Overloading build (Introducing myself)

I plan on building an overlander out of this 1996 Taco. It's in amazing condition for its age and is old fashioned in every way, crank windows, manual transmission, no RPM gauge, and front locking hubs. No rear differential lock and the suspension is worn out. One of the previous owners broke the radiator and ran the engine till it died, so it has a new radiator and a 3400 four cam 24 engine. I believe it has a 3" body lift but I could be wrong. If you guys have any Ideas about how to reach the overlanding goal feel free to let me know.

 

Welcome to The Forum!

Nice looking truck!

 

Thank you!

 

Welcome to TW

Good luck with your build

 

Welcome to TW! 1st gen!

 

Welcome!

 

I appreciate the warm welcomes.

 

Welcome to TW an sweet truck!! Looking close it appears not to be a bodylift due to the trailer hitch is tucked in tight to the bumper. Hard to tell without pics of the frame/body at the mounts.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Does this help?

 

Thank you sir, I can clearly see a massive spacer on top of your front strut. It’s highly advised by the greater TW community to get rid of it if you plan on some serious wheeling. Get a good suspension system so many options available.
Good news is you have a clean platform to build to your desire!!

 

Hey folks! Thanks for giving him such a warm welcome. I'm the dad and financing manager, hahaha. He's building it based on his specs, though. I'm manual labor. We will be putting it up on jacks over the next few weeks and inspecting everything thoroughly. We absolutely plan to fully replace the suspension as one of our first steps, once all the mechanical parts are new (brakes, rotors, filters, etc).

I think the biggest question we both have (given my limited experience building trucks), is what suspension to buy. Lift height is obviously part of that, especially with the removal of the spacers.

I think the current plan is to put a camper shell and a roof rack tent, which will add considerable weight, plus the week's worth of supplies including fuel/water. We're expecting an extra 1000 lbs of weight for a long trip. From what I understand, that's a consideration when considering suspension.

I don't see us doing any major rock crawling or deep swamp mudding, but a good general purpose offroad suspension will likely suffice. We don't plan on cutting any cost corners.

Thanks everyone!

 

And here we see who is better at explaining things

 

Haha, you're fine son. Just here to help where I can. Please correct me where I'm wrong.

 

Welcome!

 

Define 'overlanding' for you. For most folks it's a cool buzz term, not so much a real thing.

In the hands of a skilled driver, with terrain suitable tires, and of course recovery tools and know how, this little truck is extremely capable.

Don't get hung up on magazine/web chatter and pictures. Build for how you'll actually use the vehicle 90% of the time, not what you might do someday.

Always keep in mind weight is the enemy, add it only if you have to have it.

Most of all, enjoy learning how it works, how to maintain it and how to properly drive it!

 

I don't have a first gen but I would think a full Old man Emu suspension with heavy duty leaf packs would be great for what you want to do. Maybe @HeadStrong Off-Road has a suggestion but a good place to call

 

Well said Sir

 

Good point, I can see how that term would be ambiguous. I think Darth just wants to be able to take the truck into rough country for camping, where most cars/trucks won't go. My understanding is that he will end up taking it across the US, so he will live out of it as he hits the back country.

I think overlanding is fancy for car camping. =)

We have had some discussions about weight, and we figured it'd be a big deal, so I'm glad to hear we're on track there.