Well said. You don't need to build the truck to go have fun. Go have fun now, see what needs to be upgraded as you go. You can buy a whole lot of gas, food, and nights in a campground for the price of some blingin coilovers.
Build Order... Comments/ or Thread Links.
- Thread starter bcrez
- Start date
Well said. You don't need to build the truck to go have fun. Go have fun now, see what needs to be upgraded as you go. You can buy a whole lot of gas, food, and nights in a campground for the price of some blingin coilovers.
Pikeman
Adventurer
The order that I suggest and actually followed on my 4 Runner:
Sliders first- they will protect the body nicely
Wheel your rig get to know what it will do stock and will help you better decide on the other mods. Do I need a 2" OME lift or do I need the Toytec Ultimate or ICON lifts at 3"'s.
On my 4 Runner I had a lot of rear overhang and horrible departure angle so I made a DIY rear bumper second. The Tacoma is not nearly as bad so that can wait a little longer.
Suspension- only after you wheel it stock and figure out exactly what you need to change if any.
Bumpers- mainly to add recovery points and ability to mount a Winch. Several good companies out there for these but a new one I like is Outdoor Logic. He built my Front bumper and a rear bumper for a Tacoma on here.
While this is going on I am sure you will be trying a few different configurations on how to store/pack your gear. Also as you go out and wheel you will find the best way to configure your electronics/ communications/ creature comforts.
Lastly skids, gears and lockers. I agree that skids are great but the stock ones will hold up and a good spotter/ or choosng a good line can delay their purchase. I also believe that wheeling Open/Open will increase your skills as a driver and knowledge of your vehicle. However when you are regearing to accomodate any tire change or all the weight of Expo gear and armor might as well put in at least a rear locker, preferrably a selectable like ARB or factory e-locker.
That is my 2 cents anyways.
Sliders first- they will protect the body nicely
Wheel your rig get to know what it will do stock and will help you better decide on the other mods. Do I need a 2" OME lift or do I need the Toytec Ultimate or ICON lifts at 3"'s.
On my 4 Runner I had a lot of rear overhang and horrible departure angle so I made a DIY rear bumper second. The Tacoma is not nearly as bad so that can wait a little longer.
Suspension- only after you wheel it stock and figure out exactly what you need to change if any.
Bumpers- mainly to add recovery points and ability to mount a Winch. Several good companies out there for these but a new one I like is Outdoor Logic. He built my Front bumper and a rear bumper for a Tacoma on here.
While this is going on I am sure you will be trying a few different configurations on how to store/pack your gear. Also as you go out and wheel you will find the best way to configure your electronics/ communications/ creature comforts.
Lastly skids, gears and lockers. I agree that skids are great but the stock ones will hold up and a good spotter/ or choosng a good line can delay their purchase. I also believe that wheeling Open/Open will increase your skills as a driver and knowledge of your vehicle. However when you are regearing to accomodate any tire change or all the weight of Expo gear and armor might as well put in at least a rear locker, preferrably a selectable like ARB or factory e-locker.
That is my 2 cents anyways.
bcrez
Adventurer
All great suggestions, keep'em coming.
I have done a lot of wheeling thus far, and I do think I need more ground clearance, nothing crazy but an extra 2.5" would do the trick (plus heavier springs for performance with a load). I mostly worry about getting over trees rather than rocks. I do a lot of hiking in and around Deckers, Rampart Range, Pikes NF, there are a lot of burn areas with downed trees up there. I absolutely detest rock crawling, but understand a certain amount of it is necessary where I go in Utah, which is why I want a solid set of skids... definitely the last mod though. I dont run a fridge, and I only plan on one LED light bar when I can afford it, so an extra battery probably isnt a necessity. So as it stands...
1. Suspension (I like the price/ reliability of OME)
2. Front Bumper (Armorology)
3. Rock Sliders (Armorology's basic square sliders)
And that should about do it for the first run of mods... and possibly all I will need. I will probably go with a RTT down the line, but for me its a luxury mod. I have a GPS with good software, and I am working on my HAM cert. so a radio is in store, but tech mods are another story.
:smiley_drive:
I have done a lot of wheeling thus far, and I do think I need more ground clearance, nothing crazy but an extra 2.5" would do the trick (plus heavier springs for performance with a load). I mostly worry about getting over trees rather than rocks. I do a lot of hiking in and around Deckers, Rampart Range, Pikes NF, there are a lot of burn areas with downed trees up there. I absolutely detest rock crawling, but understand a certain amount of it is necessary where I go in Utah, which is why I want a solid set of skids... definitely the last mod though. I dont run a fridge, and I only plan on one LED light bar when I can afford it, so an extra battery probably isnt a necessity. So as it stands...
1. Suspension (I like the price/ reliability of OME)
2. Front Bumper (Armorology)
3. Rock Sliders (Armorology's basic square sliders)
And that should about do it for the first run of mods... and possibly all I will need. I will probably go with a RTT down the line, but for me its a luxury mod. I have a GPS with good software, and I am working on my HAM cert. so a radio is in store, but tech mods are another story.
:smiley_drive:
bcrez
Adventurer
Eli... I agree. I have had some basic training, and have learned a lot from past mistakes (two previous Wranglers, 98 & a 2007 4dr JK), and I'm headed to Overland Expo with my stock truck in April. I am signed up for some driving demo's and the trail run so I hope to iron out this list after that trip.
I am in the same position with my '11 DC Tacoma. I have read a lot of builds and previously had a ICON lifted 07 4R Sport. There were things I did wrong with the 4R that I dont want to do again. I am mainly a back country/camping explorer. I like to camp, rock climb, canyonning, fishing and hunting so I need something that will do that, not a rock crawler or desert runner. My list looks like this:
1. 265/75R16 BFG KM2 tires
2. Sliders (same as Barlowrs, I really like his)
3. Besttop Softop
4. CBI rear bumper
5. Luna dual battery setup
I also plan to do some interior stuff which is basic (seat covers, CB, stereo) and some performance stuff (air filter, exhaust). Once I wheel for a while with the stock suspension or find a spot that I cant get to, that i want to go to, because of suspension then I will upgrade. After this I will decide if I need skid plates and a front bumper (probably not) and if regearing is required due to the weight. Most of these items add considerable weight which effects gas mileage. Since this is my everyday truck and gas is 3.15 a gallon I dont want to effect that too much. I also intend on building an offroad trailer to carry most of the camping/survival gear so that I can just unhook when I am not camping and pick the gas mileage back up.
This is my plan and good luck with yours.
1. 265/75R16 BFG KM2 tires
2. Sliders (same as Barlowrs, I really like his)
3. Besttop Softop
4. CBI rear bumper
5. Luna dual battery setup
I also plan to do some interior stuff which is basic (seat covers, CB, stereo) and some performance stuff (air filter, exhaust). Once I wheel for a while with the stock suspension or find a spot that I cant get to, that i want to go to, because of suspension then I will upgrade. After this I will decide if I need skid plates and a front bumper (probably not) and if regearing is required due to the weight. Most of these items add considerable weight which effects gas mileage. Since this is my everyday truck and gas is 3.15 a gallon I dont want to effect that too much. I also intend on building an offroad trailer to carry most of the camping/survival gear so that I can just unhook when I am not camping and pick the gas mileage back up.
This is my plan and good luck with yours.
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