Just how capable is my tacoma

hey all!
So I’m in a bit of a dilemma let’s call it and had some questions.

I come from an Offroad background and have had everything from an 86 4runner (first truck) to a fully built XJ, to Long travel trucks.

I can’t ever leave my vehicles alone and off-roading is a huge part of my weekend relaxation.

Currently I’m in a dilemma between buying another caged desert toy (83 Toyota) or building my 2013 TRD sport into an off-road/camping toy.

I guess my question is. How capable are these Toyota’s for all around play. If i build the Tacoma i obviously want to have the option of 4x4 play in the rocks rather than just winter desert season.

I really need tires and I’m pretty much between buying street cheap tires to tow a new desert truck around (more of a 3k desert beater) or putting a few grand into my Tacoma and making it something that’s good for a little bit of everything.


Cause it seems like the wheels and tires i want, and a good upper arm suspension combo I’m looking at around 5k ish. Just looking for opinion and how much wheeling you guys do with maybe a not crazy built Tacoma.

 

It's just as capable as any 4x4 of similar wheelbase and ground clearance. Was your 4runner stock? It's probably reasonably similar to that, maybe a little less because it's longer.

I believe that most stock 4x4s are more capable than most people give them credit for and certainly more capable than most of the people driving them.

The hardest trail I ever took when my Tacoma was stock was Shuteye Peak in Sierra National Forest (google image search shows about what it's like). I had to go slow and I might have dragged my crossmember once or twice but I'd do it again! It impressed me.

 

My 4 runner was locked up front with 33’s bumpers and a long travel kit up front. That thing was a beast I’d pretty much go everywhere my buddies jeeps went just 3 wheeled quite a bit due to lack of travel. They are definitely more capable than what people think and i feel I’m pretty good at navigating the trail.

I guess I’m just wondering that with only an upper arm and better shocks how much more capable will it make me and is Tim even worth it

 

What are you trying to do with it? Trails and slow pace? Sure you can build it to do some fun stuff relatively well. I sold my long travel truck so dd and mild trails are my needs now, with most of that being dd. But if I was to decide to get a toy for the desert again it would be a caged prerunner and Id have my separate DD.

 

I have a feeling if you've had lt trucks and fully built xj you're like me and your build could get out of hand, if you have the option... Daily driver and dedicated toy would be my choice.

 

I also come from long travel trucks.

Do armor and a lift/tires and these trucks are very capable

 

I dunno.. seems to me someone with lots of experience would probably go drive it and find out the answer the fun way. Hard to figure out how well it performs off-road from a chair.

 

Check out some Youtube videos of Tacoma’s off roading and rock crawling, you’ll see they are very very capable. In addition there are more aftermarket goodies available for Tacoma’s than just about anything. Then you also have the Tacoma dependability. End your dilemma build your 2013 Taco and post pictures of the build.

 

Mine is still pretty stock. The BFG's made this thing a beast in the Sand.
Cruised all over the desert sand dunes without any issues.
I had a fully built xj on 35's double locked so I know where you are coming from.
Love the Tacoma... Currently setting mine up for back country travel and camping.

 

You can definitely have a lot more off road fun with something that is beat and battered and you don't care if you dent or scratch it. I have taken my Ford down ATV trails where branches were scraping both sides. I have hit the bumper on trees and the sides of ditches. I've gone balls out into 3' of mud/water/oatmeal. My Taco is a nice daily driver and there's no way I would abuse it like that. Build something with a solid axle front end, lockers on both ends and either plenty of horsepower or enough low gearing to climb over anything.

 

Why did you buy a Sport vs. an Off Road? (Pretty please don't say it was for the fake hood scoop)

The Off Road has both the locking diff and the A-TRAC (auto locks front and/or rear when traction is lost).
With what you said is your desire, you will be wanting to add at least a rear locker (ARB is very popular).

 

Well, it’s not my DD. I have a utility bed truck i drive during the week and pretty much drive this on the weekends if not my wife’s 04 4runner.

I guess I’m really just looking to do both. I know in the desert I’m not going to hit whoops at 40+ but something decent enough i can cruise around the desert with but then also drive up to corral canyon (local crawling spot) and have some fun.

With my Jeep, the build really got out of hand but i bought that knowing it would probably take body damage etc.

My Tacoma is a nice stock truck. That i got an absolute killer deal on. To the point that i don’t really have to worry about losing money with upgrades because i got the truck so cheap I’ll always make my money back.

If i would’ve bought new, i would’ve bought the pro, but i think the sport with the Limited slip is more than capable. Learning how to Offroad with open diffs taught me a lot. I’ll prbably add an ARB eventually if i do build it.


I guess ultimately it’s up to me how far into it i wanna go and how I’m gonna wheel it because i really don’t want body damage etc.


I would have no problem putting say bumpers and sliders on it.

But if i spend 3k on upper arms and Kings all around

And then tires. Will i be able to do enough? It seems like most of these guys are running full LT race kits and such.


I appreciate the responses just kinda stuck in a bind especially cause i need tires.

And i don’t wanna buy tires twice.

I would maybe like to do an overland camping style builds but if I’m dumping that kinda money into something, it better go where ever i want it to go.

 

Do armor and a lift/tires and these trucks are very capable
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What lift did you with and how much into the suspension are you?

 

If i end up ordering wheels and tires and a lift this week, i will Absolutly be starting a build thread on here! I definetly will show you guys what’s going on!

 

I took my trd O/R on the trails last weekend and I was amazing at how capable it was. I've owned all sorts of jeeps and the Tacoma is just as good. it does lack front wheel travel......

throw lockers in your sport, get enough lift to clear 35's, then hit the trails.

 

Very capable a good mid travel an some HC bumpers sliders, an skids,winch it’ll be a beast. I have a 15 sport also have a Detroit trutrac limited skip. The truck is super capable it’s does everything I ask of it. I’d love to have full lockers just not in the budget.

 

For all of you guys running suspension and tires which route did you go?

 

Desert wheeling is my main use of 4WD, but for me, the desert is in Baja California and includes deep sand beach driving. Most mud-terrain style tires are terrible in sand ("grave diggers") and require more deflating than all terrain or street tires in sand. I am running a cheaper tirem and I know you don't have money issues so you probably will buy something more expensive than what I am running (Hankook DynaPro ATM 265/75-16). Other than flats, the tires have been perfect in the desert, and beach, plus they worked really well in mud and snow. The best part is they are quiet on the highway. My suspension is Bilstein 5100s all around, the front raised one setting to .85" and the rear has Ride Rite air bags for lift and bottoming prevention.

Just a point of information: All Tacomas since 2009 are open differentials and all Tacomas since 2009 have the same electronic traction control/limited slip system (TRAC, TRAC OFF, AUTO LSD). Only the 2005-2008 Sport had a mechanical limited slip diff in the rear. The Off Road has a rear selectable locking differential and the 4x4 Off Road (since 2009) has the A-TRAC or Multi-Terrain-Select system.

 

Well money is definetly an issue as i don’t wanna spend a ton but i Definetly In getting the best bang for my buck. And honestly that’s what I’m trying to figure out. If i should just save the money and go with bilstein or eibach suspension and tires, or if it’s worth spending a bit more and getting higher quality shocks etc.

 

Also, i thought the TRD sport since doesn’t have the E-locker has a limited slip in the rear?