Wow, the three things I am looking at purchasing! Time to rethink.

Thank you! At 69 yrs old we have running boards on our 13 Taco. My wife and I need a little help at times!

I was going to do a brush guard but now I'm going with a new road armor bumpers front and rear. How do u feel about a supercharged Tacoma

Thanks for the tip on the CAI, good to know. Saved me some research and money

Great tips! I agree with all of your tips, especially the intake, when I was bogging a while ago after I took appart my intake to find a ton of water in my intake silencer, good thing I didnt have a CAI, otherwise all that water would have been in motor..

I take my mud flaps off in the summer for offroading, but usually put them back on for winter and the salty roads. You still need a underhood detail, it really bothers my OCD!

Good point about exposed air intake. I'm curious about added performance/mileage vs ease swapping between ram-air intake and OEM. Hmmm

Have you looked at the urd Cai, I was looking for turbo/supercharger, when I found urd that has a intake that routed to in-between the radiator and the grill

I have a bull bar and nerf bars. That being said, I completely agree with your opinion. I use my 2017 Tacoma for mainly hauling and towing. The only offroading I do is going to new fishing spots were roads can get pretty muddy as well as hunting camp trails were ground clearance and overall vehicle protection is not needed too much since trails are fairly flat and wide. Good vid!

Thank you, I did not consider the approach angle aspect, will definitely consider other options.

Great video, I personally have a Jeep and my videos are about jeeps but I also love Toyotas and of course Tacomas are the best

Using running boards on my 18 taco, been off-roading many times and yet to getting hung up, just waiting till a tear off a step because it is a clearance limitation, but it’ll give me an excuse to buy sliders 😉

Order a bull bar off amazon. It got lost in the mail and i got a refund. Today i see this video and I think i got lucky it got lost. Thanks!

Hey bruda got arb bumpers on my new Pro all the stock stuff but I need shade when resting between sets surfing here on the big island any solutions ?i don’t have rack but want one

Can you do a video going over the switch panel you have installed under your AC controls in front of the cup holders? Looking to do something similar.

I agree with all your points. I believe the TRD CAI was meant for super charged engines. However, some have claimed performance gains, more like a placebo effect to me. For that reason I got a snorkel and an AFE dry drop in reusable Filter.

100% right about the bull bars. They might be okay for moving shopping carts out of the way, but if you ever wrecked into anything, it will bend right into your front end and cause more damage than if you just used factory bumpers!

When I bought my 06taco it came with a AFE cai its a PIA to keep clean and it makes more of a mess due to it gets sprayed with oil. Now i want a factory intake system.

I got a bull bar, strike one. I have nerf bars, strike two. Didn’t get the CAI, so I’m still in the game :) Have you done a video regarding which air filter to use, or do you recommend oem?

I have marks on my bumper too from the bull bar my FJ Cruiser came with. It was a great place to mount lights, but I took it off because it was in the way of the towing gear I have now to pull it behind my RV. CAI was the first thing I chucked when I got the FJ. I didn't get sliders until after I had smashed the step bars. Now my kids complain that my FJ is too hard to get into...

I've got the TRD sport so everything you explained works for me as I stay ON the road lol. NICE Truck bro! Question, did you sand the front grill toyota emblem before painting?

What are the biggest tires I can put on my 2017 TRD Sport without a levelling or lift kit? The truck came with 265/65R17 TOYO Open Country all-seasons. Thks.

Thanx all those mods are good to know ......now bout the mud and water on your engine what do u use to clean engine

Hey tacomaholic brother, just wondering, what kind of headlights you got going on? I saw the one video of when they fogged up, I really like them.

Good basic information for a second purchase, I guess its,know what you intend the vehicle to be used for and dont end up buying all the pretties that you end up replacing.

Thanku, just got my 2018 Tacoma and this helps.

How can I best protect the front of my 2005 tacoma if I do not buy a bull bar? I understand I can buy a big steel bumper but i do not have the desire or money to do so. Any suggestions? Very informative video btw.

Hey Tacomaholic what are the new headlights you got? They are so sweet dude

You nailed the bull bar. I have an Iron Bull bumper and I like it way better than the bull bar I used to have. I also have a set of magnum running bars but have a lift kit to compensate as well as airbag suspension which I find to be awesome.

I’m looking to replace my rear bumper on my 2006 Tacoma. What is specific name of the rear bumper you have called? I really like those and would like to that to mine!

VERY VALUABLE INFO....MUCH THANKS

I had a grill guard come on my old ranger. I learned that I never want one of those things again. I hit a pretty solid dirt wall at the edge of the mud I was in. Not only did it kill my chances of getting out of the mud hole by just being too low, it also shoved through my bumper and grill. So it basically caused more damage than I would've had if I'd taken it off.

Dang, I wanted to put on a bull bar so I can mount rally lights in the grill… I mean I don’t plan on doing any crazy off roading. Good info

Just gotta say. I have a CAI on mine. It has an air box which has effectively stopped all mud and water from getting anywhere near the filter. Ontop of that I have a water resistant filter bag ontop just in case. Also effective against dust.

That out burst was out of the norm lol 😆 but was effective to keep me interested on top of that I own 2021 TRD off-road Tacoma

What Rocksliders do you have on your Tacoma? I've got a 3rd gen but I assume whatever company makes the ones you have makes them for the 3rd gen too.

Avoid bull bars just go with a full aftermarket ranch hand bumper with front end protection bars. This way you get a beefy bumper and the bars are mounted on top on the bumper and actually provide protection. Bull bars will just bend and smash up the front end if you hit something

What you were describing as a bull bar in australia we call them nudge bars "which are not going to protect anything"

Is that bull bar decent with moving small bushes?

I agree except for the cold air intake. I've been using AFE for 20 years and still have one on my 07 FJ Cruiser. Recently, I installed one on my 2023 Tacoma TRD Off-Road and not only does it sound really good but it eliminated my throttle lag and now the truck has a great sound and starts making power at 1100 rpms.

What brand are your sliders? Where did you get them?

I had the K&N filter installed on my 2017 TRD Off Road. But here in Arizona we don't have much water off road, and if I drive through water I go slow...

Love my 4th gen 2007 4runner. We have the same motor / rad awesome racing cold air intake in the fender, we didn't have to pay K&N 1300 bucks for after market lol

What suspension / upper control arms are you running? Thanks for the vids man

I have an AFE CAI but its completely enclosed so no water can get in or anything else for that matter. They aren't cheap though.

I love your channel. Thank you for being you

Awesome man!

Is a lot of mud and gunk going to go into the fenderwell?

while I see why you wouldnt like tube steps i find them absolutely necessary for the life of my new tacoma. my wife will always appreciate steps. period. especially when I eventually get my lift

Nice video ... relevant for my 4runner

What do you think about k&n stock filters?

Skip the Bull Bar just go full on with an aftermarket steel bumper. They're a lot but worth the money way more than a Bull-bar which is better at hitting stuff if you do when you off-road.

Agree with the intake and the open hood inlet designs being bogus, but I use my bull bar to stand on when digging in the engine bay. Mine doesn't budge. They work great for knocking down brush and keeping gravel off the nose. Worth the 100$ of steel to save the 500$ plastic bumper from direct impact.

K&N cold air was one of the best mods I ever did it actually seals up to the underside of your hood and is walled off unless your really swimming in mud Ive never noticed it getting anywhere in my filter space also it sounds amazing

My front bull bar on my 2011 Tacoma saved me from ripping my front bumper off of my vehicle when I mistakenly ran up onto a stump and then backed off of it which bent the aluminum skid plate that's part of the lower Bull Bar assembly.

Got a bull on mine. I'm aware it won't take an impact. But I hit a deer a couple months back during their peak rut. One walked right out in front of me. Slammed on the breaks hit her with my bar knocked her over but saved my truck.

The bullbar you mentioned sounds like it not a bullbar but a brush guard. A bullbar mounts to the frame and if you ram something, most likely you won't have any damage. Complete different things

little off topic but does anyone know any gas-saving mods? preferably under $100. I live in California so CARB certified if that applies.

Fender flares?

You just saved me $534.99 + $99 handling fee for a brush guard. Thanks for thanks for the vid.

Real bull bars are fine. It’s the ones that don’t have actual supports that connect to the actual bumper. Those that you mentioned just get pushed in and wind up probably damaging your truck more than if you didn’t have them. A real bull bar will have support in the middle that runs in and actually connects to your steel bumper.

I think you are referring to a 'nudge bar'.. At least that is what we call them in Aus. A 'bull bar' is usually steel or alloy, and replaces the front bar entirely.. And these are made to with stand accidental hitting of wild animals and bush shrubs etc.

I think you mean nudge bar, proper bull bars will take a hit from a roo and protect your radiator and engine.

Unless its a Australian Bull Bar.

You don't get a bull bar to protect your bumper. You get a complete steel or aluminum bumper with bull bar to protect your radiator and engine from impacts from critters. Just getting a bull bar would be stupid. I use my factory 5" tube steps for detailing. It'd be awkward to stand with feet on the door sill. They're only a few inches lower than the door sill. Higher than the bottom of the frame. Might possibly crush into the bottom of the doors with a hard impact, but I'm not planning to do any rock crawling. For regular off-road they're fine. K&N intakes come with a surround that protects from splashes. Air inlet comes from the factory location but it goes into a sheet metal box. Definitely a bad idea to get an open air un-shielded cone filter.

I knew before the start of the video that the bull bar was going to be on the list, but obviously so.

Good video, but, one thing, your engine air filter, isn't in your fender well...it's right there next to your intake manifold....hopefully you've replaced that filter by now! Luck! Great rock sliders, I need a pair!

A lot of mods look good but don't actually work well. If you can see the air filter element it is not protected just common seance.

I have a off-road steel bumper that has a bullbar coming up from the bumper with a wench inside the bumper for mine

ALL, Very good points!!!!!

Found out the hard way with the bull bar. I bought one for my 1st gen, because well I’m in college and was thinking of inexpensive mods that would look good. A lady cut me off and I hit her car. Only hit her doing 15-20 mph when I threw on the breaks, but the bull bar pushed in my grill and bumper. It broke my hood latch, and cracked a radiator mount. Luckily no one was hurt, but when I got my truck back the insurance paid for a new bull bar. Took it off as soon as I got home lol. I just bought ditch light mounts for my pods, looks way better.

bullbar eg. roo catcher here in aus lol

I have a Ranch Hand grill guard on my 2014...Nothing is going to move that thing except a head on.

Valid point. Thumb up.

So in your honest opinion if I am going to off road my Tacoma a ARB bull bar is pointless? I'm just getting into this stuff so I don't know either way but based off of s previous comment, Australian bullbars are good and the ARB bull bar at least from the way is Australian.....can you please shed more light on this?

Please tell me about your tacoma. Lift size tire size, suspension.

I have the steps and intake lol but I am also supercharged ;) Also I don't hardcore off-road lol!

You should get a custom tacomaholic lisence plate

I run "nerf bars" on my '15 silverado. No problems yet off road but I am not looking to destroy my truck when going off road.

There are intake systems with boxed in filters also

They make sleeves that are water repellent for cold air intakes,they are very easy to clean, and stop all kinds of things from getting to your filter.

You made some good points but you left off the main 2-reasons why most people add all 3 of the Mods you discouraged people from buying. Looks and sound (air intake) . If you look and sound good, you feel good!!!

Just get the K&N factory filter and you are good to go. Which is not in the fender BTW, it's right next to engine cover..just unlatch the 2 clips and you are in. Good tips BTW! 👍

I put a "bull bar" on my 2015 Tacoma when it was a week old. Someone backed into it and pushed it against my bumper and now I have a nice stripe on my front bumper just like you. I tried buffing it out to no avail. If the bull bar wasn't there the person would have backed into my bumper so I guess it "helped".

I agree, alot of people get taken in by "off road" mods that are built to a price point, understanding the difference, and looks can be deceiving. If you can afford it a purpose built full bumper that increases clearance and approach angle, and that is built out of the right material is superior to the factory bumper, the "bull bar" is a step in the wrong direction. People should put the time into making informed decisions, and do a little research, and don't buy the 50$ accessories they'll cost you way more in the long run.

on the tundra tss stock running boards are very durable I've used them as sliders and they are not even dented, a bit scratched but other than that they are fine

Wife has a bull bar on her nissan. Hit a deer once and saved her from needing a new bumper. Decent for on road stuff

I agree with all these that you mention in this video. Especially the bullbar, personally I think those are just a poser thing....and CAI's are usually a scam on most modern cars, especially trucks....the only time I have every heard of anyone benefitting from a CAI are on high reving engines.

Gotta day I disagree with the bull bar, I have ARB deluxe bull bar and it provides more clearance and it replaces your factory bumper, I also got a thick proper steel skid plate. Unless you’re talking about those small dinky bars

Pls do a part 2

Had a bull bar on mine then swapped it with a hidden winch

Wondering what winch mount approach you recommend for a 2006 Tacoma? Hidden or off road bumper?

I purchased my first veichle two weeks ago, a 2012 tacoma (absolutely love it!) And I want to protect the front from deer and hogs as there are a lot that live on my road and there is always the possibility of hitting one, doesn't help that the speed limit is 55. Anyways I remember you talking about guards that replace your whole bumper and guard your grille, do you have any that you would suggest? I don't need one for off reading, just something that could take a hit from a deer or a hog and my front end still be protected. Im also thinking about getting a bed cover any suggestions there? Any input I'd appreciated, Thank you!

1:50 🤣🤣 as he says this from the mall parking lot

On the bull bar. I rear ended someone once with one. Not a scratch on my car. Dude had no trunk space afterwards.

The factory intake isn NOT a cold air intake! The filter is right against the engine. I agree with your point about the exposed style, but there’s nothing wrong with the TRD CAI or the AFE or other boxed in CAI

Bull bar = crash multiplier

At full throttle is the only time a CAI that has a bigger than stock filter has any benefit at all. At 1/4 throttle no measurable difference.

By bull car do you mean nudge bar?

You are right most of the time. You did leave off the one thing a bull bar is good for that the front of your truck is not. Deer. I do have a bull bar on mine (aluminum). Not for off roading purpose but to prevent totaling my vehicle from deer hits. I live in a highly populated deer area. They will bounce of a good bull bar. But, will about total your car or truck. I am not to the point of taking my $30,000+ vehicle off road yet, but like the information. Agree totally on the side bars. I don't have any on due to their weight presently. I do have the factory running boards on just to be able to clean the truck on top without standing in the cab. Of course I didn't pay full price. I wish some one would make the rail in metal and incorporate the push outs in an aluminum (for those that don't need a true rock slider/tree pusher) they would come in handy in parking lots (keeping those other doors from scratching your ride). Good video.