If I'm not going to lift it, what upgrades should I add.....

OK, I have a 5 month old Tacoma TRD Off Road. Obviously, it's my daily driver, and it will make trips from Oklahoma to Minnesota, Colorado, Texas, and many other places. So, I'm trying to keep the ride as good as possible, yet enhance my off road capabilities as much as possible.

I'd love to lift it, but it seems lifts invariably cause problems with drive train components over time. Sure, you may get by for awhile with no issues, but I've read countless threads where problems creep up over time. I don't want to be swapping out CV joints while I'm on a trip.
Also, I can't find any shop in Oklahoma that sells a decent lift like OME, Icon, etc. If I do one, I want to do it right, and only go 2 to 3 inches to keep problems at bay. I don't have the skills or tools to do it myself.

But, assuming I'm not going to do a lift for awhile, what upgrades would you do to enhance off road capabilities, that would continue to be an asset if I do decide to lift it later (which may still happen when a little more of the new wears off.)

I have a few in mind:

1. Sliders. Have narrowed it down to RCI or Mobtown so far....

2. Front skid plate. RCI aluminum to keep weight down.

3. 265/75/16 more agressive tires. It came with 265/70/16 Goodyear Adventure Kevlar. I keep reading 265/75/16 will fit stock suspension with no rubbing. Not sure if the increase in size is worth it or not...

4. Maxtrax recovery boards - in case I do get stuck somewhere, they might get me out.

I just bought a Viair air compressor to be able to air down and back up.

So, I'd love to hear any other suggestions, or what order you would do the 4 I mentioned above. I'm not looking to go rock crawling, just have the best on road/off road combination I can find. (Yes, the two usually don't go together....)

 

Sounds like you're on the right track and very practical. I think so many people go way overboard with adding stuff for off-road when in reality these trucks are way more than capable in their stock form for 95% of us out there who use the truck mostly on-road with the occasional mild to moderate off-road excursion. Probably for most it's more about bragging rights and dick measuring contests with other meatheads.

I'd definitely get rid of those tube steps if you're doing any significant off-roading, and go with sliders like you mentioned. I have the same tube steps and like them, but I'm not doing any significant off-roading with a $30k+ truck!

I'd call my off-road needs mild, so all I really added to my TRD Sport 4x4 were BFG KO2's and went up one size. Aside from that, Clazzio leather seat covers, Toyota bed mat and a camper shell. The KO2's probably weren't necessary, but man, do they make the truck look so much better, but at the cost of losing 2mpg. I just do a lot of camping, hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, surfing, etc., and usually only go on pretty tame stuff that may have the occasional gnarly section to get back to a trailhead, streamed crossing, ruts, etc. Had a Subaru Outback before the Tacoma and only had a few close calls regarding clearance, etc. I'd rather save my money and work less and spend more time outside instead of dumping money into a truck for stuff that isn't necessary. As much as I love the way the KO2's look and handle (and they're very quiet surprisingly) if I had to do it again I'd still go up a size, but maybe go with a slightly less aggressive tire that doesn't sacrifice the mpg's as much. FWIW I went with the C-rated version, not the heavier E-rated version.

 

definitely going the same route as you, and we have the same truck! I like that you debadged it, I'm looking at doing the same. Mobtown will be where I get my sliders to replace the Predator step tubes we both have.

 

Thanks for the input! We are on the same page. Colorado has some pretty cool, but not too technical trails I'd love to go do. Would my stock truck make it, probably, but I'd like to be sure! Like you, I'm not going to get too deep in with a 30k truck.

 

A few weeks ago I replaced my 265/70/r16 with the 265/75/r16 and have no rubbing at all. With the size increase there was a drop in mpg, from 1-2 mpg depending on the freeway head wind, and a slight loss of low end torque. Most of my driving is on state roads and the interstate, mostly spent between 65 and 80ish mph.

 

Yep, twins! I really like mine rebadged! Everyone I show it to says the same. I also changed out my grill which I like a lot better.....

 

Which tire did you go with? Have you had it off road at all? That's where I'm worried about rubbing.....

 

I moved from Colorado last summer to the Bay Area. Miss Colorado so much, but make so much more money out here. Even though the cost of living is way higher I'm working less out here and still have more money left over at the end of the day after paying rent, bills, etc. Crazy that I had to move to the most expensive part of the country to get ahead financially.

 

http://www.c4fabrication.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160607_182358-e1466190393355.jpg

 

I went with the nokian rotiva at plus. I haven't had them off road yet but did take a round a bout a little straighter than I should have and got the driver side on the little side walk thing that goes around it and they performed as expected. They went right over it!

 

Clearly everyone likes lifts!

 

Check out my Duke of Deals thread for some great prices on OEM parts including sweet new wheels.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-unchained5150-the-duke-of-deals-deals-thread.432586/

 

If I were in your shoes I would add a shovel, hi-lift jack, water jug, and a first aid kit.

 

To add to you list but its mostly gear, not so much mods to make your truck perform as its pretty good right out of the box.

If getting sliders then get a jack, hi lift 60" or so should be sufficient along with a shovel, axe and a few towstraps.

A come along is also handy to have, think of it as a cheap winch.

Either install a cb or carry a couple of long range hand held radios. When going offroad, always take bottles of water and a decent first aid kit too. Maybe something to store everything inside like a toolbox that fits under your tonneau.

Rain gear, gloves, boots and a wet bag to keep dry clothes in.

 

265/75/16 BFG AT KO2 tires and that's it.

 

Thanks! I had thought about the shovel but kind of forgot about it. I have a high lift jack and was kind of wanting the sliders so it would be more useful. All good ideas, thanks.

 

OP I've had 5 tacomas since high school (Im now 30), 2 of them I lifted the 2011 and 15 and at the time loved it, a year later or so when the problems creeped up (not big things but little things again and again) I decided my adult self needed to stop sinking money into mods (lifts) that yield no increase in trade in and only cost money, so good on you, though being on here makes it tempting. My 16 I did like you, debadged her, blacked the grill, upgraded to some nice wheels and tires, tinted the windows, LED lights all around, bed mat and good to go. Nice to see someone on here who realizes you don't need to lift your tacoma. I would consider investing in a nice recovery bag, NOCO battery jumper, maybe some nice LED/HIDs, etc. Nice OR by the way!

 

Thanks for the suggestions. A come along is a good idea. Would like a winch but don't want the weight. I do have a large D ring and a tow strap on board now but another strap is a good idea! I have a small first aid kit but need to check it out to see if its adequate.

 

Thanks so much! I love the look of the lifted Tacos, and like you said, seeing all the fantastic looking trucks on here makes it hard not to do. But, I'm determined to stay with stock suspension for the foreseeable future. Recovery bag is a great idea.

 

I like the simplicity and you're probably right. It just doesn't give me enough to cure my upgradeitis!