Hey, all. Arron here. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest I've been a lifelong VW/Euro car elitist, but finally decided there were a few things in life that I couldn't reasonably accomplish in a VW or Audi. After 15 or 16 VW/Audi vehicles, it was time to buy the only model of pickup I've ever respected besides the VW Caddy (I actually own an '81 gasser with a 1.8L Cabby engine!)
I'm going to use this thread to document my progress, and to save videos and information I gather for my build. I may post a link or video here and there to reference later. If that helps someone else out... that's awesome. If you think I'm doing something the hard way, say something. Forums are great places to learn and find some community.
IG username: @Sour.Taco
Overland Bound #13041
Modification list (updated 8/28/2019):
Suspension
Let's start off with the first time I saw the new love in my life:
A co-worker and I were driving around, and stopped by the local stealership to see what they had on the lot. I wanted a couple very specific things. It had to be a double cab, long bed (you know, a truck), TRD Off-road package, and I was fairly sure I wanted the tech package. I knew I didn't want to deal with all o fthe extra 2018 radar sensors, so there was only a single option. This truck. I would have preferred a quicksand or grey Tacoma, but white was more than acceptable. Ultimately, the package was more important than the color.
A couple days later, I started stripping the trade in of several years worth or work. I loved my Audi A3 S-line, but all good things come to an end I suppose.
Didn't get any fancy pictures with my salesman, but I did walk away with the truck for just a hair over $36k. Sticker price was north of $41k. Went straight to work after the purchase, then drove down to a buddy's house to swap my silver grill for his recently plasti-dipped grill (I don't really consider this a mod...just like it better than fake chrome).
The dealership was hasseling me for a perfect survey, so my wife told them we would trade for a full set of weathertech floor mats. She's a badass. Picked up a bitchin AJT Design keyfob, too.
Next, I picked up a 32" CALIRAISED LED bar from my buddy (Quicksand Taco pictured above) and installed it.
Got the Dash pieces cerakoted to match the truck, and blacked out all the vent rings while I was at it. Obigatory Tacos in a taco, too
Next up was a grill swap. Picked up this RAD Industries grill from @Maxx.Powell
I decided it was time to step things up, and get going towards my real goals with this truck. RCI bed rack, and CVT Mt Shasta extended tent.
Lighting upgrades came next, with LED bulbs for the headlights (I know this is a major eyeroll to some people), and CALIRAISED LED fog pods.
Thanks to @Maxx.Powell , I was turned on to the stupid cheap MBRP cat-back exhaust. The first couple hundred miles were acceptable, but now (1k later) it sounds perfect. No regrets at all. Got the stock tip on, too!
And that brings us to today (5/16/18). I've got a couple big orders inbound, so I should have some awesome updates here soon ?
To support this nasty habit, I own and operate Cascadia Concealment LLC. Check me out on Instagram @CascadiaConcealment, or at www.cascadiaconcealment.com
I'm going to use this thread to document my progress, and to save videos and information I gather for my build. I may post a link or video here and there to reference later. If that helps someone else out... that's awesome. If you think I'm doing something the hard way, say something. Forums are great places to learn and find some community.
IG username: @Sour.Taco
Overland Bound #13041
Modification list (updated 8/28/2019):
Suspension
- Old Man Emu BP-51 (full) kit - factory settings
- SPC Upper Control Arms
- Sliders - Full Force Metalworks
- Fog lights - Baja Designs Squadron Sport WC
- Bumper light bar - CaliRaised 32" bar behind grill
- Headlights - LASFit 7600LM LEDs (White)
- @CaliRaisedLED 42" roof rack LED bar
- Bedside LED strips - MICTuning
- Interior - Full Tacoma Beast LED conversion
- Method Racing 17" Titanium Grids
- 285/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers
- Grill - RAD Industries
- Bed rack - RCI Industries
- Roof Top Tent - CVT Mt. Shasta Pioneer extended w/Annex
- Prinsu Cabrack
- Switch-Pros 9100
- Expedition Essentials TPAM with Blue Sea USB
- Cobra 75WXST 40 ch CB w/firestick whip
- Anytime Front/Rear cameras from TRDMod.com
- ARB twin compressor w/ expedition essentials in-fender mount
- Pop 'n Lock (disconnected due to popping fuses)
- MBRP catback (amazon $200 special)
- AFE Power Momentum GT full intake
- Dash panels, and vent rings Cerakoted to match body
- AJT Designs keyfob
- Debadged body (
) - Tyger Auto Tonneau Cover
- Redline hood struts (on hand)
- SSO Slimline Hybrid bumper w/Stage 2 High Clearence Kit (inbound)
Let's start off with the first time I saw the new love in my life:
A co-worker and I were driving around, and stopped by the local stealership to see what they had on the lot. I wanted a couple very specific things. It had to be a double cab, long bed (you know, a truck), TRD Off-road package, and I was fairly sure I wanted the tech package. I knew I didn't want to deal with all o fthe extra 2018 radar sensors, so there was only a single option. This truck. I would have preferred a quicksand or grey Tacoma, but white was more than acceptable. Ultimately, the package was more important than the color.
A couple days later, I started stripping the trade in of several years worth or work. I loved my Audi A3 S-line, but all good things come to an end I suppose.
Didn't get any fancy pictures with my salesman, but I did walk away with the truck for just a hair over $36k. Sticker price was north of $41k. Went straight to work after the purchase, then drove down to a buddy's house to swap my silver grill for his recently plasti-dipped grill (I don't really consider this a mod...just like it better than fake chrome).
The dealership was hasseling me for a perfect survey, so my wife told them we would trade for a full set of weathertech floor mats. She's a badass. Picked up a bitchin AJT Design keyfob, too.
Next, I picked up a 32" CALIRAISED LED bar from my buddy (Quicksand Taco pictured above) and installed it.
Got the Dash pieces cerakoted to match the truck, and blacked out all the vent rings while I was at it. Obigatory Tacos in a taco, too
Next up was a grill swap. Picked up this RAD Industries grill from @Maxx.Powell
I decided it was time to step things up, and get going towards my real goals with this truck. RCI bed rack, and CVT Mt Shasta extended tent.
Lighting upgrades came next, with LED bulbs for the headlights (I know this is a major eyeroll to some people), and CALIRAISED LED fog pods.
Thanks to @Maxx.Powell , I was turned on to the stupid cheap MBRP cat-back exhaust. The first couple hundred miles were acceptable, but now (1k later) it sounds perfect. No regrets at all. Got the stock tip on, too!
And that brings us to today (5/16/18). I've got a couple big orders inbound, so I should have some awesome updates here soon ?
To support this nasty habit, I own and operate Cascadia Concealment LLC. Check me out on Instagram @CascadiaConcealment, or at www.cascadiaconcealment.com
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