New TW Member - Lurker Extraordinaire and Future Tacoma Owner

Hey guys, my name is Alex and I've been a lurker on TW for something like 6 months now.

Long story short, I have a sedan and I'm looking to get back into a truck this summer. Used to have a '96 Chevy S10 V6 and I loved it so I'm pretty deadset on a light truck like a Tacoma.


I'm a semi-decent amateur mechanic as far as maintenance and minor repairs are concerned (wheel bearings, CVs, minor underbody stuff, brakes, etc.). I worked for a certain Japanese OEM as a mechanical engineer for a few years, so I have a pretty solid understanding of how things work and go together even if I haven't taken them apart myself.

With that said, I'm a car forum virgin (up until now) and a mod virgin. However, I've been trying to soak up as much knowledge and know how from the community as I can before purchasing a Tacoma this summer (probably 2nd gen.)

Wondering if there are any great beginner resources for a Tacoma/mod/'wheelin newbie such as myself that you guys can recommend. Looking at doing a lift, new suspension, bumpers, skids, armor, etc. to get the ball rolling, but I'm not sure where to start in terms of determining what I want in one product over another, what would best fit my needs, etc.

I spend alot of time playing in the mountains and I would like a vehicle that can do the same, I would also like to build it myself. Any help, pointers, links, or general knowledge you can drop on me would be great.

-Alex

 

My advice is to plan out your end goal and then get the components you need to get you there. In other words, if you just take a stab at it without a plan you might have to buy the same type item twice. For example: let's say you buy some new all terrain tires, then later you get a suspension lift, you may realize that the tires you just got look too small for that lift and you need to now buy bigger ones. Do what you are already doing and spend some time researching what fits your needs and then you can make a plan.

Good luck and welcome!!

 

@Over da Hill Thanks! You've got a great looking truck, I'll be reading your build thread to hopefully get some inspiration of my own.

But yeah, that's the hopeful end goal, I'd like to buy once, cry once. I guess at this point, I've got even more general questions.

Is there any advantage over a 1st vs 2nd gen vs 3rd gen in terms of off road capability? How much clearance is enough to be functional/when does it just become for show? etc. etc. What mods are critical for cutting my teeth on mountain roads and trails vs. what ones are just nice to have, etc.

I think I have a solid idea of where to look on TW when I'm ready to start making changes, but determining what changes to make is the stage that I'm stuck at, and maybe that will just come with time and more personal research etc. Wasn't sure if there was a 'wheelin/mods for dummies resource that might be good to check out. Although I feel like TW is a great place to start. Either way, thanks for the welcome!

 

I had a 1st and 2nd Gen, I liked how narrow the 1st gens are. They seem to get through tight spots better. 2nd gens have a few more bells and whistles like A-track, hill assist, etc. if you get the TRD off road, but are a bit wider (this could be good or bad depending on the situation). Don't know much about 3rd gens, but I don't think they are that much different for off road purposes with the 2nd gens, except the "stuck in sand...escape feature".

You can do most mountain trails with a stock 2x4, 4x4 is definitely a plus and I been using mine fairly often lately.
If you pick your lines right additional clearance isn't much of an issue. Lift height and clearance are different. You gain clearance with bigger tires (your differential being the low point). If you go too big on tires you will have to do some cutting and maybe some substantial suspension mods and maybe re-gearing. 33's are about as big as you can go without trimming and still using afordable bolt-on parts. You probably need about a 2 inch lift for the 33's to fit without rubbing (much).

Out of all the mods available for increased function off road, I'd have to say the number 1 item would be a good set of tires.

The rest is all about your budget.

Have someone your trust hold your wallet for you...can't say I didn't warn you!

 

This may help as well.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-lift-faq-guide-read-this.11282/

 

@Over da Hill I appreciate the insight. I've done some limited offroading with some friends in wranglers (possible grounds for banning around here, from what I can tell).... So I had already decided on 4x4, and I guess just something about a V6 seems right to me (one 4 banger in the garage is enough for me). But I'll take a look at width and try to understand what would fit my needs better.

I do understand the basics of clearance height vs lift height, although I may have worded that poorly... I also understand that bigger tires = more clearance and bigger tires = lift needed to keep from rubbing. Good to know that affordable bolt-on parts tend to end around 33s though. Budget is a little more flexible as a single guy w/o kids, but there seems to be a rabbit hole effect that I might want to steer clear of... I had already assumed that I would do shocks, tires, and wheels so I'm prepared for that, but good to know where I can save a little. I'll start with that thread you posted though, thanks for the link.

I'll start working on the eulogy for my wallet now...

 

Did I smell... a....heep wrangler.....

WELCOME!

 

I would highly recommend purchasing the offroad version of whatever generation you go with. Having the rear locker is a big plus when going off the beaten path. Always nice to know its there if you need it.

 

^^^x2

 

Rear locker is a big plus period!

 

You have lots of TW resources in CO.

As someone else said, figure out your end point, first.

And do NOT compromise on suspension or tires.

 

@916TacoTruck @dmccurdy7 @ODNAREM
TW has spoken, rear locker it is! I guess I didn't realize that was only on the off road version.

Seems like the more questions I ask, the more I have haha. I started with a thread about rear lockers and ended up deep in another thread about FJ transfer cases and dual sticks before I came up for air. No wonder everyone around here seems to be broke haha.

@killintime I knew I was on trouble as soon as I typed that.
@SC2SC I figured that would be my main focus. Just trying to wrap my head around all of my options first. Thanks for the advice.

 

@Over da Hill I read through the lift kit thread.... Finally feel like I can talk about lifts without shoving my foot in my mouth. Thanks again, that was a really great starting point.

From what I've gleaned, 1) body lifts are the devil on a taco. 2) I'd be stupid to mess with my highly engineered factory suspension with some sort of cut rate few hundred dollar coil over kit and RR spacers. 3) If I'm going to do it right (and I'd like to) I should really consider icons, Fox, king, and ole man emu.

One question regarding TRD off road though, is it worth the extra money to buy that edition or do most people around here like to buy a standard 4x4 and add their own lockers? Not necessarily directed at you over da hill, just throwing it out there.

 

1,2,&3 all true...

As for your question on TRD OR, depending on what generation taco you go with the TRD OR package comes with a few things other than just the rear electric locking diff. For example gen 2 TRD OR got options for Down-Hill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), A-Trac, A/C plug inverter in the bed, a smaller diameter roll bar to allow for more articulation, and a front tow hook (plus some skids).

I don't remember what what came with gen 1 TRD OR, I think it was mostly the rear diff locker.

I think Gen 3 has all the stuff of Gen 2 plus more electronic bells and whistles.

If you are going to go aftermarket lockers consider air lockers. Although I don't have them, the air lockers are great. It's my understanding that they engage super fast compared to electric lockers. This is helpful if you are stuck and with an electric locker would need tire rotation to lock up. The air lockers just pop in with less need or no need for tire rotation. In addition the air lockers are usually more robust that the factory lockers so you can put them through more stress. Of course, you will need to add an air compressor system to operate them.

These are all the benefits and drawbacks I can think of for purchasing an Off Road vs. just getting an SR5 and adding locker(s).

Hope that helps! Let us know what you decide...