(Part 3) Top 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.

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)

Thanks!
Hood deflector was the AVS 21681: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018AIGTGC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The window visors were AVS 994036: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AIFTSEU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I highly recommend the visors, I had gotten my dad some normal ones at his request for his Tacoma and didn't like the way they bulged out, but these are perfect, you can't really tell they are there from straight on.

Well...here's all the stuff I bought on my Amazon list lately. Does that help?

AUKEY 1080p Dash Cam
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B072FGL63X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Black Off Road Scene Easy Fit Mud Guard
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NIJS0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Car Travel Inflatable Mattress
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7MZ3YO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Xprite Amber 240 LED Roof Top Mini Flashing Strobe Light
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091XUAY8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Smoke Tint Slim Wind Deflector
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00335FH4S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pet Dog Seat Belt Leash
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0719R1YNZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

30 Ft. Polyester Tow Strap
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L5RMPT6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hood tie-Down Loops
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CRBXQUK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seat Cover for Pets
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QHC02EY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Silicone Wedding Ring For Men (For the radio knobs)
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD31K4P/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Toyota Tacoma Center Console Tray
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KI3WG1O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Toyota Tacoma Center Console Organizer
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016ZB4VZC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Front Car Seat Covers
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FBLOR88/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Husky Liners Front Floor Liners
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B019YS22MM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Annnnnnnnnnd I'm just now seeing you were talking about the 2nd Gen...

The mattress is fantastic. It fits right over the wheel wells; you'd never know they were there. It's got a built-in pump and inflates in just a few minutes (auto-deflates too), and is firm enough that my wife and I don't toss each other all over the place when rolling over in the middle of the night.

I'm less enthusiastic about the sleeping bag. It was around freezing when we were camping, and even though the bag is rated to 0C, it really just didn't do the job as far as I could tell. Part of that was likely that it's a double, so (with my wife in it too) I couldn't wrap myself up in it like I do a normal bag. It was our first outing in it, though, so I'll give it another shot.

Oh man it was stupid easy. Took maybe 5 minutes to do total.

Bought this and this from Amazon and installed with the factory radio. It just plugs right into the back with no issue on my non-JBL radio.

Both come with good instructions and a quick YouTube search to learn how to pop the radio out made quick work of it. Sound quality is crystal clear.

I loath aftermarket radios. The way they look and function is just hideous compared to where technology is. Alternatively I can't afford a $600 touchscreen unit. I'm a firm believer in just leaving things alone, leaving them stock so this fit right into my budget and methods. Very happy with the way it turned out. Sleek, elegant and simple.

Nope, I learned most on my own from a very young age going to the Azusa Canyon OHV and seeing what idiots are doing. My dad would let me drive his 84 SR5 down there when I was a kid.

When I got older and could drive I would go and practice on Rincon and Cleghorn after reading several articles and books on how to wheel. Mind you this is before the Internet. I wheeled by myself and had to be very careful since that's super risky. I wheeled 15 years solo before finding a crew.

This is the book that helped me progress as a wheeler before the Internet. It not only has trail information it has survival, recovery and off road driving info as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-Backroads-4-Wheel-Trails/dp/0966497643

I do a lot of surfing and canyoneering; both of which require me to stash my key due to water. I can't lock the key in the car because it won't lock. I've been clipping it to a carabiner on the rear passenger side behind the wheel, but this has downsides (someone seeing me, and I'm always afraid it's still close enough to detect presense and unlock). After burning my hand on the exhaust pipe by not being careful, I decided to find something new.

I found this, but the reviews weren't convincing me of its quality, the drawer looked small, I wasn't sure it would fit the 3rd gen, and it was more than I wanted to spend. I ended up welding this box and pairing it with a combination lock receiver lock. I hope this gives other people ideas if they're in a similar predicament.

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!

This is what use to put mine on and off. Turns a tough, unsafe job into a piece of cake. I removed mine and put it back on once by myself, by hand. Never again.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009I8AO6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Materials:
In Cab Switch
LED Light Strip
Pin Switch
Add a Fuse

The lights turn on when the tail gate is opened, and off when closed. There is a master switch in the cab to turn off the power in case I want to have the tail gate down with the lights off. Power is tied into the fuse box in the cab.

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

I got this one almost 4 years ago now and it's done a great job. It isn't exact in the air pressure reading but I use an external gauge anyway https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X6VXL4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ai69BbJJ3AX60

I replaced mine.

• Power supply
  
  
• Speaker

these are swing boxes they make a handful of slightly different ones too.

https://www.amazon.com/SEM-39143-Trim-Black-Aerosol/dp/B000EM019O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505082037&sr=8-1&keywords=sem+trim+black

It could be that the material is still stretching out since it was packaged folded up. But here is the link for what I bought

Auto Ventshade 21681 Hoodflector... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018AIGTGC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/UAUS-53141-35060-Garnish-Sensor-2018-2019/dp/B07WS5FPPF/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?keywords=tacoma+grill+sensor&qid=1566830192&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSUNRVEI0OTFKUEo5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjk3NjA2MkRCV09HQUNLT0tYWiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjYxNzE1MlBMQzBNVzFVM0NTQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

The seller I bought from ran out, this looks like the same.

For those with a 2013-2015 this isn't as much of an issue because of the extra run cycle when shutting off the vehicles. However there is another problem that can occur with all of these pumps... The filter that is supplied by the factory is a cheap chunk of foam that can dry out and eventually disintegrate causing pieces to be sucked into the pump. Those pieces can damage the plastic impellers and put your truck into limp mode. All 2nd gen 4cyl and 2012-2015 V6 have these pumps. They are upwards of $1000 for the parts alone.

The fix is to remove the foam and replace it with a breather style air filter at the inlet. Uni Filter UP-107 1“ Clamp on Breather on amazon. Takes about 10 mins to do and is super easy. Just need a torx head driver. There are write ups on tacomaworld about it.