You have a blank canvas 2017 4x4 OR and 3k, what do you do first?

Hey everyone,

I just wanted some input and ideas for what everyone else here would do first if they had an extra 3 grand to put into their tacoma? I have added a front Pelfreybilt skid plate but thats it.
My truck will mostly be used for camping/hunting/fishing as well as a handful trips per year to go overlanding/exploring CO, AZ, NM, UT, TX. What do you place priority on? Any feedback is welcome!

 

Sliders & bumpers can go a long way

 

Most obvious place to start would be a lift and new wheels and tires, right?

 

Protection. Sliders and skids. Maybe bumpers with good recovery points, but I'd rather good tires over bumpers

 

I'd like to disagree. The off road has plenty of ground clearance already. Better tires I do agree on

 

stripper pole, attaches to tow hitch. boom.

 

For your main purposes you listed, go get better A/T tires and maybe some wheels to go with (or find a cheap set of 2nd gen OR wheels to paint black). Use the rest on a pair of sliders.

 

This guys going places!

 

Everyone always says lift / wheels / tires. Take your bone stock truck out and you’ll be shocked at what it’s capable of.

 

If someone handed me $3k with the stipulation it had to be spent on my '17 OR, I'd buy a camper shell with a rack.

After a few months with a soft tonneau, I've realized that the added security and weather protection would be nice - along with the ability to sleep in the back if necessary.

YMMV though, just a thought.

 

How about gas and trip funds? Most camping/hunting/fishing spots are accessible by a stock Tacoma out here in the west. You do have some that are a bit more gnarly. Maybe some LT tires, but there's a LOT of places you can go in a stock Taco.

 

My first changes were new suspension (BP-51's), Tires and Wheels (Ko2's 275/70R17 and Pro 4Runner Wheels), Dual batteries, Offroad lighting, AER canopy and UHF/VHF Comms.
If I did it again with your budget I would add the following in this order. Right now is a great time, Everyone has stuff on sale with free shipping!

1) Sliders ($700)
2) Under Armor ($700)
3) Slimline Hybrid Front Bumper ($600)
4) Winch ($500-600)
6) Comms ($200)
7) Offroad Lighting from CaliRaised LED (Whatever is left)

 

Does an offroad have more clearance than a sport or SR5?

 

pay it off, if not already paid off. That's the first thing I would do.

 

Exactly, I took the truck out to big bend recently and traveled various "Primitive roads" granted they are not very technical. But that is why I am leaning towards tires/armor.

I like this idea as well since I do fine myself with a lack of secure/lockable storage but I am not sure I want to go the shell route but maybe some weatherproof drawers?

A RRT is on the short list for sure, I see the appeal of sleeping on an even platform off of the ground with easy setup.

 

I totally respect this, and though I could I am choosing not to for a few reason, 1) I can use that money for investing/rainy day funds/making the truck more "useable/useful" to me and 2) my interest rate is very low. Yes it is a liability at this point until it is paid off but if things got really bad for me, losing the truck would be the least of my worries.

 

Why not invest the $3k then? Anything spent on the truck is a loss.
That being said, I like the idea of sliders, a topper and/or some form of on-board air if you plan on wheeling.

 

My first 3K was a shell with a rack. Love it. I mean, the truck looks so much better without it but it is SOOOOO useful! I can't go back. I bring a lot of toys when I go places. I lost a $500 RC truck out the bed on the way to camping. That sealed it for me.

My next 2K is going to be sliders/skids/OVtune.

I just can't imagine spending more money on wheels/tires/suspension right now. That's what I got the TRD OR! It already came with that stuff. At least let it all wear out before you replace it. Or trade it in for an SR5 and then re-buy all that stuff. For me, I'm going to wait until about 60-80k miles and then replace. Maybe with a slight lift. Like 1-2 inch. Maybe. Probably not. At 5'9 I already struggle getting shit on the roof.

 

Tell me more about your 275/70/17s......that's what I'm wanting next but it seems not to much good info on what is necessary on the lift to fit them with no rub. Looking at BFG Ko2s

 

Truck Covers USA rolling tonneau is water resistant, lockable, and can be ordered with Yakima racks so you can carry gear or even an RTT on top of your bed while keeping the bed free for secure weatherproof storage... looks great on our trucks too!