Offroad Newbie

Hey guys, looking for some input and advice. I have a 2019 SR, all stock (so far). I took my truck out to Superstition Mountain (CA) and had some fun over the weekend, but also learned pretty quick the limits of what my truck can and can't do. Luckily my LSD got me out of the hole I dug for myself on the sand dam, and I actually made it up and over. I've been doing massive amounts of research and have narrowed my list down to what I need to upgrade to be able to do more than just dirt roads. I'd like your input on the order/priority of upgrades, as well as if I'm on the right track:
1. AT tires - KO2s
2. Skid plate
3. Better shocks
4. Sliders
5. Upgrade to locking diff?

I'm not looking at climbing boulders, just to be able to ram around places like Superstition Mountain, Anza Borrego, Glamis, Death Valley, eventually venture into UT, etc and not needing to use recovery equipment on the reg. Any advice is appreciated!

 

Your truck is perfectly capable off road without any modifications. IMO, what you need to focus on first is your driving technique, not a bunch of expensive mods. At least at first. People do Moab in 100% stock trucks. It's all about line choice and smart driving.

You can throw all the money in the world at your truck, and it's not going to make you a better driver.

Yes, the tires on these "off road" trucks are pitifully lame for off-road traction, so tires would be a worthy upgrade, and the mods you've listed out are all good, reasonable choices, but IMO not necessary at this point.

The problem with tires is then what size do you go with? Do you keep the stock size, just upgrade the tread pattern, or do you "buy once-cry once" and get larger tires now, but then you also end up needing suspension upgrades. Now you started an arms race, and your wallet will never forgive you.

Other things to add to your list, however, is recovery/safety gear. It doesn't matter if you don't intend to use recovery gear regularly. What matters is needing it (even if just once) and not having it.

It sounds like sand and desert type terrain appeals to you. I'd look into traction boards, too. Definitely a shovel.

The KO2's are excellent tires. Whatever you get, make sure they're E rated (I think the KO2's all are, but not 100% sure on that). You take a MPG hit because they're heavier, but you can run lower tire pressure (mandatory for sand) and they are way more durable.

 

265/75/16 Duratracs for the Win!

As close as you'll get to a great M/T tire, in a C load tire

 

Thanks for the input! I completely 100% agree that driving experience and technique is a major component with offroading. I can put all the fancy things on my truck but none of that will help me if I don't know how to get myself out of the tiniest rut. I've watched videos of people doing Hell's Revenge in Moab in stock trucks, which just seems crazy to me, but it's only further proof. I've been slowly learning the lingo (approach angle, departure, line choice, etc) and reading tons of stuff on how to drive in different environments but when it comes to actual driving experience, that'll just be me figuring it out through trial and error. I'd like to find a group out here that likes to go out and bomb around, and maybe one of those people can show me a thing or two. I'm also not super keen on doing this alone most of the time because I'm so new.

I think my first upgrade will be the tires, and most likely keep the stock size. I'm not into that slippery slope you mentioned. And yes, when I got back the first thing I did was make sure I have recovery gear for any future trips. Already got the shovel, but traction boards would be a bonus as well I think. Most of what's around me (I live in SD North County) within a 2-3 hour drive is sand, dunes, desert unless I attempt a weekend trip and venture out 6+ hours.

I know about running on lower tire pressure for sand - I've been going down to about 15-18psi. Should I be going lower?

 

RE: traction boards. There are expensive ones, there are cheap ones, there are "free" ones. I've had good luck not needing to carry them, and have been able to use logs, branches, rocks, etc... Cheap ones are good for those "on a rare occasion" uses, but if you find you use them a ton, you'll likely break the cheap ones, so go for the more well known brands if that's the case.

Yeah, the best thing you can do is just get out there and drive. Ideally, you'd go with other people not only for safety, but to gain knowledge. Professional courses are the "best" but not always practical. The more you drive, the more you'll get a feeling for what is possible, and what isn't.

Especially if you're alone, err on the side of caution and don't push it. If you get nervous, stop and turn around and save it for another day. Always always always get out and look. Plan your line before hand, and think about what will happen if you don't make it or get off-line. If you have an OHV park nearby with a 4x4 area (Corral Canyon might be good - but I've never been there), you can tend to push your skills a little more than if you were on a trail out in the boonies somewhere.

There's a really good thread, a sticky, on "going it alone". Very good advice there not only on recovery, but safety and first aid, communications, etc... Best NOT to travel alone, but some people prefer that, so it adds some element of complexity and possible danger that needs to be mitigated. If you go alone, get a winch. Seriously. A $700 accessory can turn would would normally be a life/death situation into a mild inconvenience.

This may sound stupid, but think about the type of recovery gear you will have, and IF it will even be useful for you. Things to consider: 1) tow strap - very useful tool IF you have another vehicle to pull you with it (they're useless if you are alone, lol). 2) hi-lift "farm" jack - very useful tool if used properly (as is anything), but think about where you'd put it to jack the truck up! I see lots of shiny rigs out there with a sweet hi-lifts mounted on their cool looking bed rack, but still have stock bumpers and no sliders.

Practice changing a flat tire on the trail. I saw pics of an abandoned 3rd gen on a not-that-technical section of a trail and the only sign of damage was a flat front tire. That said, more than likely you'd just need to plug it, unless you tear open the sidewall. Plug before you replace, if possible.

PSI: 15-18 psi is great, that's about what I typically run. That's about as long as I'd want to go with those skinny stock tires. Once you go to a good E rated mud terrain or all terrain, you can likely push it down to as low as 10psi in deep sand. Just know you can't mob it around as much with that pressure. You can start at that 15-18, and if you find yourself scraping for traction, lower it a bit more.

 

Duly noted on the traction boards. I don't have a problem shelling out a few extra bucks for quality, especially when it comes to getting my ass out of whatever mess it's in.

Superstition Mtn actually is an OHV park, and there were a couple of small groups of people puttering around but I was too chicken to approach anyone. I've already made a promise to myself to never push things further than reasonable and I have no problem with turning right the hell around if I'm doubtful. Hesitation is a killer. I actually read that sticky thread last night and it gave me a few extras to add to my recovery kit. I've considered a winch, as well as a hi-lift jack - that's what led me to putting sliders on my list. I don't prefer to travel alone, but until I find a group to go with it's the only way I'll get out. I found a couple of groups on that MeetUp app, but they seem to have gone silent and aren't active anymore.

Thanks so much for all your advice!! I really appreciate it!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/san-diego-bs-thread.124945/page-2433#post-21487274

 

With the traction boards, I just mean that seems like a lot of people go and buy the expensive bright orange ones and display them prominently on their racks, but they're awfully clean on a lot of rigs I see, lol...

I just mean you don't always need to buy the "best you can afford". I tend to spend the minimum that will accomplish the job at hand. Leaves more money for beer and my numerous other hobbies.

As linked above, we're a pretty friendly bunch of Tacoma nuts, and there are several regional forums, and there is more than likely a group of people nearby going out and goofing off in the dirt.

 

Oh I get it. I grew up on the East coast (way upstate NY) and used to be in snowmobile clubs. I always chuckled at people towing sleds out of snowbanks when really all they need is a well placed tree branch. I'm willing to spend a bit more on good traction boards because from what I've seen, trees, rocks, roots, even if I'm carrying a couple 2x4s, etc are scarce and it would be less hassle to have a good set of those. Turns out I traded snow and sleds for a Taco and sand

I found a couple local SD group threads to lurk in, I mean...follow....and I'm definitely going to take advantage!