The News Wheel
No Comments

How to Trick out the Ultimate Tacoma

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page
2019 Toyota Tacoma SX Package
Photo: Toyota

Toyota trucks have some of the best features that can be tricked out. Have a Toyota Tacoma? Find out here how to trick out the ultimate Tacoma.

You know that Toyota trucks are some of the best. Perhaps you remember the Hilux being stress-tested to the extreme by the British show Top Gear, which proved its reputation for indestructibility. Maybe the Land Cruiser enchanted you with its incredible off-roading ability.

The Toyota Tacoma is a proud member of that lineage.

The Tacoma is a sturdy, powerful pickup truck. It can tow anything you like, can be taken through almost any terrain, and comes with the latest selection of tech. Yet it can be made even better.

There is a huge selection of accessories for 2019 Tacomas, and applying a choice handful can make a world of difference. You can upgrade any aspect of the Tacoma you care to name, easily and affordably, at purchase or aftermarket.

Tacoma body upgrades

The Tacoma’s body is pretty sturdy as stock, but can be made even more dependable. Adding bull bars to the front is essential if you live in areas with large wildlife such as Moose. The bars protect the engine, lights, and radiator from impact damage, which can be catastrophic.

A snorkel exhaust, which wraps around the Tacoma’s body, is fantastic if you’re doing serious off-roading. The Tacoma’s standard exhaust is fairly low to the ground, so if you’re crossing deeper water, you’re in trouble. A snorkel lets you cross much deeper water without the fear of flooding the exhaust.

If you’re in a dry climate, the TRD Pro’s Desert Air Intake is fantastic. This little piece of kit mounts to the side of the truck, drawing in air from above the dust line. This ensures that the engine isn’t sucking in too much grit and dirt.

Mudguards are optional on the TRD Pro and Limited Tacomas and should be taken if you’re in a rural area. Finally, we’d recommend installing some extra lights for taking the Tacoma off road. Fitting lights up on the roofline is fairly common on pickups, and provide much-needed extra visibility.

Tacoma mechanical and technical upgrades

CRAWL and locking differentials

The CRAWL control feature is one of the best reasons to get a TRD. This feature utilizes automatic brakes, a set speed of 1-5 mph, and the engine’s low-end torque to crawl through any tough terrain. 

A locking rear-differential is essential for off-roading. The TRD features one as standard, but aftermarket upgrades are as good. If you’re planning on taking the Tacoma into deep snow or heavy mud, you’ll love the incredibly improved grip. 

Shock absorbers and suspension

Shock absorbers on the standard Tacoma are solid but could be improved. Heavy-duty Bilstein shocks offer superb off-roading ability. 

We’d recommend the B6 4600 shocks as great for rough terrain. If you want a little bit of extra adaptability, you can’t go wrong with the adjustable B8 5100 shocks. 

If you’re not a fan of Bilstein and want to completely overhaul the suspension, Old Man Emu may be the answer. This kit by ARB offers heavy-duty shocks, torsion bars, and leaf springs, among other products. It’s a beefy kit designed for the outback and will handle American terrain as well.

Brakes

It’s a crying shame that the 2019 Toyota Tacoma still features drum brakes. Those should have died out with the dinosaurs. Toyota’s recall of over 44,000 Tacomas should be a wake-up call.

Until then, fitting aftermarket disc brakes is essential. These provide far superior stopping power, on the road and off it.

Transmission

The Toyota Tacoma’s automatic transmission is pretty weak. Opt for the manual transmission instead. There will be a bit of a learning curve, if you’ve not driven stick before, but it’s worth it for the flexibility alone.

Toyota Tacoma safety upgrades

We all know that safety is paramount in Toyota Trucks. If you’re taking your family out in your Toyota Tacoma, it needs to be safe. If you’re taking the Tacoma off road, it needs to be even more so.

The Tacoma comes with a good array of safety kit options already, including collision detection, lane departure alerts, and adaptive cruise control. 

If you’re going for the TRD Pro, the optional blind-spot monitoring system is a superb choice. You should also take the rear parking assist, to avoid any crumpled bumpers.

We’d recommend taking the keyless entry system on the SR, especially for its panic function. This feature lets you trigger an earsplitting alarm, which is a great safety boost.

Toyota Tacoma interior upgrades

You’re going to be spending a lot of time in the Tacoma’s cabin, so make it as pleasant as possible.

The seats in the Tacoma are fairly basic. The SR comes with cloth seats as standard. The TRD Pro gets leather-trimmed power seats as an option, while the Limited gets these as standard.

While adding power seats is a little more involved, you can get your seats reupholstered in leather aftermarket. It’s a nice upgrade if you’re looking for the ultimate Tacoma, and only have an SR.

While Toyota offers a decent range of stereos, it’s not worth getting one from them. Instead, buy one aftermarket, and have it fitted by a reputable garage. There’s a much greater range available, and if you’re a music junkie, you’ll find this kit essential.

Storage

Out the back of the truck, it’s worth adding a cap to the bed. The best come from ARE and Leer, and turn the bed into a standard trunk. 

If you’re looking to make the Tacoma’s bed a bit more practical, the drawer systems offered by Truckvault are superb. These lockable drawers separate the bed into different compartments, making storage that bit easier. 

Up top, a roof rack is essential for bikes, kayaks, and other outdoor gear. Roof bars can be had cheaply, but we’d recommend opting for a reputable marque such as Pioneer.

This is a collaborative article.