Very hesitant about doing some LIGHT wheeling,is it ok?What are some do's & do not's?

Ive got a 2012 Toyota Tacoma DCSB 6 speed manual 4x4... And I've been asked numerous times to do some wheeling ... But I'm very hesitant mostly because I'm a novice off roader and that truck is brand new with 4200 miles on it... I mean... It's got bilstein 5100's all the way around and a decent set of tires... But I really don't know what to do.. What parts does wheeling put extra stress on?? And btw I'm only looking to do some /light/ wheeling... And what are some do's and don't 's of wheeling... Thanks .. Sorry for all the newbie questions...

 

air down your tires
carry tools for your truck
carry a spare tire
trust yourself. If you are not comfortable with it. don't do it. Its yours
fill up with gas
make sure all fluids are topped off.
bring tow straps.
Go with 2 vehicles since you don't have a winch.
Tell someone at home where you are going, and what time to expect you home. (just in case something bad happens they will come look for you)
bring lots of water and enough food.
engage 4wd all the time while OR
remember where your oil pan is.
watch your approach/ decent angles. The front tends to get hung up easily if you have no lift.



I have always lived by this rule : if you cannot afford to break it, Play nice with it.

 

go slow.

slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
not rambling all over the place tends to preserve parts

watch where you're going, and use a spotter if you need to
choose lines up obstacles that give your truck the most traction and take your trucks clearance into account

if you just start with really light trails, you shouldnt have much to worry about, just go slow

 

do. i do light wheeling all the time. if you are not comfortable don’t go any farther. airing down is good if you can air back up when you hit the road agin. i don’t all ways air down. i’m all stock except tires. i do fire/haul roads every other week or so.

 

As others have stated, trust yourself and your instincts. If it looks too difficult, and you don't feel comfortable, then don't do it. Attempting to do something you're not comfortable with can lead to dire situations, especially if you're new to off-roading. Other than that, if you're only doing light wheeling you don't have much to worry about! Just take it slow. When people use too much skinny pedal, well that's when stuff breaks.

 

^ All good advice ^
Try to follow someone with an equally equipped AC or DCSB (same wheelbase) with experience.

 

and remember to throw it into N before L4

 

Interesting question and great info from the group. Just bought this one so haven't really had it out yet due to time. It took me awhile with my last taco, but eventually realized there was no reason to have the truck if I didn't play with it a little (especially with a 4x4). It's a lot of invested money so be comfortable with what you do. No need to climb like you see on tv your first time out.

 

Haha sounds great guys, i really appreciate the feedback and will keep all of your advice in mine and i deff dont want to ge beyond my limitations thank you all again very much

 

Avoid deep mud and water until the warranty is up.........

I sold my beater (93 YJ) so its fire roads and snow for me for the next few years

Have fun!

 

buy another pos for trail duty...

because if you use the one you have...

it will become a pos

 

Lot of good info here.

 

This to the max!!

 

DOnt be nanny push the skinny pedal.

 

No one mentioned insurance yet ? Keep full coverage, that's for sure, or buy a full cage.

 

If you're constantly staying on the brakes, use 4Lo. That plus putting the transmission in first / low 1 will give you a ton of engine braking and keep you from wearing out your brakes.

 

don't overestimate your ability, or lack thereof.

 

yea but brakes are alot cheaper than transmission parts.

 

Any good trails in Edison?? Lol lets go!!

 

^ i was considering this actually.. but im saving for a project car atm so idk if i should just hold off on hitting the trails just yet... i may possible get a cheap running fix er upper Land rover discovery 1 for just trails in an automatic.. idk how good stick shift is off road.