[Gargoyle]

OK, I hope that I don't upset anyone with this post but I have a few beefs about buying a new model year. Let me start by saying I have three Toyotas ('86 PU, '95 4R, '05 Taco) right now and I love my new '05! With that said, I want to add a number of after-market upgrades that seem to be taking forever for the manufactures to provide.
For starters: TRD does not yet have an air filter available! I would love to have the inexpensive (and small--I know) boost to performance that would come with a high-flow, reusable filter. But TRD doesn't even have one yet! This truck has been OUT since what, Sept 04, that's 6 months! And it is not like thy didn't have the "in" on what the new filter would need to be. How long can it take to design an upgraded air filter?
Then, try to find an after market bumper or bull bar for a new model year! I am very interested in a ARB or TJM winch bumper but there is none to be had. After talking with ARB USA (very nice, and well informed BTW), I was highly disappointed to learn that a new bull bar may be as long as a year out! Are you kidding? In the Feb '05 "Off-Road Adventures" rag, they had the mod and fit-up of a Prado bumper done in a day. They noted that Tim Lund took good templates, measurements, etc. and would likely be sending them back to the factory in Australia for production mods. But the guy I chatted with at ARB USA thought that they would likely purchase a Taco, ship it down-under and then have some form of production bumper available along with OME and other stuff. No wonder his estimate was 6-12 months!
TJM does not appear to be any better. I have not even received a reply to my e-mail inquiries. The best I have gotten from them is speaking with Mark Kieley at Okoffroad.com. His take was that TJM would be a while too.
Hell, I would be more than happy to buy a pre-production bull bar, work to fit it up on my truck, take pictures, measurements, document the process, etc. in order to help out the manufacture. I just want to get going!
So I guess that leaves me with having someone make a custom bumper, or I do it myself (which I am probably going to do for a rear bumper anyway). Of course that means time and money, maybe even more money than what the bull bars tend to sell for. But I bet I can beat their time by months!
Of course I can’t get a winch until I have a bumper. And I don’t really want to get that nice Black Rat recovery kit until I have a winch, and...
Oh well, I guess I have to wait to spend my pre-approved dollars (wife’s approval has already been received on ~$2k ) until the stuff is available.
This wait also seems to be there for other mods like a lift. There may be some out there already (I’m watching Skyjacker closely since they did one on the Maya Hunter), but the ones I have seen are spacer-style rather than the improved suspension I would want. This is a mod I plan on waiting on anyway (I want to get beyond break-in and probably past the tread on my factory tires).
So there it is. Now my frustration is laid out for everyone to see.
Tell me, am I expecting too much? How long did good products take to get on the market for the previous model change? Lay it on me! It’s only words after all.

 

[jhorn_007]

well, i would expect it to be a lil bit. this new model is a lot different from the previous. between the other years there was only minor changes that needed to be made so they came out a lil quicker. this model being wider and such, they probly have to start all over from scratch with everything.

 

[ToyTec]

Don't get too disapointed, most manufacturers wait until there is a demand for products that fit new model year vehicles. Even if they have a product for a new vehicle they may have only produced a small quanity of them, and the production does not usually start untill there is a demand, usually 1-2 years after the new models are out. Keep in mind 90% of 2005 Tacoma owners have no plans to modify their trucks because of warranty issues, or they dont care about off roading (Sad to say!). The only thing you can do is email, or call the manufacturers, and ask if they have products availiable, the more requests they have the more they may be inclined to start producing parts sooner!

 

[tacd44]

What everyone said is true. When I got my Tacoma in '99, the Trail Master kit was still somewhat new, and the FabTec kit was a few years away. I didn't even consider lifting the truck for the first year. As far as I know, there are only 3 lift kits for Tacomas: TrailMaster, Procomp, and FabTec. TMJ and ARB do make products for Tacomas, as to Toyota Specialists, ie Marlin, FROR. ARB's RD-90 front locker has only been out for no more that about 2 years.

When you talk to the manufacters that you want products from, you might want to ask if they want beta testers. Then could get you products faster, and maybe cheaper.

Watch DeMello, Marlin, and Front Range Of Road. They will probably have '05 products the soonest.

 

[atwinda]

As far as lift kits go, Camburg and Donahoe already have offerings, and with them being the community favorites, they will obviously get many recomendations.

TRD filters are K&N filters with a TRD logo basically. Have you checked to see if K&N offers a drop in, or replacement intake kit yet? I am pretty sure they have a replacement intake for the xrunner 4.0l which I would assume the 4x4 4.0l wouldn't be drasitically different.

For bumpers, Go striaght to one of the site-grown fabbers. DO, Bentup, etc... They are off roaders, their equipment is made for off roading. With the last gen tacoma's modifications needed to be made to the ARB bumpers before any serious winching could be performed- Had to do with where the bumper bolted on to the frame rails.

Yeah.. just relax... Breathe...

 

[Live4yotas]

There is also a Whiplash Suspension kit for the 95.5 to 04 models its a 10" suspension lift. Its like $ 2,200 just for the front and you have to get new driveshafts. But I have been told that Whiplash Suspension is a P.O.S.

 

[Tankota]

Just be glad ARB is saying a year for the 05's.. Tacoma's came out in 95.5, and ARB did not have a bumper for any of them until 2000 or 2001, most of us were using a Prado bumper also before then (Prado's and Tacoma's through the years seem to always be sharing the same platform, or close enough..)

 

[Marc M]

I have the K&N drop-in already in my '05 V6. It's the same filter for the 2004 4Runner V6.

I have been in contact with EGR also about their in-channel window visors, and due to a design flaw won't be available until March, but ventvisor seems to have them already for the in-channel, and the adhesive types.

I got the OEM hood deflector and hate it, it sits up off of the hood on 5 metal brackets that pinch on the front edge of the hood with the help of 5 plastic clips from underneath. It also causes a noise at the lower portion of the windshield, it might be at the antenna.

I to am not pleased with how long it's taking for the aftermarket to supply parts, yeah the truck has been available to the public since September, but how long has it been a complete truck ??

 

[Gargoyle]

As far as lift kits go, Camburg and Donahoe already have offerings, and with them being the community favorites, they will obviously get many recomendations.

TRD filters are K&N filters with a TRD logo basically. Have you checked to see if K&N offers a drop in, or replacement intake kit yet? I am pretty sure they have a replacement intake for the xrunner 4.0l which I would assume the 4x4 4.0l wouldn't be drasitically different.

For bumpers, Go striaght to one of the site-grown fabbers. DO, Bentup, etc... They are off roaders, their equipment is made for off roading. With the last gen tacoma's modifications needed to be made to the ARB bumpers before any serious winching could be performed- Had to do with where the bumper bolted on to the frame rails.

Yeah.. just relax... Breathe...

I don't think Camburg or Donahoe has anything for the '05 yet. I know they are working on it, but neither show anything on their websites. If they do, maybe you or one of them could direct me there. As I noted, I'm not quite in that market yet, but will be in less than two years.
I would go for the K&N (which I have not yet seen for the '05 Taco, and I am looking) but the parts guy at my dealership gave me a line about the oil interfering with the ox sensor! If that was the case, I was going to be sure to get a filter with the Toyota name on it--that way they would not have any issues with replacing an expensive sensor through waranty.
As for the bumpers, I have been contacting a number of fabs. The only one that I have received a solid response was for a custom (from Chris at code4x4.com) that would run me about $1500 for the front bumper, plus I would have to provide my truck for 5 days to do the fit-up. Not too big of a problem, except the price is about 2x what I wanted to spend. Everyone else I have contacted (Bentup, FROR, etc.) has plans but nothing yet. I know I am probably asking too much at this point, but why not shoot for the moon in a rant!

 

[scottnmos]

I don't think Camburg or Donahoe has anything for the '05 yet. I know they are working on it, but neither show anything on their websites. If they do, maybe you or one of them could direct me there. As I noted, I'm not quite in that market yet, but will be in less than two years.
I would go for the K&N (which I have not yet seen for the '05 Taco, and I am looking) but the parts guy at my dealership gave me a line about the oil interfering with the ox sensor! If that was the case, I was going to be sure to get a filter with the Toyota name on it--that way they would not have any issues with replacing an expensive sensor through waranty.
As for the bumpers, I have been contacting a number of fabs. The only one that I have received a solid response was for a custom (from Chris at code4x4.com) that would run me about $1500 for the front bumper, plus I would have to provide my truck for 5 days to do the fit-up. Not too big of a problem, except the price is about 2x what I wanted to spend. Everyone else I have contacted (Bentup, FROR, etc.) has plans but nothing yet. I know I am probably asking too much at this point, but why not shoot for the moon in a rant!

Not to bust your bubble or anything, but get used to it. In everything, the aftermarket lags about 1 to 2 years behind production. That is just the way it is. I am sure if you contact Jason (Demello Offroad) he can help you out, considering he has already done work on an 05 for SEMA. Donahoe said they would have a suspension kit ready back in January. If you want an update email Dylan.... I am sure he will help you out. If you are waiting for the general big name manufacturers to put out something right when the vehicle comes out..... its not gonna happen.

 

[97TacoDude]

I would personally never buy a new model year vehicle.

 

[RedOh3]

I would personally never buy a new model year vehicle.

Just go drive one, you might change your mind.

 

[Gargoyle]

I would personally never buy a new model year vehicle.

I would normally subscribe to the same philosophy, but given that it is a Toyota, it now has 4.0l v 3.4l and all the goodies that go along with, and the choice was that or an ’04 for maybe $1k-$2k less, I think I made the right decision. I’m not that desperate for after-market upgrades that I would have bought a new ’04 instead.

 

[RedOh3]

I would normally subscribe to the same philosophy, but given that it is a Toyota, it now has 4.0l v 3.4l and all the goodies that go along with, and the choice was that or an ’04 for maybe $1k-$2k less, I think I made the right decision. I’m not that desperate for after-market upgrades that I would have bought a new ’04 instead.

I test drove an 05' Before I picked up my 03... I was thoroughly impressed with the power those new v6's put out. Not to mention the creature comforts... made me feel like I was driving an SUV with their interior make-over.

 

[platform389]

Might want to check with Road Armor about their new Tacoma bumper. It is supposed to be out in May. Don't know if they will offer mounts for 05 and later yet.

I am hoping so, since a 2006 is on the horizon for me. It is a toss up right now if I will go with another ARB or this new Road Armor offering.

http://www.roadarmor.com/ra3/toyota.html

 

[bluetaco]

several manufactures release pre production models to the SEMA vendors for product development so products will be available for the vehicles release...unfortunately/ fortunately what makes Toyota well Toyota is that they are meticulous and will not contract with parts vendors with out serious consideration and control...sometimes thats good sometimes bad...many of the Tacoma's parts have come from other countries in the past like ARB/OME you see this time our local boys for the club got a shot at it...that says a lot this day in age!

a lot of the vendors have parts for the new 4 runner ...the Tacoma will not be to long in waiting.
...you always have custom fabricators...they can't become hugh vendors with out your support and trial...have one of the local shops fab a bumper for you...then they can template it and with a little luck and skill they can productively duplicate and sale the one you got to the masses and then you have the privilege and bragging rights of having the first!

 

[Bergger]

Come on, did you really expect to buy a new model truck and have all the after market stuff you wanted inside the first year. Your truck is still very capable and good looking so enjoy it. The add ons will come with time.

 

[Donahoe]

I don't think Camburg or Donahoe has anything for the '05 yet. I know they are working on it, but neither show anything on their websites. If they do, maybe you or one of them could direct me there. As I noted, I'm not quite in that market yet, but will be in less than two years.
I would go for the K&N (which I have not yet seen for the '05 Taco, and I am looking) but the parts guy at my dealership gave me a line about the oil interfering with the ox sensor! If that was the case, I was going to be sure to get a filter with the Toyota name on it--that way they would not have any issues with replacing an expensive sensor through waranty.
As for the bumpers, I have been contacting a number of fabs. The only one that I have received a solid response was for a custom (from Chris at code4x4.com) that would run me about $1500 for the front bumper, plus I would have to provide my truck for 5 days to do the fit-up. Not too big of a problem, except the price is about 2x what I wanted to spend. Everyone else I have contacted (Bentup, FROR, etc.) has plans but nothing yet. I know I am probably asking too much at this point, but why not shoot for the moon in a rant!

Donahoe racing's Coil over for the 05 will be shipping march 1st. I know Jason Demello has Really nice Sliders already Fixtured. Plus by April 1st Donahoe Racing will have a ton more stuff for the 05. SO hang in there. The manufactures are working hard to make sure we all have great stuff for ya.

 

[BMWTACO]

Just go drive one, you might change your mind.

No kidding, the new truck is soooo much nicer to drive than the last 3 I had. Granted I bought a 4 cyl, but 245 horsepower is a huge boost over the old 3.4. And my new 164 horse 2.7 actually is quite quick. I would put it up against my last 3.4 (although that was on 33's) any day.

 

[Gargoyle]

Thanks for the info on the release. What are you expecting to charge for the coil over and will you have a package with rear leafs?
I got a reply from Jason and he said they are working on some stuff. They expect to have an '05 in soon and will post info on the TTORA site when it is available.