1st major mod opinions…

[Yeti4x4_970]

Hi everyone. I’m starting to look toward the summer and getting excited for some off-road trips. Right now my ‘10 Trail Edition is mostly stock minus 1.25” Spidertrax wheel spacers. Trying to decide what mod my $$ should go to. Wish I could do everything at once but gonna just chip away at the mods till she’s where I want her, and then redo and keep going haha. I live in Western CO so places like Ouray are a short day trip for me. With trails like that in mind and endless mods that can be done, what mods would you guys recommend? I know there are plenty of opinions out there and I welcome them Thanks for you time guys.

 

[WanderlostOverland]

Many people will tell you sliders first. I'm more of a capable tires first kinda guy. Without good tread you're stuck on the roadway. Don't need sliders there.

 

[e60ral]

it looks like they alraedy have KO2's

i would do sliders next unless your offroading is just forest service road type stuff.

 

[mscot]

Seems like he has the tires.
First, I'd make sure my battery is in good condition.
Then I'd look at skids. Did the '10 Trails have skid plates? If no, that would be my first addition - and if yes, I'd check the condition of yours since it's an 8 year old truck that I assume you bought used.

If battery and skids are good, you "may" want sliders. TBH I bought mine as much for steps as I did protection.

People with more common sense than I will tell you to drive it for a bit and figure out what makes you turn around and head back home. Then mod the truck so you can go past that obstacle.

 

[Yeti4x4_970]

Tires are checked. Battery is a solid idea. I’ll take a look on the date on it or get it tested. I’ve heavily considered sliders, like you said partly as steps and also the protection. Heavier duty skids were also on my mind. The trail edition does have skids but they seem like a lighter sheet metal. My other though has been suspension. I’ve thought of either an OME, Dobinsons or even the TRD setup since Toyota has discounted it so deeply recently. Other wants are a rack and RTT but I’d like to tackle function over fun first as we do have a nice tent setup or a cabin that can also be used.

 

[e60ral]

after tires my fridge is my most used since it gets used daily and not just on trips

 

[TrDpRo_J]

For me HID's first because the stock light output is lame

Just ordered sliders and now deciding on what onboard air compressor to get, tires probably would have been my first if I didn't already have nittos.

 

[Yeti4x4_970]

For me HID's first because the stock light output is lame

Just ordered sliders and now deciding on what onboard air compressor to get, tires probably would have been my first if I didn't already have nittos.

Good call on lights I feel it’s an overlooked item to upgrade headlights. Unfortunately Toyota thought it was a good idea to go back to halogen headlights for 2010-2013, lame. But I do have led high beams. Also have a harbor freight 12v air compressor. It’s slow but does the job so far. I’m probably going to upgrade to a Viair down the road as airing down becomes a more regular thing for me.

 

[techno]

Sliders and skids are band-aids for poor ground clearance. Get yourself a lift first so you can clear the common things that sliders and skids would hit. But, with a lift you'll have the confidence to try harder trails, so keep armor high on the list and get what you can afford next.

 

[TrDpRo_J]

Sliders and skids are band-aids for poor ground clearance. Get yourself a lift first so you can clear the common things that sliders and skids would hit. But, with a lift you'll have the confidence to try harder trails, so keep armor high on the list and get what you can afford next.

Great point! I never really thought of it like that...

 

[Yeti4x4_970]

Sliders and skids are band-aids for poor ground clearance. Get yourself a lift first so you can clear the common things that sliders and skids would hit. But, with a lift you'll have the confidence to try harder trails, so keep armor high on the list and get what you can afford next.

Well to go along these lines I just ordered a set of 1” Cornfed spacers. Cheap way to lift I know but I’m still talking the wife into the suspension cost haha. She’s trying to talk me into a new Tundra Pro though.

 

[doro89]

Great point! I never really thought of it like that...

I did a 2" lift recently and it did not benefit me much besides clearing tire rubbing. And anyways, lift will not give you any clearance advantage at all, it will only benefit to your approach/depart angles.
I would suggest (depending on your budget) either recovery gear/air compressor or armor.

 

[techno]

And anyways, lift will not give you any clearance advantage at all, it will only benefit to your approach/depart angles.

It will give improved clearance for everything except the rear axle.

 

[doro89]

It will give improved clearance for everything except the rear axle.

Right, rear axle is the "bottleneck". I'm assuming only bigger tire size will heal that.

 

[techno]

Right, rear axle is the "bottleneck". I'm assuming only bigger tire size will heal that.

...or portal axles, haha

 

[nb rob]

just my opinion;

Don't ask the forum what to do for mods.

Go wheeling, get stuck, figure out what you need to kick that trail in the pants.

 

[Yeti4x4_970]

just my opinion;

Don't ask the forum what to do for mods.

Go wheeling, get stuck, figure out what you need to kick that trail in the pants.

Hahaha that’s fair enough I’m the sort that loves to research before making a substantial purchase. But I’m chomping at the bit for the snow to melt at the higher elevations so we can get to some of the good trails near us.

 

[Jbatman]

Good call on lights I feel it’s an overlooked item to upgrade headlights. Unfortunately Toyota thought it was a good idea to go back to halogen headlights for 2010-2013, lame. But I do have led high beams. Also have a harbor freight 12v air compressor. It’s slow but does the job so far. I’m probably going to upgrade to a Viair down the road as airing down becomes a more regular thing for me.

Which Viair are you looking at? I've been looking at getting a decent compressor

 

[rkwfxd]

Do mods that don't require additional mods.

I just bought a 2018 ORP. First thing I ordered were Husky floor mats and a Canvasback liner for the rear so I can take me dog.

Now I am looking for slider/steps. They will provide some protection and enable me to enter the vehicle without sliding my butt on the seat side bolster and wearing it out over time.

Then I will be looking at skid plates.

I'd like to swap out the interior bulbs for LEDs

I'd like to maybe wire in a hidden kill switch.

I'd like to wire up a KDSS disconnect switch.

Tinted windows.

Recovery gear and air compressor.

Each of these mods is a stand alone mod whereas IMHO, lift and tires need to be done together and can require additional mods to make it all work together such as wheel spacers, UCAs, longer brake lines, different wheels..... it goes on and on.

 

[chrismind]

Sliders for sure, then skids. We are taking a trip to CO this summer and going to spend 4 days in the Ouray area off-roading......can't wait! You live in paradise, so congrats!