The Toyota Tacoma makes for a great camping/overland platform to build on since it’s extremely reliable and just the right size for tight dirt trails. It’s no longer considered a small truck if you buy a 2005 and up model and the V6 engine is powerful enough to haul a light camper trailer. A 2wd truck build can be a capable and reliable vehicle for camping and easy/moderate dirt roads. Besides camping trips, we use our double cab Tacoma as our main family vehicle and grocery-getter.
Check out this quick list of modifications and additions I’ve performed on my truck. Most were done specifically for camping and overland trips to make us as self-reliant as possible.
Truck Specs: 2006 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport V6 | Double Cab, Long Bed
Miles: 139k as of July 2021.
Toyota Tacoma Mods & Additions:
- OME 885 3-inch suspension lift with Bilstein 5100 shocks and Dakar medium-duty leaf springs
- Detroit Truetrac & 4.10 gears
- Toyo Open Country AT3 tires 255/80/17 (skinny, pizza cutters), Level 6 MKII custom wheels
- Softopper camper shell (Review)
- On-board water pressure system (Link)
- Bed-rail QuickFist mounts for shovel, ax, hi-lift jack, and other accessories.
- Interior LED light upgrade
- BajaRack heavy duty roof rack
- Weathertech floor mats
- Seat Covers
- Flat Panel Inner-Tailgate replacement
- Previously ran Cooper AT3 4S tires and they were great
2wd Truck Build: Camping/Overlanding Accessories & Offroad Recovery Gear
View our comprehensive “Best Recovery Gear” article.
- VAIR air compressor to inflate tires after airing down tires when offroading (Review)
- Tire deflator
- Hi-Lift Jack
- traction boards (Review)
- First-Aid kit
- Recovery Straps/Shackles
- Tool bag with basic items for truck repair
Wanted/Upcoming Mods & Accessories
- ARB Air Locker or Detroit Truetrac limited slip
- Light bar, hood lights
- Rock sliders
- Extended rear shocks and brake lines
- Backup/reverse camera
- Dedicated bed lights under softopper
The list can go on and on, but that’s about all I can remember for now. Leave a comment below if you have questions or thoughts on my 2×4 Toyota Tacoma truck build!
