First Mod opinions

I'm new to the tacoma world and to this forum obviously. Anyways, I just bought a 2012 taco TRD sport. I'm trying to decide between what mod I should make first. I've narrowed it down to either a lift kit or new wheels and tires. Pleases help! Also I'm a college student so money is kinna an issue. I'm not saying I want cheap but if you know of any deals please let me know. Also what are the best suspension systems in terms of off road performance, fuel economy, and ride quality. Help is much appreciated!!

 

Hi and welcome!

Give us some more info...like what is your budget? What type of offloading? Plus it wouldn't hurt to search around TW, I think after some reading you might be able to answer your own questions.

 

Tires should definitely be last if your wanting to add a lift. You'll also want to stay away from body lifts and spacers for off road performance and ride quality reasons.

 

Most cost effective lift is 5100's. if you want to keep fuel economy, I'd level the front with the 5100's and get new rims and tires...

Should be doable for under $2k. Proper offset wheels and tires will transform the look of your truck the most and keep fuel economy down. Bigger lifts need bigger tires and that gets more expensive.

 

Congrats on the new truck. Read all you can in the suspension section so you'll be able to make a better decision on what lift you want. There is so much info here on TW and good folks to help you. Enjoy!

 

Sometimes there's too much information...lol. Can be overwhelming.

 

My first mod was a set of Husky floor liners. Over 5 years later and they're still doing great. It's a good investment to protect your interior.

 

this. I got the weather techs

I got some weather techs to protect the floor. All the snow around here does a number on the floor when it builds up on the mats and then melts. Rain does the same thing. I have ripped up the carpet on my older trucks I have owned and had some pretty major rust on the floor.

 

If you will ever cross water over 12"-18" deep more than just a splash... the rear differential breather mod may be the most important, easiest and cheapest mod to ever make!: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/111954-my-differential-breather-mod-photos.html

 

I appreciate all the help guys. What are some o the top brands in lifts I haven't owned a truck in a while and have kinna fallen out of that market.

 

So first welcome to TW, 2nd, save your money and focus on a college education!

 

College and a 2012 Trd Sport? Seems money isn't an issue.

 

Dave up since I can remember and go money for birthdays and Christmas. All spent on the truck that's where the money went my friend.

 

I'd go with a lift and some new tires and skip the wheels. Stock wheels are perfectly functional.

 

But aftermarket wheels look so cool!

 

From one noob to another. It depends on what kind of wheeln you do. I do trail wheeln so I did the rear diff breather mod, upgraded shocks to Bilstein 5100's & leveled the truck, then got some trail armor to protect under the truck, upgraded my tires to BFG KO's after 2 blowouts from a Death Valley trip beacuse the tires that came with my truck were junk. I bought it used from a dealer. The kind wheeln you do will make it easier to choose your mods & upgrades.

 

And anytime fog light mod were mine.

 

tires are easily the best bang for your buck. abuse whats on there and trade up to 265/75/r16 or 265/70/r17 (whatever rim you have) and not only will they make it look better, but will significantly increase your off-road ability if you buy a good a/t or m/t

nitto terra grapplers, goodyear duratrac, goodyear authority (mine), bfg a/t ko, etc, etc, are all popular tires with good performance in many terrains, including the street

 

5100's 1st with new leaf pack if you can hack it, or an AAL. Then picking up some used tires and rims is 2nd. Weathertec floor mats somewhere in the mix. Maybe a toolbox later if that floats your boat.