If you’re looking for an off-road truck that can handle any terrain, the Toyota Tacoma is a perfect choice. It’s a versatile vehicle that can take on anything from mild to wild terrain. With its sturdy frame and powerful engine, the Tacoma can go anywhere you want to go. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why the Tacoma is such a great choice for building an off-road truck. So if you’re ready to hit the trails, read on!
From the factory, the Tacoma is a great truck for off-roading. It has four-wheel drive, a powerful engine, and plenty of ground clearance to get over rough terrain without getting stuck. However, there are some modifications that can be made to make it even better suited for the trail.
Off-road Tires
First of all, you need tires that have good traction on mud or snow but also provide a smooth ride on pavement. We recommend going with an all-terrain tire as it is the best balance between off-road capability and on-road handling. The Toyo Open Country line of all-terrain tires have proven to provide great tread wear while also being very capable off-road.
Suspension Lift Kit
Second, you may want to consider adding a suspension lift kit. This will give your Tacoma more ground clearance and allow it to drive over larger obstacles. There are many different types of suspension lift kits available, so be sure to do your research and find the one that is best suited for your needs. One thing to consider when adding a lift kit is that you will be raising the truck’s center of gravity. This makes the truck top-heavy and thus at a higher risk of rolling over.
Tacoma Aftermarket Grilles and Bumpers
Other options to consider are adding aftermarket bumpers to the front and rear of your truck. These will help prevent damage from rocks and other obstacles. They also allow you to mount off-road lights or a winch for pulling out vehicles that are stuck in the mud. Along with adding protection a new bumper also updates the look of your truck. You can complete the aggressive off-road look of your truck by adding a TRD Pro style grille which you can find here. The front grille is one of the first things that you notice when walking up to your vehicle so make sure that it gives the best possible impression.
You can always add more power by installing a performance chip such as an ECU tune. This will give your truck an extra boost when needed and make it more capable of handling difficult terrain, while also being more fun to drive on the road. If you are considering making an overland rig then having more power will be needed after all the extra weight is added to the truck.
Tacoma Overlanding Accessories
Some of the equipment you may need when building your Overlanding rig includes a bed rack. This will give you a place to mount your rooftop tent, luggage boxes, or any other gear that you may need while on the road. You can also add a side ladder to make getting into your truck bed easier. The addition of a refrigerator also helps keep your food and drinks cool. If you do not have a built-in power source then having an inverter will allow you to run the refrigerator without worrying about killing the battery. After adding all this weight to the vehicle you may want to consider revisiting the idea of a lift kit. At this point you won’t see much of a lift over stock ride height but it will bring your truck back to that stock ride height so that you do not compromise handling or safety when driving.
Snorkel
A snorkel is another great addition for off-road trucks; it allows you to drive through water crossings without hydro-locking your engine. A snorkel places the air intake area higher than stock so that if you do find yourself in a water crossing situation you will not ingest water into your engine.
Finally, you may want to consider adding some recovery gear, such as a winch or a tow strap. This will come in handy if you get stuck on the trail and need to be pulled out by another vehicle. It is also helpful if one of your fellow trail mates finds themselves in a situation and needs help being towed out. One area you will not need the winch is on the sand. The latest generation Tacoma has a sand recovery mode where you can bury the truck to the frame rails and then the truck will automatically back itself out. It is amazing to watch so check out youtube to see it in action.
With all of these modifications, your Tacoma will be ready to hit the trails with ease! So if you’re looking for an off-road truck that can handle anything, the Tacoma is the perfect choice. Thanks for reading!
