$10,000 to spend on my ‘19 TRD 4x4...

I just inherited a fair chunk of money, and long story short, I have set aside anywhere from $7,000-$10,000(trying not to go over $7k) specifically to make my ‘19 cement TRD 4x4 off road a little more bug out capable. I have the bed filled with emergency survival equipment(MRE’s, solar generator, water, etc.) for emergencies. But I have zero experience modifying trucks, and am in need of some help planning it out and getting advice from you fine folks here. I’m trying to keep it super simple.

What I definitely want:
-Camper shell: Thinking of a Leer 100xr. Place near me says they can do it for $2200 installed. Is that a good deal?

-Pop up tent for the top of the leer(trying not to go above $1000 for this). What do you all suggest? I saw a smittybuilt over lander for ~$800. Is that any good? Sleeping my wife, daughter and I. But mostly just me on solo expeditions. Do I need a rack on top of the camper for this? Are they easy to install?

-Rear Bumper with spare tire holder, Jerry can holder, and cooking table. Saw Mobtown had one for $2500 with the options I like. I’m not excited about cutting into the frame. Is there a similar one that doesn’t cut into the rear fender for around $2k?

-roof rack: Baja designs flat roof rack $1000

Tires: BFG Mud terrains: $1200 for 5

Questions:

I want to keep the suspension stock, as fox suspension is out of my budget. I saw rough country 3” lift for $300. Seems like that wouldn’t last long or be good quality. I also like the look of stock suspension height but want to get the biggest tires I can. I think I saw 265/75/r17 was the biggest I could do. Thoughts?

Should I order all this stuff online and take it to a shop to install them? Or should I tell a shop exactly what I want and have them do everything?

With the above list that brings my total to around $7000. How much would all of that cost to install roughly?

Any other thoughts/advice would be appreciated. I’m 24 and although I’ve done a fair bit of research into what I want, I don’t really know what I’m doing installation/parts wise.

Thank you in advance! I know it’s a long post but any piece of knowledge/wisdom is going to help me.

 

You came to the right place to ask where to spend money on your Tacoma .

 

spend a 1/4 of that and invest the rest...

 

This is roughly 5% of what I received. Daughters college is paid for, investments in for her savings, investments for me, rest in a HI savings.

 

If you search around you can find a shell $500 and have it painted. I personally would never buy a new shell. I believe you can cut your costs in half if you don't rush it. \

Happy hunting, hunting accessories is most of the fun.

 

I sense sarcasm...but I’m mildly socially inept so I’m not sure. Lol

 

That’s good to know. I’ll look around. Definitely not in a rush. Thank you!!

 

This place has everything you need, and other things you don't.

Maybe spend some time reading some threads incognito like and ask questions in threads that seem interesting?

Welcome to TW btw...

 

All that weight and a $300 suspension on a $40k truck?

I'd maybe start there.

 

Would the shell and tent and stuff in the back mess up the stock Bilstein suspension?

 

If you get the Fox 2.0 shocks front and rear you won't pay out too much. Around $700 for the parts and not that much for installation if you're paying someone else to do it. I would suggest passing on the roof tent for now.

Edit: Don't buy the $300 drop bracket lift.

 

when was the last time you had to "bug out" and what was the cause

 

if you're not getting tires that can't fit in your current spare spot why get a bumper just for your spare? i'd get a basic rear bumper and save money there. spare cans and a table can easily be stuffed somewhere else.

 

apocalypse prep, duh.

I work 2 weeks a month so I go to the mountains in BC/Alaska a few times a year for a couple weeks.

 

It sounds like you'll be adding a bit of weight immediately or if not soon down the road to the rig. I'd probably start with a proper suspension upgrade to handle all of that, and then build from there...just my .02

 

Good point. If I’m being honest, I like the way it looks.

 

It would be wise to add up all the weight you're planning on and see how it fits into the overall capacity of the truck. Fiberglass toppers are heavy for what they give you, for example.

 

As for your largest tire size question, it depends on how much you're willing to cut, the tire width (narrow tires more easily fit), and the wheel you use. Since you stated you've little experience with trucks you could just throw some decent tires on the stock wheels, get a few skid plates, and wait to see what you really want after wheeling some.

 

that's fair we've all been there haha. like someone said above, i'd spend money on suspension then go from there. camper and tent prices seems fair. yes, you will need a rack for the tent.