Help me make my Tacoma overland ready

I bought a 2015 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 2WD with rear locking differentials.

I'd like to make it overland ready. Here's how my truck currently looks like:
Here's my desired end result:


I'd like to replicate tires, lift, suspension, headlights, etc.

Could you give me a list of mods you'd do?

 

Definitely going to have to do the double-cab mod.

Welcome to TW!

 

don’t forget the 4wd conversion as well!

 

First mod is to have an Instagram account.

In all serious, What would you like to do first? Done any research?

 

It's already overland ready.

 

Just my opinion but by the looks of what you want, you’re aiming towards more broverland than overland. Honestly, take out your truck in stock form and learn it’s (and your own) capabilities before you even consider modifying it. Tires are going to be your biggest improvement in performance, and maybe some recovery tracks being 2wd. But just get out and explore and camp. It’s not the vehicle that makes you an overlander. It’s the concept of thought and desire.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

You're right: the end result is excessive. I just wanted to build out what many overlanders believe are the 'essentials'. I want to basically skip all the trial and error and learn from you guys.

With that said, you recommend bigger tires. What's the biggest tires you can upgrade to from stock without doing any upgrades?

 

Why do you say that?

 

I've been reading a ton. The problem is there's SO many bad sources with contradicting information.

I figured it'd be smarter if I talked directly to people doing exactly what I'm doing (you guys). That said, do you have any recommendations for me to read?

 

Ok, so you're serious.

90% of the stuff you see bolted onto that truck is for instagram. All you really need is a decent set of camping gear, some recovery gear (and the know-how to use it), a first aid kit, a decent set of tires (they don't really have to be bigger), and the willingness to go explore. It really doesn't take much to get started. As you go, you'll find that each of the things you see added on has a specific purpose, and whether or not its something you'll need is what you can figure out as you go or you can start reading up on. Find the name of the piece of gear, figure out what it does, and figure out if its something you need. If it isn't clear, ask.

From my perspective as someone has done a reasonable amount of travelling and camping - less is more, and always opt for something of decent quality. After it shows up, test it out and learn how to use it.

 

Agree with all that. Except skids & sliders are a must.

FYI that truck you posted isn’t an over lander (hate that term) 100% a mall crawler.

oh and respect the land you camp on. Pack in pick out (pack more trash out then you came in with if you can), and don’t do what Tacomabeast did and markup/graffti stuff when your camping.

 

looks like body lift. like rough country, 20" rims, new head lights, grill, Amazon lights, sports hood, and front runner rack.

 

dropbracket 6” lift (fab tech or pro comp)

 

My wife and I spent 7 years traveling; on two motorcycles for 5 of those years and an enduro sidecar rig for the remaining two years. The info in the above quote is probably the best you will ever get. Especially the line, "less is more".

The "enemy" in expedition travel are space and weight. There is never enough of one (space) and always too much of the other (weight). The one thing we did constantly was look for new equipment that was smaller and lighter. When we found it the old item was "outa here" and the new took its place. And, you will find out as you start to load your truck that you will eat up the ~1400 lbs of capacity incredibly quickly. And this is where, IMNSHO you should start. As pointed about in the above post, you need to determine what exactly it is that you are going (want) to do. And beware of the want word because you will waste a ton of money, time and effort on things that you wind up not doing. So, from what you have said I believe you are on the right track.

KEEP READING AND RESEARCHING! EVERYTHING!

Information is the key to success; you cannot do anything until you understand what you are going to be about. Looks have nothing to do with travel. Practicality and the ability to not only maintain your vehicle but get yourself out of life threatening situations is the key - it truly is the Boy Scouts marching song; BE PREPARED.

Sounds easy but when the weather is threatening and you are not adequately equipped with shelter, clothing or food you could well be dead before the next sun rise/set. It's up to you. The vehicle needs to be capable of traveling on roads that you will encounter in your travels; not the roads that people go wheeling on; two entirely different animals. Having the right/properly equipped vehicle and associated equipment is only a part of it.

Having the right outlook and the ability to maintain your head (cool) when all those around you are running in circles screaming and shouting is very important; this comes from thorough preparation and understand what you are about. Don't know anything about first aid? Do not go anywhere that you cannot get medical care to take care of injuries that you might sustain; life is short and it can become shorter very quickly as mentioned above.

Regards,

Jim

 

Throw a tent and a sleeping bag in the truck and you’re good to go

 

You definitely need king long travel suspention

 

They don’t even have to necessarily be bigger, but your question is mentioned on hundreds of threads through this forum. On my 2nd gen I ran slightly larger 265/75r16 all terrain tires and logged over 40k miles all over Alaska and northwest Canada. I’d focus on basic outdoor essentials, some quality basic recovery gear, a good shelter and sleep system, camp kitchen essentials, and reliable communication. You’d be surprised what you can do with a tent, sleeping bag, and a Coleman stove. It’s not sexy, but neither is blowing money on cool gear trying to make yourself instafamous.

 

Another thing to think about - some modifications, if done incorrectly, can easily leave you sitting on the side of the road at the worst time. Be cautious, especially so for anything that modifies the drivetrain or the electrical systems.

 

I’ll echo above. Stock taco with some upgraded rear springs will get you almost everywhere. Start out light and work your way up as you see fit.

Put down the twinstabook, it’ll just fill your head with “necessary” bullshit. We just did 11 days in the black hills and didn’t see one of those broverlanders anywhere near a trail. You’ll end up forking our piles of money and find most of the shit will just sit in the garage and collect dust.



We have so much shit slapped onto our truck and we still use a single burner stove because it works. The rest of the kit is “nice to haves” never “needs”.

My wife and I used to overland in a 1” lifted XJ on 29’s and went everywhere. Now we are hauling a family of four and have much more disposable income. That said our truck has tens of thousands of off-road miles on it, and still running 265/75-16 A/Ts and stock skids.