RedPrerunnerSR5

Ladies and Gents,
Just recently purchased my first vehicle (just turned 18 last month, legal...finally), an '01 Tacoma Prerunner SR5 4Cyl 2.7L w/Bedliner & 38000 mi, a serious upgrade from the hand-me-down mitsu minivan that I was driving, and I must say that comparitively and generally I am very impressed and pleased.

My question though is, just how much "off-roading" can my truck handle? Most importantly, should I be able to take her on the beach, being that I live in Va beach? I was told that if I bled some air out of the tires I should be fine on the sand. Is this true? Are there any mods that I can put on her to make her more suitable for off-road?

Being that I'm 18 and she's my first truck I have limited off-roading tech knowledge, so some tips would be much appreciated as well. Although I'm fairly proficient as a mechanic, not an expert by any means but definitely have a decent mechanical ability.

Thanks in advanced for the help, and I must say I'm proud to be a Tacoma owner. I can think of anything better in an 18y/o's mind though than him, a girl, and his truck taking a romp on the beach except maybe; him, two girls, and his truck taking a romp on the beach.

turboale

is there anything you could add to make your truck handle better off-road?
Are you serious?

I'll be the first to say it, SEARCH

First thing you need is some good tires. Then if you don't have one i'd get a locker. After that, i'd lift it for a-looks b-aftermarket shocks/springs are going to proform much better than stock units. Then i'd somehow add 4x4. Either by a solid axle swap, or just adding in the ADD IFS system thats in all 4Runners/Tacos.

But the most important thing about driving on sand is to not get stuck! A lot of it has to do with driver skill. Which is something you will learn over time, and stay towards the more hard sand than the soft stuff b/c you will plow faster than you can say Gumby. I once spent 5hrs digging a 4x2 Xterra out of a sand pit, which actually ended up being a huge ant farm because she stopped in some super soft sand. Inertia is your friend!

Good luck,

Flamedx4

I spend nearly all my time on the dunes in 2wd - sure you can drive on the sand with your pre-runner. Bigger tires and aired down is the key. Not getting stuck (doh!) really IS the other key - move smoothly, keep moving, don't stomp the gas and dig holes, always stop on downslopes or hard sand, etc. If you get stuck, stop! and dig out right away - don't keep at it until your truck falls out into Australia (not that that's a bad thing, but the immigration laws there are pretty tough...)

I wouldn't try to convert it to 4wd though, if you decide that you want to get into offroading - buy a 4x4.

Pretacopower

Add a locker. I did to my Prerunner and the difference off-road is night and day.

RedPrerunnerSR5

Thanks Flamedx4, thats the confidence I needed, and thanks for the tips. 31" tires on it now, should that be big enough for what I want to do? I'm going to op for slightly larger once I wear these down, its just the dealership put brand new 31" on it before I bought it. I did search around a bit, here and on TTORA and customtaco.com but couldnt really find anything about prerunner and ocean sand that much. Thanks for the advice though.

Pretacopower

Also, make sure you keep alot of weight in the back end. I got stuck in some deep sand one night and we spent a good 3 hours trying to dig me out. Finally got some friends to come over and help, once they sat in the back end my truck drove right out.
I keep at least 200 lbs. worth of sandbags in the back when I go on any trips.

snwbrdpunk16

dude, on the ocean beaches i wouldnt sweat it. when i was in florida i saw 2wd ricers driven on the beach. Just stay in the harder stuff and you'll be fine, And if you're tryin to go up a sand hill and feel the tires start to spin and you are losing momentum fast. stop and back down before you have to dig.

Good luck

RedPrerunnerSR5

"Pretacopower - Add a locker. I did to my Prerunner and the difference off-road is night and day."

What locker did you use? And what was the difficulty of installing it? I've looked around but cant find any definite information.

snwbdr

lift it, lock it, snag some wider tires for the sand, air down, and don't drive like an idiot...you should be fine if you do that....

Flamedx4

Ditto on a rear traction aid. If an occasional romp on the sand is your only offroading - then you sure don't want a locker. You will hate it every day on the pavement. Look at a limited slip or a true trac. I recommend the true trac - it works well, it's smooth and quiet, and durable,a nd reasonably priced. (No, I am not affiliated with truetrac in any way. I've had many rear diffs and I like the true trac best for a street/play compromise.)

Pretacopower

I added a Lockrite locker myself. Installed it with a buddy in just 4 hours. It's an auto locker though, meaning you can't turn it on or off....like an ARB or toyota e-locker.
Basically it clicks whenever you turn and will lock up on you if you give it too much gas through turns....not a problem though once you get used to driving with it. I love mine personally, definatley worth the money. Check out Jawsgear.com