noob looking for advice

I inherited my 2004 DC TRD 4x4 when my Dad passed away last Dec. I am grateful I was able to spend quality time with him last year before he was gone. I will always have good memories of him now.

I plan to use the truck for camping hunting fishing and exploring the Idaho forests, Clearwater/Nez Perce, Payette, Salmon-Challis etc. My main goal is to build a truck that will take me into the forests and back again! It must be reliable and capable. Since there are not many rock trails in Idaho I don't plan on a building a rock crawler.

My plans include;
1 grey wire mod
2 2 lo mod
3 axle wrap
4 lights
5 winch + bumper
6 suspension
7 sliders
8 mud tires
9 maintenance, already changed oil and replaced the battery

I am trying to learn what is possible with the truck and I see there are some really cool builds on this site.
At this point I am open to any and all suggestions.

 

Sorry for your loss.

To start with, I'd say don't do any mods that'll cost you money beyond routine maintenance. Get out in the forests, drive some fire roads then decide what you want to do. While big tires and suspension is fun, you may not need it.

Check out this thread. This may be more of what you are looking to do.

 

I have been places in my 95 reg. Cab I shouldn't have gone, and came back out. 4x4 works great. Keep good tires designed for both worlds. Really good advice from dispatch! Oh yeah,don't get caught up in the hype.$$$

 

Maintenance:
Check the valve clearances. If they need adjusting, get it done ($$). Especially if the exhaust valves are out (this will prevent the dreaded, and expensive 'burnt valve').

Check the drive belts, and radiator hoses. Replace if questionable.

Verify that the e-locker is functional before your first trip. Some owners never use it, and over time it can develop issues from lack of use.

 

Thanks, exactly what I'm looking for. I think this is very good advice.

The belts and hoses all look good. The timing belt and water pump were changed two years ago around 90K, currently at 101K. My Dad always kept up on maintenance. I'm not sure about the valves so I will check.

The e-locker took awhile to engage and disengage, most likely never used by my Dad.

 

sorry about your pops, but welcome to TW.

from my experience, the first, most effective, best upgrade for your truck is suspension. FOX has an application that will bolt right up to your stock set up for $1500 (if you shop it right). They are 2.5" bypass remote resevoir coilovers and come set for a 2" above factory preload(lift). I bought these for my truck and had them installed in under 2 hours. the difference in performance was unbelievable. i used to be cautious and slow when entering a trail here in vegas, now i just pull off into the dirt and floor it. so i definetly wouldnt waste my money on knock off brands or lift kits like rough country or sky jacker blah blah blah. by fox, the quality and performance is seriously worth the investment.

p.s. replace sway bar bushings and grease everything while you got our wheels off. theyre gona need it to keep up with these shocks when your rompin