2018 Taco mod: need suggestions

Hey all, this is my first time modding a truck for off-roading so I could use some advice.

Right now I’m running a stock 2018 Off-road.

I wanted to start with a tire upgrade (thinking Nitto RGs), but wasn’t sure if I should upgrade the shocks from the stock Bilsteins first to fit some bigger tires on there? Prefer not to swap out the wheels yet, but I’ll drop the snowflakes at some point, unless I need to for the tires. Overall hoping to gain 1.5 to 3” if possible.

Also looking for recommendations for armor. I prefer steel but if I can get away with aluminum on some of the plating, thoughts. And also could use some advice on rock sliders.

Any other general build recommendations are welcome.

Thanks for your help.

 

Welcome to Tacomaworld. My advice? Drive it exactly like it sits for the first six months. Take it off road. It will go places stock that most vehicles can't with few exceptions. In those six months you will learn exactly what you need from your own experiences. If you are new to off roading, go take a class. You will learn a ton because successful off roading is 90% driver, 10% vehicle.

I know that's boring but hey, that's my advice.

 

Good advice. I didn't even know they had off roading classes. Will have to look for one around me. Do they have online classes? Sorry for my ignorance.

 

Lol you sign up, take your truck to an off road course and they instruct you in best practice over obstacles, side hills, mud and rocks. It's all hands on. They will also teach you how to safely recover your vehicle and how to help others. They also teach you the most important part - which is how to read lines and spot.

 

Sliders first.