Planned mods - anything I should change/avoid

So prepping for arrival of my new truck and starting to order things - so I can have everything done right up front and avoid multiple trips into the shop to add bits and parts.

First up - Coachbuilder TRD Kit/Bora 1.25 spacers and 295/70R18 tires.

Tires based on Coachbuilder recommendation on size - spacers because I can get them with my Coachbuilder order.

Tires - I’m torn on brand/tire and debating - but realistically that’s lowest concern as will be something available a few days out and not as if one brand stands head and shoulders above the others.

Initially though Goodrich KO2s…but cost kinda high. Was told to look at Toyo Open Country IIIs by shop - cheaper at $1250 a set. Now doing some research - found Falken Wildpeak 3W for under 1k for 4…price seems good and $250 cheaper than Toyo seems to be a good deal and probably $500 less than KO2. I mean all are generally well reviewed and anything is better than Michelin’s I suspect.

Upgrade #2 - radio. Going Tech12Volts Kenwood package I think. Got someone to help me locally with the install and deadner install if needed. I didn’t think the radio was horrible in the Pro I drove…but understand the issues are volume/mods and not clarity.

Finally - going with AMP Power steps - just like the fact they retract, the lighted step and the utility. One feature I really liked on the Ram.

What am I missing on my must do 1st list?

Dealer had to sell me some options - so I went with bed lights and console safe aside from tailgate lock and door keypad as I liked these best for the price.

Within 6 months..

Bedliner - I’m gonna add shortly - probably some type of tonneau cover. Personal preference here is soft cover - but not sure. Mrs not a fan of tonneau covers - possibly just doing liner and then a bed rug for when I’m hauling things I don’t want scratched up.

Paint protection - again, likely going to try to DIY. How hard can it be - famous last words I know.

Finally - on the sometime list - adding a light bar to hood scoop. Recommendations on what to use?

 

I don't see a Dirty Deeds exhaust on there... You should be flogged and fed to the dogs!

For truly constructive info, the only thing I can comment on with experience is the tires. I have Falkens and they've done well in all conditions for me. Some have had balancing issues and flat spots after sitting, so YMMV.

Paint protection - Go here -> https://www.tundras.com/threads/ask-the-detailer.18408/ Read. Learn. Your head's gonna explode with all the info.

 

Grab some headphones and listen to this. The guy shows the stock system first, so it gives you a good comparison. It's a 10 inch DD system, so this is the quiet/towing version that I bought. Still makes me smile and it's been over a year.

https://youtu.be/8HOEMhgQzIw

 

If he’s getting a Pro, I’d hold off on the Dirty Deeds. The first couple weeks I noticed a bit of helicopter/drone in mine at certain RPMs/Speeds, but now with 12k miles in the truck, I don’t ever hear the copter and am very happy with the sound of the TRD exhaust. Happy enough I don’t see any reason to spend money to replace it.

Also, by adding sound deadening in the cab with the radio install, you’ll be reducing how much exhaust badassery you hear. That’s good and bad - those outside will still hear how nice your exhaust is, but inside the truck you may as well have stock exhaust. For me, the smile I wear when driving is partly because of me hearing the sound of that engine working.

 

Stay far away from the BFG tires. Nitto, Toyo, Falken, and Coopers are good choices. Get some of Tyler's cat plates on order as well.

 

If its a brand new truck I would look into Ceramic Coating and grab a Pedal Commander for some get up and go.

 

Window tint.

 

Yea, I really didn’t mind the sound of the stock exhaust on the Pro I tested. If it were an SR5 - it would be swapped immediately- but to me, the exhaust is one of the things they got right - that and the wheels.

Tint - yep, probably doing that with the radio upgrades.

Tires - I’m thinking Falkens - just because I’m cheap. Coopers look interesting and probably had the best all around fit - Everyone runs Toyo and don’t hear many complaints and shop pushes Nitto - Steered me away from KO2 as well. My thinking is simply at 900 with current offer - the Falken are near as good as anything else on the list and cost 300 less than next cheapest.

If happily pay $300 if I was going to see a big boost in mileage/wear or handling - but for what appears to be a minor difference if any - $300 savings is a big deal. Figure take the stock tires and offer them at $600 locally - hope to find a buyer and if I do I’m only in the hole $300 for the upgrade. I know some shops will give a trade in on them - but then I got to pay more - $300 out of pocket is gonna be the minimum I’d have doing this - so best to buy online and just handle it that way - give someone a bargain on a new set of tires.

Pedal commander - I’m looking into it. That one is kinda a DIY thing taking 10 minutes to my non mechanically inclined self - so can do it anytime. There’s another make out there I looked at - thinking it was cheaper at 199…but of course FB just happened to pop up Pedal Commander is having a Memorial Day sale at like 30 or 40 off. Both probably the same - PC just gets more press. Do I think it will add anything like HP or change my trucks speed - nope. What I do think it will do is keep me from spinning tires every time I pull out of a gravel lot or road onto pavement and that itself is probably worth the $$. Any fuel savings are just a bonus (I do think it will give that boost if you use eco modes).

What else am I missing from the list. I’m still debating the Coachbuilder kit - overall I think it’s worth the cost to avoid the rear sag (even though I don’t tow much these days). The wider tires will probably look a tad better and putting on a rear sway bar too will help things.

 

I’m tempted to cheap out on the Coachbuilder kit - larger tires for now and just consider swapping tires from the stock Michellin.

if keeping same size - Open Country and Ridge Grapplers are basically same price as Falken and all cheaper than if I opted for a bigger tire. Basically $200 each with discount

Should I stay stock or is it that much better ? Thinking invest in radio now

 

275/70R18 is a good compromise tire size. Same width as factory but fill the wheel well just a little more and adds a little more height. Lots of options for tires in that size too. I ran that size more than any other size on my previous SR5 gen 2

I added just the coachbuilder rear shackles to gain back a little rake (reduce the squat when I’ve got a bed full). Was worth it to me.

 

Personally I would wear out those stock tires, but that’s me. Get all the other things dialed in First. Also, depending on her what kind of off-road you want to do, you might want to think of sliders instead of power steps. As far as the coach builder kit goes, why not put what you have through the paces to see if it’s adequate for your needs. Many guys end up upgrading their suspension completely, so before you add some height to your pro suspension, make sure you like it.

So personally, I would get all the other add-ons done first to suit my needs. I kept the stock radio, but if that’s what you want, do it. Tint, bedliner, steps or sliders, paint protection, lighting needs, floor mats.

I went with a soft bed cover for around 200 bucks. Ran it for five years until it started to fall apart. Then decided to go with a hard cover. Going with the soft cover, it helped me to realize that I liked having a bed cover and how useful it was. I didn’t feel guilty throwing it away after five years when I stepped up to a trifold. Although, you can recoup some of the hard top money if you decide to sell it later on.

 

This is my set up and I like it.

 

Ok, so change of plan on the Coachbuilder kit.

My goal is not “more” lift - just preventing the dreaded squat to the rear end. Not as if I’ll be hauling a huge trailer or carrying max payload constantly- but it is a TRUCK. You buy trucks to haul things and not just impress people with how much money you spent (at least your supposed to buy a truck for that reason).

Thinking a Coachbuilder shackle in back - should I go 1” or 2” ? Obviously 2 gives you more height on an already leveled truck - I’m thinking 1” would barely be visible (increasing things .6 of an inch) - 2” doubling that - maybe start to notice - but not that bad (after all most trucks aren’t leveled to start).

Think doing this and adding rear sway bar will take the rear body roll enough - but keep the Pro ride that’s preferred.

I’m not planning on doing any serious off-roading - too many things wrong with taking a brand new 55k 1/2 ton truck off-road it for me to start - of course but came up I’m broke ass Hillbilly country where a modern ride was 15 years old. So think I’ll be good with steps and the sway bar.

 

What is a Pedal Commander?