What to do first...

Hey everybody- I've spent a long time admiring all these awesome builds and I think I want to start building out my 2015 DCSB TRD OR... but I dont know where to start. What should I do first? Like, if I buy a heavy bumper but don't upgrade my suspension, am I screwing myself? Ideally I'd like to start with the suspension but $$ and I also have no idea what i'm doing. I also don't want to turn my daily driver into a giant beast that is no good for normal driving anymore...

 

Start with suspension. Read the threads on it for a while. Figure out the plans and decide how far down the hole you want to go.

 

Haha I think i'd like to go just far enough down the hole where I can still see out of it...

 

is there a good "suspension upgrades for dummies" post in here somwhere?

 

Hide your wallet!

 

this thread is about to be irrelevant anyway because i think i'm about to get laid off #oilfield2016

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/

The stickies may help. Also there's a mid travel bs thread that you may want to get into. Not sure what your plans are.

 

Right now I'm living on the east coast and don't go offroad much, but I'm about to drive out west with a RTT and camp in the southwest for a while. I'm thinking I'd like about 2-3" of lift when it's all said and done- I noticed OME offers several different sets, depending on how heavy your bumper etc is and if you have a winch. Worth it to get the heavy one even if I don't have a plate bumper (yet)? What about skid plates- do those really matter for protection if you're not getting into anything super serious? I'd hate to go out west and drive out to the middle of nowhere and scrape one rock and be done for- rather spend the money on protection first... but when I come home i'd also hate to be too heavy and get stuck in the mud. Just trying to find a balance- and i'm not quite sure what's overkill for us normal dudes. Spent too much time looking at ya'll's builds

also not quite sure what (if anything) i got that was good when i got the trd or

 

You could either go Bilstein 5100 w/OME coils or Nitrochargers w/OME coils. Go to HeadStrong OffRoad and decide a coil that'll fit your needs. In my opinion, you don't need the coils with the added spring rate (the ones for the heavy bumper) I'd just get the regular 2.5-3" coils and switch coils for later. Dakar leaf pack would even the rear out (maybe with an AAL?)

Depending on your terrain and what you plan on trying to go through, sliders and skids may be in order. But it really depends on what you plan on going through. You could get aluminum skids to tame down the weight a little, but won't offer as solid protection as steel would. Again, it really depends on what you're trying to traverse through.

 

Sorry to hear that. Discretionary spending becomes tough in those situations.

Until your financial life is a bit more secure, it's good to spend the time figuring out what you want to do.

My suggestion is realistically figure how you'll use the truck 80% of the time, and focus on things that will make that experience more enjoyable/useful.

As far as the off road capability, drive it off road, and as you learn what it won't do, then do upgrades to correct that.

With a good driver these vehicles are quite capable, and the right set of rubber for the off road in question will get you lot's 'o places just fine.

That said, skid bits under the truck are a good safety feature for off road use. And sliders come in handy for lots of things. Front bumper armor may or may not be needed. There are options for winches that allow the OE bumper cover to stay in place, just something to consider.

 

Personnally, I decided that for my truck the addition of heavy bumpers and a winch should be done at the same time as the suspension mods. I'm still saving up to do it right the first time.

IMO the first thing to spend money on is quality tires. The second thing would be sliders.

 

Suspension upgrade would be my first choice. Then bumpers and a winch. But for now if your handy enough a hi jack makes for a decent winch.

Heavy bumpers dont really take away from the daily driving capability, it's just how deep your wallet is!

 

Cool! Suspension it is... and tires. and down the hole i go.... thanks for the help guys.