New Taco owner says hello

Hey fellows

Just purchased a 2018 Tacoma Limited. I know its not the off road but I am very interested in making this an off road vehicle.

first things first. I do want to remove the skirt. I do want to replace the grill with the TRD grill. I do want the TRD skid plate. I do want mud tires. I do want a lift(I'm not sure whats best for my small budget). I do have a low budget as I am making payments. Obviously the grill and the lift are the first of my priorities. Not sure whether to replace the tonnuau cover with a camper yet. I do have predator tube steps.....I know rock sliders are better but I just don't want to part with the steps. They do help me and my fiance get into the vehicle even at stock. I do want a TRD exhaust. I do prefer OEM parts if possible. I do watch youtube channels devoted to Tacoma. I don't have any lockers. I am new to having a new vehicle period. I am new to Toyota. My last vehicle was a frontier and I could not stand that it wasn't a taco. I have zero complaints about tacoma except for the long braking distances. Again my budget is low seeing as how I make payments and have just began the long journey as an electrician 3 years ago.

 

thx

any advice for a mall ready guy like me? lol

 

Welcome and congrats Christopher.
Enjoy the new rig.

 

Welcome to TW! Your stock truck is very capable as it sits. With a lift you'll likely want a slightly larger tire. Start of by enjoying your truck and seeing what it can do with how you want to use it and decide on upgrades from there. I wheeled my truck before any upgrades. I realized prtection from damage was the highest priority and then bought better tires for off road use first and then went to protection to keep from damaging the body. 2 yrs later my trucks getting beat to hell, damaged front bumper/pinstrips/banged up tailgate, and I wouldnt change it(though I do want to fix the damage but I wont use insurance, trying to find a good deal on a replacement tailgate as its beyond repair but still works and is mostly hidden with the new bumper I bought after destroying the stock on)!

 

well superbad as insurance is a scam and it takes twice as long to repair through insurance I cannot blame you. However I really do want to go on some light trails that won't damage the truck. As long as I am paying on it I will not let anything happen.

 

I am just not sure what trails there are around Dallas, TX. I am new to the concept of offroading. But I am severely intrigued.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Are you in DFW? Nothing really around here. Its all private land. You can find some dirt roads but not anything I would call offroading as any vehicle could drive down them. Theres 2 offroad parks fairly close that your pretty safe from damage besides possible light pinstrips from bush's with Northwest(Brigeport) OHV 1-1.5hrs N'ish of FW and Barnwell Mtn Recreational area 2.5hrs east of Dallas.

 

yeah man not too fond of Dallas anyways even though I have lived here all my life....but alright ill look into it. Know of anything else here in Texas. I was thinking of roadtripping to Austin soon. Colorado is down the line. Canada...way down the line.

 

I feel you about Tx. Nice enough place but its not where I will stay. Been here too long at 10 yrs now and I am getting the itch to move out west. Hill country has more dirt roads that should be easy and could be fun from what I hear. Some of the Austin guys like @ChadsPride may know of an area or 2 down that way. Colorado has a lot you can do stock and some stuff you would want minor protection/armor for. I took my truck to CO at 1 month old and had some great fun not having a clue what I was doing with a 4wd vehicle.
We've got a good group of Tacoma owners all over the state. Heres the local DFW thread we are very active in with monthly meetups at local brewery's and food joints. Come on over and say Hi! https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eet-drink-11aug18-details-on-1st-post.442133/

 

If your on facebook look into the group "Soft Roaders" they wheel all kinds of AWD vehicles at NW OHV and your stock truck is more capable due to better ground clearance but should be a good group to run with to learn your truck.

 

thx man I might think about meeting up...although school is about to start(trade school) so ill have alot less time on my hands. Also DFW is too humid and nasty. If I do a meet up ill definitely be stock if its anytime soon. I am down for beers for sure. Or a coffee meet up. cuz coffee.

 

My first meetup was stock, many people come as stock and some manage to continue to without modding their trucks, were just a group of happy tacoma owners that meet up and BS. It always seems to be at Noon on a saturday or sunday. We also go wheeling together and usually do OK with stock guys coming with us. Most damage I've seen caused to a stock truck is damage to the steps. All my bigger damage has come after a long day of wheeling, in the dark, while making poor decisions.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome and congrats on the new truck. Do some research first..............for instance TRD skid is good, lots of guys love it, but there are a ton of options out there. Drive it and see what you need and want after that. Don't just throw a bunch of money at it, because you saw it here or on youtube. Think about how you are going to use the truck and think about future mods as well, better to save money and do it right the first time instead of trying to get something cheaper and finding out it doesn't work and spending twice the amount getting what you should have gotten the first time around...............Good luck.

 

yeah for sure. I really intend on paying off half of the truck before I do the big mods like a lift. Im on a six year plan but I plan on working hard and paying it off in half the time.

 

Welcome!

 

PICS SOON GUYYYYS