from ARB for like $30 extra or just wait the extra 2 weeks. (sorry, rant)

anyways, just bought a ARB bull bar from there (arriving next week). Great guys, buy your shit from them.

 

I was wondering about that myself. Free shipping for everything and negative reviews right on the site seemed suspicious to the point where I didn't wanna buy directly from them, but I do like the styles they have. I'll check out 4x4connection right now though! Thanks!

 

yep. Craigslist is always a good bet as well. Since the (great) taco recall (let's call it a migration, shall we?) happened, CL has been flooded with used taco parts stripped off of recalled trucks. Caps (toppers) are especially easy to find on there.

 

yah, dont do nerf bars.. get a set of sliders made so they're functional AND look bad ass. I'm not a fan of the grill guards personally.. IF money wasnt an opton i'd say get rid of the bumper altogther and get a custom built one.. one of those plate things.. man that'd be rad

 

def sliders. painted black with bedliner material.

and dont do a brush guard. shrockworks or ARB is way better, or you could try to custom build one, yes.

 

Custom built would turn out horribly for me. I'm much better with installing pre-made parts. I'll see if I can find some sliders I like. It looks like Shrockworks only makes them for 2005+, and the ARB sliders are for jeeps. Pity. Why do the sliders always look so thin and dinky compared to the nerf bars?

And I'm definitely gonna have to wait if I go with the ARB bumper. That thing is a beast, but it's expensive as hell. I may as well just go with an Aries or something for a few years while I mull it over.

Everyone on here must be incredibly wealthy to afford all this stuff!

 

yah, the sliders look weak, but theyre pretty damn strong. Thick metal welded to the frame is basically an extension of the frame.. nerf bars are hollow and bolt usually to the body or sometimes welded to the frame.. SO yah.. good times.

ARB makes some pretty slick stuff - AND your front bumper is DONE anyway - so might as well get somethin amazing!

 

Yeah, no kidding. I'm gonna miss that bumper. You know, 10 minutes ago 800 seemed like a lot for a bumper. It looks more and more attractive each minute that passes....

 

Stock bumpers cost 1000. Its true i just researched it like MAD and i cant find any worth less than 1000. I wouldnt lie. never. AND i hear ARB gives you a BJ with every bumper purchased. Good company.

 

Might be worth it just for the BJ. Also, we need to go junkyard hunting again and find an old celica. I need some new seats! There have got to be some junk yards in the Inland Empire somewhere.

 

I'm game - lets go!

Also - some of you first gen guys should chime in. I know dick about pre 05s

 

Tube bumpers (like Demello) > plate bumpers (like ARB) IMO

 

I checked them out



vs



? I like the tube look, but I dunno if I like how flimsy it looks.