Tacoma In Desperate Need Of Experienced 4x4 Modders!!!

I'll start with hello everyone!!! I know everyone hates people for starting out threads about things that have already been discussed and everyone says to shut up delete there thread and read before you create a new thread. Well I am here to tell you I have read hundreds of threads on here and yet I still have questions that need answering. I just bought my Tacoma a few months ago it's a 2001 Tacoma Access Cab 4x4 v6 with 160,000 miles on it. After spending hours cleaning this thing and lint rolling the crap out of it, it looks and runs brand new. I know big shocker a Tacoma with 160 thou running like new lol. But anyways on to my very important questions keep in mind I have no background in the automotive industry due to my dad failing as a father.

Question 1 What is a longtravel suspension?
Whats the main purpose of having one?
Is it good for rock climbing or just the dunes?
Do you need to lift your truck?
How does it affect your gas mileage and daily driving?


Question 2 Is there an aftermarket tailgate you can get that wont be destroyed every Tacoma I have seen including mine has a destroyed tailgate?

Question 3 How much modding needs to be done to successfully jump a Tacoma off a dune over and over again?

Question 4 What aftermarket seats can I get that look awesome but are still safe?

Question 5 What size rims and what kind are best for 4x4?

Question 6 Has anyone successfully built a Tacoma Trophy Truck?

Question 7 Can you put a v8 in your Tacoma and how much will it cost?

Question 8 What needs to be done to make your truck safe for fast speed off roading?

Question 8 Where can I get a flat screen navigation thing and which one will fit an 01 Tacoma?

Again I have read your threads and still these questions need answers don't hate on me for not knowing anything. Appreciate that you do know and the people who have taught you. It's your turn to teach someone. With that being said post on my Tacoma brethren!!!!!!!!!!!

 

1. more travel than factory, better off road usually used in desert offloading. will be stiff over speed bumps due to valving etc but when done right will be fine as a DD. Bigger tires hurt fuel mileage.

2. You can modify your tailgate with steel re enforcement

3. Lots lots oh and LOTS!

4.twisted stich, carbeau, master craft there are several brands

5. 15-16 is most popular

6.Yes

7. Yes, est 7-10k possibly not really sure

8. Full cage, LT front and rear, safety and recovery devices, upgraded suspension for stability.

9. Amazon or Crutchfield.com

 

Thanks for the reply awesome truck btw! So if I was looking to hall ass through the desert what would I need? Long travel suspension would that be it? Im confused about the whole thing I hear talk about fox coil overs shocks and then I hear about the suspension so whats that all about? I really have no idea what needs to be done to my truck first before I try taking it out as is and ruining it. I have the 4x4 v6 so it should have pretty good suspension but I have a feeling it may not be up for what I'm wanting to do I really want to be able to jump my truck and not have to worry about totaling out a truck my first five minutes of offroading ever.

 

oh and how would you modify the tailgate with steel reinforcement I don't have any equipment so is there shops or something that could do something like that?

 

well Fox Coilover replaces the factory strut, and Loing travel replaces the upper and lower control arm and steering and longer axels. but it doesn't end there, you really have to know how to wrench and maintain to own a reliable LT truck

 

You should really post in the Arizona thread and ask some locals to recommend a good shop that does long travel. Go talk to that shop and ask lots of questions. If it's a quality company they should have no problem helping you. If they don't like all the questions, leave and find someone that is willing to answer all your questions

 

What kind of longtravel suspension would give you the most durability/performance are there kinds you have to maintain less then others?

 

the only problem with that would be it's a shop that's trying to make money and I thought Id use the one source that has unlimited experience taco world to find out my information before hand

 

heres a good thread to read!
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lo...-considering-long-travel-read-here-first.html

 

I know there are a few different brands that will do second gen long travel kits.. dont know about first gen though.
As for your reservation about going to a shop, I would still ask some of the Arizona guys about it. Good shops should be straight up with you. and if you're worried about their alternative money making motives, just tell them you want rough estimates so you know what to save up for. Honestly, the good shops should just help you, not just want to take our money.


If they ask if you need a blinker fluid top off for $50 bucks... thats when you walk away.

 

Any tips on offroading? I have only been with my uncle in his 4x4 beasted out Tacoma that thing will climb up the side of a sky scraper lol. That's pretty much what got me stoked about the offroading then I looked into it more and saw those Baja trucks. Those things are ridiculous. That's mainly what I am going for now ocassional rock crawling would be fun but nothing seems like more fun then flying through the air in a truck ferris bueller style lol.

 

Thanks for the thread i'll check it out now!

 

honestly, best advice is to do exactly what Mr. Brown said above. Look for some Arizona meets on here (I'm pretty sure the Az guys and gals are VERY active...) and start tagging along with them to get some off roading know how. I'm still in the learning stages. I've taken my truck out a few times and have started to learn where i need to invest equipment in. Dont get me wrong, I would love a long travel and stuff but watch out because your interests might vary. I know that right now, my truck is my daily driver and I would NEVER put a long travel suspension on it right now. That, and I don't have the massive $$$ to invest in that. Maybe once I am no longer a student, have another daily driver and a steady income will I invest heavily in the truck like that.
If I'm honest.. If I were to do it all over again, I would get a little car that gets GREAT mpg for a dd, and then an old toyota to rebuild/mod up for whatever wheeling I wanted. Hindsight is 20/20 though.
But really. There are lots of different kinds of off roading. go out with some groups, learn, ask lots of questions, and be cool about it. I've found that people are very willing to share knowledge, especially because we are all out there for fun!
Stay safe, explore you truck, get to know it, push it a little too, and have a blast!

 

So where can I find the Arizona thread at?

 

go up top to the blue bar where it says forum list> then go over to regions (fourth column) then Arizona
or
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/arizona/

search around or just post an Arizona relevant question like which shops to check out

 

or use search too*