What would you do? 04 build

What would you do with 5-7,000$

2004 double can SR5 4x4 not TRD, has a leveling kit, basically stock.

175k miles

so instead of buying a SXS, I’m thinking of building out my Tacoma.

Goal of this will be to have a driving vehicle that can go where a stock 4x4 can’t/ or further. Primary for hunting, so not 100% wheeling.

I am thinking
winch/bumper
New suspension
New plugs/wires
Ball joints
And..? Water pump, those kinds of things or ?

 

Don't really need anything in your list if it's going to be for hunting (with emphasis on not 100% wheeling).

I'd say maintenance as needed, and some quality tires.

That's it.

 

I am also thinking reliability, preventative maintenance.
I'd say maintenance as needed, and some quality tires. By not wheeling, meaning it’s not going to be a dedicated wheeler. If needed to be, I’d like it to be somewhat capable.

 

Ton and 4dzz

 

Does she have a locker in the back? While 4X4 is great, if one wheel is slipping thats where the power is going.

 

OP stated not TRD so no rear elock.

 

Correct no rear locker. That is something I have considered adding.

 

Up to date maintenance, a good set of tires and an engine skid plate will get you a very long way. I’d wait for other stuff till you’ve had some time to wheel it and find limitations

 

I've had a couple such trucks and am working on another. A really simple truck can be extremely capable.

• Bilstein 5100s
• Lower Uniball conversion or new LBJ from Toyota. Reliability requirement for me, I've dropped three out on hunts. Not fun.
• 235/85r16 or 255/85r16 tires
• Rear locker
• Winch. Mount can be simple or a full bumper.
• Recovery gear
• Prefer to get the spare up on a carrier but not required
• Chains

 

Make sure to check CL, Marketplace etc.

• Bumper, Badlands Winch $1,200ish
• Rock Sliders $800
• Rear Locker $1,000
• 33’s and new Wheels $2,500
• Everything pictured below was about $1,300 Wheelers 2.5” lift 5100’s, and OME Coils front, and rear Icon add-a-leafs, OEM balljoints, Tie Rod Ends, Upper and Lower Ball Joints, Diff drop, SS brake lines and more stuff that I forgot about.

 

I'm probably in the minority here, but stock 4x4's can go nearly anywhere. I'll assume maintenance is done since it's more fun to spend $ on farkles: Good tires, rear locker, a tow rope, kinetic snatch strap, soft shackles, if you are in a wet & muddy part of the country, a heat exchanger plumbed into your engine cooling system for the hot water shower afterwards, dry part of the USA, an extra battery and a fridge for the beverages. OK, a fridge anywhere. Shell with racks. If you want a spares list, upper and lower ball joints installed or as trail spares, at least one good CV axle as a spare, both types of grease in dedicated guns for the drive shaft and a pile of lumber to put a jack onto.

 

33s with a 3" lift and a rear locker will get you through Moab. Other then that a bumper with a winch and some lights and armor is all you really need.

 

Skip the lift, big heavy tires, heavy bumpers and all the normal “build” crap. Drive the truck for a while and learn how to drive well (if you can actually read the trail, you don’t need to be hanging out of the drivers window like a lot of people I see), and then learn the deficiencies of the truck for what you need, then you’ll know where to put money selectively.

A locker, good set of tires (31-32” will fit without starting to hammer and chop things) will get you to 95+% of what you desire. The Tacoma is a very capable vehicle. I drove my 2003 TRD OffRoad all over the western US with worn out, original suspension (hitting bump stops sometimes), 31” tires and really only needed the locker a few times in washed out trails in Death Valley and nowhere Nevada.

 

@Cwuhunter, CWU part of your username mean Central WA University?

 

Yes

 

Noice, had friends that went there, good trails out there.

 

It’s a fun place. We got a few trucks stuck in some hairy places in the snow before.

 

Agree with this. My truck is a stock TRD with good tires and it gets me through all sorts of snow and farm trails/roads. I’ve never used my rear locker. No need to overdo the off road thing if that’s not your bag. The original list of items looks smart to me. Would probably add in fresh fluids all around.

 

Since it is a dcab, most likely an auto too, unless it has been converted. Does it have a 2.7L or or the 3.4L?

I think sliders would be the first thing I would do.

 

3.4