Do I need to mod/replace anything for light off-roading?

Hi everyone!
I recently bought a 2014 4x4 Tacoma double cab Texas edition (no TRD off-road package). It's my first truck & I've never done any off-roading so I wanna start with trail riding & maybe move up from there but I don't intend on doing any mudding or rock climbing. Should I replace anything or is a stock Tacoma well capable?
I live in Houston, TX & there are not many off-road parks close by so I will only do it once in a while on weekends.
Thanks for your help!

 

Sorry for the double post. Please delete this thread.

 

Not at all, our trucks are very capable offroad stock. The first thing i would do is get some good AT tires, i am not sure what the Texas edition comes with, maybe even go up a size in tires for a little more ground clearance.

 

Thank you.

 

You could add some skid plating, side bars ( or even better, sliders), and maybe an LSD unit in the rear. That would maintain your stock look and ride, and take some of the fear out of offroading.

Airing down to 15psi really helps, too. Get Power tank or some other means to air back up.

These will cost some money, but if you can afford a brand new truck, you can afford some goodies for it, right?

 

Don't the 2014s have brake assisted lsd front and back?

 

What are skid plating, side bars or sliders for?

 

It's fine out of the box... do some light off-roading and get a feel for things. Upgrade to quality AT tires when the time comes and then start making a list of mods you might want to look into. There is no rush, your truck works well, and as you build experience and confidence you'll start getting a few ideas.

 

Rock sliders and a real skid plate to replace the tin can stock one.

 

skid plates protect your under body and sliders protect you rocker panels/pinch weld. sliders also help some at keeping your truck sides away from trees and other stuff.

 

Thanks! It has BFGoodrich rugged terrain T/A now.

 

Thanks for that! I guess sliders are better than the stock side steps?

 

The stock steps are bolted to the body. If you high center yourself you will bed them and maybe the body of your truck. Rock sliders are welded to the frame. They can hold the truck.

 

http://3mauto.com/products/paint-de...34f776a-7e6e-4bb1-8304-025393aded6acsEq83VfxZ


Maybe protect the paint from scratches?

 

Got it!

 

Just posted this advice in another thread, but same applies here:

• Take a class, preferably from this guy. It's spendy, but it's the best money you will ever spend.
• Join a reputable club in your area. It doesn't matter the vehicle, only that they wheel responsibly and safely.
• Don't always assume that somebody who has a modded truck or says they've been offroad 'forever' knows what they are doing. There's a bunch of idiots who believe doing things wrong enough times will produce a right answer.
• Above all, you will need help and friends. Both for safety and learning.

It's hard to say what mods you will need because we don't know how far you will go with your vehicle. I was once you, and I started here, thinking that was the most I'd ever do... but now this is what I consider simple and I'm just finishing up this project.


It's really hard to say where the road will take you... be informed before you get there, and buy smartly only when you need to!


EDIT: and sell any side steps now, you will bugger them up

 

Tires and basic recovery gear.

 

Spend your money on gas. Get out there and hit some trails. Go with a buddy and have some fun. Your truck will do fine and you'll quickly learn which mods you need or want. That being said, for any vehicle, good tires are the most effective upgrade you can make. Good luck!

 

Oh yeah, and reroute the exhaust cross over pipe. I couldn't even go over a curb without scraping that POS. It's cheap to have a muffler shop do that.

 

Don't let these guys spend too much of your money before you go out there.

Carry some basic recovery and emergency gear. For example if you're going out into the desert, you'll want food and water. Especially water.

Recovery strap and a couple of shackles. (don't get one of those towing straps with hooks.) Spare key in case you get locked out in the sticks. 12v jumper battery in case you accidentally run down the battery.

I might upgrade my tires to a tougher all-terrain LT tire.

Carrying an air compressor so you can air down for better traction, then air back up when you get back to pavement.

Sliders, armor, all that stuff can wait. The best thing you carry with you is good judgement, and know when to

1. stop and survey the situation by walking into/through it before driving into it and
2. stop and turn around, and come back another time better equipped and with another person