Build an Overland Rig With Me

Hello, friends...
First off, I'm glad to be back in the community. I've owned almost exclusively Tacomas for the duration of my license bearing years. Started with a '99 that took me almost half a million miles, bought my first new truck with a 2015 TRD OR (totaled by a drunk driver while parked on the street), and now, after a few years away from a Tacoma, I found myself in a 2023 DCSB TRD OR. Fell in love with the Lunar Rock color and found an incredible deal that allowed me to take it off the lot with 1,500 miles on the odometer.

So here she is. Day one, in all of her stock glory.
Name: TBD​

So now I'm here with my dream platform for my ideal overland build. I have never actually committed to a full build and I thought this forum would be a great place to document my journey and hear from so many others that have experience with what I plan on accomplishing.

I have some lofty goals for this build. Dobinsons MRR's, a Super Pacific camp topper, bed storage, 34's (and the subsequent regearing).... etc. And if I had the funds, I would try to get this truck in its final form immediately. But with bills to pay and my foot pic business never gaining any traction, I figured I would break the build down into well planned phases that will allow me to get the most out of this Tacoma while I work my way towards the "big stuff".

PHASE 1:
In Progress​

As she came from the factory, the Tacoma is impressively capable on the trail and I've had a ton of fun exploring already. Buttttttttt there are a few things I have in mind that could enhance the experience and open a few more off-road doors for me.

Topper: Softopper
I have always ran a topper on my pick-ups. Love them or hate them, I'm used to being able to throw my gear in the bed and out of the elements. While the goal is a camper topper, I think a Softopper will be a great place holder until I'm ready to shell out 10K+...

Truck Bed Sleeping System: Topper Tent, Luno Mattress
Having the 5' short bed, the only way I'm getting a good night's sleep is with the tailgate down. So that means, I've got to seal off the topper somehow. I figure this combination will work great but I'm looking forward to hearing other suggestions.

Trail Armor: CBI SkidPlates, Cali Raised Rock Sliders
I'm not dead set on going with any one specific company but I would like the peace of mind that some armor will bring when I'm on the trails.

Lift/Leveling Kit: Bilstein 5100's Front and Rear
With Dobinsons MRR's as the end goal, I really don't want to break the bank with a placeholder but I would like a little more clearance in the mean time. I think pairing these with a slightly larger tire could make a world of difference. My first thought were the 5100's but I'm sure I'll hear more suggestions.

Tires: BFGoodrich T/A KO2's (265/75R16)
Debating between a few tire brands at the moment (I see you, Toyo) but I've had good experiences with the KO2's in the past and I think this would be a great size before I start hacking away to make the 34's fit.

Exhaust: MagnaFlow Overland Series Cat-Back
Ok... even with the minor increase in ground clearance, I don't NEED this. But for me, there's just something about a nicer sounding exhaust that makes the truck feel like it's really yours.

PHASE 2:
TBD​

I'm really looking forward to hearing from the community and sharing the ups and downs of this build along the way. It will be a long road but I'm sure we'll get this rig dialed in. Let's have some great discussions and maybe make a friend or two.
Cheers!
​

 

Welcome!

Regarding your camper shell, if you're handy with, or have contacts that are handy with welding there is a great thread here on building your own GFC style camper shell with wedge type tent. In the end it's a quarter the cost of buying one. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/

Theres also a few great threads for building drawer systems that can be slept on. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/k-a-m-p-drawers-kitchen-and-mattress-platform.703676/

 

Wow! Those are some great resources! My welds may not be the prettiest but they'll do. I will definitely keep this in mind.

 

Thanks for thinking of us for your future purchase. We would love to see pics of how the rock sliders look once they are installed! Please let us know if you need anything

 

A sponsorship would be greatly appreciated

 

In all seriousness skip the phase 1 and just plan/ save for your big build plans. You'll get there faster by not dumping a bunch of money for starter upgrades. Except tires and armor definitely upgrade those.

You'd be very surprised what a stock TRD offroad will do for you. I went to some pretty crazy spots for 4 years with just 265 AT's and a cheap $200 bed tent before going full tilt into a camper build actually headed up to Go Fast Campers this week to pick up mine.

 

Dedicate more time and resources to foot pics, hold out for big stuff..

 

I just purchased the mrr’s. Coming from the eibach stage 2r kit

 

Right on! You'll have to come back and tell me how you like them.

 

will do! From all the reading/videos I’ve watched, they’re suppose to be awesome. I’ve been running this eibach stage 2r kit for about 15k miles now. For the money it’s been decent but these last 5k miles I’ve really noticed the front softening up and diving like the stock suspension did. I only have them set at 2” too.

 

Ya, I get that. I've been thinking of something like the 5100's to give me the tiniest bit of lift to hold me over until the MRR's. It would just open a few more doors for me in the mean time. Debating on if it would be worth it or not.

 

I suppose I would factor in how long it would take you to save up for the mrr’s? You can get them from Mike at Exit Off-road for $2950 shipped to your door. If it’s not too terribly long I might just hold out if you can. But I know the feeling wanting to get something on your rig..

 

get a big line of credit , that way you can get all of this done right meow

 

Figure out all of your future electrical mods, power to the back, extra bed lighting, etc. Build the harnesses and run it once. Same goes for cab switches.

 

Buy once, cry once. A lot of the things you’re looking for will be on the BST forums due to being items people find out quickly they can live without. Save a penny and try DIY the most that you can, will help on getting familiarized with your truck.

btw what region are you in?

 

I'm located in the PNW

 

just a little FYSA.....

 

ya ya... standby

 

Tri-Cities huh?

 

I’d keep the $13,500 rather than buy a shell with a tent on it unless living in the truck. Building one is the best option.. aside from a ground tent that does the same thing