I’m really interested in building out my Toyota Tacoma for overlanding, and I’m curious about what popular setups people are using. Can anyone share how much they spent on their build and give a rough idea of how long it took to gather all the parts? I’m talking about wait times, prices, and so on.
I’m dreaming of adding a roof rack, bed rack, Diamondback cover, gear like tow and recovery straps, a winch, bumpers, tires, and a lift kit. My current salary is $51,000, so I’m hoping to complete the build within the year. I’d love to hear what others have spent to get a better sense of the total cost.
It’s easy to get tempted by all the impressive builds you see on Instagram. Just remember, every modification involves trade-offs; it all depends on how you use your truck and what you’re willing to give up versus what you want to gain.
Take your time and do your research. It’s better to invest wisely and get it right the first time. That said, you don’t need a $5k suspension for light off-roading, and you might not need 35-inch tires, light bars, or a rooftop tent unless you really use them. Sure, they look cool, and if you’re going to use them, go for it.
This advice comes from someone who has spent a lot on mods over a year of ownership and now wishes they had approached some things differently. But honestly, I still can’t help but smile like a goofball every time I see my truck in a parking lot.
There’s a huge range of options for lifts and upgrades. You can get a budget lift, a soft topper from the marketplace, no-cut bumpers, and tires for under $5k. On the other hand, you could also spend over $30k.
Lifts can be a tricky area. Considerations include lift height, quality, whether you install it yourself or have a shop do it, and whether you’re doing a CMC or replacing the needle bearing. You’ll need a custom alignment to avoid rubbing, decide on tire size, consider fender trimming, and think about long travel suspension. Also, choose between air bags or leaf springs in the rear to support the weight, and decide between custom Deavers or off-the-shelf OME. There’s also the choice of C4 bumpers with or without swingouts.
It requires a lot of research and planning to get it right, but that’s part of the fun. Avoid cutting corners and stretching your budget too thin. Aim for a setup that can handle everything off-road but is still practical as a daily driver.
I do a lot of off-roading and don’t mind investing in quality upgrades. I’d like to keep my budget around $7-8k, but I’m open to spending up to $10k on the truck eventually. What do you think is the most crucial item to buy first if I want to start overlanding as soon as possible?
