Mods vs $$$

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I'm 56, and have lost interest in modding anything. Looking back, I feel like I've wasted a lot of money and my time with modding.

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[WKTJR1]

I have two 4-wheeled hobbies and a very high end photography kit. The struggle is real.

 

[bsquaredMTB]

Wise words, definitely!

Totally agree. I'm definitely not rushing into anything and in the "older and wiser" boat ha. One thing I do is live vicariously through all the other mods I see!

 

[MT-Taco]

I did mine over about 6 months. Ark mud flaps and Sliders to protect the paint, Katzkinz leather, Aluminum Skids, Shocks, Tires, then Wheels, Cheap bed cover, and RCI fender flares. OTT tune should wrap it up?

 

[SilverSurfer]

1. Pay off truck goto2
2. Consider whether $$ is better used elsewhere, if not, goto3
3. Look for used mods and buy them at 1/4 retail.

 

[SilverSurfer]

I paid off my tacoma tonight. Custom 4 month installment plan. lol. Let the mods begin.

 

[CrispyTacoLover]

I have two 4-wheeled hobbies and a very high end photography kit. The struggle is real.

What’s in your photography kit?

 

[WKTJR1]

What’s in your photography kit?

I shoot with the Canon R3, R5, and R6 Mark II, along with several L-series RF lenses. I also have some EF lenses that are gradually being sold or traded to help finance the upgrades. The gear is complemented by various accessories, including filters, bags, tripods, lighting, software, and more.

 

[EastonTaco]

I shoot with the Canon R3, R5, and R6 Mark II, along with several L-series RF lenses. I also have some EF lenses that are gradually being sold or traded to help finance the upgrades. This gear is complemented by various accessories, including filters, bags, tripods, lighting, software, and more.

I started with a Canon AE-1 in 1980 and eventually upgraded to the Canon F1 with a bunch of FD lenses over the years. I caught the mirrorless bug in the beginning so went with Sony A7 series. I trimmed my lenes down to a 35mm, 24-70, 70-200, and 200-600. Zooms almost as good as primes now. However I still use some of my legacy Canon glass with adapters, they are great for portraits and macro. I focus on wildlife and the Taco Sport gets me where I need to be.

 

[tank69]

Do them at your mental and financial pace. I do well for myself, bought my Tacoma and did everything at once, lift, wheels, tires, roof rack, sliders, exhaust, bedcover, intake and a few other things. I had the cash to do it all on hand but used my airlines credit card, got all the points and paid it off before any interest hit. So you have options, just don’t put yourself in unnecessary debt.

 

[EastonTaco]

Totally agree. I'm definitely not rushing into anything and in the "older and wiser" boat ha. One thing I do is live vicariously through all the other mods I see!

Fully agree! I bought some real aftermarket junk over the years and now leave the interior mods to the younger people and hardcore wheels and lifts to the OR crowd. However a few “necessary” mods to make it mine:
Hard bed cover
Bed mat
Bed step
Air dam off and add skid plate
Full size spare tire
Window tint
Monitor screen protector

 

[SilverSurfer]

For me, I tend to buy it the way I want it rather than do upgrades. My primary vehicle is a LR Defender configured with some rare options and combinations, my wife’s vehicle is a F350 Lariat Tremor. The Tremor 35” wheels and lift give the F350 a perfect stance. However, with the taco, I wanted a budget pickup for camping and OR. I originally went looking for a 2020 ish Tacoma, but even with 30-40 miles they cost 95% of what a new taco costs, so I went that route. I bought more than I needed, but I think my taco needs a 1-2” lift and at least 33” tires. So I’ll probably do that sometime this summer. Or I’ll trade it for a F150 Raptor…decisions…

 

[reu2]

I'll answer this with a question; How strong is your marriage? Nothing starts a fight like spending money on upgrades if you have to go into debt for them.

I agree that there are some essentials. I budgeted them in when I made a purchase decision.
I have had the truck only days and have the following ready to start installing this weekend. Then I have a wish list of things I'll add as needed.

• Screen Protectors
• 3D-printed Arm and Glove box organizers
• Retrax Pro XR hardcover
• Yakima Bars and rail towers
• Weather tech floor liners
• Blackvue 970X Box Dashcam with Powercell Battery Pack
• Bed Mat

Next, I'll do tint, and remove the air damn. Still looking for a skid plate. I have a Limited. No offroad chops, but I want some protection getting to the bike trails, and I want something to protect the catalytic converter.

Further down the list and as budget allows, are the latter rails, trailer hitch light, rims, and Tie-down upgrades. Maybe even start to black out all the chrome. Of course, like a couple of others in the group, I have other expensive hobbies that come first.

Just be realistic about how much you can spend without going into debt. And especially, don't hide what you're doing from a significant other.

 

[EastonTaco]

I'll answer this with a question; How strong is your marriage? Nothing starts a fight like spending money on upgrades if you have to go into debt for them.

I agree that there are some essentials. I budgeted them in when I made a purchase decision.
I have had the truck only days and have the following ready to start installing this weekend. Then I have a wish list of things I'll add as needed.

• Screen Protectors
• 3D-printed Arm and Glove box organizers
• Retrax Pro XR hardcover
• Yakima Bars and rail towers
• Weather tech floor liners
• Blackvue 970X Box Dashcam with Powercell Battery Pack
• Bed Mat

Next, I'll do tint, and remove the air damn. Still looking for a skid plate. I have a Limited. No offroad chops, but I want some protection getting to the bike trails, and I want something to protect the catalytic converter.

Further down the list and as budget allows, are the latter rails, trailer hitch light, rims, and Tie-down upgrades. Maybe even start to black out all the chrome. Of course, like a couple of others in the group, I have other expensive hobbies that come first.

Just be realistic about how much you can spend without going into debt. And especially, don't hide what you're doing from a significant other.

Take a look at this plate. I have it on my Sport and it does not require a cross member like on the ORs and Pros. I am very happy with it! The guys seems to only sell on ebay, but that was no problem.

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

I'm new to modding my tacoma. My last one, a 2016 TRD off-road was my first, so I didn't really do much with it other than tires. One thing that's always been on my mind is how people pay for all these awesome mods. I know people don't like sharing their salaries for the most part so I'll stop short of saying how can everyone afford this stuff, but I would like to have people chime in on what their strategy is to pay for their mods. I'm a software engineer that makes a decent salary (I'll call it low 6 figures) but I do have a mortgage and regular monthly responsibilities. I'm sure I'm not the only one but I'm constantly fighting the urge to just charge my next crazy mod idea! lol. What does everyone else do when they get mod fever?!

The cost of everything is outrageous.
I am far from new to the mod game, the only difference now is the cost, and the level of technicality
My the first truck was a 1983 SR5 Toyota, and it was a lot less complicated to work on and a lot cheaper to mod.
This is a damn Good thing that I'm retired, my house is paid for, i don't have any kids, and my wife paid cash for her car at the same time, she bought my truck. Because what it costs to modify, this truck the way I want to is ridiculous.

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