New member. Seek wisdom.

Hello TacomaWorld gurus--
New member here from central NC. I've been reading for a while and I thought it was time to jump in. I have a 2014 DC TRD OR that is 100% stock. I'm able to get off pavement more often now, and my goal is mostly weekend camping/fishing trips driving on fire roads/trails in the Blue Ridge or on the beach. Besides getting a set of good tires (which I need anyways), what else should I be thinking about? I usually travel solo and would rather be overequipped by a little than stuck or broken down in the middle of nowhere.

Lifts, wheels, armor, etc...it's just hard for me to tell what's the meat and what's just gravy.

All advice is appreciated.

Cheers!

 

Tacomaworld.com stickers will add at least 7hp.

 

More like 8

 

Welcome to the forum Ed.

 

Based on your described needs, I think the key here, to separate the meat and gravy, is to be true to what you actually need.

Weight isn't your friend. Weight gets you stuck or breaks things. Do you need skid plates, rock sliders, bed rack, 100 lbs of gasoline with you, etc? Or would some good tires, a small lift and some key recovery gear get you in and out of where you wanna go? You have the OR and that already affords you a lot. Be intentional, and honest, about the mods and you'll soon draw a path to what you want to make your truck out to be.

I've had my similar Tacoma for over 2 years now (and dozens of Jeeps before this) and I've only ever gone: small lift, good tires (wheels too, but usually just cosmetic reasons) some basic clearance work (fenders and such) and some key recovery gear (straps, snatch blocks, hi-lift, etc).

I've been all over Colorado, doing the type of trails and living that you described, and never been stuck. I don't go places I know are too much for my vehicles (most don't intentionally anyways) and I know when to bail before doing anything too dumb. I'm not out there to crawl boulders or anything nuts, so I didn't build my truck up to be anything nuts.

I planned and made my truck good enough for what I'd face....so it's nearly stock with a small lift. Works perfect for my real needs. I have the locker and recovery gear...if I get in a pinch, I likely put myself there and some more hardcore mods wouldn't save me.

Winch, snorkel, maxtrax (probably a good one for the beach side of things), sliders, etc all have their place though, so if you foresee a specific need, by all means.

If you go for a winch, I do like the half bumpers some companies are selling for your truck. Something like this is lighter than a full bumper yet serves a solid purpose: https://www.c4fabrication.com/product/2012-2015-tacoma-2nd-gen-front-lo-pro-winch-bumper/


Cheers, welcome to TW!

Jake

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome Aboard

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome! NC is beautiful, I had the chance to visit for 3 weeks this year. Check out www.trailsoffroad.com if you need help finding trails.

 

tires>>Michelin AT2

 

Welcome to the forum

These trucks are very well equipped stock, but you are right, better tires should be the top of the list to prevent getting stuck or a flat as well as better traction.

Depending on your terrain a set of sliders may yield a benefit from potential body damage.
Same goes for skid plates. If you'll find yourself going over terrain where there's the risk of damage from under the vehicle, protect it.

Get yourself familiar with your truck and get the tools you need for trail repairs if you'll be solo. You can equip your truck, but you too need to be equipped to handle a problem if it is to arise.

A winch or come along will also be helpful if you find yourself stuck in the mud.

Past that add the gravy as necessary. If you need more ground clearance or the ride isn't what you want it to be change the suspension and add a lift. You find yourself going over obstacles that are now causing you to hit your stock bumpers then look into aftermarket bumpers.

 

Welcome!

 

Thanks everyone for the advice and warm welcome. I have a lot to learn. More questions coming soon...