I am trying to outfit my 3rd gen for moderate trail riding, overlanding, and camping adventures. I often go out with just my wife, so self recovery is the priority followed by making sure nothing breaks in the first place.

Right now I have a bone stock 98 SR5 with KO2s and that's it. All maintenance is done so mechanically she's good to go. I have no winch, no shackles / anchor points, no recovery straps, no hi lift, no armor. What order should I purchase all of these things in to ensure a maximum of safety and a minimum of rework?

Your truck's stock, so you shouldn't be doing anything that requires armor. A winch is a handy thing to have on a bone stock or highly built truck.

There are some pretty hairy trails here that would definitely benefit from some sort of protection, but I agree, that's definitely not a priority.

A set of maxtrax can go a *long way* and are less expensive, less weight/space, and often more convenient than a winch.

On the other hand, if you're high centered or bogged to your axles/frame maxtrax aren't going to be much help.

Based on the activities you described above, maxtrax or a similar traction aid would likely be a good investment.

I hadn't even considered Maxtrax as being a potential first purchase. Those certainly aren't a glamorous upgrade, but I bet they'd be great to have when they're needed. I'll definitely look into purchasing a set!

Maxtrax just like Carlos said.

Some sort of communication/CB Radio/GPS Radio, this way if you enter a zone where cell phones cant get reception, you will have a back up, just in case of any emergency.

If your going to air down on the trail, you will need to refill your tires. An air compressor can come in handy. If you get stuck, airing up & down can help also.

As far as armor, the front skid plate should be your first piece of armor.

Lighting - add some brite lights to get through dark trails. It can also be used during an emergency.

Just got a pair today. $285 delivered from OK4wd.com sign up for the newsletter to get the discount code.

Might have to pick up a set for that price and just mount them to my roof rack.

Get a decent shovel and a gas tank skid.
That stupid thing hangs way too low and is easily bashed.
And you'd be surprised what you can dig yourself out of with a $30 shovel.

How much do those weigh?

That's a great price!

If you are wheeling by yourself (single vehicle) then I would say a winch or locker. A solid set of sliders are really nice as well for armor and ease of getting in and out at times. I did sliders, rear locker, and am picking up skid plates in the very near future.

Each MAXTRAX weighs 3.4 kilograms (7.5 pounds). 15lbs per pair.

Wheeling by yourself my #1 piece of saftey equipment / recovery gear is a ham radio, licence, and the time to program it and know how to use it. I have been on two off-grid trips totaling 6000+ miles in total and I can't tell you how much piece of mind / warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you have nothing via cellular and you get a repeater that tones you back after keying up...

Tools... air, standalone handheld GPS unit, impact, straps, hooks, slime, quality shovel x 2 (make your passengers work too). Most of this stuff I just keep in the truck. Anything that is really that critical, I apply the "one is none rule" Some items I have multiples... radio, air, straps...

Tie down points... secure your loads.

I ordered maxtrax as well because I was convinced I needed them. I hate packing them. They are bulky and somewhat irritating and since getting new mud terrain tires, haven't got a chance to even really use them. That said, I still take them on every trip because I spend most of my time in the desert with sand.

Armor... I was planning on doing crazy with bumpers, skids, but I after sliders I was pretty happy. I would still like skids but I really try to stay off the rocks and those tight turns on the trails is where those sliders come in handy. Already saved me carnage on multiple occasions.

The most important thing I think you need is common sense... I actively try not to get myself into stupid situations... Recovery gear and all this other junk is basically like car insurance... I bought it because its the responsible thing to do, but I really don't want to have to use it.