New to Overlanding

Hey All,

I am new to Overlanding and want to build something I can take over the Imogene pass and around southern Utah.

I am not sure what to go with for shocks and suspension as I've never built one of these before.
Any ideas what would go good for a new build?

I am looking to put a steel front/back bumper and skid plates, a bed rack, and rooftop tent(Ikamper).

My truck already has the stock Bilstein shocks, but I'm not sure if they would hold up with all the extra weight.

As I said, I'm really new to this, so any tips are appreciated

 

First question....
Have you gone offroading before?

• Fire roads?
• OHV spots
• rough trails?

Do you need full skids front/rear bumpers and a bedrack and RTT?

This is not to discourage by any means.

However A front bumper a rear bumper full skids, rock sliders a bedrack and RTT are considerable weight. With that, comes the need for a suspension upgrade and more likely than not a regear is 100%needed. your gas mileage will drop considerably.

I think many would argue that rock sliders are a #1 priority over full skids and bumpers. Your rocker panel is probably the most "delicate" for the lack of a better word, and a costly fix.

Have you considered price?

RTT: ~ Low end $1200 High end 3-4k
Bedrack: ~ $500-$1300
Rock Sliders: ~ $900
Front Bumper? full wrap around or more of a covert oem looking? ~ $500-1800
Rear Bumper? Swing arms no swing arms? rated recovery points? ~ pricey
Full skids? including lca's, rear diff ~$1,000-$1,500

Now suspension is needed for this weight.
RTT ~100-150lbs
BedRack ~30-70lbs
Rock Sliders ~80-110lbs
Full Skids steel or aluminum? ~steel is heavier and pricey but more durable.
Front Bumper ~ 80lbs?

Now are you getting a winch with the front bumper? that's another ~$700-1000 and added significant weight to the front end.

I have not touched my suspension and have little knowledge of it so I will not go into it.

Just things to consider and a priority.

FWIW, I would recommend to just go out and wheel. Then see what you need. Now I will also say some things are needed before they are needed if that makes sense. You won't know when you will need a winch till you need one. If you are going solo then maybe invest in solo recovery gear. If you are going in a group, go with someone at least who has one if you don't.

This stuff isn't something you should ever cheap out on either. If it fails when you need it, that could be dangerous and also put you up shits creek.

I do not write this to discourage you, however just as a POV of what is needed.

When you add one thing, you must correct another.

Furthermore overlanding glorified camping whatever we call it, if you are going to do multi-day extending mile camping, you need gas, a proper jack, tire inflation system and more. Full recovery gear is also expensive. Don't cheap out.

 

Check this out.

https://youtu.be/nVJm0PIKgZQ

 

That whole series was great!

 

These guys tearing that front ARB bumper off was priceless.

 

If I recall correctly, that's when they were winching up the climb right? the winch was pulling down on the bumper or something because they passed the hook that it was connected to?

 

Thank you for your post, genuinely helpful and lets me see the things to consider.

 

Of course! I mean theres always things I want to do to my truck and it is what it is... I think for me while I truly wanted a rtt and the look of it, I have an $80 coleman tent. so realistically I put that extra money away or something else. At the same time do what you want, however remember that all the weight changes your vehicle. on-road braking and distance, much more momentum. center of gravity change?

If you care, your warranty may be voided for specific components.

 

I ended up getting Toyota Guard, that 7 year 100k mile warranty after I asked the dealer if I replace the bumper and bed will I keep my warranty, they pretty much told me don't get a supercharger lol

 

I've run Imogene in a stock Tacoma with a new set of tires. I've also done Moab in a stock Tacoma.

Get sliders, a rear bumper and a good set of tires and you'll be able to do a lot.

 

They say that until you need a warranty claim!

Typically if you modify your vehicle for example lets say a lift anything to do with that lift will no longer be under warranty.

 

You don’t need any mods to go Overlanding but it sure is a whole lot more fun having those mods.

 

Unless I'm wrong, that's your truck at "pride rock" @ imogene pass in your profile pic

 

And its fun spending money, well no its actually not, but its fun putting the stuff you spend your money on, on your truck.


I'm also just realizing, do you have the same bumper as the hi lo guys? Just don't repeat what they did.

 

Seriously, "overlanding" is a huge instagram fad. You don't need 99% of what people put on their trucks, it has been called truck camping for 75 years. Get your standard camping gear and toss it into the bed. Drive where you want to spend the night and enjoy.

You can do Imogene pass in a stock OR/Pro Tacoma. There are lots of people who have. Experiance>Mods. Tires are my only upgrade recommendation.

Upgrade only once you've been literally everywhere you can in a stock Tacoma, then consider upgrades. Honestly, unless you're rock crawling or hitting completely unmaintained trails you don't need to do anything besides 4L/RearLock. Buy sliders, tires, and go. If you F$%^ up your front or rear stock bumpers, cool then it's time to consider an upgrade. Odds are you won't even do that.

Rooftop tents are silly expensive, you have a truck bed you can sleep in. Unless you plan to live out of your truck or do cross-country long trips, save your money.

 

The only major upgrades I've done to my truck are some rock sliders, new tires (Falken Wildpeaks), and 5100s for my suspension. With that combo I was able to do a lot of the trails around the Ouray area without any issue.




I do have a bed rack and RTT as well, but they aren't necessary for the trails of course.

 

I would get a shell in the back of your truck and a storage system inside it. Unpopular opinion but for me rtt are heavy, cause a lot of resistance and only work for camping outside and theyre expensive.

 

I would start watching the YouTube channel 4WD 24/7. You will see how capable vehicles can be with minor mods. Changed my viewpoint on a lot of mods I planned to do and realized may not be needed. Also head out and see how capable your truck is. That will define where you want to start in terms of mods.