Request for Advice for a serious beginner

I've been lurking for a while, but I'd like to get some thoughts on my situation. So, I'm interested in getting into offroading more, but I realize I am not exactly in a very sensible position and want to get some opinions and thoughts. I bought my 2017 Toyota Tacoma Limited about 6 months ago, and I've taken it onto some very simple dirt trails and an offroad park and realize if I want to keep going I really need to get more serious about the rig.

1st: Am I crazy for even considering modding my 2017 daily driver Limited to be more capable as a weekend offroad rig? I'm thinking bumper/winch, lift/shocks, tires, sliders as being most important to offer some basic protection from damage and give me more capability.

2nd: How screwed am I for not going with a trim that had locking diffs? I'm now seriously annoyed with myself that I went with the Limited because there were no Pros and the Offroad had cloth seats and less interior comforts. I hear it's expensive/not worth it to try to upgrade to locking diffs. Should I just wait it out and trade into a more sensible TRD Pro or Offroad at a later date?

3rd: I am not a do-it-yourselfer, so I would be getting some sort of local offroad shop to do any work. Any tips, tricks, etc to avoid bad work, getting screwed, or other potential unforseen problems?

My first adventure... I've since removed the air dam:

 

My recommendation since you're so new is to get some new tires, and get some sliders, and just get out and use your truck. You would be AMAZED at what a stock truck will do, and even more amazed at how capable you'll be with tires and sliders.

For sliders I'll always recommend @Mobtown Offroad. Their sliders are pure beef and 100% bolt on.

For tires, you kinda screwed the pooch on that one. You have 18" wheels, right? I was going to suggest 255/85r16 or 255/80r17 since those can be run stock height, but still look great on a lifted truck. That way you're only buying tires once.

If you want to keep your wheels, then get some 265/65r18 tires.

Going this route will allow you to see what works for you and you can then build your truck for YOU, and not based on what works for someone else on here.

 

If you are looking in to a simple weekend warrior, I wouldn't even worry about the differential right now. That little button will only stare at you and make you want to push it. I have owned my 2005 Off-road with locker for 11 years and have rarely had to use it. You need to get to the point to know your rig and limits. First off, be prepared to spend lots of money, especially if everything is being done by shops. You need to start with a solid lift and tires. That's it. Winch and bumpers are luxury. I am fully decked out with bumpers, winch, lights, and a lift. But it's not all necessary. Plus it's my daily driver. Good luck and welcome.

 

Here is my rig. I can't even remember what she looks like stock.

 

1. hell no. start with a lift/rims/tires/ecgs bushing on front diff drivers side.
2. locking diffs can be had through ARB, but beginner, meh you probably won't need em right away. basic armor sliders/skids.
3. lots of people here that can and are willing to help.

4. most important, have fun.

 

The 4wheel drive system is great in Tacoma. If you ever watch YouTube you will see alot of people never really use lockers. Unless you plan on using it for some major off road use you won't need it. Tires make the biggest difference. The tires on the limited are only road tires.

 

I had never gone off roading before buying my truck in Aug 2017. It is my daily and will be for the foreseeable future.
First mods I would recommend is all about protecting your truck:
1. Sliders(rocker panel repair is very expensive) and Skids(I ran the factory for far longer than i should have and beat the snot out of them.)
2. Better Tires and lift
3. Bumpers of your choosing

Winches are great recovery tools but arent as important if you go out with others. Tow straps work well and are faster than using a winch. I almost never use my elocker and wheel with plenty of people that dont have it and run everything i do.

Heres how my truck looks now after a little over a year.

I DD as it sits in the pic. I would love to remove the bed rack when around town but dont have storage space. All work on my truck has been done by me and most of it with the help of friends and fellow TW members at local mod days we put together. We enjoy wrenching on our trucks and helping others learn how to install parts on their own trucks.

 

Drive it stock for now and learn yours and the trucks limitations, then build from there.

 

Get good tires, and go. If you off road a night, a light will help. You'll be quite happy with what this truck can do with just a set of decent tires. Once you get some off road time under your belt, you can decide if you want to move forward with lift, winch, etc.

A winch is a nice convenience to have. For me damn near a necessity since I am often out in crappy weather as a solo vehicle, often alone. Beyond that, especially if you plan to off road with other vehicles, not needed. It's a big expense once you factor in winch, bumper, line, and a suspension to handle the weight.

Don't sweat not having a locker. I've got a 2002 4x4 DC SR5 without a locker, and that truck has had the hell off roaded out of it and has gone some serious places.

If I had to chose between locker or winch though, I'm going with a winch every time.

As far as "crazy" for modding a brand new DD? Not if you use it. Here's what mine looked like with about 4k on the odometer:



Drives just fine as a DD, not over the top modded, and works great in the dirt. But I also knew how I wanted it set up based on many years past experience off roading. So, I'd stick with the good tires / then just run it for a while to decide what you want to do. The tires on these trucks are your biggest impediment to off roading in questionable traction situations.

 

Dang, I haven't heard about this ecgs bushing thing. I found this talking about it https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLaX0YktJvGQuk-Xge30aZX-EXwvlKNUVK&time_continue=53&v=BOvoM5irtEc
Thanks for the advice, I had no idea. These are the sort of things that get me nervous as I start changing things.

 

Op - great thread. I've wanted to know the same basic things but wasn't sure about the right way to ask or where to start on a search.

I'm a noob to off roading myself. In fact I've never done it, except for "mud daubbing" 20 years ago with a friend and his Jeep.

BTW what does a locking diff do? I get the impression it might keep the vehicle from rolling backwards on a steep incline. Do I have the correct impression?

 

A locker doesnt help from rolling backwards. It only makes both wheels spin regardless of the traction. With no locker the wheel with no traction will spin and the one with friction will not spin leaving you stuck.

 

A locking diff basically means your two rear (or front) tires spin at the same speed regardless of traction.

 

Good tires and a good set of rock sliders and go have fun. These trucks are crazy capable stock. I have an old 4Runner which is similar to the Tacoma when talking offroad. I did tires and have open axles and took it through some wild stuff with picking a line and being smart with the throttle. Then I did a lift and sliders on it and go through even crazier stuff.

Just have fun with it. You don't need lockers unless you want to start getting into heavy offroading.

Might want to consider at least a front and transmission skid too.

Where are you located?

 

1. No way. A LOT of us mod our new trucks. Check out the 3rd Gen build threads from some incredible examples.

2. Not screwed at all. I had a 2016 TRD Sport 4x4 that I off roaded and it's extremely competent. Check out Taco Bandit on YT. His buddy, Chad, has a Sport and they go the same places. You'll be fine. Adding a locking diff is expensive, but it's not out of the question if you realize later you need it.

3. Check out the regional threads! There is almost certainly a group of guys who love to help you work on your truck. Here in AL, we have mod days, meet ups, and group rides regularly. It's like TW, but in REAL LIFE!

Suggestions: New tires. That's the first place to start. Get some ATs. Lots of good options. Sliders and skids next. Suspension after that. Bumper and winch down the road.
Oh, and definitely get an OR tow hook and paint it. It's the new hotness.

 

Never wheel alone in a secluded area is all I can add.
The one time time I’ve been bogged in mud, was on a Sunday night, zero cell reception area, with a 10 mile walk to the nearest town. Never again.

 

Duuuude. You gotta finish that story!

 

What maneuver are most people doing to make sliders come into play? Sharp trail turns around protruding boulders or? Just curious....

 

Here on the east coast it helps protect from trees. I slid into a tree last trip out since it was muddy and off camber, and my sliders saved my ass. Even just mildly big rocks they come in handy as peace of mind. Some $600 sliders are way cheaper than rocker panel repair.

 

I hit mine quite a bit cresting steep hills, coming off or up rocky terrain, getting through really rutted out trails. Our long wheel bases leave the center of the truck vulnerable.