Chloro's Build Thread

[ChloroFiend]

Hey crew-

New to SUVs in general and figured I'd spend some time laying out my build.

I got my 2015 SR5 Premium 4WD the first week in June. Unfortunately, the NorCal Toyota dealers are a giant pile of dung and I had to schlep all the way to Reno, NV (in a different sales region) to find one the way I want (no 3rd row, no sliding deck, 4WD).

Goals for my build are primarily on-road utility with the potential for light overland/car camping. My buddies at Triple Aught Design are terrible influences. I'm a snowboarder, shooter, and scuba diver, so a lot of the use will be getting to ski resorts, hunting spots, gun ranges, or dive sites with all my crap. It's also way easier to haul my hockey gear in this thing than my old Civic Si Coupe!

My current plan doesn't include a lift, but that may change...at least i'm going to try to decipher what all the options/benefits/drawbacks/costs are. I'm going to add some steps, a 2M Ham radio and antenna, then perhaps screw with the lighting a bit. I'm also heavily debating a wheel swap.

So, without further ado, the before picture:

 

[ChloroFiend]

Blacking Out

I kinda hate Chrome on the outside of vehicles. Too much style, not enough substance for me. Further more, it comes across as 'washed out' against the silver paint of my truck. I'm also slightly Plasti-Dip adverse for no reason whatsoever.

I managed to score one of the NoxLuxLED black out kits off of eBay once the prices dropped to manageable levels. Shipping was quick and installation really just peel and stick. I think that it makes the badging way more appropriate to the aggressiveness of this vehicle.

To continue the black out, I really wouldn't mind scoring a set of trail head and tail lights, but I can't justify spending that kind of money...for now.

 

[Mistaken]

Looks good! I grabbed a kit from them as well. :whoo:

 

[BeachRunnerSD]

I kinda hate Chrome on the outside of vehicles. Too much style, not enough substance for me. Further more, it comes across as 'washed out' against the silver paint of my truck. I'm also slightly Plasti-Dip adverse for no reason whatsoever.

I managed to score one of the NoxLuxLED black out kits off of eBay once the prices dropped to manageable levels. Shipping was quick and installation really just peel and stick. I think that it makes the badging way more appropriate to the aggressiveness of this vehicle.

To continue the black out, I really wouldn't mind scoring a set of trail head and tail lights, but I can't justify spending that kind of money...for now.

All headlights and tail lights are the same. Trail has no difference:mod:

 

[ChloroFiend]

All headlights and tail lights are the same. Trail has no difference:mod:

I thought that the trails had black where the SR5 & Limited had chrome finish internal plastics?

 

[BeachRunnerSD]

I thought that the trails had black where the SR5 & Limited had chrome finish internal plastics?

Not on the visual refreshed models

 

[ChloroFiend]

N-Fab Nerf Bars

Next up, step bars. Went with the N-Fab T1464R's as they seemed pretty solid and I liked the look. Price was ~$315 shipped off an Amazon seller.

Installation was pretty simple, even doing it solo it took about 45 minutes. Having 2 people would probably drop that to sub 30. Remove the existing bolts (12mm head, which isn't documented by the way), line up the boards, and install the supplied bolts (13mm head). As noted in other install thread, the directions are backwards; the curved piece of the bar faces forward.

Next up, lift kit....which will be preceded by a separate 'Newbie Suspension/Lift FAQ' thread as I'm left confused by reading so many other threads