Advice on mods for a new Tacoma owner

Just got my Tacoma last week and I have browsing the site a bit. What are the best mods for a new owner who is looking to do off roading? I was thinking new tires first, any ideas or some armor? Also the Overland Expo is in Northern Arizona this weekend is anyone going?

 

Welcome to TW from Phoenix!

 

It all depends on where you want to go, how far you want to go, how much you want to spend, and how high a tolerance you have for the "unintended consequences" that ALWAYS seem to go hand in hand with making modifications.

Browse around my friend. But no one here can make advice about what's the first mod for you, without knowing anything about you.

If I wanted the absolute minimum to go off-roading in my stock truck, I'd buy and bring

tires,
recovery gear,
survival gear,
tools.

 

Tires
Sliders
"Low-trac" mod to allow auto-LSD to work in 4x4 low-range
Remove mudflaps prior to hitting the trail.

 

Welcome to the site. 6" lift and new shoes. and tint.

 

It's generally accepted that 6" lifts are not ideal for off-roading. Ground clearance is about the same as a 3" lift due to the drop bracket. You get better approach and departure angles, but the higher center of gravity can lead to rollovers on steep grades.

 

This^

 

I learned the lesson about the mudflaps this weekend. Should I put flexible mudflaps on or just leave it? My first thought for tires was wrangler duratrac or bf Goodrich all terrains

 

As far as mud flaps go I took them off and have no intention of putting any back on. The stock ones can fetch 100 $ here easily, but if you leave them on they gouge the truck...

Here is where I would, and did start:Cheap/Free mods
That list ought to keep you busy for a while, and then you can move up to more expensive stuff like bumpers, sliders, and Skids.

I would recommend one of the first things you do be seat covers and GOOD floor mats. Wet Oklole seat covers and Weather Tech Digital fit floor mats are hard to beat. but they don't come cheap.

Wrangler Duratracs get my vote on tires. I have a set now and when they are dead I will be getting them again, Though probably bigger.

 

Thanks I appreciate all the advice this has been great. I was looking at the MOLLE gear seat covers from Smith Gear, But I like the way the Wet Okloles look too. I've been asking around and the Duratracs are definitely getting more votes than the good years. I have some cheap rubber floor mats though, are the Weather Tech fitted per truck?

 

They are laser cut I believe, a dang good fit anyways! just google it for some pics

 

Yes, they form fit to the truck. Similar to huskey liners. They don't play nice with manuals, but people have modded them to work right. As far as seat covers go, Wet Okoles are great, but Smith gear covers might be more conductive to your needs because they create the opportunity for more storage space via pouches.

 

Also does the suspension need to be changed if I put on a new bumper such as shrock works or tactical armor group?

 

Its a good idea, otherwise the suspension may sag. Depending on how heavy the bumper is. I know arb bumpers will cause sag.

 

Some people are going, look here:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/ar...-expo-2012-near-flagstaff-az.html#post5079979

 

trim the mudflaps, seat covers, floor liners and a trd supercharger....

 

Mud flaps are your call about how much rock chip damage you're willing to bear--which also depends on how aggressive the tires you end up going with are (and how much off-roading you do). If you decide to use the stocks and just trim them, I'd recommend putting paint film under their contact edge before re-mounting to stop the paint gouging mentioned by others.

On tires, I'm partial to Toyos. Either A/T's or M/T's depending on need. I've had both (A/T's on a Jeep) and don't see me ever buying anything else going forward.

Best advice on mods? Get the hell away from TW now before it siphons every last dime out of yer wallet!