New guy question/advice seeking

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paflytyer

paflytyer

Toyota Trails Editor / 100s in the Hills
Media Partner
10 Year
Joined
Sep 27, 2011
Threads
63
Messages
2,618
Location
ColoRADo
I've already done the "Hello, I bought a 100, here's some pics thread yesterday" Now I have some questions/advice seeking. Thanks to all for the :clap:! Gonna get started on some mods this week. Trying to decide on tires and how deep I need get into this right out of the gate?? Can anyone with SLEE's Step Sliders comment on how well the step actually functions......(easy to step on, enough room to actually use as a step?) I'll take a ride out there this week and get a good look at them. I want my kids to be able to climb up in without much trouble. We have a Honda Odyssey for mall cruising, but they LOVE bouncing and bumping offroad!
I'm looking to be as practical and functional as possible without going overboard. I just don't do enough "real" offroading to warrant all the heavy duty stuff. Although it looks good..... easy to moderate Colorado trails will keep me busy for a loong time! Got a power inverter for camping/tailgating, leaning towards a 100 Series Bajarack and BFG 285/65/18 will go on this week. Anything else I'm missing? Any reason to go for a bigger tire/lift for what I'll be doing? I sometimes travel a long way to fish/camp and I want to be as comfortable as possible on the trip. My 20's are long behind me, I don't rough it like I used to! I actually enjoy a nice smooth quiet ride on my way to the river with the ability to get to those hard to reach areas of the High Country once the pavement ends. I'm open to suggestions. I can't tell you how much I love this truck already, and it's about to get better!

-Stan
 
I have had the Slee step sliders for about 2 months now. i take and pick up my kids from school everyday. They are 7 & 5. I was worried myself that they would have issues because the steps are higher to step onto to. BUT, they mange to get in just fine and exit just fine.
 
The Slee Step Sliders and BFG AT 285/65R18 both are excellent choices from what you described your needs are.

The BFG's are just a hair under a 33" tire, not too big but not too small. Again from what you are describing a very good option. Many will advocate a bigger tire, but for what you need what gains will you get from them? Going camping, fishing, etc the 33" BFG will get you in and out of anywhere you want to go.
 
If you are going to spend a lot of time camping and fishing out of the LC then a couple things will make your journey more fun. First is the DC inverter as you mentioned, and the second would be a good DC fridge/freezer. Buying a good one of each will not be cheap, but nothing worth owning ever is.

I would look into the ARB fridge/freezer. Slee carries them so check them out when looking at the sliders. They also have the Engel fridges which are super nice but big bucks.

As for the inverter, check out the Xantrex PROwatt SW inverters. 600watt or 1000watt would be an excellent choice. Keep in mind that wiring a high wattage inverter means running some decent gauge cable (4-6ga) to the inverter as the amp draw from the battery is substantial.

Last, you will probably want to look at a drawer system to store all those camping and fishing supplies while on trips.
 
stan

I ihave the 275 NT Grapplers and Slee Tube sliders. I was thinking of going with the step sliders since thats what I had on my 80. I like the look of the tube, but your right the Steps are more family freindly. The 275's are 33'2" and work great with my lift, gears etc.

My lift and tires provide me a blance between an offroading vehicle and a nice comfortable street vehicle. Your welcome to check it out along with the rack I bought from a club member and the storage drawers I have
 
I have the Slee step sliders and my truck has a 2 inch or so lift on it with 35 inch tires and my four year old uses the sliders to get in and out of my truck each time. She can do so without any help or me worrying that she will fall. I myself use them to get in and out as well. They work just as intended without being too bulky
 
My brothers 100 had the Slee Step sliders and I have the Bio Off road ones. They work great and are a lot better then the stock ones since they stick out a little further. I think a lot of people on here would be a happier with a step style slider, they just aren’t as sexy. I have two kids 4 and 7, they can get in and out of the truck with no problems. Get out is a lot easer for them now. Their feet would slip off the stock running boards if they weren’t careful.
 
My shoe and my daughters..
IMG_0841.webp
IMG_0842.webp
IMG_0843.webp
 
oh and of my truck and my DOBIE
IMG_0844.webp
 
I would like to echo Anthony L's comments except I am partial to the Nitto Tera Grapplers road manners and off road performance. That is my personal preference. Fridge, drawers and inverter and all great modifications.
If you want to keep that soft cushy ride but want a little extra height then raise the torsion bars a touch and get spacers for the rear springs from Slee.
 
Dobie said:
My shoe and my daughters..
Click to expand...

Thats EXACTLY what I was looking for. Seems like a no brainer now......
I see so many of you guys who say "not planing on a bunch of mods" in your build thread......... then I look at your rig and wonder what's in my future?? I'm just trying to go fishing, but maybe the long, hard way to the river isn't such a bad idea either!

Thanks for all your input!
 
paflytyer said:
Thats EXACTLY what I was looking for. Seems like a no brainer now......
I see so many of you guys who say "not planing on a bunch of mods" in your build thread......... then I look at your rig and wonder what's in my future?? I'm just trying to go fishing, but maybe the long, hard way to the river isn't such a bad idea either!

Thanks for all your input!
Click to expand...

Where in Denver are you? There's a pretty active club here ya know... Quite a few rigs to check out.. heck I'm leading a run this Saturday night for that matter. I will echo the good reports on the Slee step sliders, I went Meteltech for my 100 but love the Slees on the 80. Also if you want to stay local on the roof rack check out my web site, I will even help install it. :). Welcome!
 
Hey Stan you need to clear your PM's.. .or buy a star and get more capacity, but I couldn't write you back. Either way, shoot me an email off my web site, it's easier that way anyway. In the mean time jump up and down on Romer's and make sure it's up to the task.. ;) shoot you guys are neighbors almost. Ken can give you my number too for that matter.
 
Agree on the aprox 33" size I would not have wanted larger due to road manners and gas mileage. They can do just about any trail type you describe.
It's easy for some of us to stay away from high end mods as the kids take all our funds. Just use the forum to learn how to work on it yourself - saves lots.
 
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