First 5 Things to Upgrade for Off-Road Use?

[Toyota_Convert]

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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I feel like taking the spouse would be better after you learn a bit. They aren't always so kind when you are still trying to make it through that learning curve :whipping2

 

[jpachard]

First 5 things on my list:
1. Fix the loose nut behind the wheel, aka the driver. Take a good off road class or practice in a safe area with some friends. Learn how to drive good lines.
2. Purchase good quality recovery gear for your terrain and use it in a practice situation before you need it for real. My kit includes for the Northeast: saw, snatch strap, tree strap, hi lift and a set of maxx tracks.
3. A set of good appropriate tires for the terrain.
4. Pack a good EDC bug out bag if you travel alone so you can get home safely.
5. Keep the truck LIGHT, weight is one of the worst enemies of good off road performance. Bolting 700lbs of steel skids, bumpers, sliders etc on a truck is really bad if you aren't driving the rubicon trail every day. Be honest with yourself and what trails you will be covering regularly and purchase protection accordingly. See item 1 here too. I frequently outdrive people I'm with in a 90% stock truck since I pick good lines.

Good luck and be safe!


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[itr1275]

Here is my list

1. Rock Sliders
2. Lift
3. Tires

I would start with the rock sliders because they are fairly in expensive and very useful. I personally like larger sliders that extend out a bit for a couple of reasons.

• They can be used as steps.
• They give a little bit of extra protection in tight places on the trail, and you can bounce off a rock or tree and not worry about it.
• They can be used as a recover point if you are in an awkward spot. Very awkward...
• You can use them to secure things to the bed as a lateral tie downs (at least on my Taco).
• It also handy to stick my magnetic mount CB antenna to, when I go into garages.
• Not to mention it protects from door dings at the mall. The soccer mom can bang her mini-van door on them all day long and I don't really care.

The next thing is to determine if you will lift the truck, how much, and how will it be done. It can be cheap ~$150 or you can spend thousands. The reason you want to look at lift is because it will determine the maximum tire size.

Then the tires. You may need wheels with them to fit the gigantic tires. Buying these before the lift means that you will spend $1K on tires only to chuck them out in 20K miles when you put your $150 lift on the truck.

 

[lochanrk]

I've had my 4runnner about a month now and I've been reading around as much as possible since the wife and I are planning to do more camping and exploring. Not so much rock crawling but more overlanding.

My main focus now is trying to piece together my recovery gear (at the same time I'm getting my camping gear together)

Upgrade/install lighting

Appropriate tires

Awning (maybe a roof rack later)

Lift

 

[RBE17]

Honestly the best thing you can upgrade is your brain. Invest in driver training and proper recovery tools and techniques and your stock truck will do things you never thought capabil I have a buddy of mine who wheels the same trails I do here in the East but he does it in a stock 3rd gen limited. He does it by picking his lines and going easy (most of the time) on the throttle.

I have zero experience of any type of off road driving, but I have visions of grandeur of wanting to build an awesome rig that will take me to out of the way places I'd like to see. The above really resonated w/ me. I've been able to locate an off road park w/ instructors within an hours drive. I plan on attending later in the summer or early fall. Thanks for the sound advice.

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

Just going to put this out there. I'm surprised no one has mentioned safety first. A GOOD first aid and trauma kit (multiple actually), as well as fire extinguisher were the FIRST things in my truck. Not really a mod, but there's plenty of other non-mods on here people are discussing, i.e. recovery gear. It's gear.

Also, THE BRAIN. Know how to apply the offroading and backcountry first aid knowledge you think you might have. Not going to mention the amount of times a first aid kit came in handy, and QUICKLY. Know where everything is in that kit and HOW TO USE IT. Haven't had to use it on myself or use the trauma kit yet, but you'd be surprised at how dumb people can be sometimes. Or just how unexpected and dangerous it can be out there, no matter how safe you are.

Wife is a nurse and I've patched myself up plenty of times over the years hahaha.

Also, I'm not going to be the guy that starts the next forest fire, or watches his rig or his buddy's rig burn to the ground, so have a QUICKLY AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE fire extinguisher in your rig. And KNOW HOW TO USE IT.

 

[ryanlord43]

Nice video, definitely covers what people should look into doing on their rigs first.

 

[greatape]

Tires x5 and then figure out your needs...

 

[MoxMax]

thanks for the advice on front more important than rear steel bumper. That will help me prioritize.

 

[mrblah]

1. trucker hat
2. flannel shirt
3. cargo pants with lots of pocket
4. patagucci puffer jacket
5. merrill or solomon boots.

 

[ToyotaMacGyver]

1. trucker hat
2. flannel shirt
3. cargo pants with lots of pocket
4. patagucci puffer jacket
5. merrill or solomon boots.

I prefer a puffer vest myself lol.

 

[MAST4R]

1. trucker hat
2. flannel shirt
3. cargo pants with lots of pocket
4. patagucci puffer jacket
5. merrill or solomon boots.

and a distant #6: Tires.

Then one should drive a variety of trails, including difficult rated and very long ones on the stock suspension in order to learn a few things.

Then suspension.

 

[the_economist]

Here is the order that I went in, along with prices. I added things one at a time as I found that I needed them, trip after trip:

1. Tires: First 265 BFG KO2s and then 275s later. $1000.

2. Recovery gear: Tow strap, tree saver, some U bolts. $100 - $200.

3. Suspension: Bilsteins front and rear, up about 1.5 inches front and 2 inches back with new springs. $2,300 installed.

4. Skids and armor: 3/8 inch steel RCI skids, and sliders. $1500.

5. Winch: I mostly got this for pulling a trailer out of my driveway, but it has been awesome using it on the trail. I have never needed it myself, but have used to pull other people out. Warn Zeon platinum winch plus semi hidden bumper, $3500 installed.

As you can see these mods add up, especially if you pay big city prices to have them installed by somebody else.