Build Order... Comments/ or Thread Links.

[bcrez]

Hey all,

I'm sure this has been talked about, and I hesitate to ask... but I swear I have looked around for this topic and cant find it. If you know of a thread answering this question specifically, I would love a link. If not-->

I bought a Gen. 2 Taco in September, I love it and so far have only thrown on new tires. Goodyear Dura-Tracs, but I'm getting ready to start building.

I have read through a bunch of taco builds, but they all seem to do it a little different- bumpers then suspension- suspension then bumpers- electronics and storage first etc. etc. So I was wondering if some people with modded tacos could shed some light on a "If I could do it again" scenario. What order would you build up your truck this time around.

*I know all the details of a build are dependent on a number of factors. Intended use, primary or secondary vehicle, budget etc. Just write up a response as if you were building the truck for yourself from the ground up.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Applejack]

I no longer have my Taco but the order I like to do things is; suspension, front winch bumper, storage and then armor/skid plates.
That's according to my needs.

 

[barlowrs]

I am pleased with the order I did mine....although, I would have gotten sliders earlier next time around. Essentially, the truck is quite capable off the showroom (well with better tires), so sliders would be first, then susp, then other armor, etc.

Also, make sure you get out of the shop and enjopy your rig thuogh, often times I find myself building it more than using..I am starting to change that now though....again, the rig is very capable in stock form.

 

[thecriscokid]

I thought about it for a while before I started and some of it had to happen at the same time. If you plan to build in some kind of storage or sleeping arrangement you will quickly want to beef up the suspension, same with armor. So start with suspension to accommodate the added weight. Sliders are good if you drive rocky trails. It is defiantly a game though. Some people keep it really simple and use there trucks in simple terrain, and some go nuts so they can go nuts. Bottom line I think is maintenance, reliability, and safety. Replacing the suspension kind of falls into all of those categories

 

[Martinjmpr]

I am not a huge fan of the "do it because everyone says you should" philosophy of vehicle mods. A vehicle is a tool, nothing more (OK, I guess for some it's also a hobby in and of itself...)

So, the first thing I would think is this: What is it that you want the vehicle to do that it can't do in its stock state?

For me, I'm not a rock crawler, so my first mods were geared towards making my truck livable and usable as a camper: Shell, bed platform, etc. I never got to the point where my stock suspension was inadequate, so there was no need to "upgrade" it.

Now, if you're a rock crawler, suspension might well be your first mod, I only know it wasn't a high priority for me.

 

[CA-RJ]

I bought my 4Runner with all of it's mods done already. The only thing I added was skid plates. If I had it to do all over, I would have left it stock with a slightly larger tires (235/85R16), skid plates, rock sliders, fridge, Gel cel engine battery and called it a day. For the exploring I do, I don't need a lift and keeping the vehicle closer to stock retains fuel mileage.

Don't get it in your head that you need to have anything. A stock Tacoma with some nice tires will go many places. Fancy bumpers don't get you further through a trail and I dare say that 95% of people buy them for looks. In fact, the $1000 you spend on an ARB bumper will buy a fair bit of fuel for a trip.

 

[bat]

Everything you put on your Tacoma will have some negative effect on your wallet is it worth it that is up to you. This is my first Tacoma and is a great truck after all my handy work gas mileage sits at 15 mpg :Wow1:. The bumpers, sliders, tires, armor all has it's place but you will pay a price for all the extra weight. With that said Barlowrs truck is pretty nice truck look at his build.

 

[TangoBlue]

Just in case you haven't seen this thread in the forum, here is a good reference for others builds: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52528

We have pretty capable trucks out of the box but if you want to do more challenging terrain, even without a desire for "rock crawling," a mild suspension change might be good for you. Along with that is some basic armor in the form of sliders to protect your rocker panels from terrain that your enhanced suspension and mild lift and increased underbody clearance that suspension will grant you. Get some wheel time after that and go out with skilled friends who can expand your experience and skill set. Learn from them... driving skills, enhancements, and experiences and then craft your own plans. You may be done there. Or you may get the disease bad and your "descent into madness" will only just begin. Ask me how I know or just review my thread (and other diseased individuals) in the thread above. It's a fun community with all sorts of build levels but a common interest in fun and value for overlanding and exploration. Good luck!

 

[Applejack]

Fancy bumpers don't get you further through a trail

I would respectfully disagree and the reason is that most aftermarket bumpers that have any good reputation give you increased approach angles. After years of having an ARB on my Taco I forgot how low a stock bumper hangs and broke the one on my 4Runner with in a month of owning it.

Everything you put on your Tacoma will have some negative effect on your wallet is it worth it that is up to you.

True to a point but depending on where you drive leaving it stock can have a negative effect on your wallet--see above

 

[tacollie]

Tires, sliders, lift, and armor. I work in everything else as needed so sometimes it comes between other stuff. You have good tires so I would say you are off to a good start.

 

[bcrez]

Thanks guys. i like hearing everyone give their 2 cents. I pulled my WARN 9.5ti off my wrangler and have been itching to get a bumper that I can mount it with. I hate to throw upwards of 200ibs (winch and bumper) on the front end with stock suspension. And All I really want in the end is skids/ sliders/ bumper. I have hit a few deer in my day and they average 5-7k in damage. Insurance pays it, but its a hell of an ordeal. Not to mention if I hit one in the right spot (or should I say wrong spot) it could leave me stranded. On my last couple of trips I had about 500 ibs in the bed, which is by no means at its payload limit, but still enough lower the truck beyond my comfort level. So....

(I already bought tires)

Plan 1:
Suspension-->Front Bumper-->Sliders (all at once)

Plan 2:
Suspension-->Front Bumper-->Sliders (all at once) + Skids (down the line)

I see skid plates as a luxury item. Definitely worth its weight, but I think skids can mostly be substituted for good scouting/ spotting/ and patience.

Anyone passionately disagree?

 

[bcrez]

barlowrs-- your build thread was the first thread I read... (you like that rhyme?) Great truck.

I am pleased with the order I did mine....although, I would have gotten sliders earlier next time around. Essentially, the truck is quite capable off the showroom (well with better tires), so sliders would be first, then susp, then other armor, etc.

Also, make sure you get out of the shop and enjopy your rig thuogh, often times I find myself building it more than using..I am starting to change that now though....again, the rig is very capable in stock form.

 

[Ryanmb21]

I would add limb risers.

 

[eli]

Build order . . .

Well I didn't follow this advice. . . I had to learn the hard way . . . (by the way my rig is not finished, not even close . . .)

priority 1. get training first. Its amazing what is really essential once you've been given the perspective of someone with more wisdom and knowledge ( ie: Bill Burke, Tim Scully, Joe Bacal . . .) if you ever get a chance to invest in your eduction first, then you get a chance to figure out what is really important to you. Then you have a chance to save a whole lot of "learn the hard way" lessons . . .

#2. Decide your goals and prioritize . . .

#3.Plan (budget, etc.) its not a race. it's a destination . . .

#3. Execute . . . My plan (after training and self evaluation)
Suspension (Quality adj. coil overs & or springs vrs. other) depends upon mission/objective & payload.
Tires . . . what is your intentions . . .
Gearing (& or Crawl box if necessary). It's not about how fast you can go if the going is steep and technical . . .
Sliders (first, you already have front & rear bumpers but once you've damaged your rocker panels / the side of your vehicle, that's it).
Armor (mission essential & or required dependent upon terrain, etc.).
Fuel Capacity (aux. tank & or jerry cans if necessary).
Electrical upgrades (ie:dual battery, isolator, alternator, etc. before you add additional loads)
Fridge
Communications & Navigation
Off Road Lights
Entertainment (stereo,CD,tuner,Video, etc).
Vehicle recovery/Fire suppression/Security (depends upon your intended locals, terrain, etc.)
Sleeping & Storage (inside or out, RTT or trailer) Your intentions, etc.
Good Luck . . .

 

[Lord Al Sorna]

I see your out in Denver!
CO has some of the best terriain for getting out / exploring / camping / 4x4 driving you can ask for.

Do you have some favorite spots around there? Any trails you know you want to run?

The stock skids can take a fair amount of abuse, but are not too terrebly strong. I tore mine off last year in Mineral Basin (UT) when I got hung up on a rock and had to reverse. The action of reversing removed my entire front skid and twisted it into a pretzel... No other damage though so it did its job!!

Before that I had driven hundreds of miles on 3 and 4 rated trails with no issues whatsoever. I would hit the skid every once in a while but no big deal.