Completely new

[GMGA]

Hey all. Also from VB here. Got an 09 Tacoma TRD off-road (of course) But listen, brand new to the whole off roading thing..I've always gone with buddies, but until recently i've just been a passenger out for fun. This is my first 4WD and i'm about of a noobie as you can get (no lie, I just found out what 4HI and 4Lo were for). SOoooo where the heck do i begin??? Where's the best place to learn? When i go off roading how do I know if what i'm doing is normal or is destroying the vehicle, when should i worry about lifting and bigger wheels??? WTF is the gear ratio all about? From the day you all first started...where did you learn, how did you learn and what can i do to get up to speed..Thanks...sorry about all this..It's gonna be like teaching Obama gun rights..haha.

[locknload]

Welcome, glad to have ya here.
First off I moved your post from riseagainst88's thread and gave you your own thread. Your questions are well warranted and deserve more exposure than they would have received buried in someone elses thread.

For someone just starting out I have a couple pieces of advice. One is, leave your truck alone for a while and build it as your own personal skill level increases. People who learn how to wheel stock or slightly modified trucks turn out to be much better wheelers in the end. In the long run you'll save money and more importantly become a much better wheeler because you'll have to work harder and really learn to read the trail/terrain in order to make it with a stock truck. Saving money comes from learning from your own experience and only buying what you need for your truck the first time around. Too many people buy things they don't need or don't buy what they do need and take too many steps with the wrong parts or set up until they finally figure out what really works.

Hook up with us for some mild wheelin trips and either bring your truck or try and ride with a more experience driver and watch the lines they choose, where they place their tires, and how much throttle they use. Hop out of the truck (as a passenger or when you bring your truck) and pay attention to a good spotter. Listen to their directions, watch what the truck they're helping is doing. This will help you alot when you're driving. You get to see what a truck does when it drops off a small ledge, it feels scarrier when you're in the seat but you'll laugh when you watch others. "Damn, I was worried about that", you'll think.

When you're ready to start the modifications start basic. Your truck already has a rear locker right? If so you'll be miles ahead of the curve. Lowering the air pressure on a good set of tires will not only soften your ride but will give you added traction on the trail. The more you get into the sport, the more you'll learn. If you're can take your time, not be in a hurry to go nuts with your credit card, and talk to the right people, you'll have a great start to great sport. Most of all HAVE FUN!

We'll start figuring out some group runs after the first of the year. We have a great group of people here, alot of knowledge and wheeling experience so stick around and again, welcome to our board :cool:.

[Taco Eric]

^^ That was some of the best advice you'll get.

[GMGA]

That was seriously a great help and I definitely look forward to meeting ya'll out on runs...Now, one more question...I know a LOT of off roading trails require you have specific equipment (i.e. fire extinguisher) where's a good place to get this required equipment from and as the fire extinguisher goes, where's the best place to mount it if you need it in an emergency?

[aklunker]

well, first welcome, id like to first comment on some thing lockandload said,which was about learning to wheel your stock truck.<< PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO HONE YOUR DRIVING SKILLS!you wanna be a good driver ,learn your truck! the coolest thig is to walk an obstcle in a stock truck while some toolbag is stuck in modified rig!!:flipoff::flipoff::flipoff::D:Di wheeled a stock truck for 15 years before i built my runner! BUT I CANT DRIVE FOR SHIT!!!!!!!:DLOL as far as trail gear a strap d ring some tools afull size spare a hi lift jack and yes an extinguisher which oughta be mounted within arms reach most of this stuff can be had cheap at your local tractor supply store!!!!!!!! i love the trctor store!!!!

[GMGA]

okay, so definitely can't wait to get out there and wheel. Thanks for all the info. I think, for the first few times, i'll just ride with others and learn, learn, learn..as far as when i do take the truck out...i know ya'll said it's best to learn to drive stock, but depending on the trail, should i literally just keep it all stock or start looking into bumpers and sliders for protection, cuz obviously the first thing i'll be buying is the straps and tools in case shit breaks..scratch that...when shit breaks...thanks again for all the info..i've been reading and researching nonstop..i love this stuff.

[PrezidentRedz]

Yeah, I think your first investment should be a good set of skid plates, Bud Built will be your best bet! I wheeled stock with skids for a while and even now, im still running 31"s

[1stgenrnrdude]

god i love the 09 tacos welcome man!