Critique or criticize my first mod plans, please.

It was designed to get the best mileage at stock height with stock tires/wheels. That being said, it does suck once you add weight and get larger tires. I plan on getting 5.29s eventually when I go to 35's, but I have no need for them now with 33s.

 

I assume you meant you wanted a critique of your plan and not to be criticized

Sliders wouldn't be the top of my list unless you are planning on hammering through rocks in a brand new essentially stock truck. Lift, wheels, and tires is where I would start. I'm still of the mindset that bolt on sliders are more for look and not for function. If you are not planning on using them, then there are a lot cheaper options. Nothing wrong with putting something on for looks. People spend money on stickers to highlight the name of the manufacturer so steps that look like sliders are not a bad way to go.

As for the lift, it is a start and you will be replacing so why spend the money on new springs? You might as well start with a spacer lift. It is much cheaper and when you out grow it, you won't be losing a lot of cash. That kit is just a leveling kit. You will need to get an AAL or block if you want raise the rear. Obviously adds to the price.

 

I'd go with sliders, 6112/5160's, and 265/75r16 tires.

 

Nobody is going to mention getting the ECGS bushing installed at the same time the lift is installed?

It maybe be unnecessary but I've seen members saying that they start getting the drive line vibrations from lifting even a little bit.

 

I meant to point that out. That is a solid concern if you are going to lift and it something that should be done when you are installing your lift since you will have everything disassembled. I did mine post lift install and was kicking myself when I had to take it all apart again.

 

Spend a bit more on suspension with something like this

 

I pretty much did mean 'criticize' - since I am a such a newbie at this. But of course what I got was critiques - due to the pleasant member base here!

I am starting to get a bit overwhelmed - gearing, ECGS bushings, bigger tires, beefier suspension...
I promised myself to keep it simple, at least initially. That Wheelersoffroad pro lift kit would put me way over budget! I also have to pay to get things installed, can't do it on my own.

Tires - I generally agree that it should be the first item and that jibes with what others have told me. But again: The stock ones haven't given me any problems (yet).

To put things in perspective (and at the risk to get told to go trade in for a Subaru ) I am attaching a few photos of some terrain that I am usually goofing off in. Nothing slider-worthy here; that's another area.

First 2 are the kind of trail that I'd want to have stiffer suspension for. The bumps on the sandy part are a bit deeper and more abundant than the picture shows. You get the idea.
The rocky section - well, the truck just feels more wobbly going over it than I think it should. Maybe I am wrong.




This descent is the kind of thing that makes me feel that the stock tires are ok for now. That section into the dip is rather steep (by my standards) and I didn't slip or slide.



So with this added - any changes for the shock recommendation?

Also - thanks for all the comments, you guys are super helpful!

 

This actually makes me think even more that you should start with tires. The stockers may have gotten you through fine but better rubber will be the best bang for your buck upgrade you can make. The stockers may have provided the traction so far but they are lack the strength and durability of many other options. Also some of what you are chocking up as soft suspension could also be the compliant sidewalls from your tires. A load C or higher will firm up your ride while you decide what you really need your suspension to do.

I started with 265/75/16 before my lift and haven’t gone any taller even with about 2.25” lift. So think of the tires as a pre lift upgrade that won’t need changed later.

 

Agreed. Tires are the single component that makes the biggest impact regardless of vehicle type. IMO.

 

Here is my take - first, do tires and sliders. Looking at your pictures, I would start with tires. Add sliders as insurance on your nice truck. My future plans involve a low profile bumper and winch so I will evaluate my suspension needs after that point.

Here is what I did, for what it's worth:

For tires: 255/85R16 Cooper Discoverer ST/Maxx. Gives a bit of a lift at nearly 33" and works without a lift on the stock tires. Here is a massive thread about 255\85R16 on a stock truck: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/put-255-85-16s-on-stock-or-wheels-and-suspension.491079/
Once I had the caster pushed forward just a tad, I can't get them to rub lock to lock and flexed (note that I don't have mud-flaps). So far very happy with the performance. They are about the most aggressive "all-terrain" but are fairly quiet, smooth, and reportedly have great tread life. They also fit in the stock spare location - some move the hanger back but others report no issues without moving it.

Possible downsides: They are an E-rated tire so they are heavy and stiff. The stiffness goes away by running the just under 35 lbs of pressure, the weight dropped my mileage by 1-2 miles per gallon.

For sliders: I went with bolt on since it was a new truck and by daily driver. I got zero degree sliders with fill plates - works well as steps for my daily driver, nice for blocking crap thrown up on gravel forest roads, and strong enough to function as sliders (mine are Caliraised - local pickup and no shipping was a big deciding factor).

 

I've done trails similar to that with stock tires and suspension and it was fine. Actually pretty impressed what a stock OR can do. Unless you're bombing through those bumpy spots and heating up your shocks, you should just focus on tires if you find yourself without enough grip on the hill climbs. Airing down helps immensely too.

 

really? I've read 4.88s with 33s are perfect assuming you dont have a bunch of other stuff like armor and tents attached.

 

Dude with that terrain, in the desert Miles away from who knows what, coming up on summer.

Do yourself a favor AND GET BETTER TIRES.

Also a tire patch kit, some tire sealent if that doesn't work, valve cores ( literally picked up 4 for $1.29) and a way to pump your tires back up. Last thing you need is to be messing around in the wild alone and get a gash in your standard load tire, not able to patch it, then turn around and see another flat tire after messing around with your spare.

 

That is food for thought - that it may be the tires more than the suspension.
I am glad I posted those pictures!

It sure looks like I am going to be getting better tires and the sliders first.

Yes, there is that...

Great looking truck, Osteology! I wish I could have had that color, but manual transmission won out.

 

http://www.bayareametalfab.com/Tacomas_c_25.html

Then switch to good tires next go round

 

The stock tires aren't bad so long as you're not doing anything that requires a meaty tread. Mine got me plenty of places and never failed. They were also the first thing I upgraded. Take your time, do some research as there are a lot of options, but tires is what I recommend as your first upgrade. Second would be a lift and some skids. For me, skids are coming first as I've banged the crap out of my stock one along with the side steps and more below. Just peace of mind.

 

Such an amazing deal and a great starter project for anyone with access to a mig. The bending and notching are already done.

 

Been welding for 39 years and I would be more than happy to take your money and weld a set on......but you would be better off with bolt on. Better to replace a broken bolt than to have a rip in the frame if you take a really hard hit. Assuming that the welder gets enough penetration. Just my 2 cents.

 

That's actually something I've been thinking about - I can't judge the job a welder has done and I am pretty sure it's not trivial work. Not too much that can be done wrong with bolts.

Been researching tires a bit. Would Falken Wildpeaks A/T3W fit my requirements as described above? Should I get a matching spare or just keep one of the Goodyears? I'd stay with 265/70/16 for simplicity's sake.

You've been a ton of help. Very much appreciated!

 

Ask the people that have snapped them off with an impact or cross threaded. Make sure to do the work yourself or trust who's doing it

Matching. If it's an emergency, same size different manufacturer will work, but all tires from different makes, even if they say they're the same size, are different. Unless you have no other options, get a matching spare