With all the new lights on the front, the original Sylvania headlights were a letdown. Back to Performance, who recommended and installed a set of Hella headlights. All this new electricity caught the attention of a city policeman, who pulled us over because it was rolling with the headlights off and only the Hella drivers activated. While some do this in an attempt to look cool, we were doing it in the interest of not blinding the driver in front of us. Stuck in traffic, and since a truck naturally sits higher than most cars, the headlights were shining directly into the passenger area of a vehicle. Using the air-dam-placed 550s, we still had lights but they shined at the rear bumper of the car, relieving the driver. The officer understood our reasoning, but advised us that driving without headlights, for whatever reason, is illegal. That said, he made us an offer we couldn't refuse; put the covers over the aftermarket lights, and no ticket will be issued. Needless to say, most of their value is used when off-highway.
Neoprene seat covers resist liquids, helping to ensure the OEM seats will be saved for years to come, while the plastic floormats keep mud, grease, and liquids from getting into the carpeting.
So, as the project progressed, our Toyota moved better, sounded better, looked better, felt safer, and was a lot more fun. But it was still missing something.
To give the truck the look we had in mind, stylish yet rugged, we turned to KMC Wheels of Riverside, California. "KMCs were on a few Baja 1000 race trucks, and none of them bent or broke," says Jaime Zamora of KMC.
Classically designed, the KMC Intruder wheel brought the 10-year-old Toyota into the new century, while Toyo Open Country tires offered less slip and more grip off road. Oddly enough, less dirt and mud ended up on the truck's body with the Open Country tires.
With a mind-boggling selection, it was a tough choice, but in the end, we opted for the chrome 16x8.0-in. Intruder--bold, clean, and classy, with an aggressive aura. While the truck tires were in excellent shape, and had served well, they weren't large enough to wrap around the 16-in. wheels. For new design technology and durable construction, we turned to Toyo Tires, which recommended its brand-new all-terrain tire, the Toyo Open Country. We immediately noticed the truck was quieter at all speeds. Also, while the tires aren't exactly the easiest to get used to in the curves on asphalt, possibly because of their larger profile, off road they shine. Together, the Toyos, Bilsteins, and torsion bars have made our off-pavement adventures a safer and better experience.
With all this work done, the total cost is considerably less than that of a new truck, and it's brought more life to an old and trusted friend. Looking back, our most noteworthy additions are the lights, shocks, and torsion bars. The headlights alone illuminate the road extremely well, but when the air-dam-placed 550 drivers help out, visibility is improved even more. Off pavement, the ProComps join the Hella headlights and 550s give the impression we're driving around with stadium lighting. The only other tip is that, should any more lights be added, Performance and Pollastrini recommended a heavy-duty alternator to help eliminate the risk of battery burnout, overworking the truck's system.
We like what we've accomplished, and, at just over 120,000 miles, it's running better than ever and has a new attitude for considerably less than a new truck. Possibly the most interesting part of the story is the attention people are paying to such an old truck, even those who prefer new rides. The chrome wheels, powder-coated light bar, auxiliary lights, and knobby tires gain attention in quick time. This combo makes everyone take notice.