first gen off road build

HI noob here just bought my first tacoma for hunting and mountain use only.
i bought a 2002 double cab.
I live in Eastern Oregon and want to have a build for mug and everyday obstacles in the rocky mountains. as well as a set up for deep snow. I have a 10k pound winch to pull me up a tree if needed but would like some advice on what to do for lift, tire and wheel setup. We get really deep snow and want to try and go places tracks can go but without the tracks.

for tire setup i have herd both small rim with super wide tires to give you the flotation in the snow and i have herd the tall narrow tire setup curious on what is preferred willing to have a setup for each mud and snow?

also herd of engine swap for more power in deep snow?

Lift: curious on the lift set up i would like to stay at 3in but curious on best setup or brands thanks.

possible changes to rig
front fenders
replace bed for flatbed

new to the whole off road truck builds have been a 4wheeler and side by side guy so feel free to roast me just looking for any help to build the ultimate mountain rig for mud and deep snow i want to go where people are scared to go. Thanks

 

3" lift is all you'd need to fit 33's. Any larger tire, and you either need to go huge 6"+ lift or start tubbing the fenders/body.

For tires, there's of course a hole lotta debate on that, but generally, if you're in DEEP snow or sand, like deeper than your axles, then get wide tires and they'll float better, but for everything else, tall and skinny (255/85r16 pizza cutters) is probably what you want.

Some people think they look goofy, so they go with a 285/70 or something, but the wider tires are also more likely to rub the fenders. IMO, if you're making your tire selection based on looks and not performance and traction, you're doing it wrong...

What motor do you have? 4cyl = add a turbo, v6 = TRD supercharger.

But before you go throwing a 2nd mortgage at your truck with forced induction, flat beds and fenders, drive it as is, you likely won't find a need for tons more power. Just make sure you regear if you get 33's...

For a dedicated snow rig, get these:
http://www.americantracktruck.com/

 

Thanks for the information! will consider the tracks for sure! its got the v6. any recommendations on 3" lift? brand, suspension, coil ect.

 

Welcome and congrats Trenten.
Happy modding.

 

What's your budget?

Probably one of the best "budget" lifts is a set of Bilstein 5100s (x4), and an add-a-leaf for the back. The front 5100s are height adjustable, and you can use your stock coils. It's certainly not the "best" but for the money, it's by far the best bang for your buck. The billies definitely have better performance than any of the shocks you'd get in like a procomp lift. For ~$400 you can get a pretty well performing lift, certainly better than most of the ~$800 kits out there (like Rough Country ).

If you are looking to replace worn out coils and leaf springs, IMO the next step up is something like this: All new shocks and springs, and pretty much everything you need to get a good lift. The shocks in this kit are pretty comparable to the 5100s, they just aren't height adjustable.But with this kit, you let the springs to the lifting, rather than making the current springs stiffer like the 5100s...

Then, your next step up is going with a set of higher end Fox/ICON/King adjustable coilovers, upper control arms (not always necessary), and other odds and ends, a set of Dakar or Deaver leaf springs and rear shocks. This is where you start choking on the price. My front (only front) Kings and UCAs were ~$1800. I still haven't touched the back, but I plan to be at least grand in the rear suspension too...

And that's just bolt on stuff... You go custom and you start considering selling body fluids and kidneys...

With any of these kits, you'll need to make sure you get a diff drop kit if you go more than about 2" of lift (some say 2.5, but I'm a little more conservative). It's just a set of spacers that lower the front diff so that your CV angles aren't as bad, and your CV will last longer.

 

Welcome! There's lots of options for tires and suspension. Spend a while reading up on other peoples' experiences and make a decision of of what you want out of it.

 

for as much time as i spend in the mountains and off road i am looking to put some money into it i have about 10k saved up just to put into the truck right now and all i can really think for making it a mountain rig is wheels, tires, and lift. now also considering those tracks but i would also want to take them off 6months out of the year. ill look into the kings and fox coilovers!

 

You may want lockers for a mountain rig