Why Only Toyotas For Extreme Off-Roading?

Dude, they ALL compete. It just happens that Toyota Tacomas are probably more versatile than most. If you want the best at extreme off roading, and we are only talking pickup trucks, the two best are Dodge Power Wagon and Ford Raptor. However, both of these are for really different off roading and they are big. For mid size, the Bison, Gladiator and Ranger are all good choices.

However, the Tacoma is better for getting groceries, home depot runs, going to the mall, going down dirt roads, going over rocks, some desert running.... my point is that while others are better in one category like "extreme off roading," the Tacoma does it all pretty damn good.

 

I like Tacomas.

 

Step 1:

Tell me a little about yourself. Where you live (general area).

Step 2:

Goals?

Step 3:

Budget?

There is a ton of knowledge on the list. I'm a "noob," but back in the 1970s raced Off-Road. Deadstock Datsun! Tore the snot out of it, kept slowly adding things.

Later, off-roading was stock FJ40 (added power steering and 33s, OME spring) but stock drivetrain. FJ60 when I have kids, more room.

I test drove a Ranger and will admit I was impressed. I wanted DCLB (double cab long bed). Ranger is an "access cab" with a long bed or "double cab" with a short bed. 2.3 EcoBoost with 10 speed automatic. It was a smooth test drive.

Went with Toyota for brand history and reliability. Getting old no longer interested in "extreme off-roading" but more camping off the beaten path. I'll add sliders, skid plates, camper shell. Oh crap, that is near 400 pounds of weight, out of a 950-pound payload (it sucks). I'm a big guy (235#) big dog (65#), which means 250 pounds for the gear or a friend. Good thing I pack light!

If you want to go wheeling with four buddies, each of you weighing 250 pounds. Nope to a Tacoma. Go full-size Tundra.

Need 35s, look at Gen 1 Tacoma's (back in the day, they had 1500 pound payload before they were supersized with fries).

In most places I go, 2WD is fine. Rock Sliders (1.75 DOM) means less clearance, but hit a rocker pinching in a door is not good. I like the insurance (powder coat is fine for me as if I scrap them, it means I saved my damn ass from major damage). Skid Plates. Went with Aluminum. Nasty rocks just under the surface of the water have gotten me in the past.

I spent a weekend in great weather, woke up to pouring rain. I took my time packing, cleaning up, and warmed up nicely. Uh oh, all those dry creek beds had 2' of water that afternoon. Hence 4x4 and locker to get my ass home. (Carry plenty of water, let friends know where you are going, check-in with them. Remember, no cell coverage is a good thing when camping but sucks when broken down).

Very generalized, but you get the drift:

• You can survive three minutes without breathing.
  
• You can survive three hours in a harsh environment (extreme heat or cold).
• You can survive three days without drinkable water.
• You can survive three weeks without food.

Leave no trace.

 

Gimme your money, I'll shop for you!

 

Ha I’ll bite. I just put a set of Ken Rose Robusta’s in my MIJ 58’ reissue strat. Buff beauty in the bridge. This baby sings now. Has a bit more quack to it now with a great growl when you drive them a bit

 

Since I bought my first house last summer, I've been way out of practice because there are so many projects to work on. I need to put in the effort and get back into rehearsal. No disappointment about that Epi Les Paul, those things are an incredible value and can really kick ass. Affordable guitars are great these days, I've heard horror stories about "cheap" guitars made anytime before this century. Rock what you got, all that matters is that we try and play whenever we can! I have an electromatic Gretsch that is killer and a 12-string danelectro that is 90% of a Ric for $300 rather than $3000. A used Epi Hummingbird is on my list in fact.

The great thing about guitars is that apart from the frets, they don't wear out or become obsolete. In the long run it's a really affordable hobby... or so I tell myself to justify having too many

 

I've never heard of these pickups, I used to think I was a guitar gearhead but maybe not anymore!

A good strat is hard to come by despite (or due to) their proliferation, how are you liking that MIJ reissue? Getting one to have just the right quack isn't trivial either, so hell yeah! However, I'm a tele guy, so let's take this outside

 

Buy a Jeep or the New Bronco for extreme off-roading

 

I'm in the collision repair industry, and my shop has replaced 3 Colorado frames in the past 6 months for buckling in the same spot.

 

More pics and guitar stuff, please.

They’re even more common when the hive mind thinks the OP is trolling. That may not be happening here, but the OP’s title and post content, seen in concert with his other threads, are odd. “Car1” (?!) doesn’t seem to know anything about trucks or off-roading, and yet has earlier threads asking about an inch here or a clearance angle there or a shock type over here. He’s only semi active, and he lets threads die without being part of the discourse and actually learning anything. We have no idea WTF to do with that.

Welcome to TW, though, Jackie Moon. The tangents these kinds of vague threads often end up on are frequently more educational and fun than the original query.

 

haha what a prick..

 

Well allow me to introduce you to the beauty.



Fantastic sound, excellent fit up and finish too. Japanese strats are great, even if the stock PUPs suck haha

I’ll let you slide for being a tele guy since I like your TW username...

 

That's the next guitar on my list. I'm getting older and a jam session of barre chords isn't exactly comfortable nowadays haha. I'm hoping the short scale helps with things a bit.

 

Now days you are probably good getting anything and just adding all the aftermarket BS you need. I mean Tacoma looks the best and has sweet looking trims and colors , but calm down , it’s not the 1990s anymore. Thin frame steel , shabby paint , mini van motor they are no better or worse id say than a ranger or Colorado or what have you . pros cons for all (front locker , turbo , price , tech , just some cons for taco ).


I mean it’s not like we are comparing a paint free stainless steel electric truck with no need for extra skid plates/armor , transmission, t case , paying attention while driving , gasoline, oil , being slow AF, transmission coolers , loading motorcycles with a tail gate , rust , roll over angle .... blah blah blah

 

Extreme Off-Roading:

 

I wouldn’t buy a brand new pickup for “extreme” off-roading. You’ll need to spend a lot of money to make it capable for that and you’ll still break a lot of stuff and scratch/dent/scrape a lot of stuff.

I would buy a used XJ and put a bunch of used stuff on it and beat it up.

 

We have best of both worlds. The wife has a 2 door jk and I have the truck. Both great off road but the jeep is way more capable stock for stock.

 

Damn! Look at that thing! Two-tone burst finishes are the best on Strats, and I love the tiny hint of cherry between. Is it there? Is it not? It depends on so many things haha.

I've heard great things about MIJ Fenders but never played one. So what if the pickups suck, put them in the box the replacements come in and stash them in the closet. The 62AVRI tele pickups are understated and great, I have them in both my teles, but I also got lucky and loved them so I didn't have to shop around much. My main tele came with Lindy Fralin stock replacements and I wasn't crazy about them at all, really dull and didn't have the attack I want (or that we all want out of a tele.) I'll post my black double-bound tele soon, and my not so secret weapon as well.

Glad you like the username, Let's Get Tropical!

 

https://youtu.be/nlShwLzRi5Y

 

You’re going to be putting a TON of money into a Tacoma to do any hardcore off-roading. I got rid of mine (5.29s, locked F/R, full skids, sliders, bumpers, etc.), built a Samurai on 37s and bought a Tundra to tow it with.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/therealprotacos-3rd-gen-towed-suzuki-samurai-crawler.662003/