Contemplating Tacoma Fang Lights: A Tale of Tabs, Fenders, and Tough Choices

JustinDizon · 2025-08-01T05:39:19+00:00

Alright, I’ve been going back and forth on this for a while now, and I figured I’d throw it out here to see what others think. My 3rd Gen is fully built — suspension, armor, lighting, storage, all the little things dialed in just how I want it. It’s taken a lot of time and money, and honestly, I still love the truck. But now the 4th Gen is out… and it’s hard to ignore. It’s got a ton of upgrades out of the gate. More power, better tech, coil rear suspension, hybrid options… it feels like the future. But at the same time, the idea of starting from scratch is a little sickening. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far — feel free to add your two cents: Reasons I’m Thinking About Switching - Powertrain + MPG upgrades The turbo 4-cyl and hybrid options bring way more torque and better fuel economy. The old NA V6 just doesn’t keep up anymore, especially once you’ve got a full build on it. - Interior is miles ahead Big screens, better seats, better layout — it doesn’t feel like a 10-year-old truck anymore. - Rear coil suspension From what I’ve seen and driven, it rides smoother and flexes better off-road. - More modern tech 360 cameras, built-in trailer brake controller, wireless CarPlay — stuff I actually want. - It’s gonna last longer This is the new platform for the next decade. So if I want to keep a truck long-term, this might be the smarter move. Reasons I’m Hesitating - Starting over sucks I’ve already built my 3rd Gen exactly how I want it. I’ll never get all that money back, and rebuilding the same setup on a new platform = $$$ and time. - Aftermarket is still catching up Some stuff is out, but a lot of the good parts aren’t available yet — or are still being tested. - Reliability unknowns Brand-new platform + tech = possible headaches. My 3rd Gen is dialed and reliable. This one still has to prove itself. - More electronics = less DIY I like being able to wrench on my truck. The 4th Gen feels more complicated and software-heavy. - Cost to build again is wild Between inflation and new-platform pricing, I’d spend a fortune getting the 4th Gen where my 3rd Gen is today. So for other guys who have made the jump can you tell me why?

h4ngman tacoma

Member

Monday at 2:31 AM

I just got some new fang lights but haven't had the chance to put them in yet. I hear that taking out the plastic bits can be quite cumbersome, needing more than an hour to snap the tabs by moving my arm in a weird way through the fender area.

I'm worried about breaking the tabs and not sure if I should go ahead with putting them in and doing the wiring.

If the weather's okay, I'm still thinking about whether to add the lights or just wait for a bit, considering the hard work and possible risks.

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