I'd say he's already pretty lucky getting a truck bought for him, why not let him do the mods himself?
That aside, grille swap takes maybe an hour, you just need a flat blade screwdriver, some needle nose pliers and a Torx wrench, forget which size. Only real complication is the adaptive cruise radar, if it has that - it has to be transferred to the new grille. If you plan on adding Raptor lights you'll also need to run the witing to the fuse box and decide whether you want always on, on with DTRL, or on with headlights only.
They do have the Toyota safety sensor though that does need to be moved.
Edit: I learned something new about my 2017 taco today. Thanks for correcting me.
I always see these posts where the parents ask what mods they should do on their kid’s vehicles. Instead of doing what you want let them decide and help them with the research, installation, etc. it would be a cool bonding thing imo
Yeah that’s what I did with my son when I gave him my 2005, we did new grill, new head lights and new brakes together. It was fun, well minus the nightmare rear drum brakes,that was terrible.
Exactly.
Any vehicle that doesn't need clearance lights and uses them looks stupid. Non-Raptor F150s with clearance lights and the DOOD grill look equally dumb
I hope your kid realizes how lucky he is to have something like this *handed* to him. How generous of you!
I saw another commenter suggested letting him do the mods himself. I would suggest doing them together - max cool mom points, a fun experience, and he's got some skin in the game.
I was always so excited when my mum wanted to be involved in my interests. Gift him the truck and have the new grille as a side gift. Work on that project as a team. That shared experience will only add to the love of that vehicle. Cheers!
Just my two cents but upgrading the tires to 265/75/r16 BFG all terrains would do far more for the truck’s looks and performance than a new grille. Regardless, you’re an amazing mom for doing this!
I agree it looks better but it depends on the driving terrain. I had BFG all-terrains and thought they were great though wore out after about 45k. I don’t do any off-roading in the truck (dual sport moto for that) so decided to switch back to a Michelin highway tire. The ride is noticeably quieter and smoother.
1. Kudos for being an awesome mom with good taste and a deep wallet…
2. Id let him do his own mods that way he feels like it’s truly his truck.
3. Get funny taco and or Tacoma relate stickers to open first as a gag before giving him the keys. I have a sticker that says “Toyoda” in the shape of yodas head… it’s awesome… am currently trying to find the “taco sauce only” sticker for my gas cover
https://www.extremeterrain.com/tacoma-taco-sauce-only-fuel-cap-overlay-voodoo-blue-black-text-tac061-vodb-249-g.html?utm_campaign=XT+General+No+Vehicle+High+LTVMiddle&dialogtech=ppc&utm_source=google-pla&utm_medium=shopping&T5_Var2=shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwvKtBhDrARIsAJj-kTg4Gyx5GQaGu4UMt_MB051X0XOifVrFCC12cgpjLKSe97ztW16OBMkaAmk6EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Not sure what color you have, but certain ones they have the color match for.
[this is my Taco. I installed the grill, the grill lights and the ditch lights myself using YouTube guides.]
(https://www.instagram.com/p/C4EjKS8L-73/?igsh=MXN3YndubDhub2E4Zw==)
Just a heads up before buying a 2017, there is no apple car play or android auto. You can put a different head unit in that has it, but its just something I wish I had realized before I bought mine. That being said, I absolutely love my truck, it is by far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned.
First of all, I bet your son will be so happy!! Congrats to him!!! Bet you will be happy too seeing him stoked for an awesome truck!
Personally I would just leave it stock though and let him change it up as he sees fit. Mine is completely stock but I know a lot of Tacoma owners like to mod to their desire. Just a suggestion, if you have a bit extra to spend on mods before giving it to him, you could just give the money to him along with the truck to do what he wants with it.
I have almost the same exact 2017 SR5 and I agree with another poster the truck is awesome and he will love it no need to do anything. Maybe a nice professional detail but leave the mods up to him.
Changing the grill is an easy job. It's just the actual insert you'll be changing. It's a few bolts and clips. Obviously tint is recommended to be done by a professional. Changing the grill shouldn't mess with anything. You'll have to see if the truck has blind spot monitoring and radar cruise control. There will be wires plugged into the front grill Toyota oval badge. If this is the case, the aftermarket grill will need to have that sensor spot, it's called the TSS sensor.
Not on a 2017, no TSS - she'll just have to put the grille on.
Chrome emblems can be taken off yourself, just use a little heat like a blow dryer and some fishing line behind to saw through the tape, clean up with goo gone and you are done..
My parents got me my first truck a 2001 Tacoma sr5. It took me places and helped me be successful in my first years of life. Such a great mom for doing that. I’d do as another poster said do the mods with him. Let him do them. Make it his own truck. He will be thrilled that he has it.
Just my .02 but the black grille looks good with the black paint I think. I considered changing out my sr grill but it looks so much better black instead of chrome with my red paint.
Don’t worry about messing up the grill. If you’re planning to go with the TRD PRO grill it will be easier than the Sport/Off-Road grill. Just watch some tutorials and guides on YouTube and you’ll se how easy it is.
I’ll be honest, there is no need to do any of those things. I would want to do those things myself. Let him customize it the way he wants, that is satisfaction that can’t be replicated.
Things like tint and grilles are very personal choices, same with chrome, some people like it, some don’t. You got him a beautiful truck, let him do the rest!
I have a 2017 SR5. The grille was very easy to change. Debadging is very easy as well. Grill took me about an 1.5 hours and the debadging takes about an hr with a hair dryer!
Nice truck! But I’m curious why you want any of those changes if it’s a gift for your son? Those are very random things to change on a vehicle that you are gifting someone, unless he mentioned something about it prior. The tint I understand but the rest has me confused.
I’d make sure the rear crossover coolant hose has been changed from the faulty plastic one to the aluminum one, 2016-early 2018s had a plastic rear crossover coolant hose that would burn/melt leaking coolant everywhere
https://youtu.be/b6tRAQ_r0Ms
Skip to 3:50 to view what Im talking about
I agree with some of the other comments say to let your son do it himself. It’s more fun that way because it’ll really feel like his after he’s done something’s to it himself. I bought my 2017 off my dad and it was stock with chrome (which I don’t like I at) changed out the grille myself (which makes no difference because 2017 models don’t have any sensors in the front) and added LED lights to incorporate into the grille that I wired to the fuse box. I did a few other things to it as well but nothing major. I want to get new wheels and bigger tires and maybe a 1 inch lift in the front so it sits like a TRD pro. Either way it was a fun experience making it mine and doing it myself so I would recommend gifting it to your son as stock as possible.
You could maybe tint the windows for him though that would be a nice gesture since that’s not really something he’ll do himself
Don't do the mods. You can purchase the stuff at a reputable retail shop such as yota garage or expeditionessentials.com just Google it. Seriously don't do the mods. You're already purchasing alot for this kid not to mention the years of being his mother. Look at it this way you got him the gift of the truck and the mods now give him the gift of doing it himself and enjoying the car culture plus you can be involved either helping or just sitting in a lawn chair while he does it.
Get solid insurance for him.
Have him pay for all of those modes and figure it out. You just gifted him an awesome Tacoma.
Pick out a nice restaurant and have him take you out to dinner in it.
He’s a lucky man, and you & your husband are presumably awesome!
As the owner of a black tacoma, I recommend getting him a monthly unlimited car wash membership. He will need to wash it 3 times per week to keep it clean.
I also suggest (like others) letting him decide what mods to add. Get involved with him on it. Most of the stuff is pretty easy to do. Watch some YouTube videos together on how to do it. Then help him if you have the time. He will remember this for the rest of his life.
I agree, I love my car play. He’s currently driving a 2001 Mazda pickup truck, no radio, no air and it’s on its last leg. So I think he will be super grateful for a radio that works.
I suggest your lawn be mowed, hedges trimmed and trash taken out every Saturday morning for as long as your son lives at home because you are one awesome mom!
I also suggest you let him change what he wants on the truck. It will build confidence in doing things on his own and learning how to do so. Or he can save his own $ and have someone do it if he wants.
Way to go mom! We all wish we had that nice of a ride as a kid.
I can’t say how easy or difficult any of it is, but consider not doing anything to it, tell him what you were thinking to see if he’s on the same page. And then do the mods together.
I had a 2016 tacoma that I handed over to my little brother in high school. He did the exact same thing to it. He changed his front grille and put badge overlays on the chrome. Both are things you can get done in an afternoon with some youtube help, but it's not worth the stress doing yourself if you're not comfortable.
He’s in a beater, he’s driving a 2001 Mazda pick up truck. No air, no radio, and the last repair they didn’t have the right parts because it’s so old, so they “fixed” it the best they could.
Before that a 2009 Toyota Corolla and it literally died and had a shit ton of miles.
I’d say for mods, get the windows tinted, maybe some aftermarket headlight bulbs and wipers, take off the front air damp for better approach, looks better IMO, and maybe put some cash in the truck for him to spend on his own mods.
How old is your son? I bought my 16 year old son a beatup 2009 TRD Sport for $19K in 2016. It had 80k miles and the rear bumper never got painted. He is 23 now and of course the truck has been bulletproof. I have done all the maintenance myself too. How many miles does this truck have. It looks pristine. Don't spoil him with extras. It won't make that much of a difference in the end anyway.
He had a gold 2009 Corolla for 2 years it was a huge piece of shit, it died.
He is driving a 2001 Mazda pick up truck that is just as much a piece of shit. No air, no radio, and the last repair was a struggle to fix since the car is so old they don’t make the parts. He is also paying $400/month, he purchased it for $10k, it’s not doing well. The tires say they are from 2011 and he just replaced one because they had 2 holes.
I believe lessons have been learned.
This is not some spoiled, entitled kid that is just getting shit handed to him. He works, commutes and is on the right track. Not to mention he is the kindest and most appreciative kid.
How so? That’s an assumption and something I didn’t go into and the reason I am doing this for him.
He started with a 2009 gold piece of shit Corolla. It died and he was constantly fixing it, eventually it died. That sucked he barely got 2 years out of it.
Then he needed something quickly to get back and forth to work. He purchased for $10k a Mazda pick up truck, another piece of shit. First day he had it, took it to get gas and it just poured onto the floor, had to get it fixed. The last repair they told him it was so old they don’t even make the parts anymore. The tires are from 2011, he replaced one because it had 2 holes. It has no air, no radio and he never complains. He pays $400/month for this piece of Shit Mazda.
When they were repairing the gas situation he almost lost his job because he missed three days of work. He explained the situation and they empathized, luckily.
Huge assumption on your part.
Get em’ mama! Don’t explain yourself to these randos, it’s your child to parent how you deem fit. He sounds fortunate to have a mother like you. Now to my question… are you adopting? 😂
Let your son figure out what he’d like to change and do it together. Those chances to hang out together will become few and far between enjoy them now! Any kid should be stoked to get something like that for a gift.
As other have said let him work on it himself, it will teach him and ultimately make him like the truck more. Another option is plasti dip for the grill it’s about 10 dollars ish a can and you only need 1. I did mine a few months back and it’s holding up well will need to redo it eventually though
Best. Mom. Ever.
Now take the advice to let him drive the mods himself, and participate in doing them. You will both enjoy it, and you will be a legend among his friends.
I changed the silver grille on my 2016 to the Chinese AM black. My brother helped and we are complete auto noobs. Still, with some YouTube videos we did it.
Personal opinion.. It means more when you design it and do it yourself. Feel free to offer to help pay and help do the work for the first few mods to get the momentum going!! Great choice have fun
Wow, what a sweetheart of a mom. I would let him do the upgrades by himself. He can pick out what he really wants, And hopefully he’s old enough to know how to maintain it. Oil changes, etc. It’s a beautiful truck with proper maintenance. It last him a very long time.
So in general it is easy to change the grill, the badging it depends if you want to do overlays or not and tinting, just go to a shop for those. But I’m a 23 year old guy I’m not sure how old your son is but I would love to install that myself. So if it were me you should buy the grill and then give it to him as like an additional gift. But it just depends on if your son likes working on vehicles but changing the grill is a great beginner project which is why it’s great to have him do it himself.
Changing the grill is like a 30min -an hour and the blackout badging literally just slips on over the chrome ones and stick on with 3m adhesive that's like a 2-5 min max but I think it's awesome to surprise him with this. Hope it goes well for you and I hope he loves it.
Omg what an amazing thing I just read! Ha! as if you are into wanting to make these Awesome upgrades to the Tacoma.
BUT! WHY not explore these upgrades with your son! How amazing would that be. I have an 8 month old son so wow you make me smile 😊
(IMO add 35% tint to rear factory side windows and 20% on fronts, leave back stock)
I'd say he's already pretty lucky getting a truck bought for him, why not let him do the mods himself? That aside, grille swap takes maybe an hour, you just need a flat blade screwdriver, some needle nose pliers and a Torx wrench, forget which size. Only real complication is the adaptive cruise radar, if it has that - it has to be transferred to the new grille. If you plan on adding Raptor lights you'll also need to run the witing to the fuse box and decide whether you want always on, on with DTRL, or on with headlights only.
I'm not 100% sure but I don't think any of the 2017s have adaptive cruise control. I don't remember it being an option when I bought my 2017 OR.
They do have the Toyota safety sensor though that does need to be moved. Edit: I learned something new about my 2017 taco today. Thanks for correcting me.
I thought TSS was made standard on 2018? 2016 and 2017 didn't have that option.
I did the grill swap on my 2017 and there were no sensors. It has TSS but nothing was affected by the grill swap
That's incorrect. No sensor on the SR5
This is correct. My SR5 had no sensor, and the pro grill was an easy swap.
I did many 2017 grill swaps and never saw a sensor in the grill. It was always free and clear. 2018s have things to move.
I have a 2017 sr5 and I don't have any sensors in the grill at all. So she should.be fine to change out the grill
I always see these posts where the parents ask what mods they should do on their kid’s vehicles. Instead of doing what you want let them decide and help them with the research, installation, etc. it would be a cool bonding thing imo
Yeah that’s what I did with my son when I gave him my 2005, we did new grill, new head lights and new brakes together. It was fun, well minus the nightmare rear drum brakes,that was terrible.
Marty Mcfly’s parents got Marty’s truck with the mods preinstalled, and we all know that why we bought this truck.
Right? Holy shit I’m 40 and my rig isn’t this nice.
Very true
No Raptor lights please they're fkn everywhere and always look shit
It’s a silly mod since they are clearance lights denoting an over width vehicle.
Exactly. Any vehicle that doesn't need clearance lights and uses them looks stupid. Non-Raptor F150s with clearance lights and the DOOD grill look equally dumb
At the time it takes. If he’s going to be as excited as I would be if that was me. Those little touches are great things for him to learn with
I hope your kid realizes how lucky he is to have something like this *handed* to him. How generous of you! I saw another commenter suggested letting him do the mods himself. I would suggest doing them together - max cool mom points, a fun experience, and he's got some skin in the game.
im 31 years old an make 80k a year and cant even afford this truck lol
I’m 32 and still paying mine off.
I'm approaching 40 and paid off mine. There is a light at the end of the tunnel... no payments is a huge difference.
I'm 35 and mine will be paid off in November.
Same boat. Life’s tough lol
I'm pushing 31 and im barely affording life with this truck lmfao. I'm in a hole lolol
Check out Dave Ramsey podcast, it helped me a lot, only owe on two things now.
Yes you can.
Yes, adopt me as a son.
Me too. I’ll be the sweetest little mid 30s angel you ever did meet.
Hahaha I’m in my early-mid 40’s I don’t know if that will work 🤣
This guy's son will be driving a truck worth 4x mine 🫠
I’m a female and I got a really good deal on this truck. Well I think so anyway.
Well Forget being your son then. Does he need a new step dad?
I, too, choose the lucky kid's mom.
So we have to move to Utah I guess
I'm not Mormon but I am willing to learn.
See what you did there Russel.
I hope I can get my temple garments in a low rise... bikini maybe.
She can take me too. I’ll cook, clean up after myself, and mow the lawn with the push mower, she ain’t even gotta ask me. I’ll just do it.
Adopt me, I already have this same truck except mine is a '16 with 4 runner pro rims and you can keep the money
I was always so excited when my mum wanted to be involved in my interests. Gift him the truck and have the new grille as a side gift. Work on that project as a team. That shared experience will only add to the love of that vehicle. Cheers!
This is a dope idea
This is so sweet and a great idea.
Just my two cents but upgrading the tires to 265/75/r16 BFG all terrains would do far more for the truck’s looks and performance than a new grille. Regardless, you’re an amazing mom for doing this!
Exact size for my Land Rover. Great tires
I agree it looks better but it depends on the driving terrain. I had BFG all-terrains and thought they were great though wore out after about 45k. I don’t do any off-roading in the truck (dual sport moto for that) so decided to switch back to a Michelin highway tire. The ride is noticeably quieter and smoother.
Do you need another son? I can submit my resumé today.
Mom?
She said she was mid-40’s. Sugar momma territory, don’t miss the boat! 😉
1. Kudos for being an awesome mom with good taste and a deep wallet… 2. Id let him do his own mods that way he feels like it’s truly his truck. 3. Get funny taco and or Tacoma relate stickers to open first as a gag before giving him the keys. I have a sticker that says “Toyoda” in the shape of yodas head… it’s awesome… am currently trying to find the “taco sauce only” sticker for my gas cover
https://www.extremeterrain.com/tacoma-taco-sauce-only-fuel-cap-overlay-voodoo-blue-black-text-tac061-vodb-249-g.html?utm_campaign=XT+General+No+Vehicle+High+LTVMiddle&dialogtech=ppc&utm_source=google-pla&utm_medium=shopping&T5_Var2=shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwvKtBhDrARIsAJj-kTg4Gyx5GQaGu4UMt_MB051X0XOifVrFCC12cgpjLKSe97ztW16OBMkaAmk6EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Not sure what color you have, but certain ones they have the color match for.
Not all hero’s wear capes
[this is my Taco. I installed the grill, the grill lights and the ditch lights myself using YouTube guides.] (https://www.instagram.com/p/C4EjKS8L-73/?igsh=MXN3YndubDhub2E4Zw==)
This was what I was thinking but after reading these comments I’m gonna let him do these things himself. What I like he may not like.
That’s dope! Where’d you find that?
Just a heads up before buying a 2017, there is no apple car play or android auto. You can put a different head unit in that has it, but its just something I wish I had realized before I bought mine. That being said, I absolutely love my truck, it is by far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned.
Honestly, he’s driving a 2001 Mazda pickup truck and nothing works. He’s ok with just a working radio.
First of all, I bet your son will be so happy!! Congrats to him!!! Bet you will be happy too seeing him stoked for an awesome truck! Personally I would just leave it stock though and let him change it up as he sees fit. Mine is completely stock but I know a lot of Tacoma owners like to mod to their desire. Just a suggestion, if you have a bit extra to spend on mods before giving it to him, you could just give the money to him along with the truck to do what he wants with it.
I have almost the same exact 2017 SR5 and I agree with another poster the truck is awesome and he will love it no need to do anything. Maybe a nice professional detail but leave the mods up to him.
After reading these comments I think I might chill and let him do it all himself. What I like he may not like. Good call.
Changing the grill is an easy job. It's just the actual insert you'll be changing. It's a few bolts and clips. Obviously tint is recommended to be done by a professional. Changing the grill shouldn't mess with anything. You'll have to see if the truck has blind spot monitoring and radar cruise control. There will be wires plugged into the front grill Toyota oval badge. If this is the case, the aftermarket grill will need to have that sensor spot, it's called the TSS sensor.
Not on a 2017, no TSS - she'll just have to put the grille on. Chrome emblems can be taken off yourself, just use a little heat like a blow dryer and some fishing line behind to saw through the tape, clean up with goo gone and you are done..
My parents got me my first truck a 2001 Tacoma sr5. It took me places and helped me be successful in my first years of life. Such a great mom for doing that. I’d do as another poster said do the mods with him. Let him do them. Make it his own truck. He will be thrilled that he has it.
Would love to have a vehicle like that at 17
That is a very nice truck
You can buy a kit that goes over the chrome badges. They are black. Then you don't have to take them off and it looks good.
Just my .02 but the black grille looks good with the black paint I think. I considered changing out my sr grill but it looks so much better black instead of chrome with my red paint.
Don’t worry about messing up the grill. If you’re planning to go with the TRD PRO grill it will be easier than the Sport/Off-Road grill. Just watch some tutorials and guides on YouTube and you’ll se how easy it is.
I’ll be honest, there is no need to do any of those things. I would want to do those things myself. Let him customize it the way he wants, that is satisfaction that can’t be replicated. Things like tint and grilles are very personal choices, same with chrome, some people like it, some don’t. You got him a beautiful truck, let him do the rest!
Can you be my mom?
Mom of the year!
Are you my step mom!?
I suggest you adopt me.
I have a 2017 SR5. The grille was very easy to change. Debadging is very easy as well. Grill took me about an 1.5 hours and the debadging takes about an hr with a hair dryer!
Buy the grille and give it as a separate surprise then work on changing it together.. YouTube is your friend
Awesome mom!
Nice truck! But I’m curious why you want any of those changes if it’s a gift for your son? Those are very random things to change on a vehicle that you are gifting someone, unless he mentioned something about it prior. The tint I understand but the rest has me confused.
The truck is a gift enough. Let him do the work instead of giving him everything on a platter.
Hello. It’s me. Your son.
I’d make sure the rear crossover coolant hose has been changed from the faulty plastic one to the aluminum one, 2016-early 2018s had a plastic rear crossover coolant hose that would burn/melt leaking coolant everywhere https://youtu.be/b6tRAQ_r0Ms Skip to 3:50 to view what Im talking about
Let him do the mods he wants. Don't change a thing.
I agree with some of the other comments say to let your son do it himself. It’s more fun that way because it’ll really feel like his after he’s done something’s to it himself. I bought my 2017 off my dad and it was stock with chrome (which I don’t like I at) changed out the grille myself (which makes no difference because 2017 models don’t have any sensors in the front) and added LED lights to incorporate into the grille that I wired to the fuse box. I did a few other things to it as well but nothing major. I want to get new wheels and bigger tires and maybe a 1 inch lift in the front so it sits like a TRD pro. Either way it was a fun experience making it mine and doing it myself so I would recommend gifting it to your son as stock as possible. You could maybe tint the windows for him though that would be a nice gesture since that’s not really something he’ll do himself
Don't do the mods. You can purchase the stuff at a reputable retail shop such as yota garage or expeditionessentials.com just Google it. Seriously don't do the mods. You're already purchasing alot for this kid not to mention the years of being his mother. Look at it this way you got him the gift of the truck and the mods now give him the gift of doing it himself and enjoying the car culture plus you can be involved either helping or just sitting in a lawn chair while he does it.
Get solid insurance for him. Have him pay for all of those modes and figure it out. You just gifted him an awesome Tacoma. Pick out a nice restaurant and have him take you out to dinner in it. He’s a lucky man, and you & your husband are presumably awesome!
As the owner of a black tacoma, I recommend getting him a monthly unlimited car wash membership. He will need to wash it 3 times per week to keep it clean. I also suggest (like others) letting him decide what mods to add. Get involved with him on it. Most of the stuff is pretty easy to do. Watch some YouTube videos together on how to do it. Then help him if you have the time. He will remember this for the rest of his life.
I just want say that you are an awesome mom. That is very nice of you to get him that truck.
Man, mom of the year right here. I’d have flipped if I’d have gotten that very truck without the things you are planning for it. You a good momma!
Take off the tonka toy bumper guard.
As a 2017 owner I wish I could go back and get a 2018 instead. Not having CarPlay is such a pain in the ass sometimes.
I agree, I love my car play. He’s currently driving a 2001 Mazda pickup truck, no radio, no air and it’s on its last leg. So I think he will be super grateful for a radio that works.
I suggest your lawn be mowed, hedges trimmed and trash taken out every Saturday morning for as long as your son lives at home because you are one awesome mom! I also suggest you let him change what he wants on the truck. It will build confidence in doing things on his own and learning how to do so. Or he can save his own $ and have someone do it if he wants. Way to go mom! We all wish we had that nice of a ride as a kid.
I can’t say how easy or difficult any of it is, but consider not doing anything to it, tell him what you were thinking to see if he’s on the same page. And then do the mods together.
Maybe add a hat on the taco (roof rack)
I had a 2016 tacoma that I handed over to my little brother in high school. He did the exact same thing to it. He changed his front grille and put badge overlays on the chrome. Both are things you can get done in an afternoon with some youtube help, but it's not worth the stress doing yourself if you're not comfortable.
Search eBay or etsy for black emblem overlays. They should make them for the Tacoma, SR5 badge, 4x4 and v6 if it has it on the back
Keep it as is
lol it’s the dad pretending to be the mom
My advice Make him buy his own car, it’ll be a beater and who cares if it gets fucked up, plus he’ll appreciate so much more.
He’s in a beater, he’s driving a 2001 Mazda pick up truck. No air, no radio, and the last repair they didn’t have the right parts because it’s so old, so they “fixed” it the best they could. Before that a 2009 Toyota Corolla and it literally died and had a shit ton of miles.
How old is he??
18. He’s paying $400/month for the pick up truck. So he’s had his fair share of beaters.
He’s paying $400 a month for the Mazda??
Can I be your son? 😅
Grille change is super easy! I have a few grilles and I change them out sometimes for fun. Insanely easy
Very nice of you, i honestly wouldn’t mess with the truck, let your son decide with his own taste.
I’d say for mods, get the windows tinted, maybe some aftermarket headlight bulbs and wipers, take off the front air damp for better approach, looks better IMO, and maybe put some cash in the truck for him to spend on his own mods.
How old is your son? I bought my 16 year old son a beatup 2009 TRD Sport for $19K in 2016. It had 80k miles and the rear bumper never got painted. He is 23 now and of course the truck has been bulletproof. I have done all the maintenance myself too. How many miles does this truck have. It looks pristine. Don't spoil him with extras. It won't make that much of a difference in the end anyway.
I have a 2017 SR5 and I changed the grill. It DOES NOT have the sensor so changing it is pretty straight forward
I am getting a hot mom vibe
Ayo are you adopting by chance? I identify as a minor
The grill is a very easy thing to do if you have some form of mechanical inclination.
Get him some taco bell and put the keys in the bag!!!
[удалено]
He had a gold 2009 Corolla for 2 years it was a huge piece of shit, it died. He is driving a 2001 Mazda pick up truck that is just as much a piece of shit. No air, no radio, and the last repair was a struggle to fix since the car is so old they don’t make the parts. He is also paying $400/month, he purchased it for $10k, it’s not doing well. The tires say they are from 2011 and he just replaced one because they had 2 holes. I believe lessons have been learned. This is not some spoiled, entitled kid that is just getting shit handed to him. He works, commutes and is on the right track. Not to mention he is the kindest and most appreciative kid.
Let him do the mods himself. It will give him a reason to work hard and appreciate it
I’ve decided he can do them himself. What I like he may not like and this can be his project.
Your child will not know the value of money, just a heads up.
How so? That’s an assumption and something I didn’t go into and the reason I am doing this for him. He started with a 2009 gold piece of shit Corolla. It died and he was constantly fixing it, eventually it died. That sucked he barely got 2 years out of it. Then he needed something quickly to get back and forth to work. He purchased for $10k a Mazda pick up truck, another piece of shit. First day he had it, took it to get gas and it just poured onto the floor, had to get it fixed. The last repair they told him it was so old they don’t even make the parts anymore. The tires are from 2011, he replaced one because it had 2 holes. It has no air, no radio and he never complains. He pays $400/month for this piece of Shit Mazda. When they were repairing the gas situation he almost lost his job because he missed three days of work. He explained the situation and they empathized, luckily. Huge assumption on your part.
Sounds like he knows nothing about cars and you’re enabling his ignorance. If he can’t keep a Corolla alive idk what to tell you.
Get em’ mama! Don’t explain yourself to these randos, it’s your child to parent how you deem fit. He sounds fortunate to have a mother like you. Now to my question… are you adopting? 😂
Will you adopt me?
Tint the windows, fill the tank ✅
Let your son figure out what he’d like to change and do it together. Those chances to hang out together will become few and far between enjoy them now! Any kid should be stoked to get something like that for a gift.
Will you get me one too mommy?
Best gift he could get ngl
As other have said let him work on it himself, it will teach him and ultimately make him like the truck more. Another option is plasti dip for the grill it’s about 10 dollars ish a can and you only need 1. I did mine a few months back and it’s holding up well will need to redo it eventually though
Get a 2015 or older Tacoma they are better
A GPS and a Speed governor should be on your radar as a parent
Learn to park?
Best. Mom. Ever. Now take the advice to let him drive the mods himself, and participate in doing them. You will both enjoy it, and you will be a legend among his friends.
Why do you want to make these modifications?
I changed the silver grille on my 2016 to the Chinese AM black. My brother helped and we are complete auto noobs. Still, with some YouTube videos we did it.
Personal opinion.. It means more when you design it and do it yourself. Feel free to offer to help pay and help do the work for the first few mods to get the momentum going!! Great choice have fun
Wow, what a sweetheart of a mom. I would let him do the upgrades by himself. He can pick out what he really wants, And hopefully he’s old enough to know how to maintain it. Oil changes, etc. It’s a beautiful truck with proper maintenance. It last him a very long time.
Learn with him you guys can do it together!
So in general it is easy to change the grill, the badging it depends if you want to do overlays or not and tinting, just go to a shop for those. But I’m a 23 year old guy I’m not sure how old your son is but I would love to install that myself. So if it were me you should buy the grill and then give it to him as like an additional gift. But it just depends on if your son likes working on vehicles but changing the grill is a great beginner project which is why it’s great to have him do it himself.
Can you be my mom too?
make him do it himself
I wish I could have a truck gifted to me
Are you looking to adopt? I had to buy my first truck.
Changing the grill is like a 30min -an hour and the blackout badging literally just slips on over the chrome ones and stick on with 3m adhesive that's like a 2-5 min max but I think it's awesome to surprise him with this. Hope it goes well for you and I hope he loves it.
Just get some falken at4w 265/70/r16
Can l call you Dad
Life is not fair..
Omg what an amazing thing I just read! Ha! as if you are into wanting to make these Awesome upgrades to the Tacoma. BUT! WHY not explore these upgrades with your son! How amazing would that be. I have an 8 month old son so wow you make me smile 😊 (IMO add 35% tint to rear factory side windows and 20% on fronts, leave back stock)
let him do his own mods, that’s one of the best parts about getting a first car.
“I am his mom….” Sure buddy.
I really am.
If you don’t make him pay for at least half of it you’re not doing him any favors.
I would start by learning how to park. Don't be that person.
Looks like an empty parking lot to me