How off-road capable is a stock TRD OR?

Hey, I've got one too! A little one though lol

 

Congrats on the new truck! Check out the suspension section here. All the info is available. The aftermarket is awesome for Tacomas but that can get overwhelming too. Just get out there and do some wheeling. Best way to figure out what you need to upgrade is by doing.

 

x2 -driver experience will get you way further than the best off road mods.

even a stock 4x4 truck and a good driver will make it farther off road than a jeep with $70k in it and a poor driver.
long story.

 

Congrats on your new truck! Like the blue on the 3rd gens.

I'd say your first order is to just take a quick excursion out with some buddies and see what all happens. This website is also an encyclopedia of knowledge (and sarcasm). Doesn't matter if you're in a KOTH Jeep or Robby Gordon's trophy truck, you ain't doing shit until you learn the vehicle. Feel free to PM me if you ever need help on specifics, such as lifts, armor, ect, but it shouldn't be needed. Plenty of info here.

Number one piece of advise. Do not skimp on tires. Nothing else touches the rock you're trying to climb up, digs into the mud you're trying to rip though, glides over the sand you're flying down, runs over the foot of that douche bag down the street on "accident". Research the shit out of exactly what you want in a tire then buy the tire that meets your needs the best.

 

Thanks man, really appreciate the advice and support! I'm definitely eager to get it on the trails, see what it's all about. I'm an avid mountain biker, so I can certainly appreciate the right tire for the right use.

 

You'd be surprised. I was shocked when I first went to rock therapy in Moab. I knew the first gens were capable but I hadn't seen much 2nd gen action. Those things were climbing around like mountain goats lol.


Ideally you'll want a lift, bigger tires, sliders, skids, front and rear bumpers. That alone with a locker and you can go just about anywhere.

 

Rear Diff, Trailer harness relocate and Mud Flap mod (either off or shortened) will cut your 4x4 costs.

 

Digging the blue!

 

Same boat as me. Mountain biking into off roading full size vehicles

 

Buy some good tires along with a matching spare. Get the tools to deflate, repair, and inflate your tires. Get a shovel, some traction boards, kinetic recovery strap, a rear hitch shackle receiver, and a couple extra shackles. A high lift jack and a lift mate would also be a good idea. That's about all you will actually need. If you do any modifications to your truck, try to keep the weight down.

 

^^^all good...
i would also add a first aid kit to the list as a #1 priority... and possibly a beach towel & blanket.

in my experience the more recovery straps the better. i about always have a good 20' and 30' high quality strap, receiver, and shackles with me and if i'm planing on true off roading i will add to the stash of straps. stress quality here. a bad strap is a deadly weapon!

the spare tire is very crucial off road as well as a decent jack; a 6.5 ton bottle jack fits in the place of the factory one and is faster, stronger, and overall easier to use IMO.
don't skimp on the spare tire!

 

It's a good thing my bday is in a couple weeks. Now I know what to tell the wife and kids to get me!

Are there brands known for their quality with recovery straps, traction boards, shackle receivers, and bottle jacks?

Is the spare tire a full size tire? Can I store a larger spare tire under the truck?

Thanks again for the great advice!

 

Honestly, I'm going to get some blow back on this, but Smittybilt is fine. If you want reliable equipment, look into a Voodoo rope and a Smittybilt shackle.

As for traction boards, I've never needed them, and they're quite expensive.. I know a lot of people here (and I mean a lot) just have them for cosmetics. I'm not by any means saying they don't work, they certainly do, but unless you live in the Florida swamps or get pounded by snow you should be fine with a strap and a buddies phone number.

Bottle jacks don't really fly off road as well. Get a hi lift. Relentless Fabrication sells some awesome bed storage mounts, I'd highly recommend looking at all their accessories. They make awesome stuff for the prices of Amazon shit. A hi lift is a "last resort" and will lead to a lot of moments you'll probably regret later, but they're good to have. I hope I never have to use mine but when I pop a bead or get stuck on a stump I have one.

Can't vouch for a larger spare on a third gen. Someone else I'm sure will chime in with that info?

 

Wheelers Off-road sells affordable, high quality recovery straps under their business brand. I have a 20ft, a 30ft, a 12 ft tree saver, and a "Wrap-it-strap". Your truck should have a full sized spare but it will be the same crappy tire as the rest of the stockers.

 

i understand some people don't like them for some reason -but in my case the bottle jack is just a all around better alternative to the original and can be used for anything you would use the original jack for and do it better... you cant use a high lift on the frame/ side stock to change a tire without heavy, $$$ sliders or much permanent body damage... i have used the bottle jack a LOT off road and really have learned to love it there.

it does not replace the hi-lift off road but it does make many chores a lot less nerve wracking.

as for snatch straps i believe ARB is rated the best and i have had really good results with erickson's 2'' straps (Amazon) in 20' and 30' -not a really well known brand but i have used them regularly with great results for a couple of years and the guys on the local oil field swear by them... shop around and talk to people for snatch strap's... everyone has a favorite and people love to talk.

i really like crosby forged shackles ... but would recommend a look at other brands for $$$ saveing.

big torrin (red) is my pick on brands for bottle jacks ... good letdown valve design & lifetime warranty!

 

Interesting, I stand corrected then! Never seen them for off road use before, figured the factory jack would be fine for changing tires on the road. I might have to look into getting one then.

 

While the factory jack is sufficient, when the truck is still factory stock, larger tires or a lift will render it nearly useless. By the time the jack extends enough for the new height, its either 1) Falls over 2) Can't get high enough or 3) Is so unstable you really don't want to be under it.

Sliders may sound expensive (I paid $600 from SOS Concepts a couple of years ago), but that was after paying $600 to fix crushed panels below my rear doors on my DCSB. Armor only sounds expensive until you find yourself in a body shop. I bang these sliders a lot, sometimes on purpose, and they still look great and no body damage. Also makes for a good highlift jack point, or a good point to put jack stands when working under the truck, or even a just a step to knock mud/snow/whatever off your shoes before getting back in.

 

That was one thing I was thinking about. It seems like it would be pretty easy to bang up the doors or the undercarriage.

 

It is soooooo easy to do that.

 

Just picked the Tacoma up from the dealership today.

You guys have given me a great list to use as I build up my off-road gear. Now I just need to figure out how to store everything in this thing. There sure isn't a lot of storage space!