1st gen must have mods

KonaBorne, What kind of lift are you running now? and what caused your AAL's to break?

 

Nice truck. Since it is your daily driver…unless you are working and have money to burn, I would do basic maintenance and not much more.

Do you want to play for 20 years and work for 60 years? Or work for 20 and play for 60?

 

If you want to offroad on a budget...get good tires. 31s. Save your money for good coilovers $600-1000. Don't cheap out like the rest of us did and learn the hard way. If you are going to keep the truck for awhile, Invest in good equipment.

P.s. you have a 2.7 with most likely 4.10 gears and manual hubs. My advice...save money for gas. Tacos are great offroad stock form.

 

I would say save up for a 6 inch lift. one with a 6 inch drop bracket, in that way you can get an extra 3 with just a shackle or taller leafs in the rear and crank the coilovers up to get the extra 3. You would definately fit 33. I have 15x14 on 33's and they fit nice and look awesome. For mods deckplate is a good start, maybe a better exhaust too.

 

^

 

if you want to cheap out i have some spacers for sale....

 

Haha one of the hardest things I had to do. I guess minimum wage and classic cars don't go together. Honestly I wish I still had it but now I have an excuse to get another or a 57 Bel air or a 68 maro

 

I'm thinking bilstein 5100's all the way around with eibach coils on the front and a new leaf pack in the rear. It's a little more expensive than a spacer lift but i feel like it'll be worth it

 

Best mod I ever did to mine was get a gf to ride with Put a canopy on the back and PRESTO, anytime, anywhere. Makes long drives fun

 

Regear, 33s, sliders, bumpers, skids, lockers, and a lift should be the must have mods Save your money, don't cheap out on your susp, and you can run 15s if you want, depending on your area you can pick up some cheap m/t's. Billys will be just fine, ultimate would be a full ome kit.

 

Good choice if you've got the money! I would've done that if i had more money, but since i wanted to save for other mods i just went with spacers for a temporary lift.

 

where in nc

 

33's without a regear will suck I tried 33's with my 2.7 and I have 4.30's slug like performance around town 265/75/16 (32ish" tall) is what I'm running now got good mileage on the highway and I didn't need the 1.5" lift

 

I had a lift and 33" BFG KO on my 98 4 cylinder and it was very sluggish. I have since sold the 98 and picked up an 02 DC with a 3.4. I am running Duratracs in 265/75 and couldn't be happier. Great all around tire size for the 1st Gen Tacomas.

* Note: MPG dropped by 2 MPG if you are concerned.

 

Dobson. It's close to mount airy, in surry county

 

How much does it cost to regear? and how do you go about doing it

 

I regeared my 97 2.7l from 3.58s to 4.88s i have only done the rear so far it cost me about 700 with shipping from east coast gear, still saving for the front diff.

 

Really depends, gears are gonna run I think around 400 frt & rr then you'll need install kit that'll prob run another 200. If you can install yourself or have a buddy with all the tools that'll be all the cost except for beer, gear oil, etc. if you have somebody install the cost will vary. I know some shops run specials if you buy everything through them. East coast gear is prob your best bet if you can't do it yourself.

Note: those prices are prob a lil off haven't looked at gear prices in a while.

 

I would say to just get quality tires, do all necessary maintenance and ride it stock. That truck is plenty capable the way it is. Some recovery gear wouldn't hurt. Have a fund to keep it on the road instead of sinking a ton of loot into it and not being able to drive it if something breaks. Either way, take lots of pics and keep us in the loop.

 

Ya Im running 33s getting 14.3 MPG on a good day. Yes 2.7 L.... dunno know why its so bad, probably my gears... Pretty much in the IDGAF zone running those things.... Not sure if it fits into a 15 year old's budget. Id roll with 31s and MAYBE consider a 3 inch lift when he saves up the dough.
Take his advise and do your research. You don't have the cash at this point in your life to be blowing it on stupid stuff..... oh and hes probably right about the 33s.....good luck