(Part 2) Best products from r/ToyotaTacoma

It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/Sportz-Compact-Trucks-Toyota-Tacoma/dp/B005DAVGYG

I was wary of it going in to our camping excursion, to be honest. Mainly because I had researched a bunch of truck tent conversations on TacomaWorld and other 4x4 sites, and it seemed like the overwhelming majority of opinions on truck tents leaned toward the rack-mount/above-the-bed type. Going that route just wasn't appealing to me, though, for a handful of reasons, so I went with the one pictured.

I was expecting to say "Yep, TW was right again" but I loved this tent. Easy setup & takedown, well built, loved the awning and gear loft features. It goes all the way to the tailgate, too, which was crucial. I'm 6'1 and I needed that extra space. What made the whole tent situation amazing, however, was the air mattress.

The wheel cutouts on the mattress made the whole bed a big, flat, comfy surface, and it also had the tailgate extension so we had mattress filling up the whole tent floor. I think if you're 5'10 or taller then you'll for sure want a similar setup, if not the exact same. Again, I'm 6'1 and 240 lbs and I was able to totally spread out and was totally comfortable. Very stoked on those purchases.

Here's the air mattress, fyi: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002PLHB2W/ref=pd_aw_sim_263_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FVGGWX6VEF52V5YDXDAK&dpPl=1&dpID=612Te17h6hL&th=1

Edit: I forgot to mention I have a 2013 TRD OR. So your size tent/mattress may vary.

It's a Guide Gear tent. They're meant for a 'larger' compact truck but they fit my 5ft bed pretty well. Only weird area is the entrance which sits a tiny bit too long. You can let it overhang the tailgate a little (pictured above) or prop the edge up on the tailgate letting the top lean forward giving a little vestibule.

The seams at the roof aren't watertight and you can see a bit of daylight through them, but it comes with a rain fly that's pretty easy to buckle on that covers all of that. All in all, a great tent for that price and we haven't had any issues with it.

Amazon Link

Congrats on your first taco! I just purchased the same one about a month ago and am loving it. I definitely think getting a dash cam is a smart decision for any car, here is my suggestion:

Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam 2.4" LCD FHD 1080p 170 Degree Wide Angle Dashboard Camera Recorder with Sony Exmor Video Sensor, G-Sensor, WDR, Loop Recording https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X528FNE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Q5KUBbDDNTXT0

This dashcam ticks all the marks I was looking for (1080p, wide angle, auto on, loop recording) and I think it is reasonably priced compared to the other options with similar specs. Note that you will need your own micro SD card but 8gb should be enough since in the case of an accident you really only need like 2-3 minutes recorded at max.

Unfortunately it will not fit into the GoPro mount out of the box (I honestly don't think there are any on the market that do). But I was able to buy a GoPro mounting kit for around $15 and then used a couple simple tools (hacksaw, sandpaper, epoxy) to Frankenstein a mount using the parts that come with the camera and it works great! If you are really interested I can take and share some pics of the mount I was able to work out.

Anyway hope this helps! Cheers.

I use one of these, which I'm pretty happy with:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RDQVPTY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like that it's pretty low profile when not in use. Also doesn't block the view of any part of the road. The thing I like best is that it's super easy to put the phone in with one hand, no fiddling around with both hands or having to readjust the angle every time, just pop it in and go.

It only works in landscape mode (which is fine for maps). Also the sticky tape that came with it was useless. I stuck it to the dash with heavy duty velcro tape.

I was looking into this myself, so let me give you a little breakdown.

Suppose the following:

• The cover improves your average MPG by 1 MPG.
  
• Your unimproved MPG baseline is 17.5 MPG.
  
• The cover costs about $230
  
• You drive the US national average of about 13,500 miles per year.
  
• The average cost of gas is $2.50 per gallon.
  
  So in a given year you would spend $1,929 without the cover and with the cover, $1,824 per year, a difference of $105 over the year. With these numbers, it would probably take you at least 2 years in this very generous scenario for the cover to pay for itself.
  
  If you don't drive very many highway miles, you're likely to observe no significant change in fuel economy, because the benefit from drag reduction is most relevant at high speeds.
  
  If you're trying to be a penny pincher in the fuel economy department, you're better off...
  
  
• Changing your driving habits to reduce hard stops and accelerations
  
• Changing your routes to reduce the number of intersections, turns, idling, etc.
  
• Changing your air filter every 10,000 miles
  
• Drafting behind a tractor trailer (dangerous)
  
  If you're like me, you use your Taco for truck things: off-road, towing, hauling, adventuring, etc. My other vehicle and daily-driver is 2006 Honda Accord with a super-reliable K-series engine, and I've gotten that up 35 mpg highway on certain trips.
  
  Here's some other articles/info on the matter:
  
  
• The Tonneau Cover Fuel Economy Myth
  
• DOES A TONNEAU COVER REALLY IMPROVE GAS MILEAGE ON A TRUCK?
  
  As others have said, the other half to your cost-benefit analysis of the cover might be that it keeps your bed cargo dry and protected, and that may be worth paying for, too.

So I was cleaning my headlights, getting rid of that fog. I was using Flitz. I’ve been using this stuff on plastic and metal for a long time, but never thought to do the fenders.. I tested in a little spot and it cleaned up fast and easy! With an hours worth of elbow grease, a few rags and a bottle of Flitz I was able to get all the genders from sun bleached grey, to pretty new black. Finished them off with some 303 protect and couldn’t be happier!


(Flitz LQ 04587 Green Metal, Plastic and Fiberglass Polish Liquid, 7.6 oz. Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025QZMRI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_s4xTBbG23GNKW)

If you live in a state that salts roads, get regular washes through winter - specifically at a place that does an underbody spray (touchless if you care).

If you haul stuff regularly, these D-rings fit perfectly behind the bed rails on the same bolts. You'll need a torx bit to remove them, I think it was a T25 but double check. Its one of the most useful mods I've done, 8 extra permanent tie-down points for $25 and like 20min of work. You can also use them on the cubby bolts if you want even more.

You can also get the OEM front bed rail on amazon for like $50, idk about 2019's but my '16 didnt come with one. Get the bed mat too, shit slides all over that composite bed w/o it.

Get a dash cam. Its super easy to route wires up to it too without even removing trim.

My fav mods have been the ones that make life a little easier. And relatively cheap

Swap your interior lights with LEDs -
Fyre Flys 9 Piece White LED... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KRNFQF6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Add gas hood struts
Redline Tuning 21-27010-02 Hood... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T68UKBQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Cup holder inserts
Custom Fit Cup, Door Center... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K8SQ4JQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

There’s a great list of “affordable” mods on Tacoma world. Check those out.

If you’re looking for something to make it more unique, plastidip or remove the badges (I pulled off everything but the “Tacoma” on the doors). Look for unique grill replacements, there are TONS. Some vinyl decals or the like will give you a nice pop too.

Just browse tacomaworld if you want to be inspired.

$24.95, I bought them on Amazon. I thought they would be darker or even reflective, but still high quality product. They're very thick and fit into the indents of the letters very easily so it's hard to mess it up. I would recommend these.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EUB2C5U/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So, I was in the same boat, and after a lot of research, I discovered that most of these Roof Top Tents (RTT) are made in the same factory in china which is why I went with this one to save a some money for about the same quality.


As far as quality goes, I went over every inch of this tent when I first opened it, and besides some metal shavings leftover from the factory, there were no issues besides the mattress being a little thin for a side sleeper like me.


For us, the RTT makes sense since we are going to be going on long road trips (eastern NE to Olympic National Forest in WA being one of them), where, for the majority of the trip, we aren't going to be spending more than one night at each stop. This allows us to set up/tear down in a couple of minutes, whereas with a regular tent or hammock, it takes a bit more time. So the convenience factor plays a pretty large part. And when we do get to our spot, we can just park the truck and hike around from there.


As with most things it comes down to personal preference, and how you go camping (one location vs multiple locations).

Well its like $7.50. Exactly, it costs more cause you need the special key. Cant be undone with a flathead or socket. A little extra piece of mind if you will. Key Clamps

I bought this one for my '07 TRD Sport DCSB, and am quite happy with it.

They make a LongBed version also, BTW.

The viofo a129 duo pro. It's probably one of the best quality cams out there.
https://www.amazon.com/VIOFO-Buffered-G-Sensor-Detection-Recording/dp/B07RXQJ148

Gator ETX Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 59404 | fits Toyota Tacoma 2005-15 (5 ft bed) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I11U3D4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q1nhDbATRZ9TY

I’ve had this for two years and it’s held up great

Although, I have not purchased this yet, it is in my cart for my next oil change. With it, you can attach a hose to the plug and it will direct the oil directly in the disposal container. I feel like it is going to make oil changes a much more pleasant experience

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AMXAVX0/?coliid=IXENUG68AZZYJ&colid=QSUTONY162IF&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

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I have a different pan that doesn't splash. Maybe if you inserted a large funnel in the hole, raised the pan and placed the pan such that the initial fast stream hit the funnel there would be no splashing. You could make a large funnel by cutting the bottom off of a gallon jug of oil (or milk, etc)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0151KNXJ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_boi8wb4P408Z7

Required a bit of cutting to the dash kit. But I love having essentially a android tablet. Connects to my phones wifi hotspot.

Not hard at all! Just a matter of about a dozen screws and two dozen plastic clips. Took me about 15 minutes. Got mine off Amazon for a little less than $400. Free shipping, too! Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01NGTBOKM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498955113&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=trd+pro+grill&dpPl=1&dpID=51PWwYlqWXL&ref=plSrch

Trencher Shovel:

Manufacturer's site for specs: https://www.crkt.com/trencher.html

Amazon link for a better price: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01M0G10O4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mounting Pieces:

Quickfists: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000CQPANY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

T-Slot Nuts: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B009SWGLHW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Screws: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00IZFS0VI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You will need a Drill and a 3/8" or 1/2" drill bit. Drill out the stock hole in the bottom of the quickfist to make the hole larger, the screws will then fit through. Put the T-Nut in the bed-rail and slide it down to where you want it. Screw the Quickfist to the T-Nut and you get what you see above! Insert your tool of choice!

The tent is a Smittybilt Overlander that is mounted on two KB Voodoo Crossbars.

Although it's probably hard to see in the video, the crossbars have special brackets that allow for you to use them with a tonneau cover.

A new tailgate with all the internals (backup camera, latches, etc), the inner composite cover, and painted, is going to run you $1k+, it sucks.

A potential cheap fix once you DO replace it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VAXCWO/

you can slip that around the release hinge (passenger side), and keep the turnkey in your center console or something; it's not foolproof but it'll definitely slow down anyone trying to do a grab and run and that's often enough.

I also ordered all these to complete the set up
5-Pack of T-Slot Nuts - Ideal T Slot Nut for Toyota Tunda & Toyota Tacoma Pick-Up Truck Bed Deck Rails - By Mission Automotive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07739WXJB?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
The Hillman Group 44018 3/8-16 x 1-Inch Button Socket Cap Screw, Stainless Steel, 5-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZFS0VI?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Quick fist clamps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQPANY?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Plus Washers at my local hardware store

There's a guy on Tacoma World who's making replicas that don't have "Toyota" on the front for 250, but I wanted OEM quality. I got it off Amazon for 396 which isn't bad considering the dealer wants 499 for it.

Toyota of Vineland in NJ is selling them on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NGTBOKM/

You can buy these on amazon, they have lots of colours

BDTrims | Tailgate Plastic... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01EUB2C5U?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Longest time was cleaning and such - 30 min +/-

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003C53BGA/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ref_=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

$80! Can't beat it.

TRD Pro grille

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NGTBOKM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gOeZzb5TVYNRF

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Tacoma-Grille-Insert-PT228-35170/dp/B01NGTBOKM/ref=cm_cr_othr_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003C53BGA/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Smittybilt Overlander

Smittybilt Overlander Tent https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00KCFKPX0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qkn0CbXANF7SC

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Gear-Compact-Truck-Tent/dp/B003C53BGA

Guide Gear Compact Truck Tent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003C53BGA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Y-BoDbERHWGDG