They have less gear/mods than 100% of "overlanders"

Then there’s this thread. They are modding to go overlanding (camping)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/landcruiser-guy-trying-to-outfit-wifes-tacoma.848157/page-2

 

I usually make it obvious I’m checking out their rig, or throw a compliment their way.

I’m too old to be “cringing” at what someone else does with their vehicle lol.

 

I have a lot of mods on my truck. Rack, traction boards, awning, snorkel, etc.. that might be considered overlanding. But, I also have a super charger, TC LCAs, sliders, skids, winch, etc.. that may be considered performance. Modding is an addiction as much as it is a necessity. You use what you need and you have it until you need it. It's a lot like buying a snow blower if you live in the lower states and only use it 1 or 2 times over 3 years.
I guess my point is, why would anyone care how I spend my income. The term overlanding might as well be prepping also because an extra fuel tank, water tank, shovel are all for the "just in case" scenario (as in I've been stuck without gas and water and a way to get unstuck). I don't think there is anything wrong with anyone who has things like that. Don't judge others on what you perceive to be the reasoning. It might not be for overlanding....not for me anyway.

 

Man that’s a nice looking truck.

 

Yeah, I wish I had their budget!

 

If you only go to the mall, you'll only see them when they're at the mall.

 

There is a guy in my neighborhood with a full overland build on his Tacoma with some type of ridiculous lift.

He drives around with the flat gas tanks mounted to his over landing rack, which looks just like a yard man’s rack but it’s probably 10 times as expensive. he also has a rooftop tent.

The undercarriage on that thing is spotless.

 

I'm sure it never has nor never will see dirt, much less mud. I'm guessing the gas tanks will forever be empty.
But I'm sure he's proud of how he looks at the mall.
Whatever.

 

The difference is that nobody carries the snowblower with them everywhere they go.
Folks who are daily driving their "overland rig" with the hundreds of lbs of stuff on it do deserve some fun made of them. They're asking for it.

People can spend their cash however they want, but the Jeep and Toyota crowd have really taken it to another (slightly ridiculous) level in recent years.
I was in Northern Territories in Australia couple years back and the Aussies do get a good laugh at the American overloading crowd with our obsession on mods and add-ons, glamping etc. All they seem to need is a 2.8L turbo diesel 4 pot and locking hubs.

If you're heading up to UT or whatever for a week of off-road/dispersed camping, then hell yea, take everything you want/need.
Going rock crawling? 35s, rock sliders and front and rear lockers start to look like they make sense.

My truck has a few thousand bucks in "off roading mods", none of which are noticeable by looking at the truck as they are all entirely functional alterations. Looks like a bone stock SR5.

 

Spend your money however you want, but why would you want to waste your money on something you never use?

 

Mine looks mostly stock. The only obvious mods are the sliders and winch. Both of which do get used as often as I can find the time. Oh, and my paint has been significantly modded by tree and bush branches.
The bulk of my off-roading stuff stays in the garage when I'm not on a trip.

 

Chicks dig that shit.
Or so I'm told.

 

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Most people on here could get where they go with a Prius, myself included.

Nothing wrong with having it and not needing it either. Be prepared is a good principle.

 

I wish I could like this post twice.

My truck is in super white, so it has the OE Toyota "worn to the primer" mod from living outside since 2017... good stuff

 

In my 45 years on this earth I have never had a woman approach me regarding any of my cars or trucks.

Typically it’s other middle-aged men.

 

Chicks? its usually bunch of men in group of 3-4 trucks. At least most that ive come across in parks. Obviously that's my experience and you may have seen one dude carrying entire cheerleader team in his truck.

Chicks don't care about extra bs, they just like guys who know how to use their truck right.

 

Oddly, women really like my truck. I've had a few conversations because of it. More so early on in my ownership, it seems.

More than one has called a girl's color.

That is ok. They obviously have good taste in colors...

Several have called it their dream truck! I like that. Must be my tasteful mod touch!

A few have really been very impressed by the manual gearbox!

 

Have you considered that you're only seeing them one time and people go many places? Just because they don't need the gear that day doesn't mean they don't need it elsewhere.

 

Most people have hobbies, many of which are fairly pointless from a standpoint of useful. Some like playing grown up legos with their trucks, some like growing a bunch of flowers. Both are just for looks at the end of the day.