Build A Toyota Tacoma: Best Tacoma Mods Ideas

The Toyota Tacoma is a solid choice for those looking for a midsize pickup. Known for its stellar reliability, the Tacoma is great for worry-free exploring deep into the backcountry. They are the perfect size for lots of trails, and able to go many places fullsize trucks simply won’t fit. Boasting one of the lowest depreciation rates of any vehicle, they’re a solid investment. Another plus, the Tacoma is pretty capable in stock form. The availability of a factory rear locker, a fairly supple suspension, good ground clearance, decent approach angles and ideal dimensions make the Tacoma at home on the trail. It’s no wonder we see plenty of them out and about.

Of course, any vehicle can be made better with the right modifications, and the Tacoma is no exception. When it comes to modding, you are in luck. Yes, the aftermarket support of the Taco isn’t as vast as the Jeep JK, the darling of the aftermarket. But there are plenty of companies out there making great parts for the Tacoma. In fact, it can all get a bit overwhelming. So what parts are worth the money and what can you skip? Well, buckle up because we’re about to kick down some knowledge.

Note: if you are looking to build a full-tilt mudder or purpose-built rock crawler, this isn’t the article for you. For this story we will focus on modifications that will keep or expand on the core feature of the Tacoma: its versatility. While some of these modifications are specific to certain generations of the Tacoma, the philosophy is the same for all generations. Happy modding!

Another solid coilover option for the Tacoma is Bilstein’s B8 8112 ZoneControl CRs. Not a typical coilover, they feature three separate compression zones and two rebound zones controlled by three independent pistons. The two-stage telescoping internal compression stop eliminates the need for a hydraulic bump stop. An internal rebound stop minimizes harsh top out events and gives more control. While it all might sound complicated, we’ve tested them over miles of harsh terrain and they really work great.

The front suspension of the Tacoma is fairly soft straight from the factory, letting the suspension blow through its travel in rough terrain. It’s no wonder that coilovers are an extremely popular upgrade for the Tacoma. ARB’s BP-51s are trick, using an internal bypass design that gives both a compliant ride on smaller hits, and a controlled ride in rougher terrain. They are adjustable for both compression and rebound with the use of a spanner-style wrench, letting you dial them in further.

Any stock vehicle needs help in the lighting department and the Tacoma is no exception. Rigid options that nicely integrate lights while retaining a factory look. They are perfect for those who don’t plan on getting a new bumper or want a roof-mounted light. Rigid’s grille for the third-gen Tacoma mounts a 20-inch E Series bar directly into the grille. Another mount can fit a 30-inch SR light bar in the front bumper. Rigid also offers mounts that replace the factory fog lights with Duallys for plenty of light.

The smaller dimensions of the Tacoma make it perfect for the trails, but bed and interior space are at a premium. This makes roof and bed racks popular for the Tacoma as they give extra space to mount rooftop tents, Hi-Lift jacks, and other gear. The ADV Rack System from Wilco is unique in that it combines both a roof and bed rack into one. The modular design means the center section of the rack is removable, allowing for taller items like dirt or mountain bikes.

Tonneau covers are another option for the bed of the Tacoma. While they limit taller items from being stored in the bed, they do provide secure storage when used with a locking tailgate. The Undercover Ridgelander is unique in that it comes with a built-in perimeter track system, two Vortex bars, and four quick mount legs. This allows for a whole host of accessories like bike racks, cargo trays, fishing rod racks or even a roof top tent to mount securely onto the tracks. It works with most T-slot accessories from Rhino Rack, Yakima and others, providing plenty of options.

One of the best things about the Tacoma is its versatility. Keeping with that theme, we prefer to run all-terrain tires. They limit road noise and last longer than mud tires, allowing us to take plenty of road-trips. The right all-terrain, like these BFGoodrich KO2s, will work well on the majority of terrain we encounter. If you spend lots of time in goo, a mud terrain is probably a wise idea, but otherwise we stick with all-terrains.

Upper arms are a good idea when running coilovers. They allow for every inch of travel to be used with extended travel coilovers without the arm contacting the spindle or ball joint binding. These arms from Pro Comp are much stronger, replacing the factory ball joint with oversize stainless steel FK uniballs. Heavy-duty chromoly tubular construction and reinforced pivot bushing mounts add strength.

There are a ton of options for bumpers in lots of different styles when it comes to the Tacoma. The ARB Summit Bar provides maximum protection. While bigger than some bumpers, it completely guards the front end from trail impacts and animal strikes. This is important when traveling in remote areas; it gives your vehicle a better chance of being able to limp home after an impact. It’s also a great place to mount a winch, and features ARB’s high level of build quality.

With the overhang of the Tacoma, it’s pretty easy to smash the rear bumper when coming off an obstacle. ARB’s rear Summit bumper for the third-gen Tacoma is much stronger than the flimsy factory version. It includes a stout tubular assembly offering better impact protection, allowing it to slide off obstacles with ease. The built-in wings offer further protection along with Hi-Lift jacking points. While it isn’t a full-tilt, high clearance bumper, it doesn’t require any cutting of the body and retains the factory hitch.

Sliders are something we recommend for any vehicle, and the Tacoma is no exception. Tacomas sit low enough and with plenty of wheelbase leaving the rocker areas exposed to easily getting smashed on the trail. Made from .120-wall tubing with 3/16-inch fully welded mounting brackets, these sliders for the third-gen Tacomas offer plenty of protection. They are completely bolt-on, making for an extremely easy install. A quality set of skid plates is also a worthwhile investment if you plan to hit the trail.

How To Build A Toyota Tacoma

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