building a general off-road tacoma

[Rndmwrd5]

Hi all,

I'm doing a lot of "window shopping" for a truck, and I'm trying to decide what I would want in a general off-road tacoma. I'm a college student right now, and I'm not sure of my income, so price is a major factor for me. Since I live in Arizona, I drive in everything from rocky desert to pine forest, and I have a couple of questions about what would work best for me. I want a truck that will work as a daily driver, but also get me around in fun terrain. I know I want an extended cab, but not the double, and I know I want the TRD off-road package, but I want some more experienced advice with a few other things:

-Do I want to buy a newer truck or older? I used to have a 1990 4runner (that got scrapped by a lifted jeep trying to beat a red light) so I know I want something from the 2000's. I don't want to deal with the engine issues or gas mileage, but I'm really conflicted about pre- or post-2005 because of some nice additions to the newer ones, but I like the styling and smaller size of the older ones.

-What size tires do I need? I want a good amount of clearance, but I don't want to have to play with my suspension or gear ratios.

-Do I want a body lift? Could be nice for the bigger tires, but I don't want to muck up any of the steering or drive train.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your input!

[redtoy92]

Originally Posted by Rndmwrd5

Hi all,

I'm doing a lot of "window shopping" for a truck, and I'm trying to decide what I would want in a general off-road tacoma. I'm a college student right now, and I'm not sure of my income, so price is a major factor for me. Since I live in Arizona, I drive in everything from rocky desert to pine forest, and I have a couple of questions about what would work best for me. I want a truck that will work as a daily driver, but also get me around in fun terrain. I know I want an extended cab, but not the double, and I know I want the TRD off-road package, but I want some more experienced advice with a few other things:

-Do I want to buy a newer truck or older? I used to have a 1990 4runner (that got scrapped by a lifted jeep trying to beat a red light) so I know I want something from the 2000's. I don't want to deal with the engine issues or gas mileage, but I'm really conflicted about pre- or post-2005 because of some nice additions to the newer ones, but I like the styling and smaller size of the older ones.

-What size tires do I need? I want a good amount of clearance, but I don't want to have to play with my suspension or gear ratios.

-Do I want a body lift? Could be nice for the bigger tires, but I don't want to muck up any of the steering or drive train.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your input!

welcome and those are some great questions. Well if money is a issue then for sure get a pre 05 model. That and they will be better in those tight offroad situations.(they are smaller) I like the 01-04 models the best for looks myself. I would say pick up a 01-03 ext.cab trd tacoma. Ok so you want stock suspension and gears but he largest tire you can have... well i would get a 2inch roger brown custom body lift and do some 32x11.5's or some 33x10.5 and do the pinch weld mod to help with clearance. Just stock this truck has good clearance. some doing some 32's or a 33x10/5 will give you .5-1inch more. Plus those tires will make you loss a little zip but not enough to kill MPG or need new gears. I don't think anyone wants a body lift but some times they are good choices. I would say to you leave it all stock and keep the 31's and you will have a great offroad rig with that rear locker. I know 31's seem small but 20 years ago they where huge. If you do get a Roger brown body lift make sure you get all the ext. for the steering and bumpers etc. You will be fine if you do that. and get the grade 8 hardware.


oh yeah get some sliders for some nice protection.. that should be your first mod...

[Rndmwrd5]

Thanks for being so helpful,

I think I'll stick with 31's for tires, and forgo the lift for now, But now you've raised a couple more questions, or maybe it's just me thinking of all the things I want.

Do I want mud tires, or A/T's? Should I get auxiliary lighting (KC's)? Do I want other protection, new bumpers, etc? Would "nerf bars" or some sort of tube step work as sliders? Do I want an air system to pump tires and such?

I guess now I'm getting into non-essential mods, but I think it's fun to contemplate possibilities..

[redtoy92]

Originally Posted by Rndmwrd5

Thanks for being so helpful,

I think I'll stick with 31's for tires, and forgo the lift for now, But now you've raised a couple more questions, or maybe it's just me thinking of all the things I want.

Do I want mud tires, or A/T's? Should I get auxiliary lighting (KC's)? Do I want other protection, new bumpers, etc? Would "nerf bars" or some sort of tube step work as sliders? Do I want an air system to pump tires and such?

I guess now I'm getting into non-essential mods, but I think it's fun to contemplate possibilities..

you want AT like the BFG or the nitto grapplers.. you can get some lights but if you do not do alot of night driving offroad then i would say no. Sliders will work for most wheeling you will do.. nerf bars are junk.. they will protect very little. YOu really do not need to air down much for the wheeling you will be doing but it is always a good idea to have a air system if you have the extra money for all kinds of things.