Hey everyone. Just bought a 88 Pickup yesterday pretty stoked. New to the off roading scene so I wanted to get some info and get some opinions as well. What are the "must" upgrades for some off roading? Also, do I need specific suspension kits and lift kits or what is the way to go? Thanks much for all the info!
Question about best upgrades in everyone's opinon
- Thread starter Taekwontron
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What type of "off roading" are you looking to do?
Number one best upgrade is a rear locker. You can easily handle most trails with 31's and a locker.
- Thread starter
- #4
ajordan, looking to just do some small off roading. Mostly I want the truck to just go up mountains like snowboard resorts stuff like that, and then the occasional train out here in the middle of new mexico lol, possibly arizona. I don't plan on like rock crawling it but as i'm looking up all of the parts i'm getting flustered not knowing much, my 240sx was easy, make it fast hahaha.
As stated above a rear locker is a great start. Then some sliders, and probably some skids underneath. A stock height pickup w/ a rear locker is a great base for almost any light trails. I had an 87 4runner on 31's, w/ a Detroit locker in the back and it did great. I eventually upgraded to bigger, and more aggressive trails so I went to a bigger build. Good luck!
Also a pickup isn't a 240. Don't expect to be setting any speed records.
Also a pickup isn't a 240. Don't expect to be setting any speed records.
a thorough inspection of your steering components, bearings etc to ensure reliability..than worry about mods..
I'm with ocd - start by giving the existing components a thorough look, maintenance, and replace anything that needs it.
Then start taking it out. They're amazingly capable stock. Learn how to use it. Then start upgrading what you need to.
Then start taking it out. They're amazingly capable stock. Learn how to use it. Then start upgrading what you need to.
I agree...wheel it stock and learn the truck. If you can't drive your rig, modifications will only help so much!
- Thread starter
- #9
I appreciate all of the input guys! That's what my buddy and I had decided to do first was complete maintenance clean up and get everything completely working. So it sounds like basically a rear locker and good tires will be first on the list. Thanks again! i'm pretty sure i'll be posting much more on here lol.
The best thing to upgrade is the skills of the driver. You just bought it, so spend some time driving it. Each vehicle has it's own personality and character, especially one this old. Get everything working and in good condition, ie: change ALL the fluids and give it a thorough inspection while you do this. Spend some time under the thing, learn where everything is. You don't mention your mechanical skills or experience, or your access to tools. I would focus on getting general maintenance tools first, so you can fix things as they fail (it's a 25 year old truck, stuff is gonna break).
Once you get it all baselined and running solid, spend some time off-road with a group, learn it's limitations, then decide what you want to do, most of it will be limited by your budget and time.
This is a very steep and very slippery slope. Enjoy!
Once you get it all baselined and running solid, spend some time off-road with a group, learn it's limitations, then decide what you want to do, most of it will be limited by your budget and time.
This is a very steep and very slippery slope. Enjoy!
- Thread starter
- #11
KLF thanks for the input! I'm fairly new to the mechanical stuff but learning as much as I can. My buddy worked with his brothers growing up so this is our second project, first off roading one. I have access to the military base auto hobby shop and they have all the tools thankfully and then at home I have a little mechanics tool set that gets the job done lol. Sounds like I just gotta become a better driver with it and then see where it goes from there instead of just hoping into 1000$'s of dollars worth of stuff.
do the kiss aproach Keep It Simple Stupid. Get u a set of 31 inch tires. maybe a pair of rock sliders to protect the rockerpanles and a front bumper . wheel it stock like that for a few months and it will make u a better wheeler. THen once u realise u cant make it down a few of the harder trails get u a locker. But only do the above after u change and check all fluids.