Budget 2nd gen build ideas

Hey all! Footz here
I'm a budget minded man and currently a student at a university making Money even less flexible for me.
I have a 2011 dclb sr5 4x4

Anyway I do a decent bit of off roading and camping in my taco and I want to improve my capability off road without breaking the bank or compromising on road driveability as this is my daily.

So far I have put new oem clear headlights in, new front brake rotors and 3rd gen TRD off road suspension (giving me a modest lift and better ride)

I want quality and good price to performance parts, not necessarily just the cheapest thing on the market just one that is good price to value/performance

I figured I'd ask here for ideas on where to find a good deal that will help increase the fun of the already great taco.

Tires are obviously the best upgrade for me and I've been thinking a 265/75/r16 fallen wildpeak at3 will be a good value to performance. Any other ideas or suggestions for tires?

I want to eventually put lockers in but I think lunchbox lockers aren't a good value for me as I drive on road a lot and drive in snow frequently. Any other ideas on how to get the most value for improved traction without getting expensive ARB lockers?
I also plan on getting armor for the truck as I only have a front skid at the moment and I've already scraped up my side steps and the front skid a good bit. My rear bumper is also dented from the previous owner so I think an off road Rear bumper is down the road.

Next I think off road lights are something I definitely want to do as camping they come In super handy as well as driving in dust and at night.
Are Amazon lights decent? Or should I save my money and buy elsewhere?

Any other suggestions are welcome as I like hearing how other people have stretched their dollar and found a good deal for parts.

( Here's some pics of the taco rn for reference)

 

Off-roading? Replace the steps with sliders.

 

I’d say sliders, a good front skid, and maybe rear bumper if you want to replace yours is a good place to start. In that order of what I feel is important for a relatively low & long truck.

Have any friends that can weld?
Maybe a simple home-made rear bumper could cut the costs down.

Amazon lights are alright, and probably fine for camp/ flood lights. But for anything used while driving, especially yellow/amber ones, I’d check out Diode Dynamics.
They make led fogs, offroad pods, and light bars. A decent price point as they can be almost 1/2 the price of other name brand lights. And honestly close to the best (if not the best) performance on the market when compared to other name brands.
Also for lights, I’d get this controller:
https://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-Automatic-Dimmable-Universal-Electronic/dp/B08RHP4BD9

It will make wiring any lights or other electronic stuff clean, safe, and easy. Also about 1/4 the price of a switch-pro or s-pod.

 

Yeah I plan on putting sliders on I just want to find a reasonable priced set

 

I believe the cheapest ones I’ve found are the cali-raised ones.

 

The falken wildpeak at3w is great! I just installed mine. I went with 235/85 16 though which is the same height as the 265/75 16 but narrower and much lighter. My hope was better MPG and maybe it made a slight increase. I would recommend the tire and 235 for anyone with nearly stock ride height.
I would also recommend wheel spacers. Some people hate them but i have 1" BORA brand spacers. They make it look the perfect stance and not too wide.

 

Keep an eye on the market place and any craigslist thread in your state forum. You can find quality parts for decent prices on here.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World! Check out the thread below with lots of cheap mods and then read, read, read more threads and soon enough you can complete the empty wallet mod!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-free-mods.4838/#post-45403

 

The LTX is not an off road tire. Falken Wildpeak A/T are a good start.

Sell the steps to grandpa. Upgrade your alternator wiring https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/group-buy-big-3-kit-1gr-fe-4-0l-v6-closed-for-fulfilment.734046/.

 

Update on the truck. Got some 265 75 16 bfg ko2's and 3rd gen OR wheels second hand for a steal. Put some nilight ditch lights on , and took my steps off as they are useless now and I like the look without. Next steps: skids and sliders, bumper.

 

Just a heads up, 235/85r16 is a 31.7" diameter tire while the 285/75r16 is 32.8" diameter.

 

where do you want to go camping? the locations that i go to in norcal, i just needed a beefier suspension and tires. i search craigslist everyday and found my whole set up (in sig) for less then half price new.

rock sliders? i never seen the need for them. same for the skid plates. i look where i go and if it looks like i wont make it, i go the other way or go back.

but if you want to go to extreme places, of course get those items. just know your limit.

in my opinion, suspension, tires, and some lights would help.

i have yet to get lights, and regret it little bit. came to a camp site at 12am and only saw what the headlights lit up. would of been nice to have a light bar or spot lights. that might be my next mod....(or just leave sooner, before sunset)

 

The place I go camping is a bit rough depending on season and how washed out the trails are so I definitely could use sliders and skids to go on some of the trails up there I want to camp. Lights are a huge help for camp for sure. I picked up nilights for super cheap (like $20) and they never have failed me through mid snow rain and pressure washing. I beefed up suspension and tires so Im thinking some armor will get me safely and anxiety free where I want to go for the moment