New to the world of Tacoma

Hi all.
So, I just got my first Tacoma, and I'm a bit overwhelmed lol. I'm an avid outdoorsman, most notably rock climbing, but also hiking, biking, boating, hunting, you name it put me in the woods and I'm happy.
Will all that said, I've started the long process of building my rig. I've started by upgrading my lighting to led, and mounted the small collection of electronics I already had like my dash cam.
Tje first real upgrade I want to make is rock sliders. I'm an ok welder with friends who are amazing welders, and I have access to powder coating. I think I want to start wit a dom kit. What length should i get for my 19 double cab? I was planning on adding 1/4 in plate to stop flying rocks with some cnc designed logo, and the kits I've seen dont seem to bolster the frame, so should i add 1/4 to the frame also?
Thank you in advance for you help, and sorry if this has all been answered in another thread.

 

Yes, yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, no, yes

That should cover all the questions.

 

Except for the length

 

Welcome

 

Question... do you care one bit about mpg?
Do you want to haul much?

 

I do care about mpg. It's also my daily driver. I'm fully expecting to lose significant efficiency once I begin stacking on weight. My plan is to go with a streamline front bumper winch mount to save weight, not replace the rear till I rip the stock one off. I am planning a 3 in lift, but that's for another thread, as well as 285 75 r17 or maybe 33x12.5r17.
Mostly I'm trying to figure out what length dom rock slider kit to get, and should I add strength to the frame under the cab while mounting the sliders?

 

A

Alright, let me explain:
First, you have a doublecab 4WD. Your max payload is around 1000 lbs. That's before ANY added weight, including you. You cannot add capacity.
By making your sliders and adding some qtr inch plate and winch and front bumper, that's around 600 lbs or so. Don't know what you weigh but add that pulse any passengers. You are now at max payload before adding any payload!
Once you do this your mpg is going to drop from 20 mpg down to 16 mpg. Add some big tires and a lift and you are down to 14-15 mpg.
Not trying to be negative at all but this is not an old 1972 pickup where you can add tons of weight and not affect anything. With modern vehicles, everything you add means you lose somewhere else and adding weight means losing mpg. Please read the link in my signature. Good luck!

 

Cool. Like I said significant decrease in efficiency. Anyways length of sliders?

 

Welcome to TW!