4x4 ability

Traded in my 2019 for a 2020 because the 4 cylinder access cab wasn't big enough for hauling kids around.(bought the truck then got the wife preggers woops)

A side benefit of the upgrade was going from a 4x2 to a 4x4.

I opted for the SR 4X4 V6, I know I don't have all the equipment necessary for off roading, but saw a guy with an SR5 hit the trail got me thinking, can my SR do the same?

Off reading wasn't the reason for buying the truck, but if its capable of doing so, maybe I'll take it out a time or two.

I'm mid Atlantic with beaches and muddy forests, not a lot of rock crawls or anything like that.

What should I do to the truck before considering taking it out, What kinds of terrain should I limit it too?

 

Your SR has the exact same drivetrain and suspension as an SR5 and Limited and is every bit as capable.
Put same decent AT tires on it and it will be even better.

 

Way too wide open, as a question. Short answer, yes, it will do fine off road, stock. Don’t climb rocks, don’t cross a raging river. It’s trail ready, if you want to go off trail, then you may want to do mods.

 

Your 4x4 is very capable as it sits. Get out there and have fun, don't do anything stupid and have a backup plan if you are doing anything where there is any possible chance of getting stuck.

One caveat. If you are going to drive on the beach, have a way to air down your tires to around 20 psi and then air back up when you leave the beach. A simple, high quality air compressor that connects to your truck's battery is less than $100.

As you get into it and start getting to know your truck, you will start getting a sense of what (if any) modifications you want to do. But you really don't need all that stuff to get started.

 

Dr taco, yes thanks I was looking for advise on what to limit it too, trails and beach are probably all I'll feel comfortable doing.

 

Every automobile is capable of driving off-road. Some are just better than others. The Tacoma, in any trim. is much better than most the automobiles on the road. Is there an increased risk of breaking something? Yes. Is there an increased risk of wearing the truck out faster? Yes. Is there an increased risk of having fun? Most certainly!

 

Your stock SR 4x4 could do virtually everything I've ever done off-road. I almost never turn my locker on. 4L will get you through most normal crap!

 

Tires and compressor. Maybe some traction boards, recovery strap and a shovel for the mud and beach. Don’t waste money on a winch and all that, plenty of other people have them so let them carry one around for you when you need it. Have fun!

 

Bring a friend who know some cool trails and go exploring.

 

At first, have an air compressor, tire pressure gauge, tire plug kit, cell phone and a first aid kit. Get used to the truck's traction control systems, throttle inputs, steering angles etc.

Maybe eventually upgrade the stock tires and front skid plate.

 

Tacoma's in general are very very capable off-road. A poor driver in a super capable off road vehicle can't do what an experienced driver in a lesser vehicle can do.

 

I think all this equipment people are suggesting is way overkill for a first timer unless you plan to drive days into the wilderness (I'm exaggerating a little). I spent much of my youth driving off-road, getting stuck, and using mom and dad's Ford Ltd to recover my 1981 2wd Datsun pickup. I didn't know anything about all this fancy recovery gear that exists today. I just used sticks, rocks, and a cheap floor jack. Just use common sense and go do it. If you find yourself going back again and again, then maybe get some fancy recovery gear.

I also road in the back of pickups and didn't wear a bicycle helmet.

That said, I do now own recovery boards, a hi-lift jack, and various other recovery tools.

 

It is easy. Find a group of people on here that are doing an easy family day style trail. Tag along and enjoy. Your vehicle is PLENTY CAPABLE STOCK and 100% guarentee your vehicle will out perform you. That being said make a plan and don't go out alone until you know what you AND your vehicle are capable of.

I say this because last weekend myself and another member on here went snow wheeling and ended up turning 2 vehicles around with people who had no idea what the hell they were doing. Brand new 2020 jeep Rubicon and had no idea what the hell they were doing. Whole family.

 

Here’s an oldie but a goodie!

 

I'm an hour from OBX too, been driving on the beaches for many years. Knock on wood, never been stuck as I had a great person to learn from. beaches, that sand is deep!

 

I have a sr5 and I have pushed it to the limits, Smashed up my front stock skid and made lots of squeaky noises on the trail flexed on some ruts I probably shouldn’t of flexed on and also went down and back up the one of the steepest roads in the USA the decent into waipio valley. All completely stock on stock tires. Now I have stt pros and the truck doubles that. Biggest issue I have is being overloaded with weight when off-roading. Other then that these trucks fucking charge.

 

If you're doing regular trails you probably wont even need to be in 4x4, you should be fine

 

Nothing...
Just get a side by side...

 

The truck is very capable stock, as others have said. Learn when to use 4Lo (low range) and use it often, put some 255/85R16 AT (All Terrain) tires on, and educate yourself about airing the tires down for different surfaces.
Also watch some videos about stuck vehicle self recovery, and most importantly, go out and have fun!

 

I've owned several 4x4 trucks in my lifetime that were less capable/more capable than the Tacoma in some off-roading areas and had no problem. Take it slow and steady, bring a shovel, tow strap, jack, and some short 2x8 boards and you can do 98% of off-roading. Enjoy and bring common sense.