What to do with 2wd

i bet your truck will suit your needs just fine how it is.

 

I knew this was coming.

 

Looks like a lot of mall crawling with two wheel drive

 

Take it out and drive it for a few months before you do anything. Then you'll KNOW what you need and what you don't need. You're going to probably conclude that you either need to trade it for a 4X4 of not spend any real time off road and you won't get your money back on most modifications if you trade. There isn't much that you can do in Florida sand or mud with a 4X2. The 2wd trucks can do fairly well in the desert with better tires, but when it comes to mud and sand they are at a severe handicap.

 

Are you on stock SR5 wheels?

Third gens can run a skinny 33” (255/85/16 or 255/80/17) tire on stock height without rubbing if using a stock spec wheel (16x7 5” BS aka +25mm offset). This is the size of SR5 and TRD OR third gen wheels.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/put-255-85-16s-on-stock-or-wheels-and-suspension.491079/page-3

That said, most of the trails in Florida are 2wd friendly with go-arounds where needed.

 

Sugar sand or suck mud in florida. You'll need some tread, rubber boots and a bionic com a long

 

Wide tires suck in mud. Skinny tires suck in sand unless you let air out. I'd rather have stock 245s for swamp driving than 265s everyone seems to love. Have off roaded with both. 265s push up a bigger wall of mud and stop forward progress too quick for my liking. I also hate 265 width on pavement, they seem to track every groove and rut.....

 

OP: and no matter what anyone says about owning “just” a 2WD for offroading, remember that with 2WD, you will only be “just” stuck, vs. with 4WD, you will be REALLY stuck when it happens!

Also- get a good compressor with your new offroad tires so if on sand, you can deflate a bit and get better traction.

 

Good points- he’s in southern California where mud is less frequent and wider tires also mean less contact pressure points on sharp rock- skinny tires have higher contact pressure and can puncture or cut easier on sharp things.

 

Nope.... OP is in Florida

 

Get some recovery gear and get out there. Driver exp is a major factor.

 

I saw I.E. and though it was here in So Cal the whole time ?!?!

Maybe my new meds need to be adjusted...

 

I.E. = example

 

Yes, but he should have used E.G., that means “For example”. I.E. means “in other words”.

 

Use your brain. It's that simple.

Chances are it's already more than capable for any fishing hole, WMA or hunting lease you might go to.

Just fight the urge to take it places you KNOW you damn well shouldn't go. That's the only time I ever got a 2wd stuck, taking it thru mud I knew better than to try but looked like too much fun to avoid.

 

Good tires then a locker or lsd like a Detroit trutrac I have one and love it. In 2wd my truck does things now I needed 4wd previously. I chalk it up to operator inadequacy and some recovery gear.
Find a buddy who has a 4wd and go find out what your limits are and make a informed decision from there.

 

I have a 2WD and go offroading all the time without issues. I just don't go through mud lol.

 

Before tires, before a locker, before ANYTHING ELSE, get a portable air compressor and an ARB deflator. Letting the air out of your tires will make the hugest difference on a stock truck. As others have suggested, do some actual wheeling before you go spending big bucks. Spacers and big, heavy, tires look cool, but will not improve your ride quality.

 

I live in FL too and go on an occasional back rd, but would never go through any questionable swampy, muddy area. It’s a disaster waiting to happen even for a 4x4.
I’d say find some fun dry dirt roads and get your fix that way. All the spots I go fishing to can be reached on most vehicles.