asteffes' '06 Taco DC (because I want to be a cool kid, too.)

[asteffes]

asteffes' '06 Taco DC

I purchased my 2006 Toyota Tacoma in October of 2005. Factory specs:

Double cab, short bed configuration
4.0L V6 - 245 HP
5 speed automatic
SR5 trim package
TRD Off Road package
Towing hardware package
SnugTop SuperSport shell
Rubber bed mat

Goodies:
ARB bullbar
Superwinch EP9.0 winch
Winchline.com synthetic line w/safety thimble
BentUp sliders
Donahoe Racing suspension
BFG All Terrain T/A-KO tires, 265-75-16
Hella 80/100 watt headlamp bulbs
IPF 968 driving lamps
Garmin GPSMAP 276c GPS
Kenwood TM-V700A transceiver with Diamond NR770HB antenna
Husky Liner rubber floor mats
SilBlade FlexBlades silicone wipers


Anti-bling:
Decals and badges removed from body, shell and roofrack.

 

[asteffes]

Then, I took her wheelin' with UncleChris at Hollister OHV area.

 

[asteffes]

After removing the mudflaps and getting an oil change, I bought a GPS before a 3,000 mile trip from San Jose to Denver and back. My Garmin GPSMAP 276c, with Gilsson antenna on roof works exceptionally well. Updated pic of the permanent mount coming soon.

 

[flyingwil]

Looks good! BTW any one on this forum is a cool kid in my book!

Have you notived any glare or negative impact from your lights mounted uptop?

 

[asteffes]

Have you notived any glare or negative impact from your lights mounted uptop?

Glare isn't a problem. With the double cab, the lights are mounted waaaay far back. It would probably help to bump them up to 100 watt bulbs because of this. I have them mounted differently now, using Yakima hardware to make them easily removable. I don't leave them on full-time.

 

[datrupr]

Adam, very nice. Thanks for sharing. I really like the looks of the new Taco's. Keep it up and keep us posted. And I like Wil's question. Do you notice any glare, or are they set back far enough that the glare is pretty much removed?

 

[asteffes]

Thank you, Aaron. See my previous reply regarding the glare issue.

Other small modifications include:

Hella 80/100 watt H4 headlamp bulbs. The '05+ trucks have such good headlamp reflectors, with extremely sharp cutoffs, that it's a shame they don't offer xenon headlamps as an option. However, this bulb upgrade works *extremely* well and doesn't seem to offend oncoming traffic. I've tried it myself and they are no worse than xenon HID lamps on various European cars. $22 total cost, from rallylights.com

Husky Liner floor mats. I had to buy a set after seeing Chris'. The factory mats seem to soak up dirt like sponges. I got the front and rear Husky set and they are excellent.

 

[Ursidae69]

Wow, those 06s look nice. Modding it should be fun! :victory:

 

[asteffes]

Here's the GPS mount (idea courtesy of UncleChris' '05 Taco) and the roof antenna farm (magnetic NMO mount for 2m/440MHz transceiver, Gilsson GPS antenna and Delphi XM radio antenna.) Note that the external speaker is for the GPS' turn-by-turn directions feature, and will also be wired to a Kenwood dual-band transceiver in the near future.

 

[UncleChris]

Damn that looks good!

Now you just need to drill a hole in the roof for that antenna!

 

[flyingwil]

Damn that looks good!

Dito!

 

[asteffes]

Let us not forget the anti-bling mods.

I had to clean up the look of my truck a bit. I peeled off the large TRD and SnugTop decals. Still considering a complete sterilization (removing the rear and side badges.) One should blend in with one's natural surroundings when in the outback.

 

[Desertdude]

That is one nice truck! I like the GPS mount location - keeps the windsheild clean for view - next time I am out in CA I we will have to wheel..

I wanna see a photo of that roof drilling :Wow1:

 

[asteffes]

You'll have to ask Chris about the hole in his truck's roof. You won't ever find one on my truck.

 

[Scott Brady]

First modification was to install Thule roof rack tracks, towers and crossbars on the shell for attachment of ski carriers, cargo basket, lights and the like.

Sweet! I am a big Thule fan. Over 20 years using their products with great success...