Weakest link in the 3rd gen tacoma going off road?

Hello all,
New to this site and new to owning a Toyota Tacoma. I just bought a 2017 double cab SR 4X4 and was wanting to start accessorizing it. I look at it as a blank canvas. I started with TRD wheels and BFG K02, 265/75/16 tires.

What is the weakest link to this truck when it comes to going off road, NOT ROCK CRAWLING. I want to protect my investment and was thinking about rock sliders to protect rocker panels and/or skid plates, mud flaps, etc. No budget to do a proper lift anytiime soon.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

My OR stock was going places modified Jeeps were going. The only issue I had was rubbing on the subframe and it got a little bent. I'd say skid plates and sliders would need an upgrade and that is what I did.

 

Skid plates. Get them.

And trans cooler if you don’t have the tow package.

 

Recovery. All vehicles lack recovery. Either get a winch or some TREDs.

You can go pretty far stock but you cant always come back.

Other than that, I would say Skids, then Sliders.

Once you get all armored up the truck will likely need a new suspension to handle the extra weight.

 

Weakest link? The WannaBro’s behind the wheel.

 

Friggin skids. I took a rock to the stock skid on the SR and it bent it in about 4 inches.

 

first step was the one you did. Tires. Good job.

Next, skids and sliders. If not rock crawling, think about aluminum skids at half the weight of steel.

But I'd for sure say the rear axle travel was a weak link. Getting more travel has helped me tremendously on keeping traction through uneven terrain. Think long and hard about that suspension upgrade vs armor and weight.

 

Sad to say, but the weakest link is often the driver. In 40+ years of wheeling I've seen fairly stock vehicles go places some set up rigs were not going...the only difference was driver experience. I've seen way more carnage created by driver error than by a vehicles ability (OK sometimes a combo of both).

 

Guess it depends what you consider "off road." I've been all over Utah, ton of backcountry roads, in stock Toyota's. In my opinion, the weakest link is the size of the gas tank. My old Ford got 700+ miles to the tank. Tacoma is half that. Not the best, when heading out to remote areas. But nothing a couple of gas cans in the bed can't fix (and careful planning).

 

The exhaust crossover is probably the weakest link although a damaged exhaust pipe behind the cat isn't a really expensive fix. The rear diff is fairly stout but you can make it leak if you are not careful. The oil pan, transmission pan and transfer case are all fairly vulnerable. I would say skid plates first but rock sliders a close second. The rocker panel damage is unsightly and will lead to rust but won't cause the mechanical issues the under-body damage will.

 

Thanks to all who mentioned skids ... mine too is stock, and I was going to get sliders first as I had done some pretty painful rocker damage to my old 80 Series Land Cruiser. But the Tacoma does seem more vulnerable underneath, and damage there could be a lot more crippling than dented rockers. I think I'll change my priorities.

 

The weakest link is typically the driver. lol.

 

I'd probably go for sliders before skids..... and really, more clearance would be better..... so how about a lift and taller tires?

 

I am new to Tacomas and fairly new to offroading. I took my then brand new Tacoma out to Big Bend National Park for three days of light off-roading and from that decided that sliders would definitely be necessary at some point. My truck had the Predator steps and once or twice I bumped the steps on rocks. Didn't hurt them and if I had come off the rock a little slower, it probably wouldn't have touched. Not the case when, the next month I went wheelin at Hidden Falls with a group of lunatics that I met here. By the end of the first day, all four steps were broke off, a piece of the rear bumper broke off and the front bumper plastic came off.
So. I recommend sliders, then skids, then on and on. The Tacoma is frickin amazing! I went down (and up) trails that I would have swore couldn't be done in a modified offroad vehicle, let alone stock. If the crawlin gets serious, have a good experienced spotter, and go slow.
When I did BBNP, I did end up tapping into my spare gas can as there are no stations around.
Enjoy your new truck, and don't be scared to add a little character to its appearance.

 

@QuicksandChili Got some pics of the Trip? I'm looking to go back early 2018.

BTW, There is a Gas Station at Panther Junction. It ain't cheap though.

 

Will be heading to big bend state park in Feb. for the first time. Any place I should visit?

Hidden Falls took a toll on my truck used ever skid and sliders along with dragging hitch everywhere. Surprising the front approach angle is really good which has me thinking I should start with high clearance rear.

 

I have a TRD OR, but that being said I very rarely use the Locker or CC. I've been able to keep up with modded jeeps, full sized trucks, etc with the stock tires (which are surprisingly good), and I have had zero issues thus far. THe ground clearance is pretty great stock in comparison to other trucks. With the SR5 you already got some great offroad tires, I'll probably get 255/85r16s for added clearance though, so maybe do that after these wear out? I added a rear recovery point and I'll be getting some traction boards in a little while too.

In my opinion, drive it some more; drive it until you really NEED some functional mods. Get some traction boards, a rear recovery point (and front if the stock SR5 doesn't have one) and enjoy! These are great trucks for offroad uses and it definitely shows.

 

I need to make it out to BBNP, I see so many awesome pics and it just may be worth the looooong trip through Tejas. I would agree w/ the comments regarding the stock off-road prowess. I keep it pretty mellow compared to the hardcore off roaders on here, but at present I have done zero off-road mods (I've invested a lot in utility mods, racks, cargo, etc.,) but no sliders, lift, wheels, and am still running the stock Wranglers until they wear down another 20k miles or so.

I've only taken the truck offroad a dozen times or so since I've had it. Most of this has been old rutted out fire roads or grasslands / pastures but I've also navigated creek beads, mud, and have driven down what I'd categorize as a couple of old rocky drainage ditches leading into creeks. I've needed a spotter and have taken it slow each time I've been on anything too rocky. I've barely skimmed the bottom of my Tyger steps (no sliders, yet) once and I did put a gash in one of my wheels one trip, but replaced it with someones take-off for $100. A mild lift would be nice, but I really like the way the truck handles and don't want to mess with all the problems I see w/ needle bearings, vibrations, etc., I'll be putting on slightly larger, more aggressive tires next time and will put some sliders on at some point.

Until then, I can easily without hesitation go 90% of any place I want to go confidently. I'm not looking to scrape and mangle my 40k DD beyond what I can easily buff out

 

Like I said, the stock clearance is better than most, if you want a stock feel just get taller, skinnier tires next time and you'll be golden pony boy. The sliders will definitely help, with what you're describing I'd suggest bolt ons just because they don't require welding, easy to take off and will still give you better armor than your current steps will.

 

Also why was your SR $40K? Genuinely curious