Socal Off Road trails??

Thanks thats what I want to do. I got the off road 4x4 package so hopefully that counts for a little something haha. Thank for the advice

 

Thanks and nice truck the projector headlights go great with the red

 

Congrats on the new truck !

 

Cory, Welcome! I am with you on being curious about offloading trails for newbies here in SoCal. I live in Ventura County and have recently bought a 2015 TRD Sport 4X4 and would like some good fun safe trails and places to check out. I plan to keep my setup stock as my wife is short and has some physical limitations that make getting into my truck hard enough as it is. Eventually I will likely get more aggressive tires and maybe new wheels but I doubt I will ever lift it. I bought 4X4 so I could go hunting and worry about getting stuck...

Any suggestions for improvements and locations greatly appreciated here as well!

 

I sold them working on a new set of projectors

 

I sit lower than your truck now and go everywhere. Decent tires, shocks and some protection go along way. The height helps for ground clearance and for bigger tires. The bigger tires help in some cases but most of the time stock size works. I rocked a 2wd with 205/75 15s for 2 seasons.

 

That ks everyone for the help and tips. If anyone is down to go with me one day show me the ropes lol. I'm trying to go asap

 

Let me know when you go I haven't gone out to a trail either and also looking for a beginner trail

 

Thanks Gary! Do the stock Bilstein shocks need to be replaced? What is a good replacement? I have been looking for some replacement tires as they come available. What kind of protection do you mean? Thanks!

 

Probably means rock sliders and/or skid plates

 

Thanks Ryan. I thought the stock skid plates would be sufficient along with the nerf bars/ Steps I put on. If I need to consider other changes please share your advice.

 

Yeah Jared I'm %100 stock right now so I'm down for trailing that's easy but fun I'll let you know what I do with the truck but yeah 1st on my list is prolly lift kit, skid plate, sliders, avid light bar, then a pack rack for the bed to eventually get a tent for camping for now haha

 

All depends on what trails you go on. I built my own sliders and they've helped on some trails for sure. Problem with the nerf bars is that they are more meant for steps and the walls of the tubing isn't thick so if you hit something hard enough you'll crush them. And you can go as far as IFS skid, gas tank skid, LCA skids, rear diff skid, etc.... Just depends on trail difficulty. You probably wouldn't need some of this stuff on easier trails but rock sliders are certainly a great thing to have. Kinda just depends on how far you plan to push your truck.

 

Hit me up if you want a pair of sliders built up and/or a bed rack. Unless you'd like to buy from a more reputable brand. Don't want to take business from these awesome vendors but just figured I'd throw it out there since I'm close to you and you wouldn't have to pay shipping for your stuff.

 

^ What he said! Do yourself, and your truck, a favor and put rock sliders on before you go on the trail, even easy ones. Rocker damage is expensive to repair! (Just hit mine on my new Taco) and it was on a very easy trail/road.

When I lived in socal my favorite places were Calico, not really beginner friendly, but some easy to moderate trails. Some great stuff up by Big Bear. Ocotillo Wells/Borego Springs area is a blast, a little bit of everything. I agree with the above, Mojave Road is a great weekend trip, go to Needles on a Friday night, get a cheap room at the Casino and then take Saturday/Sunday to get back to Barstow/I-15 through the Desert, lots to explore, and stock truck friendly. Very remote, so be prepared.

 

Sliders and other skids was the protection I meant. Someone on 35s can clear the dirt hill with clearance, but the guy 32s can just slide over. With smaller tires you are more prone to drag, rub dirt or rocks, ETC. As far as any aftermarket parts, you only NEED what satisfies your preference. If you take your truck out and it does just fine but spins a lot then different tires is your mod, if you drag all the time you need a lift or sliders, if the ride is harsh when you go fast then you need different shocks for higher speed, etc. With as many trucks like yours around you can just ride in everyone else's and find what you like and don't like then copy there build.

 

Thanks for all the advice! Between the $30,000+ I just paid for the truck and $2,000 or more in things I put on already I don't think my budget or my wife's patience will handle much more right now. I only planned light to moderate trails to hunt and maybe some remote camping. I will see about trying some of the places mentioned and see what I can learn from others with similar truck and different set ups. Thanks again! I am always on the look out for a good set of 17" take offs if anyone finds some please let me know.

 

Try Azusa canyons...not much of a trail but plenty of obstacles. This one you can go alone. Plenty of people that are more than capable of pulling you out. I've been looking into doing some trails @ big bear. I did one trail in big bear ( more like a fire road) that was easy.

 

Love that idea Ryan. I'm very interested in slider. Your look good man. Love the build like I've said before. Couple questions. Price ?? Lol are the sliders bolt on or weld ? And do you paint them? I'm really new to this haha

 

^^ I have seen Ryan's work, he made some really nice sliders and a bed rack for his truck; they look good and get the job done! I'll be hitting him up for sliders myself...
cb cb cb cb cb time, ryan,,hahaha

here is a pic of Ryan's sliders and rack