Mild Off Roading Mod Suggestions

Hi guys,

I'm totally new to this whole modifying of trucks thing and I would really appreciate some advice.

I have a stock 2002 Prerunner and I'm looking to do some mild off-roading. I took my truck out on the trail this past weekend and I definitely need more ground clearance and better suspension.

Any suggestions for lifting and suspension, etc. would be great. I can do all the work myself and can do any fabrication, welding, etc. if need be to get something really cool. Oh and I'm on a slight budget too.

Thanks!

Angie the Speedy Newbie.

 

first off welcome to TW (from san diego) angie!

Glad to have you

 

I'm selling a 3" kit that includes front spacers and AAL in the rear. There is much better kits out there someone is bound to infuluence you towards and if you have enough $ I'd go that route... Such as coilovers and or better shocks.

 

Welcome to the board. You will find SO much information here...You'll figure out what you need in no time flat.

 

Thanks for the welcome guys, I can't wait to do some work on the Tacoma.

Let's see...I ride dirt bikes and thought it might be fun to take my truck out for a spin. Nothing really high speed, but it is quite bumpy. Kinda desert trails stuff. A little bit of climbing, not too many rocks.

Put the truck on the hoist at the shop and everything underneath seems intact. Wasn't going that fast and didn't encounter any big rocks, but I noticed the front had no clearance at all in some whoops.

Will post some pictures of welding.

 

where in socal are you

 

Welcome to TW Angie!! Another female, this is cool....I think we are up to 5 now J/K. If you are going to be doing mild offroading I would not look at a spacer lift. I would look at doing maybe a Toytec coilover or if budget permits get a set of Sway-Sway coilovers. For the rear I would do a minimum of a Add-A-Leaf and at best go with new leaf packs by Deaver or Alcan. What kind of budget do you have to work with? If you can give an amount I think people will be able to give you some good suggestions.

 

Ta Da!

 

Right, I wasn't all about the spacer lift either but it seems that whenever I go to a 4-wheel place they always want to sell me that.

Not sure about the budget. It's open as of right now. I wouldn't mind doing something step-by-step. Buying a few things now and adding on.

I'm looking into putting a turbo into the truck. Just as a project, but anyway...let's work on the suspension thing first.

Oh...the AAL thing...would the ride be really stiff?

 

Are you single?

P.S. I know my profile says I'm married, but that's just to keep the ladies off J/K




If you have an open budget then go coilovers if you can for sure. If this is mostly going to be a trial truck then getting full replacement leaf packs will get you much added ride quality and articulation on the trails. If you use the truck as a DD then have a look at my signature for what I did with my truck.

 

I'll have to work on getting some pictures of the truck from underneath for ya.

I race 1/4-mile sport compact drag. Takin' a break from that to work on my truck...except I need ideas, which is why I'm here. Keep 'em coming guys!

Oh...PandaJerk, locationwise...I'm in LA.

Oh yes, one more question...what differences are there with regard to the shocks on my 2002 Prerunner and the newer ones? Length, perch? Would I be able to adapt suspension that is made for a newer Prerunner onto mine? Seems like there are a lot of parts available for the 2nd gens?

 

You will barelly notice a difference in the ride with AAL. Now as soon as you put a block in the rear that makes it real stiff Not so much in the ride but over the slightest little bump

 

Sorry guys, taken.

I guess this is kinda my daily driver, so something not too rough.

 

So...do we like this... ?

Also, I like shackles better maybe? Haha.