Mods vs $$$

[bsquaredMTB]

Do them at your mental and financial pace. I do well for myself, bought my Tacoma and did everything at once, lift, wheels, tires, roof rack, sliders, exhaust, bedcover, intake and a few other things. I had the cash to do it all on hand but used my airlines credit card, got all the points and paid it off before any interest hit. So you have options, just don’t put yourself in unnecessary debt.

Totally off topic but I also do this with big purchases. We use the Chase Saffire card. It's expensive but racks up the points really quick.

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[bsquaredMTB]

I'll answer this with a question; How strong is your marriage? Nothing starts a fight like spending money on upgrades if you have to go into debt for them.

I agree that there are some essentials. I budgeted them in when I made a purchase decision.
I have had the truck only days and have the following ready to start installing this weekend. Then I have a wish list of things I'll add as needed.

• Screen Protectors
• 3D-printed Arm and Glove box organizers
• Retrax Pro XR hardcover
• Yakima Bars and rail towers
• Weather tech floor liners
• Blackvue 970X Box Dashcam with Powercell Battery Pack
• Bed Mat

Next, I'll do tint, and remove the air damn. Still looking for a skid plate. I have a Limited. No offroad chops, but I want some protection getting to the bike trails, and I want something to protect the catalytic converter.

Further down the list and as budget allows, are the latter rails, trailer hitch light, rims, and Tie-down upgrades. Maybe even start to black out all the chrome. Of course, like a couple of others in the group, I have other expensive hobbies that come first.

Just be realistic about how much you can spend without going into debt. And especially, don't hide what you're doing from a significant other.

Strong marriage here (luckily). We are blessed enough disposable income to not make this a pressure point. Wife is super supportive of things that make me happy so that works out. All good feedback here. Great exchange!

 

[EastonTaco]

Retired too and enough disposable income to keep us happy. After 40 years together we have adopted a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. If we want it and it makes us happy then go for it and don’t ask the other about cost.

 

[bigbunk62]

The only mod I did was deciding to get the SR5 instead of the SR, and that was suggested by my wife after a test drive.

I've added a few inexpensive things from Amazon: mudflaps, a magsafe wireless charger, a bed extender for my kayak, and a cheap tonneau, but nothing was actually modified.

 

[bsquaredMTB]

Retired too and enough disposable income to keep us happy. After 40 years together we have adopted a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. If we want it and it makes us happy then go for it and don’t ask the other about cost.

That's.... an option .... lol

 

[bitflogger]

I feel like I've activated responsible adults on this thread. I'm on the same page as all these comments so far. I'm just curious how the other half lives. The "just got my truck, did 30 mods right away" half

I was very deliberate in pre-sales mode to get what fit my needs and with a lot of 4x4 experience and frequent off road use knew a TRD OR long bed was all I needed. Most everything spent after it was for the Fas-Top (tonneau and topper all in one) and simple stuff.

Additionally, vehicles are mostly a money suck, and I do not like to stand out so more reasons for initial choice and my search for white or silver Tacomas. Maybe I'm the anti pickup enthusiast??? I like it, I use it, it's a good tool, but not an identity or badge kind of thing.

 

[TacoCorp]

Not every Mod has to be expensive, I just feel it has to have a purpose. I absolutely want to replace my tires and probably lift it a bit, but I'm saving and can't justify replacing perfectly good tires. My list is long, but it will get there in time. Check used stuff, scratch and dent, watch for sales, and do as much of the work as you feel comfortable doing by yourself.

Off the jump I did 5 things:
Console organizer, and console lid storage insert. $
Running boards. $$
Heavy Duty Tonneau Cover. $$$
Trail Exhaust. $

 

[TX-BluStreak]

I waited ONE whole year before I bought my Pro on April Fool's Day, 2025 (just a month ago). While I was patiently waiting for the dealership to secure me a Pro and living vicariously thru everyone's experiences; I was slowly amassing parts/ accessories that I've either seen on this forum or from SEMA 2024.

In the beginning, everything was stored in a small crate in the corner of my house but later as more ideas popped into my head of what I wanted my Taco to look like...it overflowed into my parent's garage. Note: If you buy small things here and there and broken into several intervals over time; it won't feel like you've spent a fortune.

I'm currently a Sr Logistician for a private construction firm. I make roughly $38K a year. I'm 46, single and living at home (so I don't have a mortgage or any other expenses to worry about, other than my own CC bills). Most of y'all are probably wondering how a guy who makes a measly $38K a year be able to afford a Pro and pay it off...ALL at once?!?

Well in another lifetime, I was a cardiac surgeon for many-many years so I made pretty good bank. I live at home now with the folks b/c I gave my kid bro my house so he and dad don't kill each other. In order to keep the peace, I told my bro you can have my place and I'll move back home. I think I got the better end of the deal. I don't have to worry about expenses or HOA fees. So whatever money I make (which is pocket change) can go towards my truck or other pastimes.

Speaking of mods, I just dropped off my truck this morning to get partial front PPF, ceramic coating, and window tinting done. I'm looking forward to picking it up Saturday but kinda scared to see how much it's gonna cost me...

 

[SilverSurfer]

Your awesome story reads like a made for tv feel good movie. Good on you for choosing family and making smart choices.

 

[stan23]

I've tried to leave the cars alone, but I mod every car/truck i've ever owned. Nowadays, i'm more of an OEM+ guy.

 

[Carolina Buckeye]

I'm 56, and have lost interest in modding anything. Looking back, I feel like I've wasted a lot of money and my time with modding.

I'm the same way. Truck is pretty solid as it is anyway and I'm like you in my mid 50's and using my money on a lot of other things now. Still will do some little things, but not big projects.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I'm the same way. Truck is pretty solid as it is anyway and I'm like you in my mid 50's and using my money on a lot of other things now. Still will do some little things, but not big projects.

Sure is funny how you lose your modivation, or perhaps change your perspective about certain things as you get older. I too think the truck is pretty solid as is as well! Certainly fits my lifestyle as it is at this point.

 

[tank69]

I’ll be 56 next month, ordered my truck in Late August, got it in October. In that time span, I ordered 95% of the mods on my truck so when it came in, it went straight to the shop for the stuff I didn’t want to install. This is possibly my last truck and I was going to do it up. Normally wouldn’t go off like that, but what the heck!

 

[PUMPKINKING]

My financial philosophy is really simple: Every month, I pay off all my bills in full. After that, I invest 50% and I "blow" the remaining 50% on whatever I want. I say "blow" because I'm not really price sensitive when it comes to the money I allocate for this purpose because to me what I'm really doing is "investing" in my happiness and having a cool truck to drive adds to my overall life satisfaction so it's well worth the money to me.

 

[Dirt]

I've tried to leave the cars alone, but I mod every car/truck i've ever owned. Nowadays, i'm more of an OEM+ guy.

When I was young and had cars I tried mods only to find out while the car depreciated over years and miles, the mods didn't add much, if anything, to the resale value. Now the wife and I are old and buy the mods we need after purchasing what we want. Most OEM stuff works, but some just doesn't. In this TRD OR we knew what option packages we didn't want, but installed what we did out of those packages after market, some of it bought thru Toyota.

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