Mods under $50

[anthonycds]

Whether you've got all the armor/etc. you need for your 100, wifey says no, or just don't have enough funds at the moment for bigger more serious mods, there's always 50 bucks or less to spare for something useful.

I always find myself always wanting to do something to my truck, however big or small. I've seen many of you that have done the smallest yet really useful things to your 100s and thought a thread like this would help others.

If you care to, please share your mods under $50.

To start, I always tend to have stuff laying on the 2nd row floor, mostly from my kids. I decided to mount a cargo net for overhead storage. It has worked out great and cleared out my floor.

At first I didn't know what type of net to go with, but the first one I came across turned out to be the perfect size for what I wanted, and for kicks it had an 80 series on the box it came in; perfect!

I've tightened up the net since, so it wouldn't bounce as much over bumps.

 

[jgray]

I'll play...

I put in a home made fishing rod carrying system using clothing bars and rod holder straps - total cost less than $50

The famous storage pocket by the shifter - total cost about $15

WalMart has good "amp wiring" kits with good heavy gauge wire that are hard to beat for the money; i used the premium kit that cost a little more and came with a capacitor but also have used the less expensive kit to run power to the rear of the vehicle - total cost about $50 (can see cable run in pic as well)

Installed marine grade fuse box in rear - about $30

You can get a entry level CB for under $50 (walmart has one around $30)

Spray Paint is cheap and you can do alot with paint - $4 a can

I picked up a basic brake controller on sale - about $50

 

[1loudLX]

my paintjob

 

[e9999]

free mod:
remove the crossbars on the OEM roof rack to jack up your mpg.
(been trying to convince my wife for years to do that - no dice...)

 

[bamachem]

(1) Used Bungee Cord (Plastic Hook so it can't bite ya) - Free ($2 when new)
(1) Plastic Storage Box - $4

Keeping all that "junk" (tow strap, ratchet straps, hitch w/ ball, pliers, screw drivers, 10mm/12mm/14mm/15mm wrenches, assorted fuses, emergency glow sticks, flashlight, electrical tape, etc) from cluttering up the cargo area...
Not quite priceless, but pretty damn nice - especially for the money.

Move the front-most roof rack bar back at least 18" from the rear of the sunroof to reduce wind noise - Free (use your hands - no tools - takes 1-min).



Crank the Torsion Bars so that the truck has 1/2" or less of rake, eliminating the stinkbug stance - Free (w/ a large socket and cheater bar + 10-min of your time).



Remove the Running Boards for an instant 3" ground clearance gain on break-over - Free (w/ a 12mm or 14mm socket set and 10-min of your time).



On a 1998-2005 UZJ, cutting a 4" hole in the front of the airbox and installing a $10 deck plate from a boat supply store to get more air to the engine and get what seems like more power and a smoother power band isn't a bad "cheap" mod either.

 

[FullyLitLED]

Paint the grille black, takes about an hour Do the change pocket mod

 

[bamachem]

my paintjob

I've always wondered about the story on that. Lemme guess... Testors Clear in Matte?

 

[petrotk40]

free mod:
remove the crossbars on the OEM roof rack to jack up your mpg.
(been trying to convince my wife for years to do that - no dice...)

are you yanking our chains?

 

[petrotk40]

remove gold badges, paint black, reinstall

 

[1loudLX]

I've always wondered about the story on that. Lemme guess... Testors Clear in Matte?

Spies Hecker matte clear actually

 

[badlander]

$10 Front Mud Flaps

After I removed my running boards in prep. for mounting my sliders I ended up taking a road trip and when I got back I found my pristine, virgin rocker panels covered in all kinds of crap that would not wash off any way, any how. I'm talking about paint, gooey tar, gum, you name it. It was on there for good.
So, I figured until I get the sliders on I may as well do something to help keep the carnage down. Hence the mud flaps.
I got these at Auto Zone. I think they were even UNDER $10.00.
I trimmed them a little and cut a relief hole in the lower center area for them to fit nice and flat.
Easy install, and it ended the goop on the rocker problem.
If they get torn off, no problem. Just another trip to Auto Zone and $10.

 

[2000UZJ]

After I removed my running boards in prep. for mounting my sliders I ended up taking a road trip and when I got back I found my pristine, virgin rocker panels covered in all kinds of crap that would not wash off any way, any how. I'm talking about paint, gooey tar, gum, you name it. It was on there for good.
So, I figured until I get the sliders on I may as well do something to help keep the carnage down. Hence the mud flaps.
I got these at Auto Zone. I think they were even UNDER $10.00.
I trimmed them a little and cut a relief hole in the lower center area for them to fit nice and flat.
Easy install, and it ended the goop on the rocker problem.
If they get torn off, no problem. Just another trip to Auto Zone and $10.

for those who care about it, they look like they would work with sliders

 

[badlander]

Yep, They work with sliders!

Pics of $10 mud flaps after mounting sliders.

 

[5Cruiser]

Moved seat warmer switches here ($0.00):

Installed $1.25 cup holder from a boat store in their place:

This is what I call my "3rd Cup Mod" Allows for my wife and I to each have a drink, and a water bottle to share.

 

[farinvail]

Sorry, but that ^ looks awful.

 

[bamabrock]

x2. Does he not have cupholders on teh back of the center console?

 

[bamabrock]

After I removed my running boards in prep. for mounting my sliders I ended up taking a road trip and when I got back I found my pristine, virgin rocker panels covered in all kinds of **** that would not wash off any way, any how. I'm talking about paint, gooey tar, gum, you name it. It was on there for good.
So, I figured until I get the sliders on I may as well do something to help keep the carnage down. Hence the mud flaps.
I got these at Auto Zone. I think they were even UNDER $10.00.
I trimmed them a little and cut a relief hole in the lower center area for them to fit nice and flat.
Easy install, and it ended the goop on the rocker problem.
If they get torn off, no problem. Just another trip to Auto Zone and $10.

Do those have a part # on the front of the package? I don't see them on the website.
Splash Guard | AutoZone.com

 

[Skolfoppa]

As far as the cheap mods go I will add the coin/phone/ipod/wallet drop pocket. For $12 you can't go wrong.

Another cheap upgrade/mod was finding a rear wiper that actually worked properly. The Rain-X wiper blade has done what several others could not... keep the rear window clear of debris. Skol.

 

[Jamomac]

Where do you guys get that pocket at anyway...Anyone have a link?

 

[MidTex]

Just do a search for the part number and take it to your local Yota dealer.