Tacoma Build - Help Me Decide

I have done a TON of research and my head is spinning. So many options. I want to hear from the experts that have been there and done that!

Goal: Using your experience help determine what year Taco I should buy & mods needed with the budget available to meet my needs.

Purpose: Hunting Vehicle/Overlander & secondary daily driver

I need a 4x4 that is small and can hit some nasty trails in AZ so I can get into the back country and hunt. I WFH so I am not commuting everyday but when I need to go to the store, take kids somewhere, it will be my driver also. I want to put a tent on top, add Fridge, pull out kitchen (will build it) etc so I can camp in the back country where I hunt but can also be easily mobile. We do have another family vehicle so this is really our second/backup family vehicle and can be more of a hunting overlander than daily family vehicle.

Budget: 35-40k

Timeframe: Ready by fall 2024 to hit some gnarly hunting trails. Base build needs to be there but can add racks, tent, and other stuff later if budget does not allow at first.

What I am thinking I need:

Taco, Lift, 33's - Wheels/Tires, Re-gear, Air Comp, Winch, Under Armor (worried about the base mechanics first, can add tent and racks later over time but I want to plan for it). Being budget minded I am thinking a Bilstein 5100 or 6100 series lift & nice but economical rims and tires. Is that enough for the weight I will eventually have?

Options I am considering:

1. Buy my buddies SR5 4x4 2014 Taco with 85k that is well maintained. It will prob cost around 25k. This is the truck we use for hunting now and it gets us most places but I know he wishes it was lifted and had larger tires, armor, when we've been out on some gnarly trails.
   
2. Buy a Gen 3 Taco (2017) for a little more and maybe slow down the build a bit. IDK about the minivan engine though - Lol
3. Other - IDK

Technical Ability - I am extremely handy, can do plumbing, electrical work, built a beautiful bathroom, fix anything on my RV, but I just don't have much experience with cars or any of the specialized tools. I have modified my SxS with all kinds of stuff so I guess I have some exp.

Questions in My Mind - Should I just bite the bullet and spend the money on a newer (2017) TRD Pro that has many of these upgrade (lift) already as well as all the bells and whistles?

Eager to hear your ideas, I have a lot to learn yet.

 

You might not need to re-gear if you get the manual transmission. So I'd put that money into better suspension. If it comes with OEM wheels, they are good enough and again, more money for suspension. This also gives you the opportunity to dial it in with the weight you actually have.

My truck needs suspension next and I'm not going to settle.

 

I would love a manual trans but they are so far and few between.

Can you fit 33's on OEM wheels. I did not get that impression when researching but maybe that is because most people want different rims. This is where all the different options get overwhelming.

 

I've considered buying one that is already done but that deprives me of the fun of building this all and learning. Additionally, there are not many people that I trust to do things right. I know they are out there, I just don't know who they are.

 

"check bst" = ???

 

I totally get the satisfaction of building it yourself and doing the job right, but cost effective wise, something already built may be the way to go. Look at your local CL ads, overland forums specific to your area in AZ, BST here, etc. Your budget seems pretty reasonable.

If you see an ad posted somewhere of something you're considering, repost it here to get feedback. I've seen some pretty sweet for sale rigs from time to time that would be awesome to have that aren't hack jobs. Something nice will come up. 2nd or 3rd gen?? That's on you to figure out. People like what they like. Both are capable. Your buddies truck sounds like a decent starting place if you decide to build it yourself. I'm excited to see what you end up with. Keep us updated.

 

Yeah I suppose that could be the case. Maybe if you get an FJ wheel? There's gotta be a way to have a stock looking wheel with big tires. At least I hope so because that's what I want. Or Methods, but spensive.

 

My rig is pretty similar to the type of build you’re planning. Perhaps my build page will give you some ideas of what to do/what not to do…

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-purpose-built-3rd-gen-sr5.734054/

 

This is very close to the build I want to do except I do want the armor as we have been on some trails and hit some rocks in the past with my buddies Taco. I also want a winch. I always seem to come across other people that need help and are stuck and/or I just want that extra piece of mind.

Nice truck BTW. I like those rims a lot.

 

Thank you! Yeah I am trying to keep it armor free for now, I do think a winch is in my near future though.

 

It sounds like you already have experience doing the kind of driving your plan to build for, but I think there's some solid advice given around here often that goes "Go use your truck and find out what you need."
If it were me, I'd be looking for a first gen single cab since they're so small which would make it easy to get around in really overgrown areas. Since you mention driving kids around that might not be an option, but the first gen is still smaller compared to the 2nd and 3rd gens of equivalent cab sizes.
-Bigger tires will definitely help, but there's no reason you need new wheels unless you want to change the look, get lighter options, or go with beadlocks.
-As for lift, remember more lift doesn't mean bigger tires will fit on an IFS vehicle like the tacoma. There are 33s that will fit with minimal effort, but if you want big meaty 33s, you might run into some extra work. You mention 5100s and 6150s, but if you want lift, you're going to need a block, add a leaf, or new leaf pack in the rear (in order of $ to $$$ and low to high quality, respectively). The shocks do the dampening, but the springs do the lifting and support the weight of the vehicle. If you're going to be adding a bunch of weight with gear, I think it'd be worthwhile to upgrade your rear leaf packs anyways. If you plan on bombing washboards and want better suspension than stock, I'd reconsider 5100s for something valved differently and preferably with a bit more oil.
-I'd also hold off on the regear and see how you think it feels. If you do end up regearing, it'd be a good time to look into lockers. You don't necessarily need them for light offroading, but the peace of mind is nice and I've run into some forest roads that were degraded to point where I would either need lockers or to speed up and risk some damage.
-I personally have a smittybilt air compressor mounted in my bed and I've had great luck with it. As great as I'm sure the popular twin ARB compressors are, to me they're not worth the massive price difference.
-I also run a smittybilt winch which has served me well, but a lot of guys go warn or get the HF badlands apex if it'll fit. You mention wanting armor and I don't know if that includes bumpers too, but if you'd rather keep stock bumpers, it may be worth mounting a hitch receiver in the front. They're low profile and if you mount your winch to a cradle, you can use it from either the front or back of the truck.
-I would definitely recommend getting skid plates first. The stock ones are super thin and don't cover up very much. I've dented my transmission pan and nearly ripped the sad excuse for a transfer case skid off and I wouldn't consider what I do to be anything more than mild.

Hopefully others can chime in on camping stuff, as my truck isn't really built for that, but one thing you may have missed is a dual battery setup. If you want to have a fridge, RTT, full kitchen, and other stuff, a second battery will keep your stuff running longer and you can jump start yourself if you have to.

 

@Jojee117 Thank you for the very thought out reply. Some answers and comments below.

- Single cab with a longer bed would be ideal but with kids and this being a quasi 2nd vehicle, I need the four doors. Plus, we usually pack 4-5 guys in a truck when hunting.
- I have a very good idea of the types of conditions we will be driving and what a stock 4x4 Tacoma SR5 can do (and can't) and I definitely need a little more ability. There will be a lot washboard/rocky roads, ruts, dips, hills, etc that I need to go over but except for the washboard roads I am not going to be doing any of them super fast or racing. So armor will be a must and some beefier tires to get me a little higher. In the past we have hit some nasty boulders with my friends taco so I know I def what steel plates.
- I agree with you that I will need an AAL. I just did not think if it when making my initial list. I was looking at the old man Emu AAL in conjunction with the Bilstein's. Also you mentioned something valved instead of Bilstein's but my understanding is that would be significantly more cost and maybe overkill for my application. IDK?
- I didn't think you could fit 33's on stock rims but based on two responses now, I think I am wrong. So you are correct, there may be some saving there.
- When you say look into lockers, don't most of the Tacos come with that? Maybe I am missing something there and not understanding. (may need to do more research on that)
- In relation to dual battery, yes. I am going to build out a whole mini kitchen pull out and will have batteries in the bed to drive the fridge as well as solar, etc. I have done a ton of solar/battery/lights/accessories on my 5th wheel and I am very handy so I have that one easily covered when the time comes. I just don't know jack about cars mechanically (working on them, etc).
- I am actually impressed with the Smitty Built stuff in relation to the cost so I would def consider that compressor and winch.

 

As far as suspension goes, you probably don't need big name racing stuff with remote reservoirs like most people like getting. There are options out there for front coilovers around $1,000 that still have adjustable ride height and a bigger body. And as long as you stick with monotube shocks in the rear, you can find big name options like fox or icons for about $300. I don't have personal experience with 5160s in the rear, but a lot of people here complain about how they're valved.

In your research for 33s you've probably seen a lot of guys referring to tire sizes that end in R17, but if you change the other numbers around, you can find 33s for 16s. I will say you definitely have a lot more options for 17s though. I'd recommend checking out and to get familiar with your options.

The TRD Offroad models come with a rear locker, but the other models don't, so it depends on what you end up buying.

 

Went and drove a 21 TRD Pro today. Man do I wish that truck had a little more power and guts. Additionally, I wasn't impressed with the interior at all. I don't like the TRD Pro leather either so a tricked out OR may be better for me.