Help my TRD Sport 2wd play in the desert!

Hi folks:
I've always wanted a pick-up truck to haul stuff, take overland camping, and most of all- just play in the desert.

I got a great deal on a 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport. I probably should have gotten an Off Road- I didn't know it came with a locking differential- but I figured I'd be changing the suspension out on it anyway.

My long term goal is to have a street legal daily driver that I can go out and drive fast in the desert with. I like the idea and look of 2wd pre-runners and desert trucks but don't know where to start.

So I need some advice. I just spent almost all my money on the truck and certainly don't have 20k to throw at it- but I figure I can upgrade slowly and make it more capable. So- first things first- what tires should I get? I won't be rock crawling, or driving in the mud- all I'll be doing is driving on the road so I can get to the desert and trails. I've got 17" wheels but if there is a compelling reason I'd get wheels too.

BF Goodrich Bajas look awesome but I don't really see them anymore at least not for anything approaching a reasonable cost. What tires should I get? I don't really care how well they work on the street as long as they work.

Then what? Should I just save up for a fancy King or Fox stage X kit or is a cheap Bilstein set of shocks ok?

How important is a locking diff for what I'm doing?

I'd love to pull the bumpers and lower air dam thing off and replace it with something that'd work better for driving in the dirt and sand- but I have no clue. Help me! I don't want to go out there now with the stock truck and break stuff or get stuck. Any links to other cheapish effective builds would be most helpful- Obviously I want a full on desert pre-runner but that isn't in the cards...so help!

Also- we want to get a good bed tent for camping. What's the word there? The elevated ones look amazing- are they worth it? HELP! and thanks for the warm welcome!

 

You can easily take the arm dam off it like 8 bolts. As for suspension because it is really important I would save up for a real racing type suspension like ADS or Kings. Start combing through the for sale ads on here people change parts on here like professors change grades for North Carolina basketball players. Locker can be added later if needed. Lots of vendors here make bed racks and people sell second hand rtt all the time. I would for sure beef up the back a bit if you plan on running a tent

 

And most people on here regret not following the “buy once, cry once” philosophy.

 

thanks el duderino! that's EXACTLY what i needed to hear. i don't want to buy shit i don't need- but i also only want to do this once. any thoughts on tires?

 

You can’t go wrong with AT tire like KO2, Toyo At2, Duratracs, or Cooper discovery.

 

I would just find a good light AT tire so your MPGs don’t get murdered. I’m ditching my Duratracs because they are too heavy

 

I agree. Building your current truck to the kind of desert driving you want would not only be impractical but would be cost prohibitive for the kind of enjoyment you aspire. Driving fast in desert roads , doing whoops, and having it as a daily driver may not be a sound idea.

If you have deep pocket then why not. But on the other hand , saving some and buy a dedicated used truck for play is better or trade it up for a 4wd and call it a day. Been there. Used to own a 2011 pre runner Tacoma, installed a spindle lift and 33 inch tire. Just wasn’t as fun driving as my current almost stock in the desert/ mountains.

 

It’s a 2017 so you’ll have plenty of time to figure out your build

 

thanks! i appreciate your response! i think i'm pretty set on what i'll be doing with the truck- which is hitting the desert both here in southern california and in baja. i went with a 2wd because from talking to folks a simpler, lighter truck seemed like a better starting point. we've taken the truck out a few times to the Anza-Borrego state park which has sand washes, some long canyon runs, and lots of whoops and basically i'd just love to have more confidence that i won't break shit and be able to drive through the whoops faster and with more confidence. i like the idea of having a capable 2wd truck that still has an interior and can be driven on the road- but could survive a baja race. i've been lurking here for a while and i figured i'd just ask my questions.

thanks for taking the time to answer- you're absolutely right of course. i don't have much clue about anything- i love driving on the trails i've found out here and it's all new to me. i just want to be able to maximize my truck's potential without breaking the bank or throwing good money after bad. i don't just want to aesthetically make my truck a lifted truck- i want it to be able to handle the whoops and driving fast in the desert.

even when researching tires- everything seems to be either for mud or rock crawling. the tires made to go fast in the desert seem like they are specific to race vehicles, come in weird sizes, and/or are $500 a tire. i just want to know of the "off road" tires which ones work best- and what suspension will keep the truck in contact with the ground driving throught the desert, not bottom out on reasonable jumps- and hold up. if the answer is nothing in my budget- i guess i'll keep driving slow- or buy that KTM I've got my eye on!

i do get it- i built a road race car last year that started the same way- i got a weird bad choice for a track toy- a 2008 GT500- and ended up with the most fun track car ever. It's got an amazing suspension system0, big wide slick square tires, all the cooling in the world to keep it running and it's kind of absurd because it's a big heavy made for drag racing pig- and i've turned it into a road course/canyon carver.