The Useless Mod Thread

I searched and didn't see one so here we go. There's a variety of different reasons people mod their trucks. It's safe to say a majority of mods are done because there's a need: extra clearance, body protection, better/more lighting, different tires and the list goes on.

But what's one mod people seem to do that to you just doesn't make sense? I know I'll get some heat for this but for me it's raptor lights. It's not that I can't stand them or anything or that they don't enhance the look of the truck but they just don't enhance the look to me that much. It's one thing to go from a stock chicken wire grill to a pro grill, I get it, I've done it to my truck. But raptor lights just don't add a whole lot extra for me in terms of appearance and certainly not from a practicality stand point. What are some of your more useless mods that you've seen or maybe even possibly done to your truck?

 

The Pro grill. lol
The single most overdone, overrated mod in Tacoma history.

Raptor lights are a close second.

 

If you searched for "worthless" or "stupid" mods, you might have found this recent thread; https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/worthless-mods-stupid-mods.699218/

 

Pretty much anything that alters a well designed and engineered part. “If” followed by such and such is happening since I did it.

 

I don't understand the mod of putting backseat strap handles on the front seat headrests for the people in the backseat in the Tacoma trucks that already have backseat handles above the backdoors on the ceiling.

 

The 3 ugliest things on my Tacoma were; the hood scoop, the factory wheels, and the gaudy sport grill. I'd say the pro grill is a great aesthetic mod, there is a reason everyone does it. But I will say the raptor lights are dumb, the whole point of those lights is that the Ford Raptor is so wide it is required by law to have the 3 marker lights.

 

Under hood LED light strips. I expect to never break down BUT just in case!

 

There’s a lot, but I say it’s your truck, dress it up however you want and enjoy.

 

I'd take the 2020 TRD grill if I were to mod mine. I definitely think the TRD Pro grill is overdone and doesn't even look that great.

 

i think many times it’s not really about whether the mod is particularly useful, or a vast aesthetic improvement. Sometimes it’s just about the project itself and the joy of accomplishing something.

I also think, (just now as I consider) that there are so damn many tacos around, there’s a subconscious tickle to make it unique and different from all the others.

I’m 2 for 2 on your list. But truly, the 2018 OffRoad grille really did need some help. I fall on the sword of public condemnation for the raptor lights. I did the tiny button lights if that give me any leniency.

 

Always wondered what those lights were for. Now I know. Thanks!

 

We have to admit that the off road "scene" is full of posers and it don't matter what brand of vehicle. There's a reason why my Tacoma is stock, because it's fully capable in stock form for me. It just needs to be able to haul a mountain bike.

The let me drive to work with my RTT, traction boards and a whole host of other shit as a daily driver. I just don't get it

 

I'll admit I've driven to work with my RTT. But the main reason is that I have no sort of hoist system and so putting it on and taking it off was a pain, especially when we were going to be camping every 2 weeks or so at that time. But just for the looks of it? Pass

 

I'll probably get lots of flack, but where I live every second 3rd gen Tacoma has the Pro Grill installed, while it looked unique a couple of years ago, today it looks boring, and even tacky on a lot of trucks. I have even seen the Pro grill on company service trucks, lol! I guess because the market is so flooded with Chinese knock offs, they are cheaper than an OEM replacement.

There was an interesting post a few days ago where a guy had replaced his Pro grill with a OEM 2020 OR grill he picked up for $20 for the very reason that the Pro grill had proliferated everywhere, lol! Kind of like the naked lady emblems you used to see everywhere, this fad too shall pass, but there will always be a few holdovers, that will proudly display their Pro grill for the world to see long after everyone else moved on. I can see this happening with the black out trend we see as well, everyone is now on the band wagon, and the uniqueness is fading fast.

 

snorkel?

 

For me I didn't do it to be unique or standout. I hated the factory sport grill and I think the pro gave the truck a much better factory look, plus since I have a TSS I didn't have to do any modifications to make it fit. There are definitely much cooler grills out there, especially if you don't have to deal with front sensors.

 

I think it’s for children

I saw it a lot in the FJC world

children who can’t reach the ceiling handle, but can reach the backseat straps hoist themselves up by using those

 

Does a dumb drop bracket lift count as useless?

 

Absolutely, on all levels.

 

Same for me. Not that I wanted to be a poser or anything like that. I hated the cheese grater grille on the 2016 Sport. I would have considered a Sr5 or Limited grille but at the time, the pro grill looked the best as an OEM option. I also didnt like ANY of the other aftermarket options available. If i were to buy a new 2021, I actually like the 2020-2021 Sport/OR grille so I would keep it stock. I even considered replacing the pro grille but I have already installed a front camera on my grille and it would be too much of a hassle to change it out. Everyone and their Father has a pro grille on their truck now but I dont care, what anyone thinks, its my truck! Still looks better then the cheese grater IMO.