What would some good first overlanding parts be?

I own a 2007 Tacoma with the short cab and intend to do some overlanding mixed with moderate off roading. I live in Colorado for context if that means anything. As the title suggests, what would some good first overlanding and off roading parts be?

 

A good set of maps, a compass, recovery gear and knowing how to use it all.

 

Maybe learning the capabilities of your taco!!!

 

For recovery gear- are you going with others or solo?
A good shovel, maxtrax or similar would be a good start either way. Depending on terrain an axe or chain saw for trees across the trail, a 3-4 foot pry bar for large rocks from slides has come in handy too

 

to the list......

jump pack......first aid kit......shovel......tools......spare belt....food & water

extra coolant & oil.....duct tape......fuel.....jeez.....list goes on

I always suggest a locater beacon as well.....

All the survival stories I hear...this unit can/would save your azz

https://www.acrartex.com/products/resqlink-view

 

Maybe include in this post what you’ve already done to equip your vehicle and what you havnt been able to do because of the limits of your vehicle and equipment

 

InReach emergency locator. If soloing on your adventures.

 

Water and extra food. Shovel. Better bottle jack than the factory jack (I don't really recommend a farm jack) if you can swing for them maxtrax but Ive used logs and 2x4s with success.

But the biggest asset you can have is your brain. Read up, watch YouTube channels on recovery techniques and hazards.
I like Ronny Dahl's channel on YouTube. He is an amazing resource. Another favorite is Matt's offroad recovery. Learned some neat techniques from him and am always entertained by the boneheads he pulls out.

 

LOL.

“Overlanding.”

First thing you’ll need is Instagram.

 

Just what is overlanding? Is in the same as putting your stuff in the truck and going camping/hunting?

 

Overlanding is something you do everyday until you die, after that, you're six-feet-underlanding.

 

You have to wear a combat scarf while doing it. It's totally not the same.

 

1st mod / purchase should be a set of floor liners

Husky weather beaters or equivalent weathertech

Does not matter what you use the truck for, you need these!

 

Sliders, protect your truck before it’s to late

 

I’d make sure your truck was 100% mechanically sound before buying accessories.

 

All jokes aside...

(1) First aid and fire suppression gear. This should be in your truck anyway.
(2) Extra food and water for about 3-4 days beyond the length of your trip
(3) A map.
(4) Communications gear - GPS/tablet and ham radio. inReach or similar if you have the $$ is good for going solo.
(5) Recovery gear - shovel and snatch strap with hardware at a minimum. Trendy maxtrax are great but you can generally find enough downed branches and rocks in CO to serve the same purpose
(6) Camping gear because even a day trip might leave you stranded and staying the night.

That's it. Then you just need to start easy and learn your truck because that will be the most important thing.

 

Good set of tires.

 

Lightbars. Lots of lightbars.

 

I had one of those ACR units (similar to the one pictured) before I got my InReach. Good to have peace of mind, though I do feel better with the two way functions of the Garmin unit.

Lots of good simple ideas in this thread so Ill just toss out my $0.02 - decent tires suited for your primary terrain. And a small portable air compressor (look up the ViAir brand). So you can air down when on the trail and then pump them back up to get home via the pavement. Makes a huge difference for ride comfort as well as grip

 

tires

amazingly, you use them when you're not overlanding as well