$500 to spend on upgrades, what would you get?

I'm just curious what you all would do with a locked 2006 Tacoma and a $500 budget? I already have an ARB on the front but otherwise it's totally stock. I'm not going to pour endless money into it and I'm not a heavy offroader but do like to wander without major concern for the road conditions from time to time. I'm experienced off road I just stopped with the hobby which at the time my friends and I called $2,000 Sundays since we did it every Sunday and never once left the trail without $2,000 in combined damage.

My two first thoughts are a $200 set of weld on sliders and a generic winch of some sort (any suggestions). The rig will mostly be used to get me to areas I want to camp with very little recreational 4x4ing.

I'm not up to speed on the Tacomas though so I'm guessing you all will know the best bang for the buck and where to still my $500.

 

Totally stock?

Better tires. Note I said better, not bigger.

These trucks are quite capable out of the box, and a set of tires that are more grippy off road than what they come from the dealership with really amp that up.

$500 won't get a full set most likely, but save up till you can.

How long have you owned the truck? Do you know it's service history?

 

Normally I would totally agree but I'm good with the tires on it for now since they have very few miles. It's going to be on the highway 95% of the next 10,000 miles and the LTX M/S are an ideal match. It's had Terra Grapplers on it as well as Geolanders and I don't want to give up the better ride of the LTXs for now. I'm working out the deal with my dad to get the truck but he bought it new so I do know the history and have done much of the work myself actually.

 

my first 500 bucks went towards running boards! love um still.

 

Skids, mirror riser, weather tech floor mats, recovery gear, CB or Ham radio, Clazzios, heated mirror mod, new shocks, Dakars, add some new camping equipment, use it to fund a road trip... It's all up to you. Personally I would do a bunch of small creature comfort type stuff if off roading isn't your end game. The stuff you appreciate every time you drive your truck.

 

Sliders would cost most all of that $500.
Other than steps they wouldn't do a road truck much good. They'd just be expensive steps.. If you have good tires..
Id have to agree with @sjwhitaker buy small stuff you'd appreciate each time you drive.
Or use it to help pay truck off and buy gas.
Check out the cheap free mods list here on tacomaworld lots of ideas to help spend your money if you can't decide.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...ggcMAA&usg=AFQjCNHawhn6j-lomzVnaBeNPHX9QMtDWA

 

1st thing would be the MrImYo mirror relocation bracket. You'll love it, especially if you plan to do anything off-road, and need better and more unobstructed visibility. An inexpensive mod, but well worth it!

 

My next 500 will be sliders

 

i would put it towards making it more camping friendly. A bed mat if it doesnt have one, a shell possibly, lights for setting up in the dark, onboard water, roof rack system of some sorts, etc.

 

I'm actually working on a DIY camper from an enclosed trailer which was why I needed to purchase this in the first place. When I'm done I'll have a shower, stove, micro, AC unit, 6,500 watt battery bank, 460 watts of solar, fridge, security cameras and the list goes on. Thus far I've done the axle flip on the trailer and welded in a 10 gauge cold rolled steel floor. Here's a picture of it before the floor went in.

 

He said he offroads not mall crawls.

 

I vote winch. But been cheaper ones are $350 for steel line. I love my tigerwinch. $340 shipped and does the job.

 

Nice! I might go that route since at least I'll know I can unstick myself if I need to. Also thinking about trying to find a used cap which would serve me well.

 

I am saying the same as the others, but the creature comforts sound like a priority. Since you sound like a knowledgeable off roader and don't seem too concerned with armor, I would put that off as we both know that is the expensive stuff. I would make camping a priority and let the trail tell you what you need next.

 

$185 of that $500 gone, I bought an entry level navigation/dvd/MP3 system for the thing to bring it a little more into modern times.

I'm thinking I will add sliders and a cheap winch and call it done for awhile. Any suggestions on some decent lower budget weld on sliders?

 

Subbed for the camper build

 

Ouch!

 

4wheelparts has weld on sliders for around 300
They look pretty good and are DOM tubing
I'm considering them myself
I may start a thread to see if anyone has them and if they can be used with a hi lift

 

4xinnovations has some reasonably priced sliders.

 

Look at Stubbs Welding for sliders.