Some Where to Find Questions...

In my internet searching I'm realizing how difficult it is finding aftermarket support for our first gen Tundras. I am in search of a few things.

Any good resources on aftermarket off road bumpers? I looked at Coastal, and don't really care for the thin design. I'd like a good steel bumper with notches out in the corners and by the license plate to step onto to reach the top of my shell.

I really dislike the front bench seat and am curious which other bucket seats in the Toyota line up swap right into the seat rails? Or other recommendations?

Since our Tundra's didn't come with the near composite bed liners like the Tacomas, what have some of you done to your beds to make them more jobsite/camping friendly? Adding inverters, outlets, lighting, storage, etc.

The previous owner beat the heck out of the overhead console garage door opener buttons, has anyone removed that assembly and replaced it with something else, or modified it with switches or something?

What paint would you recommend using to revitalize the bed caps from faded black to original?

Is the 3M headlight restoration kit the best bang for buck in restoring the headlights and front turn signals? They are super cloudy, and I've read mixed reviews on aftermarket headlamp assemblies; so revitalizing them might be the best bet.

I don't plan on using my truck for hard core off roading, but definitely want to get it out in the dirt and off the beaten path. I'll inquire about off road goodies (recovery equipment, air, etc) in another post.

Thank you for your time in reading and assistance.

 

Mine came with a plastic bedliner. If you’re talking about composite beds, that’s completely different. You could put a rubber bed mat in there and leave it or put a bedliner over that to prevent scratching if that’s your goal.

 

Revitalizing your headlights are only going to last 3-6 months before you have to do it again, so keep that in mind.

 

I have a spray in liner. I like the lockable storage inside the Tacoma composite beds. I see there are square indentations towards the tailgate on our Tundras. I might see if I can fit a locking shallow steel box between the bedliner and fender. Or just do an ammo can bolted to the bed for recovery straps, gloves, roadside kit. The interior hidden storage under the seats aren't big enough for recovery equipment.

 

Can you recommend a quality aftermarket headlight brand?

 

I've used the cerakote kit on multiple vehicles and have been VERY pleased with the results and longevity. However, I take it a step further and also cover with Vvivid clear vinyl for an added layer of protection. I'm on a couple of years with that combination on one of my vehicles and the headlights still look great. Some people don't like the Vvivid as it can be hard to remove (when needed), but to me it's worth any extra effort and I figure there's nothing that a good solvent won't address (3M adhesive remover, denatured alcolhol, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, acetone, etc...).

Here's the "after" from the cerakote kit:

 

One of the other members here could do so or you could just do a search to see what others have replaced them with since I mostly see Amazon buys when it comes to that. I haven’t done it myself since I just use the meguire’s headlight restoration kit and some wax every six months.

 

I've used Amazon and eBay lights before, but with a lot of aftermarket headlight options, it's difficult finding the best quality. I can go OEM, but didn't want to pay $250+ per headlight. I appreciate your information. Thank you

 

For direct replacements?

If you want a pair that'll last 1-3 years without hazing, failure, order the cheapest you can find on scAmazon and expect to pay $80-120 (but probably won't be watertight)

If you want a pair that'll last 4-6 years without hazing, failure, go buy Akkon, AUTOANDART, or HeadlightsDepot you can find on scAmazon and expect to pay $130-250.

If you want a pair that'll last another 8-15 years without hazing, failure, buy OEM from Toyota's Parts Store and pickup at your local dealership, I paid $446.68 shipped.

Note that, at least with OEM, these come pre-populated with all bulbs, everything you need except a REALLY LONG philips-head screwdriver to adjust beam after install.

There are tips to removing the OEM headlights if you've never done it. You DO NOT need to pry off the blinkers. Special forward hand-slap technique works wonders.

If you want to go with an aftermarket look, I don't have suggestions. There are also vendors on this forum like Headlight Revolution who have custom solutions.

Buying directly from the Toyota Parts store and scheduling for local pickup removes shipping, adds taxes, but also takes anywhere from 10%-40% off the price your dealership charges if you waltz up to their counter to order the part. Don't ask - I've never heard the logic behind that one.

 

If you find a non-working part on fleaBay or a local junkyard, you can just swap the buttons. If it's just skin-goo that's the issue, rubbing alcohol will remove it. You can also just order a used replacement off fleaBay, they're pretty cheap, and swap it out. Removal is not too bad. It's plug-n-play.

After buying replacement mudflaps, original isn't true black, it's more of a really, really dark ass grey. Out of all the no-paint "trim black" products I've tried, Griot's Black Shine Trim Restorer actually, legitimately worked to get ~ 80-90% of the way back to the original color, and it comes with an easy-applicator sponge.

I've used the 3M kit. It's easy. If you have an assortment of sandpaper, you can skip buying the kit, and just get the 3M clearcoat wipes much cheaper. Be sure to tape off the surrounding areas. The more time you spend on sanding smooth, the better your end result will be. If you can, don't drive the vehicle for 2-3 days after clearcoat so it has time to cure, and don't do the job anywhere there's excess ssand kick-ups or dust.

A few guys on here have used Cerakote's system and shown really awesome results.

Just know, no matter what you do, you'll need to re-clear your light housings every 1-2 years to keep that haze-free appearance. Ask yourself honestly: Is it worth it? It was for me, until the 1st time I needed to re-clear. And when I polished mine the 1st time, I saw lots of stress fractures which were invisible under the haze. So I broke down and shelled out for new-OEM.

 

Thank you for your helpful replies. Much appreciated!

 

no

 

These trucks last forever, but if you have to pay someone to work on it, you’ll go broke.

Personal opinion, these truck were an experiment for Toyota. They put a proven Lexus drivetrain in them, and the rest was let’s see what fails first.

That being said, I have two. 06’ Tundra with 303k and 07’ Sequoia 192k, and they are going to be around for a long time.

 

Add this place to your list for finding parts.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...,body+&+lamp+assembly,headlamp+assembly,10762

 

My grandfather had hardwood flooring in the back of his truck to protect it from getting damaged. I took that out and did a spray in bedliner kit from raptor liner. For the headlights I used a mother’s plastic headlight restoration kit and sealed them with ceramic coating. I had to wet sand them starting with a lower grit and I finished with 3000 and then I use the plastic polish and sealed them. They cleaned up relatively good for a 20-year-old headlight

I also picked up a set of Kumho Road venture AT51‘s And I’ve had them on the truck for about 2 months. I haven’t done much off routing but they seem to be getting me through the sand and dirt nicely. They drive nicely in the rain and they also have very little road noise! I am also looking to expand my off-road tool arsenal, currently looking at traction boards and come along if I really need some thing.

 

Thank you. I am paying someone to do my timing belt. Most of the rest I will do myself.