so you want to build an overland

so, im completely new to everything but navigating and reading a map. ok ive been driving a few years and i know my limits offroad in my stock 98 4runner.

i want to go everywhere. more specifically.. i want to be able to enjoy trails.. or enjoy the spots the trails can lead me to.. and if the wife and i can stay a few days uninterrupted enjoying the land and the view (mostly the quiet) even better.


so...

what makes a capable overland vehicle? what should i expect to encounter in southern california and beyond? im sure ill get flamed for this, but im starting with a 14 baja AC, rock rails, and a few lights up front.

ill be adding things like a RTT on a bed rack and doing things like the dif breather mod... but if it was your truck and you were going out for a week or even a long weekend... what would you want to have on the truck or with you?

edit: without major modifications. i got the baja so i could keep the truck in a warranty-able state in regards to drivetrain and suspension for as long as humanly possible

 

I'm new on here and this is my first post but I got back from a Baja trip yesterday as a matter of fact and spent about a week on trails and in the desert. What I find most crucial is good after-market tires, specifically with good, thick side-walls. If your going off road and over and around rocks a good set of tires is #1. I keep mine no higher than 15psi whilst being off-road. Makes for a smoother ride and allows for a lot of extra give when the tire encounters pointy rocks. Think of it as a tennis ball being pressed into a nail....would take a lot of extra pressure to put a hole in the tennis ball. Extra clearance doesn't hurt, gas tanks, jack, tire iron, spare tire, prior tune-ups, a can of fix-a-flat can be handy

 

i figured i should carry extra gas... and water on top of that. 15psi? if only i trusted the "bead locking style" rims on the baja to hold! a jack, tools and well now that im thinking about it maybe a tire spoon! i have a mini compressor i got from walmart a few years ago too.. i try to avoid fix a flat, but a plug kit wouldnt take up much space! thanks for the suggestion!

i suppose most of my learning is going to have to be trial and error, i would just prefer the learning curve be as easy as possible!

a lot of vehicles i see that are "overland" have LT suspension though. and here i was thinking that was for like... desert racing and high speed stuff.

 

I think the key is that a near stock vehicle can be used for "overland". Learn and more importantly, buy as you go. No need to go LT or spend gobs of cash on stuff you aren't sure you need.

 

absolutely, thank you! thats what im looking for. im too careful to set out and get myself stranded.. but i dont want to have to turn around because i didnt pack something yall would think was a no brainer.

 

propane grill/stove is on the list.. didnt really put much thought to shade though..

oh and the floppy hat has been had, sir. it has been had.

 

Get the basic stuff like propane grill. I love having the adapters to use the 20 lb cyl as well. Decent tent, good sleeping bag is key. Scout beforehand and know where hospitals, stores, gas are... Best thing I bring, a notebook that I write the "Stuff I wish I had or Had done". I list all the things I want to improve for the next trip, then see what i can do in making it happen. Nothing beats writing stuff down immediately.

 

thats a great idea, i usually keep a small notebook in my trucks to monitor maintenance. sounds like the propane is a must have! i suppose with so many areas out west with fire restrictions thats the best way to go anyways

 

I fixed it for ya...

 

15 psi is fine for non beadlocked rims, at least I've never had an issue. I wouldn't go too much lower though. If you are going to have sliders instead of a jack use a hi-lift. way easier.

 

depending on what kind of trails your looking to do I would also look into armor, skids, bumpers and what not. There are a lot of awesome rigs on the sight and you should use there information and experience to help you make your decisions. You can spends days on some of these build threads and never stop coming up with ideas and wants but in the end everyones needs are different. Lockers and onboard air are also things to look at when you are talking about being on trails for days. I believe the baja has the e-locker in the rear so that will help out a lot but an open front diff with limit what you can do. Maybe you don't want to push your truck that hard so it might be a waste but maybe you will

 

http://www.overlandjournal.com/
and
expedition portal
Taught me everything I need to know about 'overland'.

LOLOLOL


Good tires, reliable vehicle, solid communication (where you're going, when you'll be back), good background in outdoor skills.

From there as you push harder you'll figure out what you need. Most people end up with sliders, light skids, bumpers, winch, lighting. You don't really need 33s or even 32s for most things.

 

It's really more about being prepared which in my mind also includes outdoor skills and some mechanical ability (and light first aid!) and not necessarily all material items.

It also includes things like spare tire, extra gas, extra food and water, or just things you would need if you had to hang out for a few days unexpectedly. Oh and of course, a well maintained, reliable vehicle with good tires.

What would you want/need if it was 120* out and you had to sit in the shade of your truck for 3 or 4 days?

 

thanks! sounds like as long as i think things through ill be ok. i know it might have sounded silly.. how do i go exploring, well you just do it! but you dont know what you dont know.. and id like to do as much as possible to not be surprised.

seems much more simple now that a few people have chimed in.

 

I think that to get started just cover the basics. Make sure you won't die.

As you go you'll find a need for different things and you'll find many ideas in different build threads. Especially expo style builds.

Just focus on covering your ass and getting out there for now though.

That's my advice. I'm not poking fun at you or anything. I was poking fun at expo and overland journal though. Talk about taking suburban living to the outdoors.

Get yourself a dutch oven, some good tires (puncture resistant), try to cover your outdoor skills and preparedness as well as any boyscout and go! Take smaller trips until you feel confident?

 

Good advice in here.

Start with camping trips and eventually get more and more remote. Maybe even start at one of those paid campgrounds. Restrooms nearby and nothing needed to get to them. That way you get comfortable in building fires and campsite cooking.

 

i think campsite cooking is among my greater concerns past the equipment needed for the journey.

ive got a pretty good handle on most things outdoors.. im not bear gryllis but i could survive if necessary.. but this isnt necessity, its leisure.

any more detailed tips on food and preparation?

 

I dont overland but i do camp alone out of my truck a good bit on AI. Containers to separate your gear can save you some headache along with a good cooler. When im alone i just use a simple propane burner but i use a big one when im with my buddies. Typically i bring multiple forms of cooking combined with food that can be cooked multiple ways. Ill bring a water filter even when its not necessary. No matter the season i bring warm clothes. I use buckets with lids for trash. Never forget the fishing gear!!. ...ill post some other ideas as they come to me lol.

 

As I'm sure you know, the bead lock style wheels aren't real bead locks but that's not needed at that pressure. You can deflate to 10 - 15 psi with stock wheels and be perfectly fine. Of course, given the right situation that could make you more prone to knocking a tire off the bead but by and large, the tires will hold just fine.

Depending on how 'desolate' of a region you plan on going to, your personal knowledge can make or break you. All the tools and spare parts in the world won't save you if you can't install them so keep that in mind when picking your routes and packing your truck.

Also, regarding your comment on LT, you are missing a large part of what LT can be good for. LT simple describes a suspension set up, long travel, not a specific use. Sure, all the desert racers have it because they need it to soak up the bumps at high speed but it can be very useful on rocks also since it allows your suspension to articulate much better than stock travel setups (read as, lets you keep your tires in contact with the ground under more extreme flexing situations).

 

thanks! very helpful. and a great idea about compartmentalization and always having warm clothes. no matter the season i keep a heavy blanket in the truck as well as a few other basic survival pieces. living in the desert provides a constant challenge.

wow, i had no idea 10-15 was safe, i have never been below 20 because i didnt think it was safe.

as far as my personal knowledge, ive been in the high desert two years.. i know the dangers of it at the very least.. navigation by day/night.. and a few wild things here and there to sustain in the event of an emergency. always having a plan and a back up is essential and great advice.

LT being a topic all onto itself... what are the drawbacks of LT? it seems to be MT or LT is a great but expensive suspension set up for even moderate undertakings in the wild. what, other than expense would keep someone from upgrading? i have no intentions at this moment, the baja stock suspension seems to me more than suitable for my purpose, im just interested for informations sake.