Should and Could I Upgrade My Truck

I have a 2011 4x4 Tacoma AC, but it does not have an offroad package. If I were to upgrade it, what exactly would I need to do to upgrade? I have a 5-speed manual trans.

Change rear diff to a locker?
Go to 17" wheels and tires?
New shocks?

I have been making trips to Colorado for hiking in recent years, and feel like this guy:



Another option is to give this truck to my boys since they'll be driving soon, and just get a new TRD DC.

I only have a 4-Cyl engine, but I've never really felt limited by it.

 

IMO you are only really missing the rear locker, the rest of the off road package isn't much. Good tires will make the most difference. If you go the second option and get something else I'd highly recommend going with the 6 cylinder.

 

Just curious - sorry to show my ignorance - is there such a thing as a front locker?

 

ARB front & rear locker.

http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyotaTacoma.pdf

 

What's the upgrade for??? What are you doing with it?

 

Offroad trails in Colorado - mainly getting to remote hiking trailheads. For my purposes, offroading is a means, not an end.

 

There must be a Colorado thread on here. Not sure what the trails are like but a lift, tires and recovery gear wouldn't hurt.

 

Sounds like you want to get on light to intermediate trails, you won't need a front locker so don't waste your $.
Must be even harder on the 4cyl in Colorado going up higher altitudes.
A rear locker is a game changer and a must have for anyone who loves off roading, although depending on lighter use good treaded tires can get you where you need to be since you have 4x4

 

I live in CO. I had a 4 cyl Ranger for a while and on trails at least I never needed more. Maybe look at a 3" lift, 32" tires on 16" rims and MAYBE a locker. Do you have a limited slip rear diiff? That's better than nothing.

I've never needed a front locker. In fact I've never needed a rear locker, but I'm glad it's there.

To do a lift, tires and a locker, you're probably looking at $4-5,000, and the 4 cyl will work pretty hard with larger tires.

 

Obviously you have never used a TRD OR 4x4.... outside of the aforementioned elocker, which will get you through situations in 2wd at a crawl that an open diffed 4x4 couldnt possibly get through unless you got a good run at it.

You also get ATRAC, which does a damn good job at emulating a front locker. This also means you get the much better electric brake boosted master cylinder vs the old school vacuum boosted master.


Those things stated. OP have you ever gotten stuck in your truck and went, damn if i had a locker in the rear i wouldnt of been? If not i wouldnt worry about it. If you really want to upgrade, id say keep your truck as is, let the kid have a safe reliable vehicle and get yourself a new one!

 

OP said its for accessing trail heads so most likely it won't be incredibly difficult off-road situations. Atrac is only 3mph limit, right? You basically gave the same advice I did, which was get a new truck. Next time don't assume somebody "obviously" doesn't know something.

Anyhow, OP I know you said the 4 banger hasn't caused you any issues but drive a 6 cylinder and you'll change your mind. If you do get a new truck chances are good you'll want better tires so budget some good at's.

 

have you ever used atrac.... i think you would be very impressed with the "rest of the package that isnt much"

 

OP I had the exact same truck as you. After 3.5 years of deliberating about sinking money into my I4, I finally made the decision to just buy the truck I really wanted. In the end I'm glad I did. I got the TRD Baja 4x4 that comes with the Offroad Package. Very happy so far. Especially with the V6 and TRD Catback Exhaust.

 

One answer, HELL YEAH!

Shocks if you want better travel during wheeling, but if you do that, it will involve lifting which I'm not sure you are ready to do or even want to as well as an AAL for the rear if you want to do it right. Coilovers in the front and smooth body's in the rear for the shocks and you will notice a huge difference in ride quality. Tires make a huge factor as well. A full swap out to some good A/T's or M/T's and you will notice worlds of a difference during wheeling. Be aware that the better traction comes at a cost of increase in road noise however. How much is too much, well that's really something only your ears can gauge.

As far as a rear locker is concerned I wouldn't worry about it. On my trips up to Tahoe I have never felt limited by my LSD 4X4 Sport. Don't get me wrong, lockers have their place in the offroading world, but it's not a problem that cannot be fixed by airing down the tires some (or A LOT if you are feeling lucky ). In my two years of owning this truck and countless wheeling trips. I have found that these open diff's on the Yota's are damn capable and deserve some respect where respect is due.

If you don't have them already, may I recommend you some EGR in channel rain guards. They cut down wind and road noise ten fold with the stock tires. After my A/T's the noise went up a bit, but I knew road noise would come through some.

 

Actually, I have been in that situation.