Any Members in Arkansas?

Hey guys, down here in Sherwood.

 

Well I guess if were posting rig pictures, here's a current pic of mine.

 

My taco is waaaay too stock to post a picture of. If you've seen one stock ssm dcsb trdor you've seen them all. I hope I can get my OME lift from Toytec soon. Most of what I need is on backorder. I may just opt to spend the extra cash on the Boss 2.0 kit.

 

Headstrong Offroad might have what you're after. Think they have some OME in stock.

Edit: Didn't know it'd link vendors pages automatically like that..weird

 

Can't go wrong either way, but that OME kit is tough as nails and will serve you well for a long time

 

Good news! Toytec got some OMEs back in stock and I just ordered mine. I should be able to get it installed before the meet on the 15th!

 

Welcome aboard to the new guys! You'll find we are a plethora of useless information and babble, but one good group of dudes that share a common theme. Some of my best off-roading, overlanding and camping experiences have been with these krazy kats, so come on in and join the fun.

 

Looking forward to the experience. This will be my first time actually trail riding my Taco. I've mostly stuck to dirt roads as I am usually riding solo. Any tips on what to expect or things that I need to equip/ prepare for?

 

I've only been here for a month and I'd recommend bringing a come along, hi lift or winch to pull yourself out of a hole. Lots of water holes around. I haven't found any problem ones yet but I'm taking the one that looks least likely to swallow a truck.

 

Oh geez, I don't have any of that stuff... I may be too unequipped to tackle this adventure. Total rookie here.

 

My advice is to see what you need and buy it after you figure it out, or just be like most of us and throw money at it even if you don't need it and will probably never use it. Pretty basic list is a way to communicate with the group (most of use ham or GMRS) and solid recovery points on your vehicle. The rest will come. If you're in a group, they'll have gear. The rest is personal preference and what fits your style best, and that can be endless mods or totally stock. I ran my '99 SR5 completely stock while I was working deep in Sierra Madres in Mexico for months and months and never got stranded once. Quality tires have been my best backcountry friend, way more impt than sliders or whatever else. All this is my opinion tho, you'll get lots of those.

 

I've only recently transitioned from building street / track cars to 4WDs. I have a lot to learn

 

There are literally thousands of easy to moderate miles of Forest Service, State Park / Forest, WMA trails to explore as you get your experience, confidence and rig put together. If you see a side trail that looks interesting but little traveled, walk it out first. If you join in any future group rides, don't follow the guy with the muddy, dented, dinged and gouged rig . Just get out and explore at your comfort level.

 

And don't let others goad you outside of that comfort level. Most of the people I've met here are good but I've seen some people try to peer pressure someone into destroying their vehicle for laughs.

 

And remember, these trucks in stock farm can go incredibly far.

 

And yes, that is ice and not bat guano on Rich's RTT in Pete's first photo. It was a frigid day in the Quachitas...

 

^This. Mine is stock other than better tires, but I ran the stock tires for a while and had no issues. I'm learning as well, it's more about getting comfortable with what the truck is capable of and picking good lines. It's capable of more than I am willing to put it through.

 

I wouldn't be too worried, especially if you go with the group. I went once with them and have done other adventures in the Ozarks by myself which were pretty much rough dirt/rocky roads. Pretty much all my truck has is a lift and mud tires, no winch or any other recovery equipment (yet) other than a tow strap. Not that I've done a ton of hard off-roading, but I have yet to get stuck besides in my yard one time.

 

That's how it always happens.... Buddy got his Tundra stuck on the dirt drive at the back of his property, despite having taken his truck into places it never should have gone and getting it out without a scratch.

 

Crazy true. I bought 4 Amazon special recovery traction boards and had to use them a couple weekends ago to get the lawnmower unstuck a whole two feet from the driveway -____-

Used em a few times during the big snow for random people, but I've never used them myself even when I was running those Goodyear stockies. Maybe it'll be a while before I have to break them out for myself.
*knocks on wood*