Building more off road capability with current build

So I have been getting more and more into crawling and am looking to do my next mod. My question is which mod would give me more capability while crawling: regearing to 5.29's and front locker, or doing shock relocation with 12 in smoothies. I know either mod will move me forward, but can't decide which would be better to finish up first. Both will be a bit pricey, so I won't be able to get the other mod for a while.

 

Self reflection

Have you been unable to pass over obstacles from not having a front locker ?

Are you running out of suspension travel before you're getting stone walled from a front locker ?

Are you auto or manual ?

 

It's not even close. Lock the front. There's nothing that adds more capability than lockers. If you've wheeled, you know that.

 

Really a tough call, but like he said above, pinpoint your current limitations and pick whichever minimizes them.

 

The anticipation is killing me

If you have an auto crack into that crawl control. Its a pretty sweet substitute for a front locker.

 

High clearance bumpers, bob tail, one ton axles.

Wait, are you sure you want to rock crawl with your fairly new Tacoma?

 

I have an auto, yes I have been in situation crawling up waterfalls where a front locker would have helped me clear the obstacles versus getting winched up. And yes, I have also ran out of travel before the need of being fully locked. This is what makes this decision all that more difficult. Although I am leaning towards gears and locker.

 

Trust me man, I wheel but I have only been doing it for a littlwnover a year, so yes I am still learning. But I have been in situations where if I were able to keep all 4 tires down I would have gotten through just fine without getting caught up. I will be doing both but won't be able to start second project till next summer. I am leaning towards gears/locker combo but gaining articulation would also be useful to me from my past experiences.

 

Never once used it and probably won't ever lol. I like to do the work and get better with every trailnI hit.

 

Full steel skids, sliders, hc rear bumper are there, and yes I like wheeling my new Tacoma lol Albeit my wife isn't a fan of it haha

 

Dude you're selling the vehicle and it's capabilities incredibly short.

Hold off on any decision until you give crawl a crack. You would be surprised at how effective it really is. I'm stock height and have been hung up on sliders, off camber on drivers side, 2 wheels not touching. All 3 situations I threw on crawl to avoid a tug or winch and it took me right out.

At the very least think of it this way. You're vehicle is equipped with a rear locker. Its great. Instead of dumping $ on a regear or locker right now, maybe crawl gets you past where you would normally be going and then you lean towards suspension.

Maybe in a year you decide "hey I do wanna lock the front now." You were using crawl and got suspension and it held you over (or even did a good enough job you decide to not lock and wait for gears longer)

Worst case scenario, you don't like crawl, doesn't help, or you don't see the benefit. You got it so why not use it? Should help with your decision alot easier. Use it a couple times too. I personally love it and think it is under appreciated (especially on loose decents)

 

My guts telling me suspension, but I also know the benefits of gears and front locker. I guess I just haven't driven any other truck (my first truck) to be able how much gears help. My lack in experience shows here. But I've been in many situations where I keep going up on 3, sometimes 2 wheels

 

Also OP a front locker is great. Seen many people use em with good results. Ive also seen them replace CV's. Not an issue if you don't bounce. The shock load on a front locker is where you start breaking shit.

Again, been on 3 or 2 wheels a few times. Crawl is great for that. Its not a cheater or whatever people wanna tell themselves. It is just a step along the way to either the last resort of self, or assisted recovery.

 

I wouldn't say the regear would be a waste, but more like the first step in getting ready for 35's. ButnI see your point and mighty try it onenof these days, just not when I get in sticky situations lol. I get a bit nervous when I'm centimeters from some hefty looking rocks lol

 

I was more inferring if what you already have equipped gets the job done, $ can be better spent on suspension.

Also of you're already stuck, and need a winch or tug, crawl is generally safe and with minimal negative effects. You can control the speed of it with the dial, and if you don't like what it is doing the brake stops it. Strongly recommend to get that thing working for ya. Massive advantage with no CV pops

 

Two of my buddies run front lockers on their Tacomas and haven't had any issues, yet always lol. And not worried care about cheating, just wanting to get a little better each time.

 

Im sure I'll be out again before deciding which direction I'll choose to go, but i'll give it a shot next time I'm out if the need comes up and see what happens.

 

It does not always matter how many wheels are on the ground. If you're locked you can utilize *all* the traction available. If you're open you cannot utilize all available traction and are limited by the wheel with the least traction. Having an extra wheel on the ground with little to no normal load and an open diff still gets little to no torque to the ground and thus gets you nowhere. Having just two wheels on the ground with normal load but being able to apply torque to them gets you over and through stuff.

This is one of the most basic fundamentals of serious offroading and rock crawling that was figured out decades ago. Let's not forget it. Good suspension and wheel travel is nice and it does pay off but it's not nearly the increase in capability as lockers. Not even close.

TL;DR
Locked = Utilizes all traction available
Fancy suspension but open = Utilization limited to what's available at the wheel with the least grip

More torque to the ground = More capable

 

I appreciate the response. I'm kind of learning as I go along and it seems as if times if I kept my tires down I'd have more traction to get me through. Your post 100% makes sense and I think I know what's going down next; my gears and adding that locker. This will probably help me get to 35 quicker also. I think I was getting hung up on leaving my suspension upgrade half finished.