How off-road capable is a stock TRD OR?

This week I will be taking delivery of a TRD OR. I will be a weekend warrior type, taking this off road 3x's per month or so. While I am interested in making this look a bit more aggressive by adding bigger tires and potentially a lift, I don't know that I want to severely impact the truck's power or even mpg. This will be my daily driver, but don't mind losing a mile or two per gallon.

My question to all you Tacoma's owners... How well does the stock TRD perform off-road? What is the best/first upgrade I should do to make it more trail-worthy? I am not looking to be a rock crawler (if that's a term), but rather trails, creeks, small rocks etc.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

It's capable. Probably want to get better tires.

 

It depends on how deep those creeks are but for trails and small rocks, you won't even need a lift and bigger tires. These trucks are pretty capable for what most people will use them for, I think you won't have a problem capability-wise.

 

are u 4x4 or or just a 4x2 with locker? i have a 4x2 with lockr and i keep up with my 4x4s friends for the most part! just no deep mud

 

I have a first gen 4x4 TRD OR. Threw some 265/75R16 MTRs before my Foxs and the stuff it did would surprise many people.

Honestly, an aggressive 31" tire and some Bilsteins on all 4 corners and you'll be fine. I have Foxs on all 4 corners only 2" higher than stock in the front with stock bumpers and I keep up with long arm Jeeps on trails without breakage. You'd be surprised.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. The new truck will be a 4X4.

Not sure how deep the creeks are on the trails around here (Baltimore/Southern Pennsylvania area), but will be following my buddy who has a Rubicon with 35's (he will be a novice as well). Are the door seals water tight? Should I be concerned about water ingress if the bottom of the doors and the creek overlap?

Regarding tires...If I was to upgrade those first, I would like to consider 265/75r16s. Seems like KO2, Trail Grappler, Open Country are some of the more popular ones on this site. But I've read so many conflicting posts about frame rub. Does someone know if this varies by truck, or if there is a tire in this size that is certain not to rub? Or would I not even tell the difference between 265/75 and 265/70?

Thanks again!

 

265/75r16 MTRs. I'm sticking with these through hell and high water cause they've stood up through hell and high water. In going 285/75 next though

 

One more thing. On the first half of the trail, his Rubicon will be more capable than yours. Solid front axle, 35s, locking front and rear. Key is though, the first half. Because half way through the trail his Jeep will do the Jeep thing and break.

 

265/75r16s should not rub with stock suspension. Different brands/models of the "same size" tires can still have slight variation in size.

Going from 265/70r16s 265/75r16s will increase tire diameter by 1 inch, which amounts to 1/2 inch lift. Every bit helps. Go play with this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc
and this
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-understand-metric-tire-sizes.23715/


If you are worried about door seals, you better to the rear diff breather mod. Cheap, easy, fast.

 

Thanks! Never heard of a rear diff breather mod. I will search that on TW, see what it's all about. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Better tires (I recommend 265/75/16 Cooper ST MAXX, amazing tire, quiet on the street, tough as nails and great traction) , rear diff breather mod, rock sliders, tow hitch shackle, a shovel, a quality snatch strap, and maybe a hi-lift jack. The main thing that holds these trucks back bone stock is the shitty freakin tires.

 

Thanks. Is there any particular aggressive trail tire that is known to wear well on and off road? I've read posts claiming only 30k miles before replacing on some of these different tires. I'd like to find something aggressive and trail-worthy that also has decent road manners and wear.

As a point of reference, I currently drive a wanna-be truck (Honda Ridgeline). It's been a great family mover, boat hauler, mulch and rock container, but hasn't seen more than my backyard offroard. I have some Michelin LTX tires that gave me near 100k miles (put about 18k miles per year commuting). I might cry if I find myself changing tires every two years.

 

In my experience, the ST Maxxs wear well and last as long as you rotate every 5k. I do know people who run those Michelins off road. They do better than one would expect, but definitely aren't the most aggressive.

 

Make sure the tires are LT rated. I've had lots of KOs of various sizes and they last forever. If you rotate regularly and are aligned, any AT should go 40k+. Mud tires are a different story.

1. Tires
2. Remove mud flaps
3. Relocate 7-pin
4. Reroute exhaust crossover

With that you'll be able to go farther than you probably want to with your daily driver.

 

Tacoma's, in a more or less "stock" form are adequate in the hands of an adequate driver. They can be outstanding in the hands of a really good driver.

Tires can make or break an off road adventure.

Lifts, while not a requirement, can make a truck a LOT more capable.

Protective gear (ie skid plates, sliders, etc, can be your best friend)

The single best piece of advice? Use common sense. You'd be astounded at the numbers of people who skip that part of the program.

 

Just start with one and then decide if you need the next.
Lift
Tires
Sliders
Skids
Bumpers
Extras

 

Is the exhaust crossover located in an easy-to-damage area during off-roading?
Does the TRD OR come with skid plates to protect the undercarriage?

 

Easy to damage

 

I appreciate everyone's suggestions. There seems to be so much one can do to a Tacoma, it's all a bit overwhelming. I can't even get my head around all of the options just to lift it, if that ends up making sense for my off-road usage, as well as adding to the generally badass look of the truck.

It just arrived at the dealer. I stopped by to check it out, and now my mind is racing as to what/when I will begin changing out tires and/or lift and/or....

I will probably start with a 265/75r16 tire (ST Maxx, Duratrac, Open Country??), then look to lift (1"- 3" range). I see a lot of people reference 5100's and I think a setting of .85 or 1.75? Is there a particular forum link that would help me spell out all of the details as to what is needed, pending the amount of lift, as well as decipher all the acronyms associated with it? All I know is that "pucks" are an inexpensive way to lift, but seem to be looked upon with some level of disdain here. Then there are shocks, differential droppers, UCAs, cab mount mods, pinch weld mods (which I looked up), etc. I'd love to find some tutorial on this, so if/when I decide a lift will benefit my goals, I won't be reliant on my local shop who suggested an inexpensive ReadyLift kit, without speaking about other options.

Thanks again everyone!