Beginner mods

I wanted to create a list that a person who wants to mod their Tacoma but doesn’t have a lot of confidence yet to DIY a lot of it. I can think of a couple but feel free to add on to it. The idea of it is things that require minimal tools but help build confidence to do more in depth mods.

Floor mats
Bed cover
Seat jackers
Side mirror caps
Grille replacement
LED interior and license plate lights

 

Fog lights and the Meso Total Tails kit.

I did them both in my driveway and I have the mechanical skills of a 7 year old.

 

dont blow a headgasket doing all of those "mods" LOL

 

Seat covers ... Rough Country (I have, they are fine, $200) or Clazzio (> $200). Katskinz I have heard are good. Keep your seats in original condition.

@christian06 ($40-ish) or Sabellco ($100) tailgate lock to prevent theft.

Bed stiffeners maybe ... I have Total Chaos ($170). Keeps the bed intact from the start and has additional tie-down points.

I ugraded the VLED tailgate "standard" instead of V6 ($180) to have better reverse lights at least.

major suspension parts ... wait until you know how/where you use ... mall/gravel-roads-for-camping/off-kilter-roads-for-offroading ... before you commit $$.

Fumoto oil-drain valve and Motivx tools for oil-filter-housing makes oil changes easier.

Phillips H9 headlight bulbs to replace the H11 low-beam. $30 for the pair, just remove the green-insert to use the H9.

 

I think you will enjoy this thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ultimate-tacoma-mods-accessories-list.764419/

 

WASTE OF MONEY.

i know it's hard to believe, but i have none of that, and my truck runs perfectly fine! it even gets me to work on time!


also, none of those are what i'd consider beginner mods. seat jackers require special sockets, side mirror caps require a very specific careful touch to not wreck the mirrors, and the grille replacement literally requires taking apart half the front of the truck.

even the led conversions can be a difficult task... but i built my own versions of those for funzies... the incandescent bulbs work perfectly fine otherwise, and don't risk blowing up the BCM like so many have here...

i mean, why don't we encourage beginners to invade the city of troy while we're at it? they only need a small army, no more than 500-1,000 of their good friends, and everyone's got that, right? right?!?

 

With YouTube it makes a lot that weren’t considered beginner mods now beginner mods. That being said pro grill, ss3 fog lights, and any tail light's. The Tacoma starter kit.

 

Ummm...what Koolade have you been drinking?

That's a great list of beginner mods.

 

I believe (and that is what really matters for each individual) that functional comes first. tailgate lock, bed stiffeners with tie down points, dongar adapter to power my dash cam without the long cord, skid plates (at least the transmission plate with catalytic converter guards, H9 headlight bulbs.

The engine skid plate protected my truck when trying off-road on a rocky trail. I never considered a new grille or mirror caps more important than better headlights, tailgate lock and catalytic converter guards.

 

Radio knobs.
Water bottle tray thingie.

 

Check your tire pressures, rain x your windshield and a stainless exhaust tip.

 

Unless you have serious experience modifying a truck, stick with easily reversible mods. Once you have a good handle on using your truck, consider things that improve your experience. Don't look at major mods as increasing the value of your truck in the marketplace (they won't). You may recognize the value but others probably will not.

 

Raised tailgate and glove box letters.
Cat shield.
Diode Dynamics fog lights.

 

What special sockets are needed for the seat jackers?

 

Cheap mods you are proud of | Tacoma World

 

that's a good list except for the one that suggests mounting a serpa holster next to your seat. Serpa holsters belong in the trash lol

 

I’m surprised you can even do that in NY, im guessing upstate is different than NYC/metro/LI.
Here in the deep bowels of the dprk that’s not legal.
Has to be on you not the vehicle, you have the ccw not the vehicle.

 

Upstate is very different. I've had a "no restrictions" pistol license since 2018. That said, I don't carry off body ever. In or out of the vehicle my pistol stays in the holster on my belt. Also I just don't like serpa holsters. They're all a negligent discharge waiting to happen.

 

I did most of this over the years, except the H9(oem work for now) and bed stiffeners(solution looking for a problem?)

The Vleds/reverse and plate light bar is very helpful and Chris’ tailgate anti theft chingadero are solid.

When my suspension finally wore out I upgraded and slightly lifted.

Before that I did the cheapO 255/85/16s for an instant 1.5” of ground clearance.
No lift, oem rims.