My future son-in-law (just engaged to my middle daughter!) was rear ended a couple of weeks ago and insurance totaled his car. He’s got money, but he hardly needs much of a vehicle as he’s an officer in the Navy (they're often “underway” for a week or two getting the ship ready, and he will be deploying to parts unknown in 9-12 mos.) so he needs
very little in a DD.
At about the same time I was asked by an old friend of the family to evaluate and possibly sell a base model 2008 Toyota Tacoma. It runs and drives great, it’s a (big!) 4 cylinder, automatic trans, nothing fancy. Jump seats in the back of the cab with some nifty storage underneath. 146K in the clock, front seat is ripped, needs 4 tires and a
deep cleaning/detail - but other than that it runs great, good compression etc. He was able to purchase it for $3800.
"Before" shots
Anyways, he asked if I could help get a few things done, and the more I look at it I get a hankerin’ to “fix it up” a bit.
He's buying new, 15” rubber all around. I looked for used oem 2008 Tacoma aluminum wheels, but in that year only 15" steel wheels (5 lug) were available.
I've got a line on someone with OEM fabric to redo the seat - supposedly $80.
Detailer wants $150 (a lot I think but I'm gonna see if he'll throw in polishing the headlights
But this is where I could use some help/some vision by those more talented than I:
- No matter what, it's a pretty plain-vanilla truck. But I was thinking of maybe powder-coating black the existing steel wheels. Good idea? Bad idea?
- Summit Racing has some "Cragar" 15" steel wheels that look pretty nice for only $78 a corner. Thoughts?
- I can't stand that painted-white front bumper. Think it would look any better painted black? Or replaced with something?
- Finally, add some side graphics (something like these below) or is that just lipstick on a pig?
Did I miss anything?