New to Tacoma World and New 1st Gen Owner

Last year I had my first overland experience courtesy of a CAM Mobility multi-day off road driving course. Absolutely a great group of guys, and more than happy to share their knowledge and experience during our bumpy trek from Grand Junction to Moab and back. One of their trucks, along with a sweet 2nd Gen Land Cruiser and several Land Rover Discoveries was a 1st Gen Taco. I loved it. I needed one.

I've been creeping around this forum for about 6 months, and finally pulled the trigger on a Tacoma of my own. I'm now the proud owner of a 2004 TRD Offroad. It has a couple upgrades already, with so many more to follow.


The Wife's 4 Runner and the Ol' Cummins (For Sale) lurking in the back.

Mods it came with:
OME shocks at least.. not sure of details and if the springs and leafs are stock or upgraded.
Leer Topper
Yakima roof rack with a pretty nice basket
2018 Tacoma wheels with BFGs

Well, I started with the internet shopping already. Anybody, please feel free to weigh in if Im off in the wrong direction. Currently headed my way is:

$1,150 ARB 3423020 Winch Compatible Bull Bar

ARB 3423020 Winch Compatible Bull Bar

$359 Smittybilt XRC GEN2 9.5K Waterproof Winch with Steel Cable - 97495

Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch - 9500 lb. Load Capacity

$323 ARB CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

ARB CKMA12 Air Compressor High Output On-Board 12V Air Compressor

$48 ARB 10000011 Speedy Seal 2 - Universal Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit For Car, Truck, RV, Jeep, ATV, Motorcycle, Tractor, Trailer. Flat Tire Puncture Repair Kit Fix Punctures and Plug Flats 50 String Plug

ARB 10000011 Orange Speedy Seal Tire Repair Kit Series II
Lumitek 96W 9 Inch LED lights
Mechanics Tool Kit (Its a Stanley set in a nice plastic box.. on sale of course)
Recovery kit with tree saver, snatch blocks, straps, winch line dampener, etc
2 Ram Mounts- One for Cell Phone, and one to mount an iPad in.
I ordered an otter box defender case for the iPad mini 3 to modify for use with the Ram Mount.
I'll be running Gaia GPS, unless I find something better.

On the docket/ In the Cart

-Safari Snorkel Kit
-Dash modification to switch the thermostat control position with the radio position, add accessory switches and USB hub, and maybe dash mount the Comms.
-Dual band 10M/70cm.. Icom or Kenwood. Price pushes me toward Icom.
-Swingout gate with spare tire and jerry can holder leaning towards 4xinnovations, but I'm also impatient and that's a 6 week wait.
-Jerry cans for water and fuel
-Dual Battery.. Still working on the design for this. I don't know if I should go under the hood or in the bed with the Aux battery. In the bed lets me put my distribution panel, inverter, isolator, and monitor all on one board right in the back where my big power draws will be (the fridge and several battery chargers, along with whatever I plug into the inverter.. I don't know. Im not an electrician, but my friends are, so Ill come back to that.
-Some lights. I don't like the look of light bars so much, but can't beat the price per lumen.
-Rooftop tent? I have to see what the limits are on that old Leer Topper, but my 6'2" isn't sleeping in the bed.
-Cab roof rack and move the current basket over the cab. Prefer hard mounted, but need to do some homework on how that would work.
-Last but not least, after the weight of the winch and bumper Ill see what my sag looks like in the front. I might just scrap the OME setup that's on there since I have no clue how old it is or how many miles are on it. Maybe I'll be just fine. If not..
-Icon stage 2 and front diff drop kit, dialed to 2 inches front and 2 inches rear with 700 lbs in her bed.

Thanks for all the articles, posts and the community of experienced Tacoma folks here. Im happy to be a part of it!

-Chuck

 

Welcome to TW

 

Oh, I forgot Rock Sliders. 4xinnovations are sweet and the price is great, so Ill get those.

 

Welcome @chuckers !

 

Welcome! I've got the ARB winch bumper and it's fantastic. I also have the 4xInnovations sliders and super gait with them. You'll be happy!

 

Welcome to TW.

 

Welcome!

 

Beretta4x4, nice build thread. Ill have to do one once I start wrenching. How much better is your approach angle with that bumper over stock? And how do you like your swingout? Im really shopping hard for one.

 

Nice, good looking truck. Welcome to TW!

 

Thanks!

Still waiting on the swingout to be finished (quoted 4-8 weeks about 2 weeks ago) and I haven't tested out the front bumper yet, but I can tell the angle is much better

 

nice

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome. I'd keep the OME in the front and focus more on the rear suspension if you have to choose. A good set of tuned shocks in the rear will stabilize the truck faster after bigger hits. Most of your weight will likely be over that axle as well. I still have ome in the front but 2.5" Kings in the rear and I don't get rocked like a boat anymore. I do plan on getting kings in the front at some point but I'm able to keep up with guys with performance shocks in all 4 corners now.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thank you.

Thanks!

 

Welcome hope to see ya around the area!