What to buy next

First timer post on Tacomaworld! I have about $1200 to spend on my ‘15 2nd gen Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB (no lockers). I have 33s with a 3” lift and rock sliders. I’m looking for advise on where to put my money next between these two options:

1.)~$1200 toward ARB twin compressor kit ($635) + Expedition Essentials bed mounting bracket & wiring harness extension ($300) +Maxtrax recovery boards ($300).
--Front runner Maxtrax mounting brackets ($150) and locking pin ($50) would be bought later, till then the Maxtrax can stay in my bed.

2.)~$1200 CBI steel Skid plates powder coated black -includes shipping

3.)~$1200 toward $1000 CBI steel Skid plates raw steel, spray painted. $70 Harbor Frieght Pittsburgh 12v 150 psi. ARB airing down accessories (Hoses etc.) probably brings me around $1200 again. Ideally would hold me over until I can afford an on board compressor for lockers down the line.

These costs include shipping and taxes.

Another essential item I don’t have is a good bottle jack. I just have the stock bottle jack which does work to lift my truck with 33s and a 3” lift. I also keep (2) 2x6 wood pieces incase I need extra height and the ground is level enough to use them. If anyone thinks that’s not good enough for now please say so.

This summer I am primarily looking to do some intermediate trails in Colorado like the Alpine loop in Telluride, Bill Moore lake, Chinns Lake, and Crystal Mill. I’m thinking trails might not require skids but if they do, that answers that. I am still newish to off-roading so I’m not going to pick the perfect line every time by any means

I’m not going to compromise on the Maxtrax I’d rather buy the recovery board that will last and handle all the abuse I hope to throw at it. For skids, I might save $100 going with RCI over CBI. For the compressor I would prefer to buy the compressor that won’t leave me wishing I spent more upfront the first go around and will fill up relatively quick and also be suitable for lockers down the line. I am going with an onboard air system for future lockers. If there is a worthy sub $90 compressor to get me by for now, let me know. I don’t want to spend more than $90 on something I know I will replace and I certainly dont want to spend $90 on something that will only take a year of abuse.

 

What did you end up getting?

 

Unless you own the truck outright I’d apply that money towards the loan. No better feeling to own what you drive.

 

Sorry nobody responded originally; TW's normally pretty good with helping other people spend their money.

Sounds like you have a long-term vision for your truck: I'd nudge you towards the compressor and boards first, then banking the rest until you start breaking/scraping things.

For a worthy cheap compressor I run a Masterflow HT-1050 compressor: takes about 5 mins per tire (255/85r16 12 psi to 40 psi) - cost ~$70 new and has survived 4 years so far. Here's a link to a clone: https://www.quadratec.com/products/92044_0006_07.htm
That and a cheaper deflator (I use Boulder Tools) will set you back ~$100.
If you're sure ARB is where you want to end up go for it: it's definitely a higher end compressor and should do those tires in ~ 1 minute each. Almost any compressor will be capable of supporting lockers with a small resevoir, but ARB has a plethora of manufactured kits vs fabbing your own brackets/harness.
Without the current need for true OBA, your call if the 15 mins per fill up is worth the extra cost right now. Full disclosure, I do plan on making the switch at some point, but have other higher priorities currently.

I run cheap boards and use them only occasionally: if you'll use yours more frequently or as the mainstay of your recoveries that's probably a good place to pay for quality.

If you're going to use your skids powdercoating is a bit of a waste: you're going to scrape it off and have to repaint each time you land on a rock. May want to run a few trails and see what you can run without scraping before going skids: sliders are a great investment to protect the expensive door panels but the rest of the body is decently tucked. When you do start scraping, consider rerouting your exhaust to run a tighter skid set. BAMF has a beefy braced1/4 in set if you abuse things: I've torn up my 3/16 RCI set through no fault of theirs. Chopping your exhaust is free and will prevent you from crushing the tailpipe, and leaving a ball in your hitch is cheap rear end insurance.
With your current topper/slide out .etc, skids may also push you into new rear leafs to support the weight.

 

Thanks I appreciate that thought. I feel safe with my loan right now and am comfortable paying it off. I’m on track to pay it off 6 months early actually. Saving toward a house as well and I actually have enough to pay off the loan out right any time I want but I prefer having the cash in the bank for the security (especially in these economic times) and as a down payment for a house eventually

 

Thank you for the thoughtful reply. Exactly what I was looking for. I agree with all of your points. I am actually putting off the skids for later in the year and my first investment is going to be a full Dobinsons (still considering OME vs Bilstiens) lift front and rear with new coil overs, and springs and shocks in the rear. Might do upper control arms while I’m at it. I recently found out the lift that came on my truck is pretty well shot now since the last owner got it 50k ago and yeah my rear springs are not happy. I plan to do the install myself and save the cash, looks easy enough if I get the coils assembled locally.

I did end up getting the harbor freight compressor as a temporary solution for this year and I have an arb deflator out for delivery today actually! I will get the ARB compressor eventually but like you, I think I can survive with a cheapo compressor till it craps out.

I agree on the powder coating. Scrapping it up defeats the purpose so spray paint it is. I will be doing some more trails in the coming weeks and be keeping an eye on how close different rocks get to the front skid and all the unprotected goodies. Skids will definitely give me piece of mind though in the long run. I will check out the BAMF skids

 

If you end up going the Dobinsons route, you should definitely post a review. Adding more mid-grade (and long-lasting, maintenance-free) lift options to compete with Bilstein and OME is a welcome change. Those of us on a budget or who don't want to rebuild their shocks all the time have kinda been left out in the cold, with all the focus pointed towards high-performance high-maintenance coilovers.

I've got a full Dobinsons lift kit sitting in my living room, but work has been too crazy for me to find the time to get it installed. I'm hoping to get it done by August.