Most important armor...

So I'm 4 weeks into my new 2011 Taco. I've done a lot of mods found here on the forums already (BFG AT 265/75R16, rear TSB, Bilsein 5100, OBA, diff breather, tailgate lock, CB, etc - all pretty basic/standard for the most part). The next step for me is to re-route my exhaust and begin adding armor.

Question: if you had to choose only one piece of armor (to start with), and you already had the [POS] TRD OR front skid, what's the very next piece of armor you'd add? Let's assume it's the only armor I put on for a while... what's most important?

Thanks for your opinions!

 

rock sliders

 

I'd say a better IFS skid. Thats the first area to take a hit. The AllPro one I have basically replaces your factory IFS and engine skid in one piece. They are still discounted at $150. I also got the transmission skid for $89 after member discount.

 

I second the sliders! the underbody by the doors is pretty vulnerable. Especially if you have a double cab. I wish i would have gotten actual sliders instead of the N-fabs

 

Congrats on the truck. Are you going to the superstition meet? I'm sure there would be tons of stuff you can check out there and socialize with a bunch of Tacomians. See you around the city.

 

i third sliders, they are pretty important for wheeling

 

Whats the usual price for the Allpro?

 

Sliders are a must if you are going to do any type of wheeling stock or lifted.
IMHO this is the order of importance
1. Sliders
2. IFS skid
3. Transfer case skid
4. Transmission case skid
5. Gas tank skid

 

Sliders and Skid plates...

 

id say sliders. if ur smart enough, when wheelin u can avoid front and rear bumper damage. sliders help so much.

 

sliders, they really give u piece of mind when u hit the rocks

 

Skid plates will protect the most expensive component of the truck that if damaged would leave you stranded. If you're just cruising fire roads, though, this isn't likely to become an issue.

Sliders will protect you from extremely expensive cosmetic and sometimes functional damage to your cab, doors, door frames, etc. Again, on fire roads, this isn't so much an issue.

Bumpers will protect you from the most likely (and cheapest) bumps and bruises and increase your approach/departure angle. Bumpers can save you on the trail, on fireroads, on paved roads, and even in freakin' parking lots!

 

^ well said

 

Damn! Who makes that and how much does it run for?

 

As always, you guys rock! Thanks so much for the opinions. I'm not sure the answer is clear though. I was thinking sliders were the clear answer through the first several posts but Mxpatriot makes a really good point about skids... I can get home w dents, but not if I catch something like the tranny. On the other hand, I'm probably more likely to *need* the sliders before the skids - I'll wheel it harder as it gets older.

Let's say I decide on skids... I can't afford to add plating to the entire underbelly today. Which is the most important piece? Should I go for a tranny skid since I already have the OEM skid in the front (at least its something...)?

 

Since your's is a 4x4 I think I would go with a transfer-case skid. Tacos don't come with one stock right?

 

I would advise light wheeling until you can get sliders and skids in place.

Also, what are your suspension plans? A good set of armor is going to add 350-400 pounds to your truck, the majority of it towards the front...the stock front suspension will have some trouble handling that...you're going to want to look into upgrades.

No, armor is not cheap. But if you can ill afford spending money on the truck, wheeling may not be for you. Even with the proper equipment, this passtime tends to get expensive.

It comes with something Toyota tries to call a t-case skid, which in actuality is a piece of tin foil that will get fucked up along with your t-case.

 

Haha, yeah okay I would upgrade that.

 

Ok, so several of you mentioned "suspension upgrades" to carry the armor... I've got Bilstein 5100's coming in this week and the rear TSB being done tomorrow. Do you mean an upgrade over that? I'll do a 3" lift (yada yada) in a few eyars, but for now the TSB and the 1.75 setting on the 5100's is all I have planned.

And to the comment about this being an expensive hobby... I've had 4 Jeep's in my time so far. I'm well acquainted with the spend. I'm not shying away from it, just not ready to do it at this exact moment.

 

sliders are deff the first thing. the factory "skids" will workish until you can afford ATO or Bud Built skids. then bumpers are last.