Newbie in NorCal

Made a snap decision to get into a 2017 TRD Off Road Access Cab last week when my Forester came up with problems just as I was about to buy out the lease. Been my dream truck and near obsession for years, just didn't think I'd be pulling the trigger this year. Oh well, lucky me I guess!

Already been to Tahoe through snow and took it out to Hollister Hills SRVA a couple days ago to have some real fun! This is my first 4x4 truck, let alone anything with tech like locking diff, crawl control and all that jazz.

I'm amazed at the technology and what the truck can get itself through! Moguls, rocks, steeps, snow, no problem. Hollister was muddy definitely gave me the opportunity to push the truck to try to find its limits in each mode - 2WD on bouncy muddy fireroads and hauling ass on groomed tracks, 4HI in ruts and steeps, 4LO just blew me away even in rockfields and over log obstacles.

Got to engage the locking diff to get out of a couple places, mostly mud. Definitely found the limits of what I'm comfortable with on a solo mission with no winch. Found myself in a muddy rutted area and ended up between a deep rock-strewn mud pit and sliding toward a 3 foot deep recently eroded ditch. It got scary for a sec as all my wheels dug into the mud and I learned my first lesson (don't go solo or get a winch). BUT - I used a combo of crawl control and punching the gas like hell to execute a 600-point controlled slide in about a 15x15' space, back over a head-high thicket of bushes for traction and gun it outta there like a madman. I was scared s-less for a second and had visions of my brand new truck slipping down the drainage. Came out with nary a scratch. Yeah, I'll be picking up some comealongs and traction boards tomorrow. Drove it home with a nice new mud coat, getting 23 MGP in the process!

Next step is to get a camper shell, probably a Snug Top or A.R.E. and probably to install a diff breather to enable deeper water crossings without issue. I'd probably swap out the tires for something a little chewier if I was going to do a lot of rock or mud, but that would sacrifice snow/ice performance and the truck truly kills it in all conditions with the stock equipment.

Anyways, this is my long-winded hello! Looking forward to learning from y'all. Here's my truck:

 

Welcome to the fraternity!

 

Congrats on your new Tacoma and welcome!