Off-roading with rear wheel drive?

So I have an '04 double cab V6 Tacoma, and my friends and I really want to go off-roading in it. I would prefer not to go through really muddy and hilly trails, because after all it's rear wheel drive, and getting stuck isn't fun. I know its not really a good idea to take a RWD truck off-roading, that's why I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on relatively cheap modifications I could make for a better off-roading trip (as in, not getting stuck) and any good trails in North Carolina I could take it down. Thanks!

 

First off welcome to TW!

Check out URE National forest. I wheeled it once a few years ago and there are plenty of 2wd trails as long as it's not wet out. It's primarily clay so when it's wet its not what I would consider 2wd territory. Also the trails are rated so talk to the locals before hand to see what trails you should stick to.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/horseriding-camping/recarea/?recid=48934&actid=30

also pop into your regional threads and ask those guys. You have a good group in your region. I have meta few of them and they are stand up guys.

Oh and never wheel alone. As long as you have a 4x4 with you they can always tow you up the hills

 

Save for an ARB locker, $1k ish, a winch, and what the others have already said.

 

The best mod you can do is invest in some good tires.. You would be suprised what you can do in a 2wd with some good rubbers Still wont be able to wheel lilke a 4x4 but it definantly makes a difference, then later down the road if you have the loot, get a locker for the rear diff. I have an ARB air locker on my prerunner and have been able to keep up with 4x4s pretty good (just not completely) lol

 

Tires make a huge difference, 2WD or 4WD. I rarely have to use 4WD for the trails I do, so I'd say with a decent set of all terrain tires, you should be ok.

Also agree on never wheeling alone. Having 2 trucks, even both are 2WD puts you at a much bigger advantage in the event of something going wrong.

 

2WD and offroad all the time. With the mentioned above mods knowing when to get on the skinny pedal and let off is key to keeping you unstuck in some situations.

 

I had an '01 2wd Taco before I went 4wd, and I took it offroad a lot. I did get stuck once in nasty caliche clay (just slid off a dirt road into a ditch) & had to be pulled out by a 4x4. Mostly I just stayed off the gnarliest trails. I even took it up the rock trail out of Telluride, CO once, but only made it a few miles before I had to go back; that is a 4x4 road for sure.

 

I like to put a little weight in the bed, air down the tires, bring a shovel and dont be afraid to really give it gas when things get sketchy. Also a big come-along cable puller is alot.cheaper than a winch.

 

Off roading with a 2wd is kinda better than 4wd in 1 aspect.

If youre only 2wd and ya get stuck then it shouldnt be that hard to get another 2wd truck or even a 4x4 to ya to pull ya out. If you get stuck with a 4x4 then your options for getting pulled out are narrowed by a good bit. This is a lesson to learn. Just because ya have 4wd dont mean that you wont get stuck........ it just means you will be a hell of a lot farther from help when you DO get stuck.

 

got my truck stuck in the mud for the first time this morning. and i was alone. not a good feeling. im all stock on stock tires and i slid into a muddy ditch in the rain. i wasnt going fast or anything, but the road was sloped a good bit and i couldnt get any traction and ended up in a small ditch. luckily i had my shovel (etool) and plenty of trees around to help me put something under the tires to get traction. some new tires are definitely my top priority at the moment. i dont want to be stuck in the mud while its raining and im alone ever again!

 

done deal

 

really good tires

and chains for emergency traction...
[besides snow...on roots and mud chains help
a ton if you are stuck...and are cheap]

 

Cheaper and a shit load more dangerous. And far from a real recovery tool. If you plan on offroading, get a winch.

 

Is OP TRD (elocker)?

 

Welcome from TN! check out the NC thread and the NC/SC thread. maybe some 4x4 guys are around you and would meet up and go wheeling with you. or heck maybe some 2wd guy will go or know a good place to go! 1st get some good A/T’s! maybe get a small 12v air pump, so you can air down some than air back up one you ready to hit the road agin.

x2!! and a lot more work!!

 

In addition to what everyone else above has said, if you take enough of your buddies with you wheelin, if you get stuck put their asses to work pushing the truck to get you out. If they aren't willing to help out in this situation, then they aren't much of a friend anyway. Tell them to find their own way home after you get unstuck. After walking 10-12 or more miles back to pavement they may wish they had helped out in the first place.