Offroading in non-Prerunner 4x2

Hey all, i'm not new to the forums but i'm new to my new truck (2011 5-speed access cab). I would have liked to have a 4x4 but money would not permit. I just started graduate school and this was my undergrad gift. I wanted something with "utility" that could drive off the beaten path every now and then (go places that cars couldn't go and stuff) but i wasn't interested in making it a trail monster with a hick-lift (don't want to offend others, we just got some really redneck people in Auburn). It will be seeing 90% street and maybe 10% off.

Anyways, I want to leave it as stock as possible to maintain my fuel economy. I guess what i'm asking is how well my stock Tacoma would be able to handle offroad situations. I know i'm not going to be river diving or anything, but maybe some trails or muddy conditions. AND how might i improve it's effectiveness offroad without breaking bank or straying too far from factory look? Thanks again for all your help.

 

It will handle fine. You may want to get better tires eventually.

 

a traction device, such as a locker or limited slip differential. Or just a more aggressive tire like an all terrian. Both will make your truck more capable offroad.

 

Yeah you should be fine better tires, air down, and dont go alone. stick to those and you will be ok

 

is an LSD or locker gonna be expensive? What piece of equipment is it exactly?

 

Sandbags over the rear axle to add weight (and grip) for the drive tires.

 

go with a locker. LSD sucks offroad

 

Yeah they are expensive, and a locker would be much better offroad. It causes the rear differential to be "locked together" and instead of having the power transfered to the tire with the least resistance, it will give it equally to both and give you better traction.

 

Like 1-2k expensive?

Thanks for all the input guys

 

I'm suprised your 2011 didn't already come with a LSD. My 2010 5 Lug Taco came with one, I just thought it was standard. I got to try mine out this last weekend in some soupy grass/mud mix while camping down in Kentucky. It did ok I guess...I didn't get stuck and I could hear it engaging.

Withoug breaking the bank, I am going to suggest the same things I plan on doing. Slightly bigger tires(mostly for look) 235/75/R15 these really fill in the wheel wells and add a little more on road stability. Get something more than just a street tire, good all terrain would be great. A set of Firestone Destination A/T's should be well under $500. 235's fit on the stock rim no problem, don't require lift, and don't suck so much power you feel the need to regear and they just look better, IMO.
Next is adding some weight when you go off road, sand bags over the axle work pretty good. And just remember you are in a 2wd, don't ask more from your truck than it can handle. Always 2nd guess your path, don't get so far in, you can't get back out.

 

It came w/ "auto LSD" or something, there's a button for it i can switch on and off (I believe it's on by normal unless i switch it off). Is it the same thing as the mechanical one?

 

definitley get all terrains! I recently went from a 99 mazda b2500 to my 97 t100 and the t100 has BFG long trails and i was very impressed the first time i took it off road

although it could be that the T has 4:10 gears and a 3.4l v6 190 hp and weighs less than the maz did, and the mazda had 3:73s with a 2.5l 4cyl with 119 hp of pavement pounding fury ... but the t crawled right up that stuff and its 2wd too!

 

By saying non-prerunner 4x2, means you have a 5lugger. I would suggest a Fat Bob's Garage lift or Readylift to lift the truck and gain some ground clearance as well as getting bigger tires 31x10.5x15's are ideal... Of course locker will make crawling much easier, inexpensive and easy to install is the Powertrax no-slip locker...

 

I appreciate the input, but i'm not interested. I'm trying to keep the puppy looking stock or close to so a lift and 30inch tires are out of the question for me. I know people will say "Well if you won't lift it or put bigger tires on it, you won't be able to do anything" blah blah. That's why I'm asking IF there's anything i can do to maintain factory profile while still improving my abilities offroad.

Sorry if that came across in an offensive tone, i didn't mean it to be

 

Gotta keep in mind that stock the 5lugger has very low ground clearance. Yes you can do dirt roads, or gravel roads... However I wouldn't attempt any rock crawling with stock height...

 

I would just run a nice set of 235 tires. Gives you increased traction, there's no need to lift, and it actually corrects the factory error in the speedo. Otherwise, you still have more ground clearance than a car, so it should easily be able to handle simple off road tasks.

 

if you dont want better/bigger tires then I wouldnt try anything other than gravel roads. those trucks have low ground clearance and are not built for off roading in the stock form.

 

I's say after install and parts it'd be between 700 to 1000. Depending on which company you went with. I'd get ARB with on board air

 

I don't plan on rock crawling really, maybe some woodsy trails with fallen branches and stuff, would i be alright for that? Also, isn't my ground clearance still above average? I know the 5luggers sit lower than 4x4 and prerunners but is clearance really an "issue"?

 

If you don't want a lift at least get some 235/70/15 A/T tires... The stock tires are crap. Less crap on road, more crap off road...