Skid-Plates, Tires, or Lift to start light Off-Roading?

Thank you! I appreciate your thoughts on this. I want to make smart decisions that wont eat my entire paycheck. I have so much to learn! I definitely assumed so many people must run the 5100s for good reason, but maybe its just cult-brain, who knows. I'll definitely do some research before sinking a bunch of money into suspension. Ive absolutely got my eyes set on some tires first. I might not have them in time for my roadtrip in July, but regardless they'll be my first big mod. I bought one of those small Viair 88 compressors so I'll at least have that on my trip.

 

This looks fun! Hell yeah cant wait to try it out!

 

With the trails it sounds like you're going to run you'll most likely be fine with your current tires. I know it's easy to fall into the pre-trip modding mentality (I know because I'm very guilty of this myself) but in reality a LOT can be done in a stock truck even on crappy tires. And you'll probably be out there romping around thinking you're killing it only to see some 35yo 2wd extra long bed chevy crew cab that's never been modded or maintained come up behind you smashing the same trail.

Since the trip is so soon, I'd focus on smaller prep stuff and then take time to research and find deals on stuff. Probably a good idea to get the compressor. Then just make sure the truck is safe and all systems are in working order. Check your spare tire and make sure you know how to use it. Check your tools and jack. Maybe grab some wood blocks to use under your jack - using it on pavement is one thing but if you got a flat on the trail the stock jack can be problematic depending on conditions. Maybe get a tire repair kit. Maybe a shovel and/or cheap traction boards. After I got my truck I put together a simple "recovery" kit that I keep in my truck which has some very basic tools, wood blocks, tire patches, ratchet straps, axe, shovel, recovery boards, tow strap and some other stuff.

I would also suggest OnX Offroad. When I first started going out I was trying to use Google Maps but even with the saved maps feature it was all but useless out in the wilderness where service is minimal or unavailable. I don't use all of the OnX features but it's worth the price just to have GOOD maps while out on the trail.

 

From what I recall the title said inquiring about tires skids and lift.

for light off roading.

1. that is the formula for wheeling
2. You may not need that for aforementioned light off roading
I did Black Bear Pass with like one mod.
I just had to think more about what line to take. The guy behind me on lift and 35’s probably did not have to think. He could just go and let his rig eat.

3. I have a 4.slow. With all that.
You may not want to do that with a 2.7. Some have. You can. Personal choice. It’ll probably be slower.

another one of many can of worms these things can open is looking at gear ratio.

it’s expensive. Doing all this stuff can result in “oh shit I need a regear”
Unless at max you keep it mild ie aluminum skids (lighter but costlier) and slight tire size increase.
Which is still pretty capable.
Stock is capable.

what one does to benefit them on a trail 1 of 365 days a year
Typically causes drawback elsewhere daily driving the other 364 days.

 

AH yes, perfect segway into my parallel wormhole, looking for dispersed camp spots that arent just a parking lot full of cars. The Gaia vs OnX debate, woof.

Gonna prioritize mine and my passenger's safety with some basic "recovery" tools for sure. Off the bat I think I gotta replace the tie rods, theres some play when I jack it up and wiggle the front tires in the 9-3 position, but none in the 12-6 and I can see cracks and tears in the outer tie rod bushings. I caught it before there's any symptoms of it when I drive but I know I definitely dont wanna deal with this on the road. Gotta get an alignment after that. My baby only has 53k miles on her so she's looking pretty good. For sure gonna do an oil change and top off fluids at least too. T-minus 1 month to get my baby ready for this trip.

 

Youre so right, I know my truck is not gonna be a crazy beast out there with the other big boys but Id love to still have fun with her. I dont expect that I'll go too hard with mods meant for serious off-roading, but I gotta live a little and try it out while I got this one! I dont care if I'm slower, I just wanna try it and do it honestly. And the idea is having a little bit of a 50/50 type truck, she can be not too unreasonable for my regular daily driving, and also handle some easy light off roading challenges I throw at her. And look a little cuter and tougher than stock granny style (no offense, i love grannies)

 

What do the tires look like that you have on the truck now? Unless they are a straight tread highway tire, you might be okay with what you have for light four-wheeling. Until you start getting on rougher roads than a fire road and the ground isn't muddy, you might be surprised how well your truck will do just like it is. Try out low range 4WD on a dirt or gravel road with some hills and head for a ditch that won't bottom out the frame, practice getting out of it.

Larger tires might be nice, but you probably don't need more than one size up from what you have, to ensure the bigger ones don't rub or jam in the fenders if you get the suspension at its limits. Stick with an all-season truck style tread, no mudders or rock crawling tires or you'll hate them on the highway. I'd buy a good 20-25 foot tow strap and a "come-along" (hand winch) to take with you.

Something like these tires is all you need, tread-wise. The size of these is 265/70-17, so bigger probably than you need.

These are 245-75-16's which is what my truck had when I bought it (2011 model)

 

Sounds dumb but double check that the play is actually in the tie rod ends, easiest to have someone wiggle the tires while you watch the ends from underneath (car safely secure on stands etc). You can turn the steering rack back and forth pretty easily by hand thinking you have play in the TRE's. Happened to a couple people I know and its a big waste of time if you don't need to haha, especially at 53k that seems really early to go bad unless it was getting wheeled alot.

 

Your before stock tires are the same size I'm running now. Im seriously considering the size tires you have, either 265/70/17 or 265/75/16(so I dont have to change my wheels right now). Seems like I could get away with this size without having a lift and no rubbing

 

Hm good to know. I'll have to jack it up and double check. If it were you and you could see that the boot was cracked and tearing, would you leave it and go on a 2500+ mi road trip or change it just in case?

 

Lol I missed the part about the road trip with all the other stuff about the off roading prep. In that case I probably would replace them if you have the time to do it right with good parts-not the area to cheap out on. Still probably good to double check the play to make sure the inners are fine, although that's even easier to check when you have the outers off. Spray them down with some penetrating fluid while you're at it.

 

Agreed. I'd be a little suspect that the tie rod ends wore out that quickly. Not sure if maybe mine were replaced prior to my ownership but I just did mine at nearly 200k and they weren't even bad, it was just future proofing "while I was in there" doing the steering rack.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it at all as long as I was able to verify the joint was still good. A busted boot does not indicate a bad joint. I've driven probably 10's of thousands of miles on multiple vehicles with busted ball joint boots. When the boots break I keep an eye on them and make a note that they will eventually need to be replaced. But I normally don't bother replacing them immediately. I figure it's easy to get more mileage out of them and that's more economical that way, especially if you can wait until you need to do a larger overhaul (e.g. control arms, brakes...etc) or maybe if you know you're gonna need an alignment anyway. If you're planning to lift (which requires an alignment) I'd wait on the tie rod ends and do them when you do the suspension. This is, of course, assuming that you can verify the joints aren't bad and that it's just the boot that is torn.

 

Performance upgrades are great but you can still get stuck. So my first recommendation, especially if you're going out alone, is a come-a-long. Actually that's my 2nd, my first would be to go wheeling with an experienced group for a day and learn your truck's capabilities, this why if you get stuck or break you'll have people to help you get out.
Next is what everyone has said, tires and an air compressor.
Enjoy your trip!

 

Don't guy me, pal

Sorry, had to do it haha

 

My initial recommendation for anyone: if you aren't already -- start doing your own maintenance so you can learn as much as possible. If you're getting new stuff, install it yourself. Get tools as you go and keep them organized. I would guess the most expensive part is having other people install and do all the sh&t for you. I have replaced a HG and the set of tools I used fit in a relatively small tool box in the backseat floorboard behind my seat. You don't need much.

1. tires and compressor -- once you venture out you'll quickly find what you want next:
2. recovery gear. Are you solo? if yes -- winch
3. armor -> bigger tires -> better suspension -> welcome to the snowball of fun

FWIW I'm on 5100s up front with 14" 7100s and 63s in the rear on 35s. The 5100s work for me -- I'd rather spend $$ on other things at the moment than 2k on new front shocks -- I have no doubt others are better but I also don't know what I'm missing so it works for me.

 

Its helpful for me to get these different perspectives. Ive been eyeballing the 5100s for myself cause its obviously an upgrade from what I got going on now and yeah, but do I reallllly need what some serious wheelers got going on. Something tells me no. I need something capable of having some moderate fun off-roading. I cant imagine that I'll go ham straight out the gates and need anything severe. And of course money is limited and I dont mind not having the best of the best out there. I am however really trying to tease out if 5100s or just finding some TRD take offs for sale on FB marketplace or something and if those will be comparable in ability and quality.

 

The 265/75-16 is the same rolling diameter as the 265/70-17, within about 1/4 inch. What you trade off in rim diameter on the 17's is sidewall height on the 16's. I went to a 17 because I couldn't find wheels in the style or offset I wanted in a 16.I'm not sorry I did. My tires don't rub and my truck is stock height; it sits slightly lower than the TRD packages do, mine is a SR5. The fronts do come close to the front of the inner fender liner when turned full lock, and if you have front mud flaps they will rub.

If you're talking about either the steering rack boots or the front CV joint boots, if they have any tears at all I'd get them replaced. It will save your steering rack as well as your CV joints from premature wear, as water and dirt will intrude and lube will leak out. I'd get them done before your trip.