Recommendations for an off-road build on a budget

I’m thinking about modding my 2008 5 speed regular cab 2.7 L Tacoma.
I’m looking at suspension, engine, wheels, and tires. My goal is to have a cost efficient and off-road capable build. Currently stock, has a topper, and is a daily driver. I understand that there is person preference, I am looking for your recommendations, I am on a budget.

 

Welcome to The Forum!

Is your truck 4x4? If so, you already have a cost efficient and off-road capable vehicle.

 

Cost effective and off-road capable?

OME and good tires.

 

Yeah is it a 4x4 6 lug or a lil 2wd 5 lugger?

 

Do I need to do upper control arms with the OME

 

It’s 4x4

 

pss a lil awesome 4x4 regular cab 6 lugger stock will have better off road manners than any longer lifted truck.

That stated, first and best thing for offroadability, tires. Bump to a 265/75R16 in what ever tire you feel best for your needs. No cutting or trimming needed.

If you really want to do a lift 5100's up front and maybe an AAL out back for 1-2in of lift all around.

 

UCAs are only required by lift size.

Whole lot of info in suspension forum. Start reading!

 

Thanks for the recommendation, should I recovery points? If so where?

 

This is exactly what I was looking to hear thanks so much for your thoughtful response, this really helped me out.

 

I think I will start on learning how to maintain all of the fluids and then I’ll move on to tires
Is there a good resource for learning how to do maintenance?

 

I think before anyone here can make any recommendations, we need to know what you mean by “off-road capable”. Are you wanting to rock bash hard trails or cruise dirt/gravel roads?

 

Thanks!

 

I live in iowa so it wouldn’t be that intense but I would like to be able to over come most of the obstacles in my state

 

^^ This. Since you are in Iowa, I wouldn't lift it at all, until you have a fair amount of time off-roading it in stock form to find what, if any, limitations you have. I doubt you will find any.

Invest instead in some good P-rated all terrains (as @whatstcp recommended above) and focus on maintenance for now.

If you are simply wanting to lift it for looks, then that is another story.

 

Bilstein 5100s preferably used
OME 884 preferably used and mounted on 5100s
AAL
Tires only when yours wear out: you’d be amazed what airing down will do.

Do not go out and buy a packaged lift kit. Piecing it together on cheap used deals works best.

You do not need after market UCAs with a mild lift. Only get them if you find they can’t align it with your lift which would need to be 3+ inches

 

Since you've got a 4 cyl, you might look at something like a 235/85/16 tire. Wider isn't always better.

What kind of offroading are you looking to do?

 

Alright, I’m not exactly sure what I want to do yet.

 

So, I think you should just get some decent tires, some good recovery gear, read up on how to use them, and go have fun. It doesn't take much to have fun, just look how the old Camel Trophy trucks were equipped.

 

Decent tires no bigger than 265/75/16. Use the rest of your budget for gas.