Making a Stock 5 Lug Off Road Worthy...

First off, let me begin by saying I know this is not rational, or cost effective, and might not be even possible, and that the question itself is dumb.​

That being said, I know nothing about off roading, at all, and wanted to at least ask.

I have a 2013 Stock, Regular cab, 5 lug, 2WD, 4 cylinder. What kinds of things would I need to do in order to safely off Road with it? Can I safely even off road with it knowing I don't have 4WD? (I know not having 4WD is a big issue)

Thanks in advance!

 

really depends on what you mean. My buddy who has 0 offroad experience just drove a minivan 20 miles on a forest road. Generally speaking you will be even better off than a minivan. Remember, back in the day offroad vehicles consisted of tractors, everyone else drove their street cars on dirt roads. you are totally fine. just go out and see what you can do. go slow, choose good lines.

 

Bump

 

Some one else said it first, worth repeating. 90 % of off road driving is between your ears. Drove all over New Mexico with a two drive and good tires for fifteen years before I bought my first four wheel drive. Now the four wheel drive is my go to when I think I might get stuck in two wheel drive.
Find somebody to go with until you get some experience. All stock Tacoma's are very capable that is why they are so popular.

 

I have a 2001 PreRunner with the TRD OR (which means it has Factory Lockers) my truck is stock by the way and went off-roading in April for the first time Zero experience but went with friends and another truck (same exact truck as yours) only mods were a 2inch spacer with 1 or 1.5 inch AAL and 235/75R15 Tires.
Anyways, I went for the first time and it was fun. One of the best ways to know what your truck is capable of doing just go slow and steady. In my opinion. Also! I never engaged my rear lockers to get my self out. But used it once when my friend got stuck in sand.. (we forgot to air down) but other than that never got stuck.
Just be PREPARED to clean your truck for a few hours if you take it out on the mud. Other than that everything was a good day on the trails

 

Good tires are paramount. Picking good lines is the difference between replacing fenders and coming out with a few new pinstripes.

Momentum helps when going over things especially if the weight starts to come off the ass end as the tires will spin.

4WD just makes it super easy mode on many trails.