New to Overlanding - Initial Questions

Hey all - as the title says, I'm new to fitting out my 3rd gen 2020 TRD OR 4x4 for some overlanding. I'm in Utah, so most of my trips will be in the western US.

My first 2 questions are: how much weight will go in the bed before I'll start needing to add-a-leaf or to replace the leaf pack with a heavy-duty one? Are bed stiffeners actually helpful? (I've read so many varying opinions on this it's insane lol - but no true consensus).

I'm not planning on anything huge, I've ordered the UpTop Overland TRUSS rack (aluminum around 55lbs) and the TuffStuff Alpha II hard-shell RTT (140lbs). Me, 200ish pounds (I'm working on it lol!), standing in the bed doesn't seem to lower it drastically. I'll have a Prinsu roof rack, along with 2 Pelican cases in the bed. Truck weight was never something I thought about or researched before starting this, so it's all pretty new for me. I'm on stock TRD OR suspension, and don't plan to rock-crawl anytime soon/ever - that's just not our intension ever, more forest service trails and basic overlanding trails. I'm on stock size tires, but swapped the GY Wrangler Kevlars for the Falken Wildpeak AT3's. The rest is currently stock. I thought to start small with the basic gear, and then upgrade the truck as needed. Let me know if I'm way off base here and thanks in advance.

Thank you!

 

I'm in Utah as well.

I'd opt for a better tire. We ran wildpeaks on wife's 4runner and found them to be pretty shitty in sand and mud and prone to damage on rocky trails.

We ran RTTs for awhile and then ultimately found that camping on the ground was less of hassle and less expensive.

I don't think stiffeners are worth it, and I upgraded to 650# springs to accommodate the armor and front and rear bumpers/winch.

 

Welcome! You're in a prime location for overlanding!

Question 1: I'd say your good to about 350-450lbs on the back depending on the terrain your traversing. Just know that stock springs will start sagging pretty quickly and once you're ready just replace the leaf pack...I wouldn't bother with a add-a-leaf. I'd also recommend beefier bump stops as well, especially if you get some lift with the new rear springs. Go with Icon, Deaver, OME or similar and go with a new rear shock if you do go up in height. I also recommend upgrading the fronts as well with a 650# spring on a better shock. I started with stock suspension but quickly realized I was on the bumps most of the time.

Question 2: Bed stiffeners...I have them but don't necessarily think they are needed. That said, I have the Total Chaos stiffeners and have used the included tie down points they add numerous times. I think that's where the real value is. They also have whip/antenna mounts.

I usually have my Tepui RTT, Hi-Lift, Maxtrax, 3 jerry cans (2-gas, 1-water), awning, fridge, stove, camping gear box, 5lb propane bottle, lawn chairs, porta-loo (no judgements! single best piece of equipment I own), misc dry food, recovery gear, tools, and wine. It adds up but when you're out there its all worth it.

Death Valley

 

The stock TRDOR suspension is a bit soft and will dip your rake down in the back with the weight of your tent and gear, not to mention at the back will rock when you move around in your tent. However, I highly recommend you go with your current setup and make mods based your observations. Everyone has different tastes.

I eventually upgraded to a Bilstein 6112/5160 suspension lift to max clip setting with an Icon Progressive add-a-leaf pack, but also deviated from install instructions and left the overload leaf springs installed (2.5 inches lift overall). The AAL stiffened up the rear a tad, but the truck rides like a dream with the RTT on it. Plus, it handles trailer loads better, and I don’t notice any rocking when I move around in the RTT at night.

As for bed stiffeners, I don’t have them…yet. I haven’t noticed any major flexing issues with the tent going down rough roads or heard of anyone posting pics of structural cracking.

 

On the WildPeaks: really?? I've only heard the opposite from people on them, all that they were better than expected.
On the springs: yea, that's what I figured - see how it starts, and upgrade the basics from there. I dont want a lift really at all, but if I do, like a 2 inch is fine for me. I dont want to start replacing everything on the truck and I like the drive and mpg I get now for a truck.

 

First off, sweet pics and setup!
Does the stock springs start sagging over time bc of the constant load or just once you start getting past 450lbs?
Yea, I too dont like the AAL idea, rather just get them replaced both at once and be done with it. I've heard that people change out the bumps too, I guess the Timbren's are the go-to for that?

My initial plan was for the Deaver stage 2 or 3 for leafs, and then a basic 2inch-ish Icon or Fox spring replacement. Again, lifting is not really a huge priority for me, we roll with a Ford e350 Van as a companion, so my Taco can get anywhere it goes lol

And yes, we all (minus my wife) judge you for the porta-loo =P

 

Yea, the dip in the rear is my main concern, and I'll see soon enough myself if it'll be an issue. Luckily I literally only use the truck for weekend-landing, I have no work commute, so if the gear causes initial sag, I can remove the RTT and get the work done asap before using it. I love the advise to "see what happens" because I think sometimes people drop 10k in their truck before really seeing what they need first or before really researching it. They just want big tires and a lift bc those are the sexy items. I love the low-profile setup you have, and the iKamper is a dream RTT (do you have it mounted backwards from the "normal" setup?).

I see you went with the TRD Pro wheels, what tire size and brand did you go with?

 

Depends on what you’re using them for.

I live off of an unpaved BLM road in the staircase. I watch people trundle down here all the time with their vehicles looking like extras from a Mad Max
Movie. I see trip reports for roads in our area with neat pictures of trucks trundling down the same dirt road that the old man on the ranch down the road travels in his Mazda Protege.

I’ve run several brands of tire and the wild peaks are hands down the worst.

As for suspensions..again what is popular is not always what is good. I ran three different suspensions on the taco before I found one that didn’t shit the bed. I’d recommend you pass on the icons.

I would say pass on the lift but the stock off road shocks are a weak point in these trucks if you are going to be jamming down washboard dirt roads at any speed.

 

I mount the iKamper reverse because it sits low and looks kind of dumb with the front of it angled behind the cab.

I went with 17x9 repo TRD wheels off eBay because they were the cheapest for a set of 5. I with the width better with 256/70R17 tires. The wheels are built well, but the center cap isn’t like the OEM. It is cheaply made and is index when it is installed. Every time the dealership or tire shop rotates the wheels the caps are never installed correctly.

 

I guess I was wondering when this would come, Taco World is notorious for it lol. We've reach it lol, most excellent!

 

I have nothing additional to add about the weight, but as far as bed stiffeners go; GET THEM.

No need to reach a consensus amongst the group. Listen to me, the actual professional, the "I get paid every day to engineer things just like this", in this particular realm. Buy them, and install them before you start running your RTT and rack setup offroad.

 

Yea, it seemed like it was better than not, even though I haven't seen evidence of this happening when the truck itself wasn't also destroyed. Any particular brand you like, I believe Total Chaos seems to be the most popular? I just hated removing the factory tie-down loop and drilling into the body if it wasn't truly necessary - if that makes sense.

 

Solid Advice right here! Use what you have, and then determine if you need to spend money to upgrade. When you start hitting the bump stops too often, or don't like the look of the rear sag, then it's time to make a change.

I ran the stock suspension and it worked fine, until I finally got into rougher terrain with more weight. I did the TRD lift, and swapped the entire rear pack for a Icon's on option 3, along with Duro Bumps and extended rear brake lines. I rarely hit the bump stops now when loaded with a RTT and camp gear.

And, good choice of rack!

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Yea, I really liked the advise too, and was good to hear bc that was my initial thought as well.

I also really like your setup! Should hopefully be receiving the Prinsu roof rack soon, and I see you're running the Falken's too! That's the UpTop rack that they specifically make to go over soft tops like that, right? I believe they even make a rack mount that can go on top of that bed rack too, if I'm not mistaken.
I too was leaning for the TRD lift as it's fairly small and I dont want a huge lift. For roughly 1.2k, it's not too bad either. Was the rear brake extension required and/or what's the reason for that?
Also, if you dont mind me asking, what size and load range are those Wildpeaks? They seem to fit the lift well from this pic

 

Thanks! That is the UpTop Truss Rack for Softoppers. It is very adjustable up and down. I need to go up another couple inches for the soft top to fold, but then it would be much higher than the Prinsu on the cab. I have Front Runner quick release tent mounts for the RTT. Not installed in this pic, but they are mounted directly to the cross bars.

When I installed the Icon Leafs, (pretty simple install if you have the tools) I didn't like how tight the brake lines pulled when jacked up and fully drooped with option 3. They may not be necessary, but $75 is cheap insurance. And super simple to install and bleed.

The Wildpeaks are the AT3W in P285/70R17 SL Load range. I get slight rubbing in reverse on the front driver side when flexed a little. I still need to flatten the pinch welds to eliminate that. I've only had them on for a couple of months and have not been off road or flexed out much. But I don't think I will need a cab mount chop at this point.

The TRD lift was everything I wanted. A 2" lift and the heritage grill. I have the full tech package and wanted a grill to be 100% compatible with sensor and front camera. You could go aftermarket for cheaper / better /whatever reason, but with the TRD lift, the dealer will set up and adjust it down the road, without question.

 

Yea, the thing I couldn't decide on (and still cant in some ways lol) was whether to get the mid-size UpTop rack or the cab-height rack. Aerodynamics or functionality. It's maddening haha, but I guess that's life.

Totally agree on the extended brake line for that price and ease of installing. I didnt realize they were that cheap tbh. I was leaning the Deaver leafs, but I'll check out the Icon's.

P285/70R17! Nice, I didnt know if that would fit under a stock TRD OR with the TRD Lift, but explains why they fill out the wheelbase so well =]
The TRD lift seems perfect for me - I too have the full tech package, and I dont need it to rock crawl. The TRD lift keeps my stock warranty in place, which I still have, and will be serviced at any authorized Toyota dealer. It replaces the stock stocks and front coils with upgraded Bilsteins, which is nice, but you still need to get leafs I guess. Do you know or think if you get the TRD Lift Kit and a set of HD leafs, it would raise the bed too much? I assume most HD leaf packs give some sort of height to compensate for the weight. The plan is to have the bed rack and RTT on at all times (I only drive the truck on weekends for camping really lol).

 

Similar setup that you are describing in your post. Here is my 2016 OR with no suspension work. Don't see any reason to upgrade at the moment for my current setup. Since this photo, I have added a pelican case to the roof and am in the process of building a pvc road shower tank that will also mount to the rack. When camping, the tailgate is loaded with stuff and I notice a slight sage in the rear, but its just for short driving duration to and from campgrounds.

 

It depends on if you like the raked look. I don't mind it at all, but some want it level for some reason. Less hood to see over with a rake.

My prior pic I think, was after the TRD lift, but before the Icon leaf pack. It sat pretty level with no RTT.

This picture is my current setup with Icons and the RTT and a 270 awning. The bed only has a Hi-lift, bed mat and full size traction boards in it. The rifle case on the driver side has my recover gear in it. And the shorter case on the passenger side has the tent annex, tent stakes and a ground rug. The Icons on option 3 say an unloaded lift of 2.65 over stock. I think it is closer to 3 inches or more unloaded. The front TRD shocks are set to the highest lift. The front measures 6 inches tire to fender flare, and the back is 7 3/4 inches with this setup. This pic doesn't really show the rake well.



We take way to much stuff with us camping, so when fully loaded, it sits about level. Biggest weight factor is the "kitchen" I made out of a Harbor Freight 5 drawer tool chest that probably weighs over 100 lbs by itself.

 

I see - and what an epic, albeit heavy, kitchen! Very cool though, I like seeing what other people build/make, always so unique.

If you do a 1'' lift from spring replacement, and then get an HD leaf pack replacement, is the total lift just added to? Or is there some play in there? IE 1'' lift + the leaf pack for another 2.75'' = 3.75'' total?