What should I do? Need your opinions

Without knowing what the terrain is like, maybe buy a winch and maxtrax and see how far you can get stock. You might be surprised.

Edit: And an air compressor and spade.

 

exactly.

 

Keep your truck and get a trailer & a new SXS!

 

This isn't a bad idea. A Polaris Ranger or General would be great. Add $300 for a winch and have at it. I have a Ranger and the only time I have ever had it stuck was crossing 3 ft of water where the bottom was pea gravel. And that was on me, bad idea.

 

Yeah what do you do for work. I think I’m in the wrong business

 

I am a wilderness therapist. I work or will be working in the grand staircase in southern Utah. I used to work it before so I know how the roads are. I had a tricked out lifted FJ at the time. That was perfect for that field. I think I’m going to keep the 2016 and put some nice seat covers on it and perhaps lift it if needed. No sense in buying something new and trashing it...any thoughts on seat covers for an inferno taco?

 

You get $6000 a year...I'd be paying off your current truck before making any purchases.

 

Its funny how many people think just because the truck is lifted, means it will be great offroad. For example, stock samurai will go pretty much anywhere due to short wheelbase and being light weight.

 

Sounds like a cool job.

 

damn, I want to be a wilderness therapist. I'm currently a submarine therapist, I take young sailors to sea with me on a Trident Submarine and help them realize... they fucked up.

 

What type of degree do you have? OT? I googled your job, but would love to hear your personal job description.
As for vehicles, you can find first gen tacos or a 22re pickup and they are pretty bullet proof. Keep your nice truck a nice truck.

 

If you don't want to mess up your current truck, you could get a used 4X4 Nissan Frontier for well below what a comparable Tacoma would cost. It will be rather spartan, but the Frontier is maybe the cheapest true 4WD you can buy these days.

 

Masters in clinical counseling....here’s the place www.wingatetherapy.com
I bought the truck to go off road....so that’s what I’m gonna do...get some seat covers and possibly lift with bigger tires and 3m the sides

 

One of my favorite areas. Will be on the Escalante in a couple weeks (hopefully). I used to be a mental health counselor and would work with students on backpacking trips. Great work but the pay just couldn’t allow me to survive with 4 kids.

I think your plan is solid, especially if you aren’t making that drive daily.

 

Just 90 minute commute Monday...drive off road Monday and Tuesday...back home Tuesday...end work week