No clue what I’m doing, need help...

Hi guys, please excuse my ignorance but everyone has to start somewhere. I just retired and traded in my 2008 Tundra for a 2019 Off Road Taco. Bought the Tundra brand new and never did a thing to it other than put some more aggressive tires on it. Fast forward to last Friday when I traded it in for the Taco. My intention is to do some fishing/hunting related long distance traveling and off roading.

Here’s my conundrum. I’d like to but know nothing about outfitting the truck. I’d like to lift it -nothing crazy - put some nice off road tires on it , thinking KO2’s as I had good luck with them them on the Tundra and then some accessories like rock rails good bumper with clearance, etc...

I’ve perused the site to try to learn some stuff but it can get pretty overwhelming for a new guy to this stuff. Most posts are from experienced guys who use all sorts of acronyms and such cause they already know hat they’re talking about. I don’t have a clue. I went to a local Off road shop the day before and ordered a brush guard, then came here and found out that probably isnt a good idea for what I want. I cancelled that order (hopefully) and changed it to rock sliders.

I really want a lift kit but have no idea what to do there. I’m afraid whatever I do I’ll pay too much for the wrong thing. Can someone take pity on me and point me in he right direction? Please remember you’re dealing with soaking wet newborn here. I won’t understand “Sure, go XYB with gen 2 bar hopper”...

To add insult to injury, I’m also new to this area. I moved down here to retire so not familiar with the local shops that offer services. What’s the best way to go? What would you do?

Thanks in advance...

 

Congrats on the new truck and welcome to the Forums!

There are a lot of different routes you can go.

This will ultimately come down to how the truck is going to be used, what your needs are and what your overall budget is!

You can spend anywhere from $1500 up to $5K.

Please feel free to Email, Call or PM me with any questions you may have!

 

Set your 'wants' aside for a while and use the truck as is.

Then select bits that you learn will improve the truck for the way you use it.

Once you wade in and learn a bit in all the reading around here, you'll realize that many folks over build trucks that are actually used mostly on pavement, because the 'might someday' and/or like the look. And the build that doesn't need what's used often costs more than just the up front money.

Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road is a good person to chat with when (and if) you get to the lift stage.

 

Welcome an congrats on the new Taco which is really nice.
I grew up in NM an know the terrain pretty well. I would go with a coilover setup something like king,fox or ads for comfort.

Icons are nice but only get smoother driving faster in the dirt at least in my experience.

Old Man Emu would be my 2nd choice if your not trying to shell out a bunch of money. They are a stock like up setup but way beefier hell its used all over the world in super remote places.

For armor there is a bunch of great vendors for skidplates, bumpers, an sliders myself went with sos concepts an very pleased with them.
Get out in the dirt enjoy your truck get the new off her an re-evaluate your needs/wants set aside a budget an go for it.

 

I’ll be honest lol.

Wanna only drive street and highway and ride “smooth”? Bilstein 6112

Want to actually go offroad, do trails, and have a nice ride? King 2.5’s

Wanna haul ass through the desert? Long Travel Total Chaos Race Kit + Kings

Want just a lift with a shitty ride? Rough Country

On a budget but dont want that shitty of a ride? Bilstein 5100s

Before anything - Go drive it first. Wait. See what you want, then talk to some vendors.

 

THIS. Drive the truck, enjoy the truck, take it off-road and go as far as you can. Upgrade the truck along the way when you see the need to. Also, utilize these forums to learn what others have done. There is great information on here waiting to be read. The more you know, the more comfortable you will be doing the upgrades that fit your needs.

Of course, when you're ready for suspension upgrades... we are happy to get you dialed in.

 

Make sure you ordered actual rock sliders that bolt/weld to the frame fo the truck and not sure step bars that look like rock sliders and bolt to the body. Those do not function the same as a slider.

 

Despite not being too savvy about the equipment, I do drive some crazy rough places off road. Nice thing was mostly with a company truck. I no longer have that option and will be using my own hence this post.

Very fortunately for me, my wife goes to church with a really cool guy who owns a very large used car dealership here in town. make a long story short he totally hooked me up today.

I’m all set and post pics when done. Thanks to all who responded...

 

You should let us know your game plan so we can tell you if he's just "hooking you up" with crappy bolt on staff that may look cool but will protect your truck in no way or a lift that will get you higher but not necessary the best way for long term. That's mostly the mods you see on trucks at lots advertised as heavily modified.

 

Yes, def post up your plan before dumping the cash. if somebody know chevy's they won't have a clue what is good on a tacoma and vice versa sorta thing.

if this great guy sells you shit for standard market prices you and your wife will be mad at this guy, then your wife at you for wasting money, then you at her etc...

I run the basic Eibach lift on my current tacoma, ran Old Man Emu on my last tacoma, ran Fox 2.0 on my ford and one of my jeeps... lots of options, some good, some garbage, some totally overkill

 

I’d drive it stock for 10-30k miles then you’ll have a better idea of what you want/need. It’s plenty capable the way it is at lower speeds off road.

 

op???