New upgrades to enhance truck/off roading?

Hello everyone,

I just purchased a 2017 Off Road Tacoma 6 sp MT. I am new to owning a truck (or any 4x4 for that matter). I have the Manual transmission, so I did not get the MTS or Crawl Control.

it may just be that I need to pratice, but was going up some rocky inclines the other day and it really seemed like I wasnt getting much clearance and was hitting or coming close to scraping underneath the truck. Do you recommend a lift kit, if so what? What else can i get to help the truck be more fun? It is completely stock

Thanks,

 

This definitely interests me too.

 

So you usually get lift kits (check this thread) to fit bigger tires which will give you the better clearance. High clearance bumpers will help your approach angle. sliders are a must as well.
Personally I went with ICON Stage 4 for my lift kit and i am still waiting on my front bumper and sliders from CBI Off-road. I also have a Warren M8000 winch and a KB Voodoo bed rack. I will also be getting some KO2s or AT2s soon probably 33s

 

did you install your stage 4 yourself? if so how difficult was it?

 

I did install it myself +2 friends (because i had access to a lift bay) it wasn't to bad i was in a shop so i had all the tools i could ever need. its mainly unbolt stock and blot on new. They UCAs were a pain in the ass but after i bent some sheet-metal out of the way it was allot easier. I had to drill a small hole in my frame so i can mount my rear external reservoirs. I also had to grind a clip off of my leafs on both sides. If you want you can watch my lame video i made of the install (my apologies ahead of time for it only dealing with the back end, i didnt think to make one until i was already half way done.)

 

With every rig I build there are stages it goes through. I always start with recovery because recovery gets you out of a lot of trouble, sometimes in places you probably shouldn't have been (because you were stock). Second is regearing, lowering gears helps with a ton of stuff especially when you eventually lift it and put bigger tires on. Regearing early allows you to also add lockers and OBA if desired. It's also expensive and considered an afterthought because you don't get the instant gratification of aesthetics. Next comes suspension lift and tires.

 

Does it align ok after a lift ?

 

I agree on the rear chains for deep snow......but one has to be very careful with front chains. You can wreck your truck in a hurry. Clearance is so tight up front, I wouldn't recommend it. Perhaps others with more knowledge would.

 

I don't know the clearance on my LX570 vs my TRD PRO (its dark now, I can check tomorrow), but last winter I put chains on all 4 tires on the LX, and it was fine. Albeit I wasn't doing very high speed driving. It was the first time I needed chains. Was a learning experience, but required and needed in the climate

 

The alignment was fine. I will get it aligned again when i get my 33s on the truck.

 

Are you using 4-lo?

 

lift only helps so much. tires will add much needed clearance if you are scraping a lot. lift will help front clearance and articulation, but your rear diff is likely the low spot that would get hung up which wouldnt be effected by lifting. picking a good line is important, practice certainly helps.