What order should I make my first mods?

Picking up a doublecab short bed off road in the next few weeks and trying not to get too carried away with all the cool stuff I can add.

I was think to add the following in this order (not all at once):

immediate:
diamondback se cover

Later:
Tires- falken wildpeak (after 35k)
Full skids (post warranty)
Rock sliders (Post warranty)
Led lights
New wheels with 0 offset (post warranty)

what are your thoughts. I live in the pacific north west so lots of rain. I have on street parking and plan to use on moderate trails /FSR to access remote trailheads and ski trips.

 

how soon do you plan on offroading? and how intense are the trails you're gonna be using?

you said moderate trails, so chances are you can probably put sliders and skis last unless you know you'll need them for the trails you have planned.

Tires, you should get with new wheels if you're gonna be sizing up at all, otherwise you can get them separately. I would prioritize new tires over wheels or the other mods if you're planning to offroad more.

LED lights...as in headlights? or bars, pods, and other interior/auxiliary lighting mods? But those i'd just add as you can afford them, or save them for last unless you have a pressing need for that kind of lighting.

 

My truck arrives on Friday. Wheels already ordered, appointment set with Discount Tire on Saturday morning at 8 am to get some Duratracs slapped onto my SCS'.

So, IMO - Wheels/tires first.

 

Just led lights to replace the existing lamps

Wheel size, planning to stay stock as I don’t intend on any lift.

The armour is more for light protection as I am not into serious off-roading. Just protection against rocks, pot holes etc on logging roads. My concern on sliders is the steel ones are heavy which might require another leaf for the extra load. The skids are light though.

 

Is there a functional benefit to replace the wheels or mainly just for aesthetics?

also any reason for duratracs vs wildpeaks?

 

Not just aesthetics but AESTHETICS!

 

In that case, I'd say prioritize the skids, then tires. sliders don't sound like they'd be much benefit to you past the very occasional protection from a kicked up rock, or once you start getting into crawling/really tight paths.

LED bulbs to replace existing bulbs are p cheap compared to the rest of your plans, check out Diode Dynamics they should have all the ones you need.

GO for Aluminum skids if you wanna save weight (but more expense), or steel skids for more protection (but heavier weight). As for an extra leaf/new leaf pack for the sliders, it shouldn't be too necessary since the slider weight is distributed across the middle, not hanging over or behind the rear wheels like a bumper or rack would be.

 

Enter service department phone your phone should be your first mod

 

I kinda asked the same type of question on the Georgia BS Thread. The answer was an overwhelming sliders. You mess up the rocker panels its a different world. The answer was basically protect the investment first! And after doing said mods I would have to agree! Just my 2 cents! But tires would be up top on the list as well! Just don't over do it!

 

Thanks this is very useful. For skids is it necessary to do the skid Also for the lower control arm?

 

I wouldn't say it's necessary, again depends on how rocky of roads you're gonna be running. I did end up putting LCA skids on mine, since i once went out and smashed my drivers side LCA pretty hard cresting a ridge and not seeing a rock sticking out of the ground. Ended up bending that part of the frame significantly enough to need a fix. No clue if a skid would have prevented it, but at the very least it would have saved my LCA being replaced.

 

It doesn’t sound like you need any armor if all you want to do is logging roads, but I think sliders make the most sense because the rockers are weak sheet metal and bashing them can mess up the operation of your doors and cause thousands of dollars of damage. I also find that they come into contact the ground a lot because of the poor break over angle of our trucks.

You don’t need to upgrade your suspension to install rock sliders. Mine are super beefy and weigh in at 150lbs. I didn’t notice a bit of difference in suspension performance. I guessing you can get lighter ones. I think it’s when you start adding more and more stuff that you get into weight trouble. It is a pickup truck built to carry a payload, albeit a lightweight pickup.

 

I would look at tires, Engine skid, and sliders as your first mods if you plan on doing any off roading at all. Wheels and lights can come later.

 

bedmat

 

For now, just fill it with gas and enjoy.
Start saving for your mods and don’t skimp on quality. Good tires, good lift, good sliders, camper shell if you like. Just take your time, don’t do like my son with his new Ram—he started plasti dipping the day he got home and cheap led interior bulbs, cheap floor mats, etc. I told him to be patient and save for the best quality add ons! Thank me later.

 

I think it really depends on your use but what you have listed seems fine. I have Lasfitautolighting LED bulbs in my truck. SUPER BRIGHT. I love them. I ran the stock bulbs for 4 years and the switch over was a game changer. I have their Led low beam, Led hi beam and switchback foglights. All quality stuff and pretty damn bright. Wouldn't recommend you use the fogs on the street though, they are pretty blinding.

 

window tint, duh

 

1st sliders.
2nd Dimondback.
3rd Tires.

The rest...Eh.