Third Toyota, First Tundra

Right before the pandemic started I bought a RAV4 hybrid. Amazing in gas, comfortable, easy to drive…on and on. The only place it struggled was using it at Home Depot/Lowe’s. So I went and bought an F-150. It was very nice but I’ve always been leery of the American auto manufacturers. So I went and got a Tacoma. The only issues was I got used to the bells and whistles of the F-150 with its tech refresh and size. So here we are…traded in Tacoma a couple weeks back and bought my first Tundra (2024 Platinum with TRD Off-Road package in Lunar Rock).

Time to keep and hold on to this Tundra. No more trading in vehicles haha.

 

Welcome! Sounds like a nice ride!

 

In in the create my mod wishlist yet no money for any of it. So far it’s just tinted windows, phone mount, shifter overlay since the piano gloss finish scratches just by looking at it SMH, screen protector, and tailgate inserts.

I need another job for tires, lift, steps, anything else.

 

Welcome from West MO

 

Welcome! pics?

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome from the place we call hell, Houston.
Though, I would not imagine "RAV4" and "Home Depot/Lowes" in the same sentence, but yea, a full size bed would be very helpful in getting things done in the house and you don't have to pay extra for delivery and stuff.
Only downside, you have to load/unload it yourself....
As far as mods, I think you covered the basics, anything else would really just be picking on what you like/don't like and go from there. But I always suggest to drive it for a few months to get a feel of it then change what needs to be changed.

 

I’ve never been to Houston other than just passing through the airport. I’ve heard it’s like the true humidity swamp of the US. Yeah mostly just cosmetic/asthetic things really. I’m also a big car/truck audio guy and usually thing factory sound systems are horrible even the premium systems. This JBL system isn’t bad. I think it’s alright and just needs some sound deadened in the doors and better seals around the speakers so the sound goes through the speaker grill and not reverberating around the door panel.

 

This morning when I left the house at 630am it was 84F and I believe the "feel-like" was over 100F.... humid.....

Yea, stock sound system sucks, but for me, it will do for now. I do want a bigger HUD, being that I drive a lot and being able to use Android Auto on the car screen is a big saver not having to glance further down to see the phone, but that screen is tiny..... can't have it all I guess.

 

A lot of people around the DC/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area complain about humidity but except for a couple days each summer it’s not really that bad. We had some good rain from hurricane Debby last weekend. The humidity wasn’t that bad. I’m from New Mexico so I prefer the humidity over dry heat. Yeah for sure Android Auto and CarPlay are game changers and then the wireless versions even more so. When I went from F-150 to a Tacoma I really missed wireless CarPlay and went and installed head unit just to get that functionality back.

 

Welcome from New Hampshire.

 

I am originally from NJ, so DMV ain't that bad, but then compared to Bay area, meh.... then Houston, I mean, if it weren't because of work, I would not consider this place....
I think I will save up and do a bigger HUD upgrade, not sure if I want to do audio at the same time, I am not a big bass guy, but more clarity in sounds would be nice.
Oh and sound-deadening the panel/floor/roof would do wonders. I think I read a member did that while he had the truck taken apart, of course, didn't drive that truck but according to him, it made quite a bit of difference.

 

Oh for sure. People always talk about the locality pay of Houston but most of the government locality pays don’t really help make one city or another any more affordable haha. I say do it for the larger HUD. In time I hope Toyota makes the factory HUD more customizable. They do have a couple cheaper sound system upgrades out there. SonicUSA I think, some company in Maryland, and then *********. For me I would say just the door panels mostly as I can hear unwanted speaker sound vibrating on some songs. There was a guy that fully disassembled his Tacoma in his townhouse community parking lot. He posted updates on Tacomaworld and it was pretty entertaining. He was funny and then of course had all these scrap parts left over when he went to assemble everything again.

 

A good HUD would cost close to $1.5K, and some of the bass/sub systems would set the whole thing over $2.5K, that's not including the sound-proofing materials. Then there are door panel that kills you..... and while you do the door panel might as well do the floor, that's at least another day, take out the seats and all that. And since you did the door/floor, why not roof? Taking the headliners out and putting it back in, hell.....
Just thinking of this, without the price issues, I am like, meh, I am good for now.

 

Yeah for reference I did the full install minus roof and floor deadening with a local shop on the Tacoma and it cost around $9-10k. It’s crazy and it’s why over time I’ve learned that sometimes, if it matters to you, the OEM upgrades are still a better deal than aftermarket options. Like I said though it all depends on what matters to folks.

 

Parts ain't the biggest cost, labor is.
I hate heavy bass, my kids hate those trucks/cars that roll up to the light booming their bass like nobody's business and it irritates the shit out of me.
I like clear music, most I do is radio with light music, classic or just instruments. I get it, nothing too fancy while driving, but clear sound should not be denied.
Plus, I don't really have a garage where I can park the Tundra and tear it down for self install on the sound deadening, even if I wanted to.....

 

Absolutely it’s the labor costs. I’m in the same boat I don’t have a garage that fits any vehicle. I mean I guess if we didn’t have shelves or anything it would fit a car but basically we got storage garages in our community. I hear ya on the sound. What annoys me about the people who are all obnoxious about it is they don’t care about it sounding good. They just want max SPL. They don’t care about anything but being loud and annoying. I don’t blame local governments going after those folks and their loud exhaust counterparts. Enjoy your vehicles but you still need to have some decency and respect for others haha.