First trail run coming up; need input

My first trail run is coming up at the end of November. Knowing that, I wanted to consult y'all on what the #1 (and 2, 3) thing is I should do to prep my truck for the fun.

Note: first trail run ever, not just first run for my Sport Taco. I'll try not to be too stupid but I can't guarantee anything lol

I have billies all around and a 3" Toytec lift, but stock tires. My tires aren't due to be replaced but I could always do it. ($1,000)

Skid plates sound like a wise decision. Any direction? Full coverage or what is the most vulnerable for the price conscious? (me)

 

Full trail armor is always a good decision. There is a group buy for the rear diff skid going on right now. See here. IMHO, having adequate skid plates is far more important that having extra clearance. No matter how tall your truck is, you WILL get high centered on something and need to get pulled off. I'd be much more at ease knowing that my truck is resting on plate steel when this happens, instead of the transfer case.

As for the tires, unless you are going to be seeing mud, the stock Duncraps aren't as bad as most people claim. I've been in some crazy places with them with only minimal traction loss. Besides, if you eat them up on the trail, you have even more excuse to buy new ones.

 

I know I should get some skid plates, and I will. I just don't have $800+ to spend on fully protecting everything right now. I like Armortech a lot from what I've read and seen. (Bumpers and armor)

So, if you had to choose, which parts are the most vulnerable?

ETA: Placed my order for the Rear Diff skid plate (http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/gr...late-group-buy-1-10-01-2011-10-15-2011-a.html)

 

The most vulnerable part is the one that hangs down the lowest. That would be the driver's side exhaust pipe crossover running under the transfer case/cross member before it hits the Y Pipe. Re-routing this will allow you to get a transfer case skid plate that mounts flush to the cross member which gives you armor and a little extra clearance. Check out Bud Built for a complete set of skids.

 

How difficult is the trail you'll be running?

 

Honestly I don't know. I've never been there and I don't know what I'll end up on. I'll try to stay easy / moderate until I get some more confidence. I don't know if there are any rock/boulder constructions on the ones I'll be driving.
I don't want to build a rock crawler but I want to prepare at least some so I don't end up with expensive repair bill that won't be covered by warranty.

 

are you refering to the uwharrie meet if so ifs skid and sliders will be fine i took my sport up there and ran every trail did have to take some bypasses and daniel you can hitch a ride. i went with my stock ifs and got beat to hell but sliders and ifs and you will good to run the easy to moderate stuff there. there are alot of people going to this meet that know what they are doing and as long as you listen to your spoter you will be fine. since its your first meet. go to the october windrock meet thread and print out the must bring sheet. budbuilt makes great skids that you will get before the meet

 

learn how your truck handles on a trail before going wild IMO. and do not try to do doughnuts or powerslide.... you will roll your truck.

 

Thanks guys. I'm taking notes. I wish I had an area local to me where I could go for a couple of hours but I just don't know of anything that is more than a bare piece of flat land.

I'm not planning on buying everything I see on that list, but I've added some things to my shopping list and boy .. this first-time trip is gonna be expensive.


ETA: That 4wheeloffroad checklist is great. It's a hard to read downloadable PDF but I found the list on their website: http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/trail/4x4_trail_gear_camping_checklist/viewall.html

 

I wish I would have saw this earlier I went to budbuilt today and picked up my skid pack could have gotten you an ifs for cheap

 

All I have for skids so far is the stock front skid plate and a rear diff skid that's being built shortly. I figured if I f up that skid it just gives me reasons to upgrade

 

It all depends on what trails you plan to run, if bypasses to difficult obstacles are available and what the trail is rated. A stock 4x4 taco is very capable
But if your gonna run trails on a regular basis but nothing too difficult I would at least get a front skid and sliders along with some good offroad tires.

 

Oh, yes. I forgot to mention that I ordered some weld-on sliders.
The one thing I'm still having heartburn over is the $1000 price tag for tires

Like I said, this thing is getting expensive quickly

 

If you want a controlled placed to see what you and your rig can do. I highly recommend Gulches in Laurens County SC. Its a private off road park and the owner Skip is about as helpful as anyone I've come across.

The first time I went there, they took me on a two hour tour through everything I was comfortable with and then a little more.

p.s. I'll probably be seeing you at Uwharrie

 

Who's sliders did you order? Will you get them in time?

 

Thanks for those pics. I know I don't have to go down the heaviest trails, and I probably won't. I have to learn this thing first anyway; I am however a little concerned about the capabilities of my stock street tire:

Bridgestone Dueler HT


There will be folks in this group who know what they're doing, and hopefully will be able to help me maneuver through tight spots.

 

Simple solution here Stephan:

Just bring what you have, and listen to Larry, Dennis, or me when we're advising you. Whatever level your truck is at by the meet, you'll be able to have some fun, and you'll learn plenty. We'll keep you from getting into any serious trouble, and we're prepared to get you out if you do.

Deep breath.

The more you add to your truck and the more capable it is by the time the meet rolls around, the more fun you'll have. But don't worry about killing your truck - it's not that fragile, and you're not that stupid....are you?

 

Yep, this. Dont let your brave man parts talk you into trying anything your brain says is stupid.

If you have fun, there's always another time to come out again with a little more savvy and experience and try again.

 

So this means the one we cannot speak of will be there

 

Potentially. He's not set in stone.