Newbie Needing Advice On Where To Begin

Yes to the 5100's all around but also a toytech aal. Im running he same set up with the sale truck. Look up Down South Motorsports for the 5100's. I do believe they have a hook up for TW folks. I payed $367 with tax and shipping.

 

To start have a large bank account or big line of credit. Modding can be a deep hole, like any hobby or addiction. Welcome to TW and enjoy your truck, heavy on YOUR TRUCK plenty of information and help here. Where in northern Nevada do you live? Nice looking truck enjoy

 

Okay after reading all the reply's i (having about the same set up) have some input. I "built up" my taco starting with tires and suspension using Ko2's, 5100's and toytech AAL (i spent some time with the guys up there when i lived in Colorado and are good folks) then i had the guys from the Colorado TW forums take me out to some somewhat intense trails being the lessor of the built tacos i did okay only because of the short wheel base. After spending yrs exploring the awesome stuff Colorado has to offer id say the "must haves" are in two categories and that being solo or non solo. Starting with non solo id say you Need with your set up 5100's, aal's and tires but i think your good with tires along with some minor recovery gear like a high lift/farmer jack and a kinetic snatch strap, good rope and shackles at the minimum. Solo on the other had id say all the same stuff but now a winch, On board air, maxtrax type of deal, beef cake zip ties, and if you dont want to lift your truck sliders and armor up font (RCI is good). If i could do it all again id forget the small stuff and save for sliders if you daily your taco. I ended up having to save a lot if silly folks that would get stuck all the time so i had recovery gear galore and it always feels good being the best equip person on the mountain. Never underestimate a stash of emergency coffee.

 

Gotta get a cb.

 

Wow thank you so much everyone for the replies! After reading all these I think I've decided on what I'm gonna do first here soon- diff breather extension and am get a portable air compressor (Smitty built one). From there I wanna do the 5100 kit with the add a leaf. Would this make my truck look dumb tho with stock size tires? Eventually I'd like to get a winch and learn how to use it correctly too but that's gonna have to be further down the road. Oh and I'm also gonna pull the mudflaps off here even though I like them a lot.

 

Yeah I'm already finding that out! I use my credit card like cash tho. Only swipe it if I have the money. Don't wanna end up in a hole. I'm from around the Elko area..

 

You may want to find a group to join for a small offroad run to see how the truck does the way it sits right now. Because if it turns out to be adequate for what you want to do, you'll save a lot of money. But if you realize you need bigger tires, a lift, more accessories it will give you time to put together a solid plan for parts which should also save you money. If you do the Bilstein 5100's and then realize you need springs and then realize you need tires, it will really increase your cost to do it one mod after another. You might need UCA's as well and the add a leaf vs full spring pack will make a big difference too. Take time and search the classifieds here as well as Craigslist and your local Facebook Marketplace, you might save a lot finding stuff that way.

 

Instead of replacing your leafs at this time (assuming they’re in good shape) consider replacing your hangers:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-hammer-hangers-soa-sua-archive-garage.519625/

Set up the foundation for the spring upgrade down the road while improving the performance of your current ones now.

 

The issue on both counts is sidewall thickness. Stock tires are at most 3 ply in the sidewall. Good enough in Eastern woodlands usually, and sand that is not rocky, like beach sand. The K02 has something like 11 ply in the sidewall. That makes your sidewall about as tough as possible. The fuel economy hit from tire weight only applies to stop and go traffic, not as much on highway miles as once you are up to speed, it doesn't take more energy to get rolling. However, sidewall stiffness directly effects rolling resistance. This is where a tire like K02 can reduce your mileage. Tire height also hurts as you are putting more air under the truck where the flow is dirty creating more drag I have 235/85r16 K02 tires. They lift the truck like .4", but I also added a 2" lift at the same time. Combined, I lost 1.5mpg. My ride is also just slightly harsher, but not bad if I keep the air pressure below 38psi on the highway, and air down before going on trail.

You could get by with probably about 6 ply for most uses. K02 is overkill.

I was working in Angola, so less time wheeling, but going anywhere was wheeling of sorts. I had a blast. Got plenty of time living out in the middle of nowhere and driving around the countryside. It really is a beautiful place, but too expensive for tourism to root. That might be for the best given that there are no four legged animals left in the country. The wildlife needs a couple generations to recover, if it ever can.

 

Well I figured out that this little truck is actually pretty capable as is! Me and my buddy who has a 93 4runner with the 22re did a little camping trip to a reservoir in northern Nevada that took us about two hours off-road. Took my little truck through some pretty rocky washes and nearly straight up inclines and she did it no complaints in 4 low. I think I wanna stiffen up the suspension tho cause you can definitly tell it was a little soft for my taste and my leaf springs are inverted. It was an awesome trip besides getting an inch of moon dust all over my stuff lol! I'm definitely addicted and we are going out again to another reservoir this weekend for a camping trip. Gonna be saving up for a 5100 kit or I am actually thinking of doing the old man emu 2 inch kit.

 

This is what I drove in Angola, bone stock works as long as you know its limits and stay within them. Anyway, we needed a low profile truck. We'd keep it dirty and plain on purpose. When mine was in the shop, they'd give me a newer loaner which would get broken into the second I parked it. At least they were easy to break into without scratching the paint.

 

Seconding this for sure. Started out just wanting the truck for camping then that grew into more off-roading. Definitely modify based on your needs, there are so many rabbit holes I've got sucked into. Also, as far as the rear leafs go, I have Icon RXTs on and they ride so well with a loaded camper shell and other added weight. More than you're budgeting but IMO worth it.

 

I think you may be surprised by how well your truck will do. I have a similar setup and have gone into areas that have stuck some pretty well built-up trucks. It's small, light, short wheelbase, and pretty stout.
The tire upgrade you already have done...good decision, it makes a huge difference. As many have said above, the shocks and AAL may be a great idea for a lower cost upgrade. Recovery gear for sure, a decent jack, and an air compressor.
You don't need huge tons of money to get a very capable vehicle. I see a lot of trucks with LOTS of money dropped in them that will never go much further offroad than the sand in the parking lot. Take your truck out and have fun. Take it slowly and learn your vehicle. Learn the pros and cons of your particular vehicle. Learn it's limitations. Then you can plan upgrades to expand those limits.