Offroading in non-Prerunner 4x2

I am a cell tower tech who used to do his job in a mini cooper - and there was a lot of off-roading involved. Plucky little billygoat that car was.

Knowing how to drive off road beats any mod you do to your truck. You can lift your truck to go over a rock, or you can see it ahead of time and go around it. Which is cheaper?

 

I always had a preconceived notion that off roading meant all these crazy trails and weekend warrior stuff but you guys have totally expanded my perception. This is a great site!! I've gotten a lot of questions answered here. I also have the stock tires and will upgrade to the 235/70/15 for a better ride.

 

tires and lift. I have both on my 5 lugger. look at my build

 

No they are not the same. I have a 4x4 2011 taco and I swaped my factory lsd with a mechanical (detroit trutrac) one. Night and Day difference. Detroit cost about $575.00 I installed it myself although labor would probably be about $270-360

 

I have some ideas that actually fit your request.

1) Tire Chains
2) Used Factory Skid Plates
3) Arb Magnum Hand Winch or Similar
4) A Shovel
5) Rubber mats or other traction devices to put under tires when stuck
All of these items will significantly increase your off-roadability for little money, if any.

 

Why do you want to keep the stock look? When I had a 5-lug, I always thought it looked like a limo, little donut wheels and huge cab.

Even if you put the readylift and 31" tires on, it will be no higher with no bigger tires than a stock prerunner or 4x4.

Also, you should come with us on the next north alabama meet... There's a member down in Auburn.

 

Not much into the big truck look, even the stock PreRunners and 4x4's are a little too high for me. I just like the factory profile of the 5 lug. The only thing i'd be willing to alter appearance wise is maybe getting a little bigger tires to fill in the wheel well, but nothing that'd require me to change wheels (something like 225/75/15 as opposed to stock 215/70/15).

I've always liked the "small pickup" look, ya know? Plus i don't care to spend the money to beef it up and I like the idea and peace of mind of leaving things at factory settings for the most part, just preference i guess.

 

You mean the normal truck look? The 5 lug has the proportions of a geo metro, dude. Whatever floats your boat.

I would watch it with the redneck comments, though... that isn't a good way to make friends, homeslice.

Good luck with whatever you do to it

 

Redneck comments?

 

^ In your first comment. You were talking about hick lifts, redneck drivers, etc.

The rule of thumb I've found on TW is to tread very lightly when it comes it other people's trucks, and what they do or do not think looks good.

I second everyone's idea of getting bigger and better tires for off-roading. Also, you seem like a smart guy, so if you aren't sure, park it as close as you feel is safe and walk the rest.

 

Yeah good idea, point taken. Apologies for those i may have offended or disrespected

I think i'm gonna go with some slightly bigger all terrains, think 225/75/15 would work well with my base 5 lug?

 

A few guys say that 235/75/15 is what they are running with no rubbing issues. Personally I'd say go for those. IMO all trucks look best with a tire that fills the wheel well as much as possible. Obviously 225/75/15 will fit as well. The big issue is just getting a more capable OR tire. There is a tire list sticky in the wheels and tires forum.

I say get the biggest and the best OR tire that your ride and your budget can handle. If you don't think you'll be needing them right away, or can save money by just parking a bit further and walking, do that until the stock tires get enough wear on them that an upgrade makes sense.

My goal is three years and 45k on my stock tires. I'm 1/3 of the way there!

 

^^^ all sounds good. What can you tell me about hand winches? Prices, ease of use, efficiency?

I gotta get me a shovel and some planks but i don't want all this stuff knockin around in my bed (guess i could only put these in there when i'm going backroading, but i like to ALWAYS be prepared).

 

Do you happen to have any pictures of either of these tire sizes on a base 5 lug?

 

Same here. I did it for a while in a honda accord.

I am definitely glad I got the taco when I started working in montana though. Most of the sites I could get to, but there were a few it wasn't happening in a 2wd.

After a little snow, all bets were off to any site with a 2wd.

 

go check out my build and look at the pics before i put my lift on. i highly recommend them

 

I looked at the build in your sig but every pic it looks like you have a lift

 

I think it's the second pic of my truck on my build. Go look one more time. I'll post a pic of it later if you still can't find it.

 

225/75/15 FTW!

I've always thought the stock clearance was pretty darn decent for a compact truck. Better than a comparable S10 or a Ranger. I should see where it sits with the 225s on.

 

hate to dig up an old thread but how's your offroading going with this truck?