35s on IFS?

OP has a TRD (judging by his avatar), so presumably he's already got a perfectly good locker.

I'd put a winch, and other basic recovery and safety/1st aid gear above all the other stuff you mentioned.

I said in an earlier post that these trucks are perfectly capable of getting you into trouble 100% stock. It doesn't do you any good to modify the truck to make it more capable (and thereby get you in even more trouble) without having a way to get yourself OUT of trouble.

The best "modification" one can do is the nut behind the wheel. Just get out there and drive more. The more you drive, the more you'll figure out what things your truck can and can't do, and how to modify it to suit your needs and skills. Superchargers and dual cases are cool and all, but are hardly necessary to go wheeling.

 

It's a list of priorities. Start at the top and work to the bottom. You don't do it all at once. I didn't think I needed to explain, but now I know for next time.

Come-a-longs, straps, and a shovels are cheaper than a winch. Use them once and you'll think twice about doing something dumb and using them again. That in turn makes a better driver.

You have your opinion, just like I have mine about what is important, but at the end of the day it's the OPs money and he can do whatever he wants with his money. All I was giving was my experience on builds that I have completely wasted years and money for shit I didn't need at the time.

 

I'm also just giving my opinions based on experience.

Your list seemed more focused on mods to make the truck more capable, which are great, but not necessary for a novice driver. That stuff comes after seat time.

Just take a cruise through the 3rd gen section to see how much trouble you can get into with a showroom stock truck.

 

Correct, I was listing things that are more necessary than 35s right off the bat. A locker is more important than 35s. Armor is more important than 35s. Gears are more important than 35s. I thought we were talking about modding a truck and what the best steps to take are. To clear 35s is a bit of a pain in the ass and not really worth it without gears. Also, anyone who would take a 50k truck off roading is an idiot anyway, so 3rd gen people don't count. OP obviously has sense enough to by a 1st gen to start wheeling with. Although, everyone should start with a $1500 truck with a welded rear and no power steering. That's how you get the full experience and learn how to wheel.

 

So I guess the majority of people who offloading are idiots then...... that's kind of an ignorant statement. Just because you start with a 1st gen doesn't make you have sense over others who start with a 2nd gen or 3rd gen. You must have never priced out a well built buggy, SxS, etc. I'd argue some of your suggestions aren't the best in the world especially if the vehicle is a daily as well like the lunch box locker and dual cases and the inherent issuse and complexity that comes with those. Seat time is the most valuable mod anyone can do starting easier and working their way up modding as they get more comfortable and better.

 

Yes, now and days the majority of people are idiots. A 50k buggy or sxs is less moronic than someone taking out a stock 50k truck with no experience whatsoever. Like that moron who got the jeep stuck on that dirt bike trail. That's what happens when people buy an "off roader", they think they can go anywhere. At least in a sxs or buggy they're more likely to live.

I've been building toyotas and Chevys for 20 years, I have worked in fab shops and have plenty of experience dealing with customers who want an "off road truck" and I'll tell you most of those people would be better off with a sxs.

I daily drove a leaf sprung, welded rear, duels, 35s, and no power steering. Plenty of people have done it, maybe you're just not tough enough.

 

Thanks for proving my point about seat time. BtW dual cases and lockers don't make you a better driver or off reader. If I weren't a tough guy I wouldn't have a tg verso case ill be installing in my truck, dual lockers, 37s, etc and I use my truck for work. Plus in the past I've had race cars as glorified barely legal street cars that got driven. Think outlaw 10.5 drag car with a spool. But this isn't a dick measuring contest. This is a give the kid solid advice thread. DD a lunchbox and dual cases is fine for those that are willing to deal with the issues it isn't about toughness and the OP making this thread id assume he isn't that savvy to be able to deal with it so those suggests aren't solid advice but poor and ignorant ones. But I'm sure your inexperienced customers love getting suggested parts that aren't a good fit then talked shit about how bad of a driver they are and stupid they are for spending/buying a 50k rig. What shop do you work for id bet they be real glad to know this is the type of attitude you hold.

 

Yes I am tough, I started from the bottom. I learned the ins and outs of my truck. Slept in, on, and under that truck when I did something stupid and broke it. Too many people just think they can buy their way into it because they saw some overlander and decided they wanted to get into the "scene."
I'm not intentionally being aggressive, that's just how I am, even in real life. I wont suger coat anything, for anyone, at anytime, so I will say when someone is being stupid.
If you want helpful and encouraging, check my first post in the thread. The rest is what it is. If you don't like it, I don't really care.

 

Lol I did give the kid solid advice about what is a good way to go about mods. Seat time is pretty obvious, and also not a mod. But the fact that you point it out, also proves my point. You're right that mods don't make you a better driver. Only get that from experience.

Do I need to make the list more understandable (Now I'm intentionally being condescending)? I fixed for you anyway.

Also I always told customers they didn't need certain mods. I always start everyone with a rear locker and gears at most. Those 2 things are the most helpful when off roading.

 

So a mechanical locker to start out and drive on the street wow that's about the dumbest shit I've ever heard. So giving the kid advice on a lunchbox/mechanical locker for a DD is solid advice leaving out all the disadvantages and driving issues that can be associated with them yep that's solid. Dual cases yep pretty solid still leaving out all the associated issues with them. What is solid advice is go drive the damn thing and put some good tires. Oh and driver skill and seat time is a mod its a mod in bettering yourself which is more than any vehicle can provide. Heres what is understandable to me. You suggest some of the most expensive and not DD mods out there in an order with huge leaps and call everyone who has a 50k + rig an idiot and make the claim people should start with a 1st gen. No where did you tell him to get seat time and enjoy and figure out what he wants to do or where he wants to go with it other than saying Lt or SAS. All I see is some self proclaimed tough guy giving some of the worst advice out there. I guess learning everything in your career path meant learning to give some of the worst advice and mod paths to a beginner. Crap like this is what gives actual professionals in the industry a bad name.

 

Nah he's just one of those I work at a fab shop and think we're the best this is how its done types spending other peoples money in the worst kind of way instead of offering solid advice.

 

Not in the slightest, I'm a locomotive engineer.

 

I'll offer something better

OP, hit me up when you want to go to Hollister Hills.

You'll get some seat time, and you won't be alone in the event that you require some kind of recovery.

Days off are Tue and Wed.

 

Apparently you didn't read the list...

 

Here you go OP, this is best possible thing you could do. And if you find yourself wheeling Montana, come hang out and we'll do some wheeling.

 

We need a TW Fight Club.

 

Apparently I did which is why I've asserted the majority of the suggestions are foolish.

 

Sounds good bro!!!