Getting stock 2017 tacoma OR ready for mild offroading

I feel like I'm in a similar situation to you, OP, but I do like rocky trails. Seems like a lot of good advice in these replies. I did sliders and got the all-pro Transfer Case/exhaust skid also because the exhaust hanging down there bothered me. And I've decided on a leveling kit for a little better clearance and maybe better looking. Oh, and a front skid. So jeez, I've gone kinda nuts.

But the first thing I did was learn about and buy good recovery gear. I thinks that's got to be #1.

 

Just look into the load rating of the tires. Something like an E will be able to withstand punctures better than an SL rating tire, but it's a heavier tire and will cost more in mileage.

 

lol.

 

Sliders and skids are some of the most important things. They protect things like oil pan and such from rock strikes and protect your pinch seams. Dropping the body on a rock and not being able to open your doors anymore would suck.

Other than that, these trucks are capable.

 

Red Cone is so much fun.

 

Take a class, like this, before any mods:
http://www.4x4training.com/TrainingClinics/trainingclass.html

(Day 1)

 

good info. Looking at doing an off road trip in Colorado this summer, and Stay the Trail seems to be a good source of info.

 

The off road is great of the shelf. I have done 2 mods for off roading. One is a bolt on some side steps. The other is the TRD Pro skid plate. The pictures below are before these mods. Stock off road tires and suspension. I have a great time with it.

My 4-runner got high centered on this berm. No problem here.



A 10 ft berm.



A 50 ft hill. My 4-Runner can do it too.



Coming down the above hill...



And back up the hill...YUP 103 outside. Gotta love Phoenix,AZ.





The mud hole was about 12 in deep...30 ft wide. I got mud caked on top of the spare tire.

 

First off, Sand Shark congo on the blue truck. I could not get myself to pay another 1800, for that package, therefore a little jealous of you. Secondly, yes that is exactly the conclusion I have come to from reading all the replies here and looking at countless "Overlanding" videos. Skid plates, Slider bars, good tires, and recovery gear, will get you through most if not all beginner/intermediate trails. But I have a few related questions for which I am going to start another thread. Thank you guys for keep the discussion going, because summer is near and I'm trying to do as much homework as possible before setting out for our first trip. My son is super excited and he's not even 3 yet

 

I am trying to find one in Missouri (thats where i'm at). Thank you for the suggestion.

 

I took

I took some classes from him when I had no experience and a stock truck, and I was really amazed with what I was able to do .

 

My vote is to use the truck stock for a bit and then see what you need/want to put on it. My progression went like this.

-Rock sliders - Dented my rocker panel on a trail
-RCI Skid plate - RCI was having a group buy
-LED light bar - cause why the hell not
-Pro Grill - cause it looks better
-Tires and lift - because I wanted a bit more clearance, and I wanted good All Weather tires.
-LED pods replacing the stock fog lights - cause they're sweet and more light is always better