I travel to the good stuff. When I first got the truck (literally) I took it on a 3 month 10 days cross country trip. I went off road in Sedona, Las Vegas Red Rocks, Los Padres, Big sur, Anza Berrego, Baja Mexico and countless other places. After putting the stock suspension components (and skid plates) through their paces, I've decided that ground clearance is a good idea for future trips.
Perhaps my understanding of the Stage 6 is inaccurate but doesn't a secondary shock in the front require the welding of a mounting platform to the frame? I sourced this information from 4funr.com. It seems to me that the Stage 6 system is the setup that includes a second shock... is this accurate?
My first ambitions were to do only the necessary modifications needed in order to put on taller tires - 33"s. However, after reading about the people who started off modest and 'evolved' to better and more expensive suspension system complain about how they wish they had 'done it right the first time,' I have been convinced that aiming high isn't the worst thing I could do.
I am still in consideration and could probably be talked into something less intense especially if it is cheaper. A large factor at play with this thought is that I've done quite a bit with the stock setup and I've managed to realize first hand that a slow approach and a good spotter are really the best off-roading strategies.
Incidentally, the worst damage my vehicle has sustained was on the back trails of Chassahowitzka in Florida. I ripped off the front driver side mud flap reversing out of a impassable trail. This was a product of being impatient and not having a spotter. It's also the closest to date I've come to getting stuck.
