A blank canvas- Taking suggestions

Hi folks, new Taco owner after my 2006 Nissan Titan finally became a money pit. I'm a veteran of other forums and I will risk being an annoyance by starting a dumb noob thread like this, but as I read through the various posts it's a little overwhelming. I stuck with my Titan for so long because it was really hard to find another truck that I wanted. After getting an estimate for yet another $6k in repairs on a truck that has cost me about $15k in the last year, and which had a KBB value of around 2k, I decided to downsize to a Tacoma that I saw on a local lot. I'm a contractor so this will serve as my work vehicle (hence the shell and I'm adding a ladder rack) and also my fishing vehicle which involves some rough-ish terrain.

Given the shell and general workingman look I'd still like to put some performance parts on the truck and make it a little more sporty in looks and function. It's a 2022 SR5 4x4 so it's got the capability to go offroad into more rugged terrain. The tires that it came with are 16" street tires (SMH) so I'd be looking to upgrade those. I really like the skinny tires more than the fatter ones and I'd like to get a very modest lift to improve its stance. I'm thinking about the TRD lift and suspension kit, maybe the TRD air intake, and offroad 16" tires. Of course, 3 weeks after I chose this truck from the very few on the lot that were available, the dealer got like 7 more delivered and I liked their stance better than I do mine. But mine was the only 4x4 on the lot so chose it even though the tires suck. I really don't want to invest in 17" wheels so I was hoping to match a nice set of AT tires to my 16" wheels for the time being. With those parameters, lets hear your ideas!

 

You could get away with 33" skinny tires, but your choices are very limited. Mostly E load tires. You could also get the awesome 265/76/16 (C Load) Duratracs. Fits without a lift, but looks even better with a 2" Lift.

Good luck

 

Welcome to the forum nice looking ride!

If you aren't getting a decked system, etc. I suggest a bed mat first.

For the most part I suggest you just use the truck for awhile, sooner or later you will end up thinking "boy, I sure could use ____".

With just a tire upgrade these trucks are very capable in stock form.

 

Bro, you have the perfect truck to make a 3rd Gen Marty McFly Back To The Future truck:

 

Drive it stock for several months. Spend time here. You will then know what to do.

 

Welcome and yaaay for long-bed crew

Seeing that it's your work truck but also your adventure rig, one thing I constantly use is my front facing camera. My 2018 didn't come with one so I purchased the ViewSonic front facing camera it was completely plug-n-play. It'll help with parking, but also while youre off-road to see uneven terrain etc.

 

Not for nothing, Tacomas can be kind of a money pit.

 

must haves- bed mat, bed stiffners (with topper)
nice to haves-tailgate lock. why risk theft?
little stuff-license plate light shields, console tray, screen protect. Easy to do right away. No brainer!
wheels?? take some time. nothing wrong with 16"s. I like them better. 265 75 16 works on stock wheels. I would have done this on day 1.

Sliders?? I did this in day 1. If going off road it really makes sense. Skids would be next.

Tune?? I waited but shouldnt have. Seems like an almost must.
I would wait on any suspension upgrades until you have a feel.

 

You can get a better lift/level than the trd lift for the price.

 

Aggreed. I have Kings on order. More $ than TRD but a real suspension upgrade, not just an aesthetic one. I wouldnt go near the TRD lift.

 

Avoid the TRD Intake. It’s just a cosmetic enhancement. Get a true CAI if you want any performance.

I like the TRD Pro exhaust. It’s very deep at low rpm and decent sound at high. Not very loud, just loud enough to hear it a bit.

Good tire is a 265/75/r16. Doesn’t sacrifice mpgs that much and gives a more aggressive look. You could go 255/85/16 as well but, that sacrifices more fuel economy, and much less options for a tire. Basically have to go MT or hybrid. Bilstien 5100s + an add a leaf (AAL) are a great choice for a slight lift. 1-2 inches depending on settings, rides nicer and handles better. As a former Toyota employee, I’d stay away from the TRD Lift. Not a bad lift, just overpriced. Sliders, I personally like caliraised but a ton of great options. TRD Front skidplate is a good choice for mild to moderate off-roading. Looks cool too. Bed mat is a good functional thing too.

 

Here is mine on 265/75/16 Yokohama G015s, going to run the stock suspension until in claps out. Seems fine for the dirt roads I do. Same wheels as yours so you can get an idea what they look like.

Not doing much to this truck, bed mat and a couple interior bits. Bought some DeWalt storage boxes for some tools, jumper cables and various things, way to make it level with the stock storage cubbies for when I toss in some 10 gallon totes for camping.

 

Guys, thanks for all the suggestions. Excellent suggestion about waiting too, which in all honesty finances are going to force me to do anyway. That shell was nearly 3K. Dayum, they have gone up since I bought the shell for my Titan in 2006! I'm still smarting from the repair bills on the Titan too.

My main intent is to stay as close to stock, not voiding any warranties as well as keeping my fuel economy as close to where it is now while obtaining a more sporty stance and improved offroad performance. You've all kind of narrowed my focus which was what I was hoping for after being overwhelmed just reading the forum for a couple of weeks.

I built this inelegant but cheap, simple box for the bed which handles my specific tool needs and gives me a lot of extra tool storage below. It enables me to add ladders on top of the platform where the stuff below would have been sitting. On a side note, I drove my Titan to the dealer to look at the truck, not realizing that I'd be leaving with a new vehicle. So I had to drive the 10 minutes home to empty out my Titan and the absolute mountain of stuff that I took out of it would take 3 Tacoma's to haul. I'm 60 so I really should downsize my operation anyway and this truck will force me to do just that. Happily....

 

If only I didn't need that shell and ladder rack, I'd be all over that!

 

The stance on your truck is just about what I'm looking for. It's just the right height.

 

Here’s mine, stock excluding

• Snorkel
• TRD skidplate
• (Not pictured) Softtopper
• Airbags
• Mudflaps

Even has stock tires. These trucks are supremely capable. One of the most capable vehicles you can buy stock. Don’t be afraid to take it on adventures.

 

Very nice, Maverick! They had the same topper on mine and I told them that I didn't want it (or to pay for it) so they didn't charge me for it but they delivered the truck with it. I took it off and maybe I'll remove the shell eventually and put that Tonneau on again.

 

Skip the TRD lift. Some 5100's and an AAL and you're living the highlife for about $800 vs. the cost of the TRD lift.

Also skip the TRD CAI. You already have a CAI, it's just labeled TRD, or trimmed in red.

Honestly, you could cruise here or on FB marketplace for Off Road take offs and achieve about 80% of what you want for pennies on the dollar.

I'm also a Contractor who uses his Taco for work and home, so I understand your desires and constraints.

 

Stock suspension, seems about perfect for me. Lost 1 mpg with the larger tires, was getting a solid 22.4 with the stock Firestones, now 21.5, went with a those Yokohamas since they a mild AT compared to others, so not to nick the gas mileage too too much.

Rides well too. Honestly when it does wear out, might just buy new stock springs and shocks. Even my wife can’t get over how well it rides. Last truck had Camburg coil-overs and Old Man Emu heavies rear springs, it was a bit too much rode like a brick. It also had a pop up camper and winch bumper. Not doing that with this truck.

 

You might enjoy this thread, lots of good folks:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/60-year-old-thread.163557/page-2063#post-27840442