First steps to mod for over lander?

I could use some help setting up my new taco. I want it to be an over lander.
I don't have the cash to to everything at once, so what should I do first?
I'd like to do lift, wheels tires first.
But, not sure if I should bite the bullet and do wheels, tires and switch the ratio to 529, then get the suspension.
for the first time, i'd like to do things in order and right the first time (if thats possible)
19' off road longbed quadcab
I appreciate any suggestions.
Also, anyone know what it costs to do the gears to 529?
Thanks and look forward to keeping you all up to date on the rig as it gets modified.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

The coveted 0000. I've only ever heard about it.

 

Regear is usually recommended if you start looking at over 33s. If you're talking about holding off on suspension you're not going to fit much tire under the truck unless you start trimming a lot. With stock suspension you should be able to fit 265/75r16s no problem.

 

If you're looking at 5.29's I'm assuming you're looking at 35s or so.....you're not going to be able to fit those without suspension and cutting/trimming.

The FIRST step I'd take is to install a good set of sliders as you'll want these no matter what tire size you end up with.

The second step is to take your truck out as-is and find out what it's capable of in its current form and what direction you want to take it. Decide on tire size/suspension height/etc from there. If you need a more aggressive tire than stock (I'm not sure what tire is spec'd on the OR from Toyota) I'd also recommend the 265/75r16. You'll get a lot of use out of that size without having to do more mods (and they are a popular size so you can sell them should you decide to go bigger.)

Good luck!

 

Welcome to TW.

That said I get it, on here, on Instagram, ExpoPortal, and countless other websites you see these sick Overlanding rigs.

First off where do you live? I just got back from almost a month “on the road” driving 7,000 miles and sleeping in my rig almost the whole time. I spent a very large portion of my time in Utah, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming and there was almost zero I couldn’t have done with a simple stock Taco. If you want to just get into it, buy or borrow a tent, stove, various other camping gear and go give it a try.

You absolutely 100% do not need anything fancy to be an “Overlander” just drive your truck out and camp... honesty.

Full disclosure I have a very built rig with a Go Fast Camper but none of it is needed to go out and enjoy the outside. Your Taco is more than capable to get you out having fun.

Final note. I have several friends that recently ditched there Roof Top Tents in favor of Gazelle pop up tents, lower profile, lighter and WAY less expensive. If your “Overlanding” vehicle is your DD not bolting every piece of gear to it may be wise.

It’s your money, certainly spend it how you like, but don’t let anyone or any website convince you you need fancy gear to get out and have fun. Take your time and learn what you need. It’ll save you in the long and short run!

Good luck and Welcome!!!

 

Yota:

I live in Oregon. Just north of Eugene central willamette valley.
We’ve got plenty spots to go from here.
Sand dunes and coast mountain range to the west, cascade mountains one hour east. Pretty flat here in valley, but all sorts of rivers streams, trails.
I want to take my son (14) out camping and fishing WAY MORE. We’ve been camping/fishing for many years, but I want to step it up and go more places. More remote places.
Want to do a week long trip. Like backpacking, but with the truck and 20-50 miles between each day.
Already taught him basic skills (fire building, knife safety, knife skills, firewood collection, simple survival skills, etc..)
So I’m looking to get out more and to more places. My belief is: the further out you go, the less people you see. That’s where I want to start.
Also, I admit, I LOVE the way these Tacoma’s look with big beefy tires/wheels.
So I would like to run 33. 34s
Put a diamond back se on it. Voodoo 18”rack, tent topper, slider under rack with bins and a slider inside bed.
Add some solid lights, radio, gps, compressor, etc.... so to run 34s I need the right lift with suspension to accommodate. Not sure which ones.
I want it to look bad ass, but actually use it and make it home safe. Not breakdown in BFE.
Last, can you put racks on the roof if they’re not already factory installed?
I want to put a canoe on top and add racks to the top as well.
Appreciate all your feedback and help.

 

Oh and if you really want to know price on gears, again it depends where you live. OK4WD wanted darn near 4K to do them, ECGS was around 2.5k. I’d call around reputable shops and get quotes. The gears aren’t that expensive labor is a good portion of it as it’s a pretty major job and should be handled by someone competent obviously.

FWIW I am running 255 85 R16’s (33’s) with about 700lbs of stuff (armor, tent, drawers ext) and I have stock gearing with the Auto trans and it is 100% fine, I ran 85mph+ all over the west without issue. I am planning to re-gear in spring and am likely going 5.29’s though they are not as strong I really don’t do any rock crawling.

 

My truck on narrow 33’s they’re lighter and quite a bit easier to spin, yes you can add a rack they bolt right on just like the factory rack. No problem at all. I envy you being in Oregon, Lotta cool stuff to see out there. I live in NY and it was quite a haul to get out to see the stuff you have fairly close. Welcome to the addiction!

That said if I could have one mod first it’d be a fridge by far the most useful upgrade I made. Seriously.

 

10x yes, use it and mod as you go. Personally I had dreams of LT, then SAS, then overlander, and back and forth all over the place. I've found it's best to save your money so when you realize "you know I could use more aggressive tires" or "I wish I could do that trail without bashing body panels", or "I would, but I dont want to risk getting stuck", you can go ahead and buy the tires, armor, and gear that suit your driving at the pace you learn and to fit where you go. I'm just getting started with my mods, but I got the bumper after a Turkey vulture killed my stock one, got the aggressive 265/75r16s and maxtrax after I realized the only offroading around me is mud and I usually go solo, and I just picked up the shell because I need the secure storage for trips with friends.
TLDR: save your money, get out there, then buy what you end up wanting/needing whether its camping supplies or truck parts

 

If that’s what you really want go for it. But I do agreed, maybe do some test runs on some easy trails first and see if that’s what you really want.

Then I would say, lift, bigger tires, and sliders first. Get a tent and some camping gear and hit the trails again and spend the night.

If you still think you want to go all out by all means go all out. Plus once you have some experience you’ll know more or less which way you want to go with the mods. You can easily spend $15k and this forum would love to show you how

 

Another vote for “get out there and go camping, then add the mods to make your life better”. For tires specifically, unless you’re getting stuck regularly, wear out your stock set and then upgrade when you replace them.

However, if you’re like most of us and enjoy building your truck almost as using it, I’d also make a build plan.

Open Excel and spec out the Taco of your wildest dreams. For each mod, figure out what components you want and where you want to buy them from, then prioritize them and figure (realistically and fiscally) how long it’s going to take you to build it up.

Mine ended up being having columns for “Phase (I group related projects together), Category, Manufacturer, Mod, Cost, Website”. This helps you prioritize projects, gives you a list of things to watch for sales on, and helps minimize lopsided builds. Kinda fun to see it progress over time as well.

 

made me actually LOL

 

That's Mike, the founder's badge.



@SPYA, have you tried driving your truck off-road yet? Have you tired throwing a tent in the bed and spending a weekend in the mountains?

Let's start there...


Step 1:
You have a 4x4 truck. That's step 1. It is perfectly capable off-road 100% stock. The more you drive it, the more you'll figure our what you like and dislike about it, what it's limitations are (for your needs), and what mods might help. For now, stay stock.

Step 2:
Do you own a tent and some basic camping gear? That would be step 2. Tent (a very nice tent costs 1/2 of what a cheap RTT costs), sleeping bag(s), a camping stove, some chairs, headlamps, etc...

Step 3:
Step 3 is to actually go out and use said camping gear with said 4x4 truck.

There is ABSOLUTELY no need to throw a whole bunch of "gear" and bumpers and racks and RTTs at your brand new truck in order to go "overlanding". Most of the built up rigs you see are either people with disposable incomes who watch a lot of youtube videos, or people who have been doing this a very long time and have acquired a lot of gear over the years and know what works best for them. Don't just copy them - learn what will best suit YOUR needs.

"overlanding" is literally just camping, but with a truck/car on trails in the wilderness. We have been doing it for generations before roof top tents and adjustable resi coilovers became a thing.

 

I'm well aware of him

 

im another vote for get out there with it and see what you need 1st...that's exactly where I am now...the only mods I have are a topper and skinny 33s(no lift) and ive been blown away by some of the trails that trucks been able to crawl through. The next gear on my list is better skids and sliders...then a lift

 

Tacotroy17
Thanks for the help!! I didn't mention it in this post, but I had a 06' taco that i took my family out in for many years. I just upgraded to get a little extra power and room (v6, quadcab vs 4cyl access cab). I've been pleasantly surprised by all the places I could go with my old taco. So I definitely have plenty experience camping. But, like you said, I don't have a ton of time behind the wheel and going out to more remote locations. I figure that since I got the new taco, I want to dial it in from the start. But, admittedly, I have got caught up with all the amazing rigs I've seen on this site.
Think I'll slow down a bit and really plan out what I'm doing.

 

You sound a lot like me, except I'm a couple hours north.

Oregon is awesome.

A buddy of mine that I trust and knows WAY more than I do about these things told me:
"Sounds like you know what you want, but need a PLAN."

Measure twice / cut once / BUY once.

I'm still in planning mode myself, but looks like about 12k just in parts, so I want to make sure it's the right setup for me first time around, especially around relationship between load, suspension, tires.

My truck is still stock for now, and I'm getting out to some fairly remote areas.

Picture, just because I'm STILL psyched about this last campsite on the John Day.

 

@Yota4x4: Thats a sweet truck!!! I'd be completely stoked with that exactly how it is.
I checked out the gazelle, very convincing definitely a contender.
Also, I checked out the Go fast camper. Holy moly, that is a great idea. I love it.
It gives you all the room in your bed and stores so easily. Plus, you can leave it on and even put a canoe on top. It can hold 500lbs.
Did you have to modify your suspension to run the 33's?
So you're going to do the switch to 529? Does it typically run high RPM now?
Do you think its the weight overall, or the tires that slows you down, or both?
Last, could I get away with the 33's and go fast like yours with no other mods?
Thanks for your help. I can see why you spent one month in it.
I've always loved camping, but this overlander stuff is already addicting. Going out this weekend already.