Enthusiast II
That’s not a bad idea!
I already have comms(gmrs). I’m going to start with suspension cause mine is leaking, then wheels and tires. I have 20s from factory so I’ll replace them with 17s.
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First mods to rig
- Thread starter Sergio17
- Start date
I already have comms(gmrs). I’m going to start with suspension cause mine is leaking, then wheels and tires. I have 20s from factory so I’ll replace them with 17s.
Advocate II
I've tried to incorporate upgrades with repairs, any time I had to fix/replace something do the mod/upgrade at that time. That's part of what led to building a list/spreadsheet of brands/models/parts, have a plan for when it's needed.
Traveler III
Thank you to all of you who responded to Sergio’s question. I’m new to this, and have been pulling out my nonexistent hair trying to decipher where to start. This was great advice! Thank you very much!
Traveler III
I feel your pain. I had it happen to me in WV at the end of last season, on a 4wheeler trip, with the 4 wheeler in the bed of my Ram. Truck doesn’t do well with that little spare on and a heavy load. Couldn’t find a tire to match my remaining 3. Had to buy and odd tire. That 4th oddball tire is now going on a new rim( can’t mount a full size 20” tire on that spare rim) and replacing the spare.
Member II
I love spending other folks money but here's the first thing you should do.
Pack a lunch, cooler, lawn chair for you and your bride and head for the hills. Find a nice meadow and enjoy the view. Think about what and where you'll be in five years and build from there.
Most of all, be safe, take care of our National Treasures and enjoy.
Zim
GrumpyRam
Rank V
Inventor I
yea i used a tire calculator to get a tire as close to the same size as the 20" rims to mount on the 17" spare rim.
Traveler III
Good idea.
Member III
Renegade Recon
Rank II
Contributor III
Hey Sergio,
I am hardly the expert as I've just recently joined and consider myself a "rookie." It might be true that it doesn't matter what you drive, but it certainly matters what you pack. Depending on tire wear, the first thing I would install are brand new treads. It depends on WHERE you plan to go. If you're a rock climber, then I would consider skid plates for the undercarriage. If you are going to be off the grid, then consider navigation and comm's.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
astm
I am hardly the expert as I've just recently joined and consider myself a "rookie." It might be true that it doesn't matter what you drive, but it certainly matters what you pack. Depending on tire wear, the first thing I would install are brand new treads. It depends on WHERE you plan to go. If you're a rock climber, then I would consider skid plates for the undercarriage. If you are going to be off the grid, then consider navigation and comm's.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
astm
Enthusiast II
Thank you Renegade Recon.
Uberland
Rank VII
Influencer I
Light bar. And a skottle. Perhaps a drone. I mean, can you even overland without them?
In all seriousness, I’d go with tires. I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure that pretty much all Toyotas come from the factory with sub-par off-road tires (or maybe just highway variants). Decent ATs that are appropriately aired down will change your off-road experience dramatically.
In all seriousness, I’d go with tires. I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure that pretty much all Toyotas come from the factory with sub-par off-road tires (or maybe just highway variants). Decent ATs that are appropriately aired down will change your off-road experience dramatically.
Enthusiast II
Wellspring
Rank II
Enthusiast III
The very first thing is go out an learn what your vehicle can do, and how it drives.... Then go and modify it. You don't have to have the biggest baddest built tricked out vehicle to enjoy overland adventuring. A sound vehicle, camping gear, and the spirit for adventure: That's all you need, all of the time.
Pathfinder III
While these are not technically all vehicle mods I suggest you take a broader view.
I would start with
1) Making sure that rig is well maintained ie oil changes, repairs, etc
2) Tires and a compressor to air up / down
3) some Basic Tools and Recovery gear ie start with a Shovel, a Strap/shackles and recovery points
4) Comms
5) Medical
Then comes the creature comfort
1) Sleeping arrangement that is comfortable
2) Fridge
3) Roofrack
Then the rest ... have at it ... your budget appetite will drive this one
One last comment - the priorities really depend on your type of travel, the normal terrain, your preferences
hope this helps
I would start with
1) Making sure that rig is well maintained ie oil changes, repairs, etc
2) Tires and a compressor to air up / down
3) some Basic Tools and Recovery gear ie start with a Shovel, a Strap/shackles and recovery points
4) Comms
5) Medical
Then comes the creature comfort
1) Sleeping arrangement that is comfortable
2) Fridge
3) Roofrack
Then the rest ... have at it ... your budget appetite will drive this one
One last comment - the priorities really depend on your type of travel, the normal terrain, your preferences
hope this helps
Advocate II
Take this with a grain of salt, as I'm brand new here and I don't know what I don't know when it comes to Overland suspension upgrades. That said, I DO know about motorcycle upgrades and I think the same principal applies across the board, and that is: If you're going to spend money on an upgrade, then spend it right the first time. In other words, "Buy once, cry once."
Don't spend money on entry level upgrades, only to find out a few months down the road, you really want/need the capabilities offered by more serious upgrades. Just my $.02...
Guardian I
Yeah I’d agree. It’s what o did on my last build
Advocate I
Sorry to answer your question with a question, but what does your rig not do for you, that you need it to? The answer(s) to this question should provide the direction for your mods, if any.
Being over a decade old I'd just start with making sure all of the maintenance is up to date and thoroughly inspect the suspension and steering components. If any of the steering and suspension is questionable, or approaching it's service life I'd replace it proactively if you intend to spend a lot of time off road. Besides that, the biggest "mod" I'd suggest would be great tires. Tires are everything, and something with a strong sidewall is critical on the trail IMHO.
After that go use it a bunch and figure out where it's letting you down. Once you find areas that actually need improvement for your use cases then you'll know what mods to do, rather than just throwing $ at it.
-TJ
Being over a decade old I'd just start with making sure all of the maintenance is up to date and thoroughly inspect the suspension and steering components. If any of the steering and suspension is questionable, or approaching it's service life I'd replace it proactively if you intend to spend a lot of time off road. Besides that, the biggest "mod" I'd suggest would be great tires. Tires are everything, and something with a strong sidewall is critical on the trail IMHO.
After that go use it a bunch and figure out where it's letting you down. Once you find areas that actually need improvement for your use cases then you'll know what mods to do, rather than just throwing $ at it.
-TJ
