old goober with 2016 Tacoma Off Road

The 99 Chevy Suburban and 2004 Chevy 1500 p/u have been replaced by a 2016 Tacoma Off Road. Goals were for a p/u with 4 doors to replace suburban, short p/u bed for occasional trips to dump. Major consideration was to haul long 18 ft kayaks. Kids are grown, unfortunately parents have gone to the great beyond (along with beloved chocolate labs) so don't need a Suburban any more.

A year ago, we had a great afternoon at the Range Rover off road course in Asheville NC (got a free lesson since we went down there to buy a Viper Kayak from one of the instructors).

Took delivery of a 2016 Tac TRD 4 door short bed AT offroad in late Nov. Had to get the automatic because I wanted the factory tow package. I drive a manual (as does wife everyday)

Ted from Overland Experts gave us a great one day intro to our TRD on 1/9 in Orange Va at the OEX course there. Had a great time getting stuck and figuring out how to get out of it and general intro to off roading.

I am still a little confused about MTS vs Crawl Control and when to use either in what situation. Letting air out of tyres and using MTS got us up one very slippery muddy Va red clay slope.

Now wife and I need to sort out what adventures we want to get into for the next fifteen years (56 now, anticipate to be running, kayaking till we are in early to mid 70s). She likes to point out something that looks knarly and expect me to muddle it out (including how to get a rental Mazda passenger sedan across a 3 foot deep swollen stream in New Zealand).

Concerns about present factory issue truck--why I cannot fix auto transmission in 2nd gear to prevent slippage; why are side step rails from factory POS, why is exhaust not better shielded (interesting scrapes from bottom of vehicle on some of the stuff we did the other day)

I will probably be consulting with Lance the owner at Pig Iron Off Road in Fredericksburg VA (I think I put a pacemaker in one of his employees) who comes highly recommended from several of my colleagues as to what I need to do to my 2016 Tacoma Off Road.

Looking forward to adventures in our Tacoma well into retirement.

 

Howdy Goobernaut

 

Get a smaller aftermarket muffler and have it tucked better if ur worried bout it. Factory installed side steps are lowest bidder I assume.

 

Welcome to the club!

 

Congrats on your new Tacoma and welcome!