Build recommendations for new gen1 tundra owner

[donrafa7]

Donrafa from SoCal and recently picked up 00 Tundra 4x4. Not new to turning wrenches but new to off-road.

A little info on the truck:
00 Tundra 4x4 AC TRD 164k miles- Had ball joint failure
within last 1k miles:
New oil/filter air filter
Steering rack and axles
New OEM LCA
Lower Ball joints
SPC UCA
Bilstein 5100 all 4 corners, 2.5" perch on front
Brakes and rotors (NAPA)
Tune up
Tires wrangler AT Kevlar 265-70-16 - probably should have gone more aggressive but for $400 installed (craigslist special) and needed tires badly I bit


I am new to off-road and plan on doing light off-road/camping


Winch/Recovery:
Maxtrax
Recovery straps (tree saver, snatch blocks, D rings, recovery strap)
Shovel, First aid and Trauma kit, Fuel and Water tanks
Front mount hitch and smitty xrc 9.5 synthetic (~375-450)


Air- I only have ~31" tires so i'm thinking C02/power tank system will suffice for my needs

Lift wise- I don't want to lift it any further, maybe just an add a leaf or firestone airbags for any additional loads.

Tire Wise - If I can get some extra scratch and find a good deal maybe upgrade to some cooper STT pro in a 265 75 16 size, BFH if needed on pinch welds

Armor- I don't plan on adding armor/sliders/bumpers, maybe a skid plate if there are any very vulnerable spots on these trucks, I don't care about scratches/dings as this was an actual work truck in its previous life

Lighting- what's do you recommend for additional lighting, I really hate giant light bars that scream "BRO pass me the Vape"

Sleeping- I grew up sleeping on the floor so pitching a tent and sleeping on a sleep pad is what I'm going with (if my wife decides to come along i'll have to turn this into a 4 star hotel)

Drivetrain- Leaving it Stock


I'd like to upgrade the essentials and just get out there, I don't want to be building this thing up for years and dropping $$$ just to do some mild off-roading (I'm notorious for doing that with my sports cars, build build build, race a few times, sell). I think that my plan will suffice for getting on fire roads/mild off-road/ desert trips/maybe a Baja trip but I'm a noob so what do I know. Shoot me some recommendations/criticisms on my planned setup.

 

[JLee]

Unless you're going far out by yourself and/or have a habit of getting in sticky situations, I wouldn't worry too much about a winch. I played around in the desert in AZ and in Baja for years without ever coming close to needing a winch. I also don't tend to push vehicles hard. Air is a great idea (airing down is one of the best 'upgrades' you can do offroad), as is a patch kit (and knowing how to use it).

Really if you just want to 'get out there', a good set of all terrains and a stock truck will take you many, many places.

Check out squashingrocks.com for what I've done with my trucks - sounds really similar to what you want to do.

 

[AaronK]

It's pretty solid as it sits. Just start using it and change things as you find things you don't like

Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk.

 

[pirates712]

How do you like the SPC UCAs? I like the enclosed ball joint but don't like the stories I've heard.

 

[marathonracer]

At that mileage/age you will want to do a timing belt change if it hasn't been done yet. The 2uz is an interference engine so a belt failure is a big deal.

 

[donrafa7]

A timing belt is in the near future, as well as diffs and transfer fluid

SPC looks to be way beefier than oem and the camber/caster adjustment is now super easy to do myself. A suggestion to anyone installing them freeze the bushing that gets pressed into the the knuckle, makes a 30 minute press job take 1 solid hammer blow to install. Also like that they are greasable. Install was only a few hours for both sides.