Some questions from new owner

I pick up my 2008 5.7L TRD offroad this weekend from the dealer. I've been reading the forum and looking at Youtube. I've noted many of the 2008's have the old style radio, the one I have appears to have an early version of the infotainment center, it's black and white I think. it also had no integrated backup camera. I have some questions

1: how hard would it be to add a backup camera? and would I need to combine that with a new infotainment center.

2: interested in a lift kit, anyone have suggestions

3: I was thinking of adding a cold air intake but reading on the forum many are saying it doesn't do any good because the stock intake is fairly wide open. Would I be just as well off buying the K&N filter that fits the stock box.

thanks in advance

 

Welcome from Ontario Canada , your best bet with the backup camera is to ask the dealer if your radio is compatible or not then you’ll know if you have to upgrade or not . I think you’ll find that the cold air intake or anything other than the stock filter is pretty much a waste of money IMHO . As far as lift kits go there’s a ton of info on this forum on different ones .

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from

 

1 - Adding a new backup camera would be a little bit of work, mainly in the threading of the video wire from the rear of the truck to the infotainment system. I've done them before on other vehicles but I had my Tundra worked on by an audio shop. Looking at their work, I'm confident I could knock it out now. They essentially tapped into the power wire of one of the rear running lights and then tapped into the backup light circuit as a trigger. If you're doing a new infotainment center it wouldn't be all too tough as the dash will likely be taken apart (giving you the opportunity to thread the optical wire and tap into the power and trigger wires). If you go with a backup camera, make sure the pitch angle is adjustable. Its nice to be able to dial in the angle for lining up a hitch if need be. I personally went with a license plate cam, but those are easily stolen if not careful.

2 - Depends on what you're going for and what your budget is. If you want a lift to fit larger tires and to improve aesthetics, a strut spacer lift is fine (something like the ReadyLift SST or Level Kit). They are also pretty budget and not too tough to install. On the other hand, if you're looking for a performance increase or are looking to do any offroad travel, replacing with lifted struts and an Add-A-Leaf is always going to perform better. This setup also reduces the possibility of collapsing a strut shaft (happens more often with a strut spacer kit). Toytec Lifts is a great place to look at for lift options. They've got great customer service and are toyota specific, so that's always a plus.