First 5 Things to Upgrade for Off-Road Use?
- Thread starter dirtbike250x
- Start date
Storm Trooper TRD
New member
Thank you, this is all good information...For me it's about the ability to get to some off beaten paths for Fly Fishing and I am just starting to get my young kids into camping. Many times fishing its only me and some of the roads/paths are schetchy! My previous vehicles have all been stuck before and a shovel luckily got me out, but so far in the TR4 I have had no issues. This spring in Canada, will be its next big test.
Great thread! I'm in the middle of this very conundrum. I am thinking I am going to go with skid-plates and or sliders first. I need to get rid of my stock running boards first. It is so tempting to go with rims and lift first, but looking through a few build threads on here area good reminder that it doesn't all have to happen at once.
The bad news is that the more time I spend on here the longer my list gets!
The bad news is that the more time I spend on here the longer my list gets!
In a similar situation, just got it in fall. I took off the stock running boards and it looks soooo much better. I'd suggest sliders first. I bent the stock running boards a few times out in the woods. So the trail is telling me what to do.
I'm roughly in the same boat. Having a TRD Pro I have a small front lift, a rear locker, and semi-decent tires for a beginner(Still passenger rated tires though) Only thing I've done so far is sliders, and going out with more knowledgeable friends to learn. Skids and more recovery gear are next since I seem to like to drag hard parts. It IS hard to stay away from even more lift and 33's though. Damn vanity.
dirtbike250x
New member
Great Ideas everyone hopefully this thread keeps up to help out some new modders coming into the addiction. Thanks for the replies :dancin:
FrontRangeOffRoad
New member
For anything, I would do repair/recovery first. recovery can just be getting a strap, and someone to go with you, and both have good tow points. Factory hook or tiedown tabs on front, and receiver bumper work fine.
Air compressor and tire guage
Then more fun, sliders, skidplates. Your trails will dictate lift, tires, lockers, dual cases etc in fairly short order. But at least with recovery gear, you can figure out what you need, and still get back home! With a compressor, spare tire, and tire guage you can play with airing down, knowing you can get back home as well.
Air compressor and tire guage
Then more fun, sliders, skidplates. Your trails will dictate lift, tires, lockers, dual cases etc in fairly short order. But at least with recovery gear, you can figure out what you need, and still get back home! With a compressor, spare tire, and tire guage you can play with airing down, knowing you can get back home as well.
NuclearWaters
New member
Definitely recovery gear first. Having to make multiple middle of the night calls to friends to come pull me out because I was an overconfident 17 year old with a lifted jeep was no fun. Too bad it took 3 or 4 times before I got smart.
I'm assuming you're asking about a center diff lock vs a rear diff lock. Two different things. Read this thread in the 3rd gen section - it should help you understand this better.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78540-rear-locker-vs-center-locker-practical-4x4-uses.html
85_4Runner
New member
This was actually my first thought in response to this question, even though I realize it's a little bit of a tangent since the question was about vehicle upgrades.
When I got my first 4WD rig (a stock '74 FJ40) I guess I thought it would go absolutely anywhere. I took it out and promptly got it stuck on a steep, deeply rutted track on the side of a mountain. Naturally, I had very little recovery gear or knowledge of how to get myself out. That was a long day!
The next year, 2004, I attended a training class held at an off-road venue and led by an International 4WD Trainers' Association certified master 4WD trainer. I have never regretted doing that. I learned basics of recovery techniques, recovery gear, driving techniques, modifications, responsible backcountry use/environmental ethics, etc. Also, as a novice off-roader I was pushed out of my comfort zone, in a controlled, supervised setting, and learned that my truck could indeed do some pretty amazing stuff. The experience also gave me a frame of reference for prioritizing which future mods I wanted to do on my vehicle.
^This^
Or alternatively...
...do maintenance, get recovery gear, go wheeling, break things, fix and/or upgrade them (yourself), go wheeling, break things, etc.
You brain will develop a lot this way, but it will cost you in blood, sweat, tears, and money.
I did it the hard way when young, but if I was getting into it now I would definitely go with 85_4Runner's plan.
DavidR1
New member
Recovery gear...where do you suggest starting? What does a good recovery pack include?
I'd start in this order;
- A good brain, switched on and booted up fully.
- Full-sized shovel, saw, and axe, plus good set of leather gloves. It's amazing what some simple tools can get you out of.
- Set of 4' long 2x12's for ramp boards. MaxTrax are better and lighter if you've got the money.
- 12x12x4 inch wooden blocks for jack support
- Decent jack that you know how to use safely and that will work with your vehicle. Practice at home.
- Good 20' snatch strap with adequate shackles. Do some reading or get some training on how to safely use this. Assumes good recovery points on your vehicle.
- Tire chains for at least two wheels.
- Winch, shackles, snatch blocks - more training necessary.
- Exhaust powered air jack. Anyone actually carry/use one of these?
- Or, go with a buddy who has all of this stuff.
tires.
recovery gear (recovery straps, max trax, d rings).
navigation (gps, maps, mounting equipment).
diff breathers
suspension lift.
I saved suspension lift for last, because the 5th gen, in stock form, has decent enough clearance to get most places. skid plates aren't really needed unless you're doing MOAB type terrain all the time (the stock skids are more than sufficient for general use). Front and rear bumpers are nice to have but not required; I would get sliders before i get bumpers.
Tires are the most important mod to get, no question about it.
recovery gear (recovery straps, max trax, d rings).
navigation (gps, maps, mounting equipment).
diff breathers
suspension lift.
I saved suspension lift for last, because the 5th gen, in stock form, has decent enough clearance to get most places. skid plates aren't really needed unless you're doing MOAB type terrain all the time (the stock skids are more than sufficient for general use). Front and rear bumpers are nice to have but not required; I would get sliders before i get bumpers.
Tires are the most important mod to get, no question about it.
cdiset
New member
Skids!
So, yeah, I got tires, sliders, and Bilsteins. I have put some pretty nice marks on the stock skid plates, but before I invest in new skid plates, do I really need them? Why shouldn't I just grind and bang the factory skids till there are holes? I have the Trail so it has engine, trans, and gas tank skid plates. I check under my rig when I get home from every off road trip, and all of the damage to date is on the skid plates.
I guess I should really ask, what scenario could happen that I would wish I had better protection underneath?
Thanks in advance for your input!
So, yeah, I got tires, sliders, and Bilsteins. I have put some pretty nice marks on the stock skid plates, but before I invest in new skid plates, do I really need them? Why shouldn't I just grind and bang the factory skids till there are holes? I have the Trail so it has engine, trans, and gas tank skid plates. I check under my rig when I get home from every off road trip, and all of the damage to date is on the skid plates.
I guess I should really ask, what scenario could happen that I would wish I had better protection underneath?
Thanks in advance for your input!
IMO, skids are an area where some people spend too much money and put too much weight on their vehicles. If you're frequently driving in offroad parks and/or your deliberately looking for challenging trails with big rocks and obstacles, then I could see the case for some aftermarket skid plates.
If you're just looking to explore and check out roads and trails with your vehicle (more of an overlanding focus), the stock skid plates work just fine. If they're getting bent and bruised too much, either look at getting a lift or find a better line to drive. Mine have seen all kinds of abuse over 2 or so years of exploring....they're all still in one piece, if a little rusty and dented.
I'll be replacing mine probably within a year or two, mostly due to the rust (NY winters at work there), but I'll be putting a set of ARB skid plates (Toyota Prado 120 -150 - 4Runner - FJ Cruiser ARB Skid Plates (5421100)), which offer a slight improvement over the stock skids while keeping the added weight and cost to a minimum.
Skids are a wear item. There is no point in over-spending on them.
jwkilgore
New member
This is the order I wish I'd done it:
1) Recovery/emergency gear first. No question. Good gloves, shovel, (axe/saw and pick-ax if in that type of area), tow strap, snatch strap, shackles, a couple of short sections of 2x10's for bottle-jack support. Flashlight and emergency supplies (food, water, tissues or toilet paper). Maybe TREDS or similar if you're in mud or sand. Tool kit. Some form of hand-winch, line extension, tree savers, etc. if you wheel alone. After all this, the best recovery gear available is a buddy in a second rig.
2) Tires. AT or MT depending on needs. Single most cost-effective off-road improvement you can buy.
3) Low armor. Sliders first, followed by gas-tank skid. Only upgrade the rest of the skids if you are in rock or just want to. Maybe skip this if you live where there aren't any rocks, but I say get anyway to protect against trees, stumps, etc.
4) Lift, but NOT a spacer lift. Save up for at least Bilstein 5100's all around ($350 + install) and rear spacer ($50) or rear springs ($200).
5) Bumpers for better angles and protection, but for lots of extra $$$$.
1) Recovery/emergency gear first. No question. Good gloves, shovel, (axe/saw and pick-ax if in that type of area), tow strap, snatch strap, shackles, a couple of short sections of 2x10's for bottle-jack support. Flashlight and emergency supplies (food, water, tissues or toilet paper). Maybe TREDS or similar if you're in mud or sand. Tool kit. Some form of hand-winch, line extension, tree savers, etc. if you wheel alone. After all this, the best recovery gear available is a buddy in a second rig.
2) Tires. AT or MT depending on needs. Single most cost-effective off-road improvement you can buy.
3) Low armor. Sliders first, followed by gas-tank skid. Only upgrade the rest of the skids if you are in rock or just want to. Maybe skip this if you live where there aren't any rocks, but I say get anyway to protect against trees, stumps, etc.
4) Lift, but NOT a spacer lift. Save up for at least Bilstein 5100's all around ($350 + install) and rear spacer ($50) or rear springs ($200).
5) Bumpers for better angles and protection, but for lots of extra $$$$.
Bonzi
New member
I did my upgrades in this order so far...
New tires first (BFG 275-KO2's). Very happy with this as a first choice.
ResQLink Personal locator beacon. May never use it, but gives me piece of mind and takes the edge off of thinking I may have to walk 20 miles home.
Recovery stuff (Shackles, 30 ft tow strap, shovel, universal tire repair kit)
Viair portable compressor and ARB EZ deflator. I use this one every time, so high priority.
Not yet installed, but in queue
Winch w/ Southern Style front bumper
2.5 inch King lift with Camburg UCA's
Wishing now I had done sliders before I spent all my money on lift, but maybe for Christmas
Great thread, thank you!
New tires first (BFG 275-KO2's). Very happy with this as a first choice.
ResQLink Personal locator beacon. May never use it, but gives me piece of mind and takes the edge off of thinking I may have to walk 20 miles home.
Recovery stuff (Shackles, 30 ft tow strap, shovel, universal tire repair kit)
Viair portable compressor and ARB EZ deflator. I use this one every time, so high priority.
Not yet installed, but in queue
Winch w/ Southern Style front bumper
2.5 inch King lift with Camburg UCA's
Wishing now I had done sliders before I spent all my money on lift, but maybe for Christmas
Great thread, thank you!
Riverfisher
New member
I can second that, upgrade the brain. There really is no substitute for knowledge. Being trained by a certified trainer is one of the smartest things you can do. This isn't something that is offered in every city, every day; you are going to have to seek them out. Turn it into an adventure. Also, take the spouse, it will make a day on the trail that much more enjoyable.
In the interim, there is always YouTube. Just beware that the internet is an idiot magnet so be careful. Some simple things can be learned, some of which could actually save a life; like NEVER, EVER,EVER use a trailer hitch ball for anything other than attaching a trailer...
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