New member, First Taco, first truck, looking to hit the trails...now!

Hey guys, my name is Derek, I'm 24 and I've been in Denver for about a year and a half. Decided to dump the Chevy Cruz post-graduation
because it couldn't get me to the places I wanted to explore in CO (shocker I know). I like to fish, waterfowl hunt, backpack/hike/camp, and snowboard. I also play on two beer league hockey teams here in Denver (MN native here, couldn't say no to two teams!)

The real question is... what's a stock '19 TRD off-road capable of handling here on these CO trails? Any absolute must have mods you guys suggest before I get this thing dirty, or should I be okay to hold off for a bit? I was thinking an upgraded skid plate in the short term,
and eventually a 2-3" lift down the road, maybe not until next year though...

All advice is appreciated!!

-Derek

 

@deadpocketss

 

What? Another northern boy who plays hockey in Colorado so ya gotta tag me?

Welcome to TW.
I don't know shit about trails in CO as I have a stock PreRunner but one of these days I'll get another 4wd.

I know there are places that you can take a stock Taco but that also depends on skill and who you are with. I'd definitely look around and see if you can find a Facebook group or another group more specific to your area. I know there is a Colorado Springs Tacomas group that does Taco Tuesdays and some trail runs.

 

I mean you guys are practically neighbors.

 

True...
I edited my other post to be somewhat helpful at least.

 

You found the Colorado sub group, but you missed the stickies.
Keep an eye on the Colorado bs page, the upcoming events, and the trading post.

For the upcoming events if you have a trail ya wanna run post it up, good chance someone will run it with ya.
Check out trailsoffroad.com they have a lot of info on the trails around here

 

No advice other than listen to your locals, and enjoy! Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome and congrats on your new taco!

 

Welcome and congrats on the Tacoma. I too am new. I just recently purchased the newest edition 2019 of the FunTreks books that has almost 200 trails with full descriptions and difficulty ratings. If you want to hit up some easy trails let me know I will join you. I am new to wheeling myself. However I have all the gear we would need to get ourselves out of a jam if we encountered one. Let me know if you want to ride some easy trails. We can stumble our way through them

Also the stock Taco can handle a lot of trails. My buddy has a 2018 and he has done many trails with no mods, granted he has more experience in wheeling.

PM me if you want to set something up.
Cheers

 

Oh and a word of advice I have gotten from multiple dealerships. LOCK YOUR TAILGATE. They get stolen like all the time. Especially in the Denver metro area.

 

Welcome!

I installed a TRD aluminum front skid and @Mobtown Offroad siders. These trucks are super capable stock and get to know how it goes off road! Make sure you have basic recover gear, a good shovel, extra water, food, sunscreen, cold weather jacket, fire extinguisher, and go have fun!

 

Nice truck. A suggestion but not a requirement is tires. Your tires look like they are in good shape but will likely be a limitation off the roads. I had a set like yours on my truck when I bought it. I sold them for $250 and put it toward some more capable AT tires.

 

Welcome! I'm in Loveland and am down for hitting some trails as well.