New Member - My First Taco Build

[Mari5.0]

Hello all, I'm new to the truck world. Purchased my Taco back at the end of May 2024. It's an Ice Cap TRD Sport 2WD. Kinda wish I had got a 4x4 model but I'm not into off-roading. Love my truck so far!!! I'm kinda late to getting on the forums because of how long ago I bought it and I'm rounding 15K Miles lol btw not a single issue to report. Here's a list of mods I've done below, I'm pretty much done just have to put on my leveling kit. Oh and I prefer the smaller screen to the massive 14 inch one lol

FYI Go to Hawaii, I went on my honeymoon. I've never seen so many Tacoma's in my life. The unofficial vehicle of the islands. The Tacoma culture is super strong out there. I learned and saw a lot when it comes to all years of these trucks.

-DX4 Caper Wheels (17 x 8.5 0mm Offset)
-Nitto Terra Grappler G3's (285/70/17)
-Realtruck 2" Leveling Kit - Actually 1.5" Went with this because the Rough Country kit is a polymer material and they no longer ship the steel version (To be installed)
-TRD Pro Grille with Raptor Lights
-Kenvc Aluminum Recovery Shackles - Red (Front & Rear)
-Sxth Element Rear Recovery Hooks - Red (They fit all models but you may need a 5/8 flat washer for the inside holes on the frame depending on your model)
-Front Tow Hook Brackets for 09-23 Tacoma (These are what are holding the rear D-Ring's on the trailer hitch frame, there are hole in the frame that line up perfectly for them)
-Axle Dump Exhaust Delete
-Vijay Front tow hook mount brackets for 07-21 Tundra (These are what hold the front D-Rings, had to drill a second hole to mount them to the front frame where the stock tow hooks are located)
-Retractable Tonneau Cover (Not sure where it came from it was a gift from my dad since this is my first truck)
-Lasfit Switchbacks
-Redline Tuning Hood Struts
-TRD Aluminum Oil Cap & TRD Sport badges (engine bay and truck bed on tonneau cover cannister)
-Carbon Fiber Door Handle Covers, Mirror Covers and Front bumper air vent below the headlights)
-Tailgate Inserts (Black) and Tailgate Handle Inserts (Red)
-5% Carbon Ceramic Tint
-Various Carbon Fiber Interior Pieces (Center console, HVAC vents, steering wheel, window switch controls, shifter, cup holders)
-TripleALiners Floor Mats
-iZeeker Dashcam with "Donger dashcam power adapter 5 pin type A" (I wired from overhead doom light panel)
-iTrek Stickey Mount for Garmin Nuvi & Wireless magsafe charger and 90 degree USB-C adapter with 1ft USB-C cable
-19-23 Rav 4 Radio Knob (To be installed)
-Glove box inserts for a tighter fit
-ANCEL BD310 OBD2 Scanner (I Use it to monitor, although I do have a "Carista OBD2 Scanner" that I used to turn off the seat belt chime and other settings)
-Auto Start Stop Eliminator (Amazon)

Lastly, because I'm sure someone is going to ask lol. That's my 2015 Mustang GT-PP in the background.

Has a fully built motor (Manley Pistons/Rods, MMR Oil Squirter Deletes and Timing Chain Guides, Boundary OPG's, Comp Stage 3 Blower Cams) / Ported 15 Intake - IRMC's locked out / Mishimoto 160 Thermostat / Vortech JTB / ID 1050X Injectors / MSD 2 Step - NGK Plugs / Ben Calimer Stage 3 built MT-82 / Steeda short throw Shifter / McCleod - RST Twin Disc Clutch - Aluminum Flywheel - Hydraulic Throwout Bearing - Braided Clutch Cable / Steeda One Piece Aluminum Driveshaft / Steeda IRS Braces and Cradle Lockout Stop the Hop Kit / Steeda Vertical Links / Viking Shocks / Steeda 1" Lowering Springs / 20" GT350 Replica Wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555's 305/35/20 / Drilled & Slotted Rotors with Powerstop Z26 Pads / Stainlessworks 1-7/8 Catless Headers into a CJ Pony Parts X-pipe into Ford Racing Intermediate pipes into Pypes Pro Touring Race Mufflers with Cooks Exhaust Tips "Yes it's loud AF" / NGauge - Tuned by the Greatest Coyote Tuners on the Planet (LUND RACING!!!!!)

She makes roughly 910-930hp (The SPICY TUNE) depending on outside temp to the wheel on C16 race fuel or E85 with the 3.33 pulley with a lotttttttt of timing and the duty cycle on the pump maxed out (EXTREMELY RISKY) since I don't have a full fuel system yet. (Plans for a Fore Innovations dual pump system or a VMP System) Only running a Lethal Performance BAP. But on the 3.6 pulley and 93 she makes about 780-800 and that's what I normally drive around on.

Sponsored

 

[MT-Taco]

Nice! You’ve been busy.

 

[EastonTaco]

Can you tell me a little more about how you used front tow hook brackets on the rear to mount shackles. I have been looking for a way to do this. Perhaps some closer pics where they bolt to the frame. Thanks

 

[Slappy]

kool %

 

[Mari5.0]

Can you tell me a little more about how you used front tow hook brackets on the rear to mount shackles. I have been looking for a way to do this. Perhaps some closer pics where they bolt to the frame. Thanks

No prob. I bought these
https://a.co/d/6F9eD2G

If you run your hand along the bottom of the frame just before where the plastic part of the bumper curves down you will feel a hole. The brackets I bought came with d rings but they fit around the frame perfectly. I think any of the front d ring brackets for the 3rd Gen will work tho. Can't remeber what size bolts/nuts I used but I know they were grade 8. You just need a ratcheting wrench long enough to fit and run down the inside of the frame rail to tighten them down. I think mine where 9/16 or 1/2. It's a good alternative to 200-300 dollars for the recovery points.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Nice truck & welcome to the forum.

 

[EastonTaco]

No prob. I bought these
https://a.co/d/6F9eD2G

If you run your hand along the bottom of the frame just before where the plastic part of the bumper curves down you will feel a hole. The brackets I bought came with d rings but they fit around the frame perfectly. I think any of the front d ring brackets for the 3rd Gen will work tho. Can't remeber what size bolts/nuts I used but I know they were grade 8. You just need a ratcheting wrench long enough to fit and run down the inside of the frame rail to tighten them down. I think mine where 9/16 or 1/2. It's a good alternative to 200-300 dollars for the recovery points.

Great thank you, next weekend’s project.

 

[Airborne]

Nice looking truck , you have been busy moding. Thanks for sharing
David

 

[Mari5.0]

Great thank you, next weekend’s project.

Hope this helps. I wasn't able to get a pic of the inside of the frame rail because my other RRP covers it.

 

[EastonTaco]

Hope this helps. I wasn't able to get a pic of the inside of the frame rail because my other RRP covers it.

Super helpful !!!! I would never have figured to do it that way, great job on this, I am ordering parts now.

 

[Beard38]

Good looking build!

 

[oldschool_94]

Nice truck brother congrats and welcome.

About your axle dump exhaust, did you notice any lag or sluggishness in the engine? I have the same engine (non hybrid) and want this too. Just making sure deleting that last resonator thing doesn’t affect the turbo or anything. Thanks!!

 

[MERAKIAUTOWORKS]

Welcome!

-Josh

 

[IceCap__Tacos]

-iZeeker Dashcam with "Donger dashcam power adapter 5 pin type A" (I wired from overhead doom light panel)

Looks great. Can you be more specific with how you wired the dash cam from the dome light? I have a dash cam, but it requires 3A supply. I was worried about melting something if I piggybacked on the the overhead lights.

 

[oldschool_94]

Looks great. Can you be more specific with how you wired the dash cam from the dome light? I have a dash cam, but it requires 3A supply. I was worried about melting something if I piggybacked on the the overhead lights.

Icecap, find Chloe Kuo taco on YouTube she’s got a video called first 5 mods on the gen 4. She installs the dash cam up by the mirror. That’s how I did it. Pretty helpful

Sponsored