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Making a TRD Sport into an OFF Road

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by geoff325, Mar 3, 2017.

  1. Mar 3, 2017 at 7:25 PM
    #1
    geoff325

    geoff325 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I bought my TRD Sport a few months ago and I love it. I am currently living in the middle of Kansas and don't really go off-road much. I drive a lot of highway miles, so the Sport fitted my needs at the time of purchase. I am possibly going to be moving to semi-rural Nevada, close to Tahoe. I expect my lifestyle to change significantly, spending a lot of time outdoors. I can't see myself doing anything too extreme, but I want to be able to get where ever I need to in sand/rocks/snow. I understand I can't make up for lack of crawl control, but what is a reasonable way to make the truck more comfortable and functional to drive off road? I currently just have the stock 17 inch wheels/tires. I would assume that some AT tires is a start. I am going for function, not asthetics. Any help is appreciated
     
    growyourmind86 likes this.
  2. Mar 3, 2017 at 7:26 PM
    #2
    smitty99

    smitty99 I also bought a 4Runner

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    You're gonna need that crawl control and rear locker! Better trade her in ;)
     
  3. Mar 3, 2017 at 7:26 PM
    #3
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    Start by simply going offroad stock with a group or some friends. You'll see what tires work for your area and where your truck falls flat.

    I found that Duratracs did well in my region by offroading with a group of tacomas!
     
  4. Mar 3, 2017 at 7:30 PM
    #4
    GPsevinSixx

    GPsevinSixx Well-Known Member

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    OP, do a search for user threads started by @avitaco and save yourself the ribbing and flaming.
     
  5. Mar 3, 2017 at 7:36 PM
    #5
    smitty99

    smitty99 I also bought a 4Runner

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    I've seen guys do some pretty hellacious 4 wheeling on bald tires. I'd drive what you have until you figure out they won't work for some reason. See what others are using in the area, along the lines of what Bishop said above. If your truck is a 4x4, you're off to a good start.
     
  6. Mar 3, 2017 at 7:49 PM
    #6
    gainman

    gainman Semper Fi

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    Stuff
    The truck is very capable in stock form, even as a sport. Take it out and enjoy it. If you find an area that it is lacking in then upgrade that area
     
  7. Mar 3, 2017 at 7:50 PM
    #7
    the_dau

    the_dau Well-Known Member

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    step one: buy an off road

    all jokes aside, and what other members have said, find the limits of your tires and move from there. Suspension and other mods don't matter when you have inadequate tires. My friend and I took our trucks up a mountain a couple of weeks ago. 5km in and we were in about a foot of slush. I had no problems with my ko2's, but he started having trouble very quickly with the stock goodyears
     
    ORTRDSPT and shakerhood like this.
  8. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:19 PM
    #8
    avitaco

    avitaco Well-Known Member

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    yeah dont do like me... I asked a few questions thinking I would get some feed back and got blasted by some short bald fat kid who plays too many video games and has been laid like 3 times if you count cousins.



    But I did the same thing as you. I bought the sport and here is some feed back on upgrades... Once you do one thing... youre gonna do more. I started with tires and I would look at ko2's or nitto grapplers. both are excellent and will give you plenty of traction.

    I didnt like my suspension so I upgraded and you can get a set of the OR shocks for like 200 buck off of someone here or you can go with the 5100's from bilstein for around 300-400 I believe. beyond that you can spend a fortune if you want, getting into some really great setups.

    I bought my truck in sept of last year. I have 12k miles on it already from tons of trips. I have been in the mud and snow and desert with the ko2's and they are solid. A little lacking in deep snow and deep mud.. (which is why I want locker and I want 285's now) I have been Nevada with the 265's and I think youll do fine with any choice. Just read some posts. Find things you like. research different options in that thing and start making your truck into what you want.
     
  9. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:21 PM
    #9
    smitty99

    smitty99 I also bought a 4Runner

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    See this here. I like this. Members helping members.

     
  10. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:22 PM
    #10
    ZachMX

    ZachMX Well-Known Member

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    OP you don't need an off road to off road man. The sport is just as capable as the off-road. You don't really need a rear locker or crawl control, chances are you would rarely use either anyways. Buy some good off road tires, then armor, then go from there.
     
  11. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:22 PM
    #11
    avitaco

    avitaco Well-Known Member

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    Sharing is caring
     
    smitty99[QUOTED] and GPsevinSixx like this.
  12. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:23 PM
    #12
    GPsevinSixx

    GPsevinSixx Well-Known Member

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    You even found the short bald kid! I like the cousin on the right.
     
    WSC, boynoyce, 0210 and 2 others like this.
  13. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:25 PM
    #13
    ORTRDSPT

    ORTRDSPT Taco Grande

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    Tires: one size up from stock - 31" - 265/70R17 BFG All Terrains. All Pro Offroad Lola Fox shocks suspension kit. Front has 2.25" lift from AP upper control arms and Fox 2.5 coil-overs. Rear has 1.5" of lift from 3 add-leafs and 2.0 Fox's. Deleting rear overload leaf makes for much nicer ride, with near empty truck. Aluminum skid plate is next, RCI looks like the best.
    I have the 09 TRD Sport with the BFG ko2, it does really well. I've had it in soft sand, ice, snow, slush, rocky shelves, gravel, street and highway. No complaints, heard they rarely get flats. I have the 70R17 so it's taller than stock but no rubbing at stock height. I haven't seemed to need it but a real locking rear axle would be the only upgrade I'd consider, probably just get an air locker, if I get a camper I'll probably get air suspension so I'll need a compressor anyway.
     
    NickleCityTaco, avitaco and smitty99 like this.
  14. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:30 PM
    #14
    avitaco

    avitaco Well-Known Member

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    Maybe he just wanted a hug
     
    smitty99 likes this.
  15. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:33 PM
    #15
    CZ5ANM Taco

    CZ5ANM Taco Well-Known Member

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    Front Suspension King Ext Fronts 700# Icon UCA delta joints JD fab spindle gussets All Pro cam tabs DuroBumps Warfab steering sleeves Rear Suspension Old Man Emu leafs -Radflo Ext travel rears Timbrens ubolt flip kit SCS stealth 6 Wheels 35x11.5 Maxxis Razr [ 34.5 x 9.75 on 8.5 rim not on truck] Heavy Stuff Relentless front bumper Smitty 3rd Gen winch Big County Customs skid plates Arc One industries rear HC bumper RCI sliders Misc Arb dual compressor Arb rear locker Pelfreybilt fuse panel tray Cali raised ditch light mounts Cali raised bed stiffeners 5th Gen 4runner LED fog lights Racks Retraxone XR tonneau Yakima load bars Sherpa Roof Rack Camping Smittybilt Tent Dometic CFX50 fridge
    IMG_9740.jpg

    Booooom! $15 bucks later you got yourself a TRD off-road!

    And for the Rough stuff

    IMG_9741.jpg



    Haha don't mind me too much. Been drinking for a while now.
     
  16. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:36 PM
    #16
    GPsevinSixx

    GPsevinSixx Well-Known Member

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  17. Mar 3, 2017 at 8:59 PM
    #17
    Shroom4x4

    Shroom4x4 Active Member

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    I drove my bone stock 16 TRD Sport thru a foot of snow on a dirt road, uphill in the mountains the other day and it didn't miss a beat. I'm impressed with it's ability in stock form already. I wouldn't pay all the extra just for the locker. Get it later if you need it.

    Get a manual! :D
     
  18. Mar 3, 2017 at 9:04 PM
    #18
    medic2230

    medic2230 @Koditten Pirate Radio member #002

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    Your brain and experience can make up for crawl control quite easily. You don't need all that shit. For what it sounds like you want to do get a decent set of tire and maybe a lift. Go out and have fun. You'll learn what you need by getting out there and doing it. Find a group to go with and have fun. Don't sweat all the mods yet.
     
    ToyodaYoda and Spare Parts like this.
  19. Mar 3, 2017 at 9:05 PM
    #19
    medic2230

    medic2230 @Koditten Pirate Radio member #002

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    What the hell is all this hugging crap? There's no hugging on offroading.



    Well, maybe there is if you're running Kbro's. :stirthepot:
     
  20. Mar 3, 2017 at 9:08 PM
    #20
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    You're off-roading wrong then
     
    avitaco likes this.

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