New guy from East Texas

Hi guys! I actually joined the site a couple weeks ago, but I work crazy hours and just now got around to making this post.

I live in East Texas, and honestly had barely considered ever getting a Tundra. I toyed with the idea briefly when I was working in South Texas because I was told they were cheaper there due to the Toyota plant being in San Antonio, but I never pulled the trigger on one.

My wife is technically the only reason I have a Tundra now. I changed jobs and was going to have to give up my company truck that I drove to and from work every day. My wife works full-time as well and it was going to cause some issues with getting our kids to and from school every day. We have a son and three daughters, so she couldn't just pile them into her Eclipse if I started driving the "family car" to work every day. I'd been wanting to get a truck for a while, but kept putting it off for various reasons.

She woke me up at 5:30 the morning I was starting my new job, shoved her phone in my face, and told me she was buying me a truck. The truck she showed me was a 2010 Dodge Ram and I was ok with that. I've owned a couple in the past and had a fairly positive experience with them. The only real complaints were that I wanted at least an extended cab and a 4x4. The Ram was 2wd, and single cab but again, I wanted a truck and I wasn't about to waste my chance to get one. She dropped me off at work and said she'd have it waiting for me when I got off that evening. I was a little skeptical, but I've seen that "I'm making this happen" look when she was talking about it, so I just had to wait and see.

I texted her a few hours later to see how it was going and she informed me that she tried to get the Ram, but they wouldn't sell it to her because it had a bullet hole in the door and it died if you jiggled the key in the ignition. She then sent me a link to the 2011 Tundra SR5 4x4. When I saw the truck I was glad the Ram had issues. I was getting closer to the truck I really wanted. She advised me they were running the financing and she'd let me know. She called me around noon to tell me that she had just dropped it off at my job.

I couldn't be more pleased with the truck. It's got some cosmetic issues, but the motor runs great and it's a damn good starting point for my dream truck. I can't wait to start the mods and get it just the way I want it.

Looking forward to chatting with you all and trading ideas along the way!

 

Welcome neighbor from OKC! Love me some East TX country.

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from Ohio

 

Welcome from Fort Worth! We want pics!
This crew will definitely help you do what you want to it as well as provide some ideas you never thought about!

 

Welcome and good choice with the Tundra.

 

Welcome from Western NC.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! And it sounds like you made a good choice with the wife as well!

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

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Welcome

 

Welcome from So Cal.

 

Great story and congratulations on choosing a great wife and truck! Welcome aboard from Northeast Texas!

 

Didn't even think about pics lol, sorry!

 

Welcome from Houston, bro!!
Super nice truck (I am more a CrewMax guy) and wife is def a keeper!!
I pulled something similar with my wife, she was super mad it was so huge and even dragged me and the kids back to the dealership wanting me to get a Taco instead.
I asked for the keys to the only Taco on the lot (manager was driving it, so I asked nicely if we can just "see it") and after peaking inside the back, she said: You can keep it.
Don't get me wrong, I love Tacos, drove them for work and they are a beast that just does not die, even when you get T-boned and roll over three times and barely misses the gas station.... But you can't beat the space in a Tundra, especially a CrewMax.

 

I wouldn't have minded the Crewmax, but the double cab works out for me. We have a Pathfinder for family trips. Although, now any time we leave the house my wife and daughters immediately ask if we can take my truck. My first mod is going to have to be side steps for their sake
I've got a spreadsheet with my parts list and prices that I found online a while back. I can share if anyone is interested

 

My kids, too. They start asking: "Can we take daddy's truck?" lol....

Just looking at the two pictures, I would recommend the following:
Side step
Truck bed spray
Truck bed cover (depending on your need)
Tint (Being in Texas, I find this life saving, though none of my tints are legal at this point....)

Just wondering, what size tank do you have? I know this might be a little far stretch, if you can find a 38 gal swap it. Driving in Texas with our distance, 38 gal will make a difference without having to stop for gas all the time.

 

I've got some steps picked out already just waiting until I have the cash to buy them.

Bed spray is also on my to-do list, but there is a pretty good dent on the passenger side of the bed I might have to get popped out first.

I wasn't planning on getting a bed cover because I don't like the look, and don't really have need of one.

Windows were already tinted when I got the truck so that's money I can put towards other mods.

I think it's got a 21 gallon tank, but I'll definitely look into a tank swap. Thanks for the tip!

I'll probably make a dedicated build thread if they are allowed.

 

Bed cover is very optional, I like one because that's where I put a lot of stuff in.
Window tinting can always be done later. I have 5% in the back (with glass tint it becomes 2%) and 35% front and 50% window shield.
It is worth it, but now I kinda regret not going all the way to get the best, because it would cost me just over $1K.

Dedicated thread would be very nice, but not sure if your account allows it.

 

Previous owner must have gotten the tint done as it's definitely darker than factory and seems very well done.

I'll just have to stay active and keep posting until I get an account upgrade I guess

 

Welcome!

 

Thanks! I looked at your LED kits and now they're on my build wishlist lol. They look sweet!