Best $2000 off-road upgrades.

Exhaust reroute, full skid package, Rock Sliders, and better tires.

 

For sliders something to protect the rocker or something I could jack off of would be nice.

 

You may want to look into bolt on sliders with a kick out. You can pull them off when you want to and they can double as a good decent bed step.

 

Do you have a model you recommend?

 

Unfortunately I don't. I used OEM predators since my wife likes having a step to get in. Plus the only rocks I see are in the parking lot of BuyBuy Baby right now.

 

Armor. Armor. Armor.

 

I love the suggestions sorry for being picky. But I'm super new to this so specific models or even links would be really appreciated.

 

I do not have said body armor, but know people who have actual ¼" skids. Buy local if you can.

 

I agree with this. Maybe save some money and skip the exhaust reroute for now. Not sure on your location but here is a metal fab vendor map I made. Choose a vendor close to you to save on super expensive freight charges.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1_SpZ4MDlSDzFjBveU01F9mGy90qLmi7g

 

Check out sos concepts for they make great stuff for more budget friendly check out 4xinnovations for armor

 

Get in on the RCI group buy over here for full skid package and sliders. While you're waiting, do the exhaust reroute as seen here. You can wear down your old tires and beat on your shocks a bit more, but after installing the skid package and sliders you'll be ready for some coilovers struts and new tires. Coilovers will bring your truck back to stock ride height plus some lift/leveling, and new 255 tires will give you more ground clearance. Remove the swaybar, and you're off to the Rubicon!

 

Since you don't want to "impact the function of safety sense etc" this suggests you're asking about your daily driver.
As you can see thus far, you'll be getting dozens of suggestions.
But not knowing what type of "general off-road" driving you expect to do will make many of those suggestions either useless or just another way to throw away your $$$.
Perhaps if you offered more info on what you're looking to do, you might get "specific" relevant ideas.

 

What kind of wheeling are you going to do and where? Your truck is fairly capable as is...use it and figure out what you need most, otherwise you may end up doing it again. This applies to a lot of things, but I feel with suspension this is especially true.

I started with recovery gear (tire deflators, tire repair kit, compressor, recovery strap, recovery boards etc.) and moved to storage solutions (Decked drawers, ARE canopy), and then lighting/power solutions (ditch lights, side lights on canopy, hidden front bumper light, power outlet in cap) with a RTMR for future upgradeability. Finally added full aluminum skids this past November because I want to start pushing more remote for longer amounts of time, but didn't want the weight of steel. I've lost about 1/3-1/2 inch in ride height, but I have my setup where I want it. Now its time to tweak the suspension and tires to create a little more ground clearance while increasing the constant load carrying capacity and control.

I'd recommend quality tire deflators, repair kit, compressor, recovery boards and strap to start. Dropping tire pressure will not only increase the ride quality off road, but also your traction. Compressor to re-inflate, and the rest to get you out of a jam. I generally travel solo and traction boards are a must have! Here are links to the recovery gear I use, add an axe and shovel and you'll be set:

$100 Staun Tire Deflators | The Australian Original Tyre Deflator (Airdown to 6-30 PSI Standard Range)

Tire Deflators

$324 VIAIR 400P-RV - 40047 Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor with RV Inflation Gun, 90 Degree Chuck | 12V Tire Pump Air Compressor Portable Heavy Duty 150 PSI, up to Class C Tires, Alligator Clips

Viair Compressor (I tow an off road trailer on 35s, this is overkill with stock tires and no trailer, but its also my most used piece of gear)

$35 Boulder Tools Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit - Flat Tire Puncture Repair Kit - Professional Tools for Quick and Easy Repair - Suitable Tire Plug Kit for Car, Truck, RV, Motorcycle, Tractor, and Trailer

Tire Repair Kit

$70 X-BULL New Recovery Traction Tracks Tire Ladder for Sand Snow Mud 4WD(Red)

Recovery Boards (x2 for a total of 4 boards)

$157 ARB RK12 ARB Weekender Recovery Kit ARB Weekender Recovery Kit

Recovery Strap

edit: This is around $700, but cheaper options are out there. Leaves you $1300 for other upgrades.

 

here are metal tech sliders
there are many similar sliders in the same price range, most have lead times so get one ordered ASAP

I would suggest with $2000
Tires
Sliders
hi lift jack
Strap
recovery boards
air compressor

 

Sure, I have another car a mini-van but I use this Tacoma along with that for daily driving. I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and will also be using the Tacoma to get to fairly remote places for Hiking, Climbing, Fishing etc. I haven't done any dedicated off-roading but am interested in doing some. My main concern is that I don't want to get way off the beaten track and then getting stuck and have to call in the cavalry.

 

Sliders (pick your brand) and RCI skid plates. Then get some better tires and you should be good to go for a while. If you're really worried about getting stuck, traction boards aren't a bad option.

 

Man, the problem is that there SO MANY options and so many of them are very good that there are no universal "YOU SHOULD GET THIS" answers. You'll lose your mind looking at suspension alone. I suggest really taking some time to read through the threads on the various possible upgrades. There are detailed threads for everything you are asking about. You'll get better, more complete answers in those threads than a general thread like this. I'll just start you on tires: BFG KO2, Duratrac, Falken Wildpeak, Nitto Ridge Grappler. I've researched a lot of these upgrades and if you want, PM me and I'll talk you though my decisions. But I can almost guarantee that no one else has made all of the same choices for their truck. That's not a value judgement, just a testament to the absurd number of options!

 

Add a front locker. For a DD I like the Detroit Trutrac, especially on the front.

 

Perhaps some off-road miles will help you to decide what you really need.
Obviously, don't get yourself into really tight or sticky situations before you've learned what your stock truck can do.
I've driven my stock Gen 2 TRD ORAC into some rather 'hairy' off road places with no issues.

 

I went with C rated Ridge Grapplers and have been more than impressed. I couldn’t bring myself to e rated tires on the Tacoma...so far so good.