Off Roading with 2wd?

Recently I picked up a 03 Tacoma and I'm completely hooked. I was looking for practicality when I bought it but now I have two regrets: 1) it doesn't have 4 wheel drive 2) its a 4 banger. For daily driving she is great but I'm interested in experimenting with trail rides and I'm concerned that I will get stuck. The precautions that I'm considering are:

Rear differential lock

Bull bar with winch on front

All terrain tires

New coils -(I'm concerned that the stock suspension will get trashed - its not exactly smooth over the bumps. I really like the ride height and wouldn't really consider lifting more than 1". What are my best options for a smoother and stronger suspenion?)

Which of these should be first on my list? Am I missing anything?

 

Maybe he meant the ARB?

OP, just stock up on recovery equipment and never wheel without a 4x4 with you. A locker will help a lot too.

 

As was stated previously, a locker and a buddy with a 4x4 / recovery gear is highly recommended... Even for those of us with 4wd.

 

Shit, SAS and a winch and you're golden

 

IMO...a 2wd w/ a locker and a winch is better than a 4wd without a locker and a winch. At least you can self recover. And don't go out alone, there isn't always something to winch off of.

Even just with a locker you are pretty capable offroad. And go with a nice aggressive A/T like a Goodyear duratrac or BGF T/A KO's

Good luck!

 

2wd you can go offroading but their are some places where you NEED 4wd, so depends on what kind of wheeling your going to do

 

If your just trail riding, like old logging roads or something, then you should be fine 90% of the time.if you hit mud with a good running go then you'll make it, I always mud in 2wd because its funner but if you plan to climb then you won't be as well of but a locker will help a ton anda winch will definitely help and aggresive tires make a huge difference.

 

speak to burgman he is the master of 2wd 4 wheelin

 

LOL this OP!!! Make sure you take a shit first

 

I have a buddy who wheels his 2wd ranger all the time. Makes it almost anywhere he trys to go. We took it out last month to little naches about 40 miles west of spokane and only got stuck once. Guy said he would pull him out of the puddle when he got stuck so he decided to try it other wise he wouldnt have gotten stuck. All he has is a 3 inch body lift to fit bigger tires. Get some gear for your truck like everyone else is saying and you should be fine. Just know your limits but dont be afraid to try something.

 

Quality all terrain tires will make a world of difference, and you better have a winch.

 

thats pretty stuck...lol

 

ya it took a couple hours to get him out. He didnt make it very far before he got stuck and on the first try to get him out we broke the wire on a 6000 pound come-along and a tow strap. Heres a couple more pics of us trying to get him out. The toyota in the pic didnt have a winch so after many attempts we had to find the guy with the wrangler to winch him through it.

This is how far he really made it before he high centered.


This is where we broke the tow strap


this is when we broke the come-along


This was where he high centered the frame. You can see pieces of the tow strap still tied to the bumper.

 

Skinny Pedal!!!

 

Know your limits.

 

Great advice, fellas.

 

Air pressure in the tires has a huge affect on traction (over rocks) and floatation (in sand). If you get stuck, take out more air!

 

I had never really wheeled my truck at any level that really pushed its limits before this past monday. I must say I was very impressed with some of the stuff I was able to get up and through. I am lifted (just from stock 5 lug height, it's roughly at the same height as a stock 4X4) but open diff and A/T tires. Just get out there and wheel it and decide what mods will best suit you.

 

like everyone else said their already capable as it is but some goodies never hurt anybody. mine surprises the shit outa me every time i go out.

 

LOCKER makes a huge difference