Overlanding a stock taco in the northwest

I got my first Tacoma 2 years ago and want to take it out on some overlanding trips. I came across this link and wanted to do a few parts of it. Wasn’t sure how capable my truck needed to be. Was planning to get some front to back skids and 32” tires to start. It’s a 2019 TRD Off-Road. Any pointers for someone who hasn’t gone before?https://www.trailsoffroad.com/blog/overlanding-across-washington

 

I did a few offroad adventures before I moved to GA. I did Tahuya a few times. Gallagher lake twice. Few others here and there. Did it with IFS skid and sliders stock suspension still. You can go really far stock.

Also that is WABDR a stock tacoma will absolutely crush that without any issue at all.

 

If you haven’t already, get out and drive it off the road on some shorter trips stock. You’ll learn a lot about what you need and don’t need.

I’m a klutz with enough off-road experience in my youth, so I started with sliders. After some hours driving it off road, i found that ground clearance was an issue, so I upgraded the suspension and tires. As my confidence (stupidity?) grew I added a front skid because I was banging on rocks. Next I think I need a cage because I’ve destroyed my second pair of passenger side doors.

 

I'm runningOEM OR suspension on a 2017 tacoma.

I have sliders and just 3 weeks ago got ny mid and transfer case skid to go along with my aftermarket IFS skid.

I have 265 75 16 load c duratracs.

I have gone places that I probably should not have gone with just sliders and an IFS skid.

Buddy and his on 33 geolanders. I'm ahead at gallagher lake in Washington state. I did this on OEM tires ifs skid and sliders.



Halfway to lonesom lake in Washington state. Turned around here due to snow. OEM tires, ifs skid, sliders.



Tahuya ORV park in Washington state. OEM tires, ifs skid and sliders.



Tahuya, WA only way out no way to turn around. Stock height skids sliders, OEM tires. This made me uncomfortable but no issues.



Coppingers Cove, Tennessee. This is the trail where I decided a mid and transfer case skid was absolutely required from here on out. Awesome trail would love to go again. This trip killed my starter and 3 other starters with guys I went with. 265 75 16 load c duratracs, ifs skid, sliders, and good spotters.




Photos never do angles justice. Aftermarket tires, ifs, mid, t case skid, sliders, spotter. Stoney lonesome ORV park in Tennessee.

This vehicle is very capable.


Copied from another thread but still holds here. Everything i have I got on sale or from another member in here. I'm just at 2,000 for skid trio, sliders, tires and small other stuff im not counting because it didn't help with anything function wise.


Copied and pasted from another thread but it's the same thing.

 

Start with a good set of tires and recovery gear like maxtrax and get out there. Add things needed as you gain experience.

 

Pick good lines and the truck will go places you wouldn’t believe. I don’t off-road much, primarily only on hunting trips, but completely stock I was able to get everywhere I’ve gone in my lifted jeep & 4runner. The only downside for me is trail limo I need to watch getting high centered a little more closely, and can’t turn as sharp, occasionally need to back up to make sharp tight turns. They are pretty capable, but if I was going to off-road more I’d get steel skids (have the pro aluminum), sliders and upgrade the tires just for some additional protection. If your careful though you can go many places completely stock.

 

I ran the WABDR route last July in a bone stock TRD OR without any issues. With that being said, the equipment I would suggest has nothing to do with the truck itself, and everything to do with camping, safety, and removing potential obstacles in the trail.

I took my sweet time and did it in 9 days, but you could easily do it in 5 if you want to drive 10-12 hours each day. There's tons of amazing places to stop along the way, so I'd plan for at least 1 stop/detour per day if you can. I could get into weeds about all the things I'd recommend checking out, but I'll spare you for now...

At the bare minimum I'd suggest:
- tent that is easy to put up/take down
- 2 days of food and water. There are plenty of places to pull off and grab more along the way, so no need to overdo it here
- cooler and cooking supplies
- large axe and small hatchet
- shovel
- rip saw
- (2) solid tow straps. one 10-15 ft and one 30+ ft. Both at least 15,000 lb rating
- come-a-long winch
- tire plug kit
- good paper maps with FS roads for when you don't have service. I got mine at a ranger station and pre-marked the route
- printed directions from the link you posted. They were absolutely perfect with the exception of a 20 mile section between Packwood and Ellensburg that is now burned and covered in ash.
- polarized sunglasses!

Some other things I'd recommend if you have access to them:
- 12v air compressor for airing up/down
- chain saw
- handheld gps
- branch loppers/pruners
- dust cover/canopy for your bed. Didn't have this yet when did it, and my utility boxes were absolutely covered in silt by the end of it. So was I lol
- solar shower/pressurized water tank

Hope that helps. I had an incredible time doing it in 2020 and will absolutely be doing it again this summer! The link you posted was super helpful, so definitely read through the whole thing before you go. There's also a few youtube videos of the route that helped show good places to stop, sight-see, and camp, as well as give you an idea of the trail conditions.

 

I appreciate the responses, I’ll definitely be checking out the trails this summer. Pretty psyched to actually use it for what I got it for!

 

Stock, the truck is capable enough to give you the puckers.

As was said, you don't need to do much. The skid is great just because the crossmember will get hung up on a lot of stuff. Some ATs and recovery gear is all that I have at the moment. The cheap X-Bull tractions boards work like a champ. I'm pining for some sliders so that I can not worry about the rocker panels.

 

I see you made the correct decision to buy an OR instead of a Sport so you're off to a good start! (just kidding guys...)

Like others have pointed out, the Tacoma is very capable stock. Just be sure to take your time, err on the side of caution and take time to become comfortable w/ the size & clearance of the truck. If you're like most folks on this website, you probably don't need giant tires, a 4" lift, a winch, $8k in suspension upgrades, lol. Just buy good tires, a cheap Viair compressor and a shovel. Go from there as you learn.

Some good pointers -

Go with other people while you're learning as it will help you get up & over the learning curve faster.

Let people know where you're going once you've gotten comfortable enough with the truck to venture out on your own.

With that said, you should always go with a buddy, but I know first hand this isn't always doable, so do your part to let folks know where you're going - kinda like a trail of breadcrumbs for people to find you.

Bring water and a blanket with you. Doesn't take up much room and it's useful for more things than just offroading.

Edit: Added a cheap Viair compressor & a shovel to the list

 

Maxtrax / compressor / shovel

That’ll get you to a whole lotta places

 

That’s good to read. I have a set of those X bulls in my cart. I don’t “need” them, but they’d be nice to have for the rare occasion when I find myself in muck or sand.

 

They're just as solid as MaxTrax, IMHO.

 

What size do you have 36” or 42” pretty big price jump $60-$90 for 6”. Guess you get the mounting bolts and a bag with the 42” but pretty sure I could find another way to mount them behind my recover/tool bin that is turn-buckled in the bed just behind the cab. I can’t imagine 6” being the difference between getting unstuck or not.

 

I got the 42s. They were $60 at that time and didn't come with any hardware or bag.

I store them between my storage case and wheel well. One ratchet strap has held everything in place, even offroad.

6in inches is significant. LoL!

 

Wow beautiful trail. Take some pics and share with us after!

 

I did the WABDR in a longbed sport on 265s. Easy