New Truck, Who dis?

Finally.... Though I will gladly admit this wasn't as painful a process as those who put down deposits, waited for allocations, and their initial timelines of 4-8 weeks turned into months. You guys have my total sympathy. That said, I finally got her!

Ordered the TRD sway bar from McGeorge, a console organizer until I decide which console safe I'll go with (want to mount a holster in there), Amp steps in 2 weeks at a friends shop, then I'll move my Bakflip over from the 2014. Only other mod I intend to do for a while is Audio with Tech12, because HOLY GEEZ does that JBL system suck. Thats embarrassing! I'll also swap out all the interior bulbs for 5500k LEDs.. I did VLED kit in my 14 and had zero issues through the entire ownership.


I do have a few questions for the hive mind, though. Southeast Tx, so we don't deal a ton with snow, at all really. However, we use my truck for road trips regularly. I had a question on some general maintenance/upkeep things.

First: I've seen several say they buy the fluid film kit from Amazon, and do their entire undercarriage within the first month, to protect it. I never did this to my 2014, but I also intend for this truck to go 10+ years. Worthwhile? I've got an air compressor, so the gallon + sprayer seems like it may be the best deal.

Second: My wife's vehicles have always had leather, and we've not always taken the greatest care.. Both are relatively new, so what do you recommend for conditioning and maintaining the leather? Currently eyeballing the chemical guys cleaner/conditioner kit on amazon.

Third: Tint.. Pretty sure I'm going full ceramic, with a slight tint on the windshield. I've had eye surgeries due to trauma, and polarized lenses full time are a must, so tint only helps. I've maintained limo behind the driver, 20% up front, and a limo brow, and never had issues. Any reason I should not consider ceramic tint? I've heard nothing but praise for it, and have a well recommended installer we can day-trip to, for about $550, including the windshield.

Fourth and final: Paint protection... She's brand new, so I want to do this as soon as weather is permitting. Anything straight forward, or should I pay someone to ceramic coat the whole thing? I could probably do it myself, and youtube it a bit, going panel by panel as time allows.


This place is an amazing resource. I've been on another Tundra forum for a long time, but the traffic here, and information definitely exceeds it.

 

Welcome from Ontario Canada .
1) since you’re living in Texas I’d say the under spray is up to you , it’s always better to have it than not .
2) I think that comes down to personal preference . Others will give you their preference .
3) Ceramic tint is one of the best .
4) If funds allow maybe consider ceramic coating . Otherwise any good wax will do .

 

Welcome from Alaska.
1. As stated before, up to you, I personally don’t see a need for it in Texas, unless you are near the coast.
2. Either Car pro or gtechniqe. Check out autogeek.net.
3. Ceramic is worth every penny. I had it on a black Mini Countryman with black leather interior in San Jose. 15-20 degree difference from when it wasn’t installed.
4. Again I’m partial to Gtechnique. They have stuff you can do yourself or I highly recommend finding a detailer that can put on their crystal serum ultra.

 

Welcome and beautiful truck. For the leather I've always used the Lexol cleaner and conditioner. If I remember we have some sort of hybrid leather but this combo has worked well for me over the last 6 years. I'm also a big fan of Chemical Guys, I use their exterior products. If you end up going that way, do a little review.

 

1. I'd coat it, certainly wouldn't hurt and provides extra protections.
2. I use Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner.
3. Get the ceramic tint, its suppose to provide UV protection and help keeps the cabin cooler.
4. I got mine done by a detailer cause I don't have the time to do it myself. You would have to wash the car thoroughly, pressure wash, foam, clay bar, wax polish then ceramic coat. Also coated my wheels too.

 

I hadn't even considered doing the wheels, but thats a great idea as well. Thanks for input, all! Ill keep doing unhealthy levels of research, then diving in. Haha!

 

Congrats!
The front sway bar compliments the rear bar well.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Your questions have all been answered so I'll leave them alone. I do highly recommend ceramic, both for the tint and the paint protection.

 

Welcome from The RGV

 

First off, welcome. Secondly, I don’t know where y’all plan on day tripping to for tint, but Tint-on-Demand in Nederland offers ceramic and does A+ work at fair pricing. Enjoy the rig and don’t waste your money on under carriage spray. We don’t need that stuff around here.

 

Great to know! We're East of Houston, in Mont Belvieu. Nederland is MAYBE an hour away from us, so that's a real convenient option you're recommending. New Braunfels (3ish hours) is the only other shop I've had recommended to us by several guys I work with. They do quite a few high end cars and I've seen the work, but 3 hours is still time, and mileage.
My wife's car needs tint as well, but we hadn't decided on going with ceramic for her's or not, but it seems a bit wrong to do it for myself, and not hers