5 Best Mods for Your New Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is famous for two things: reliability and the “Tacoma Tax”—the fact that owners love to spend money modifying them. The aftermarket support is endless.

If you just picked up your truck, it can be overwhelming. Do you need a $2,000 roof rack? $4,000 suspension?

Start here. These are the top 5 mods that offer the best bang-for-your-buck.

1. The “Raptor Lights” (Grille Markers)

Let’s get the aesthetic one out of the way. Adding 3 or 4 amber LED lights to the grille is the signature Move for Tacoma owners. It gives the truck a wider, more aggressive look at night.

• Cost: $30 - $80
• Install: Easy (Plug and play into fuse box).

2. All-Weather Floor Mats

The stock carpet mats are useless against mud or snow. Protecting your resale value starts with the carpet.

• Top Picks: WeatherTech or Husky Liners X-act Contour.
• Why: They are laser-measured to cover the dead pedal and sides, catching every drop of coffee or mud.

3. Interior Upgrades (The “Chrome Delete”)

The 3rd Gen Tacoma interior has some glaring silver plastic rings around the cupholders and vents that glare in the sun.

• The Fix: “Chrome Delete” kits (black vinyl overlays) or replacement black trim rings.
• Seat Covers: If you have the cloth seats, Clazzio covers are a game changer. They fit so tight they look like factory leather upkeep is a breeze.

4. Bed Mat

The Tacoma has a composite bed (plastic), which is great because it doesn’t rust. However, it is slippery. Put a cooler in the back, and it will slide into the cab when you brake.

• The Mod: OEM Toyota Rubber Bed Mat.
• Why: It’s heavy, thick rubber. Nothing slides on it. It is arguably the most practical accessory Toyota makes.

5. Tires (The Big One)

As we discussed in our Tire Size Guide, tires transform the truck. Ditching the stock highway tires for a set of Falken Wildpeaks or BFGoodrich KO2s instantly gives you reputable off-road capability and the “Truck” look you wanted.

Conclusion

You don’t need to build an Overland rig on day one. Start with protection (mats/bed mat) and simple aesthetics, and drive the truck for a year before deciding on expensive suspension upgrades.