How To Turn Your Tacoma Into an Overland Adventure Vehicle
The Tacoma is a common off-road vehicle, which makes it ideal for overland trips. Although your Tacoma is a good choice, upgrades are essential to making the vehicle safer and more effective at traversing off-road terrain. Our guide below is here to help you make the right upgrades to prepare you for the next adventure. Find out how to turn your Tacoma into an overland adventure vehicle so you can prioritize safety and satisfying results.
Lift It Above the Obstacles
Installing a new lift kit is one of the best upgrades you can make to your Tacoma for overlanding. As the name suggests, lift kits give your vehicle more height so you can easily clear obstacles and uneven terrain. Lift kits also help Tacoma owners achieve better approach and departure angles for a comfortable off-roading experience. All off-road terrain has its hazards, but rocky terrain is a significant danger to consider if you want to protect the underside of your truck.
The suspension system is critical to helping your vehicle move on the road how you want, so protecting the components underneath your Tacoma is a must for any overland adventure. At Ironman 4x4, our lift kits include shock absorbers and many more components built to be robust enough to easily handle off-road travel. That way, you can enjoy a long-lasting performance from your suspension system on your next overland trip.
Install Protective Armor for the Undercarriage
Lifting the Tacoma is not the only way to protect the components. Tacoma owners can find armor for off-roading that ensures their ride is strong enough to handle the terrain without accruing damage. For example, Ironman 4x4 has a wide assortment of off-roading armor, including skid plates. Skid plates protect your vehicle's underbelly so you don’t have to deal with a breakdown moments after hitting a bumpy trail.
Heavy-duty side steps are upgrades you can add to off-road vehicles to provide additional protection and easier access. The extra step is helpful for entering the vehicle on bumpy terrain, but it also helps you find a stable surface to climb on after raising your Tacoma’s height.
Organize a Home-Like Space
Overlanding requires packing many supplies, from food to sleeping bags. Letting those supplies slide loosely around the Tacoma makes it easier to lose and break items and creates an uncomfortable experience. Create an organization system that makes sense for your travel needs to have a clutter-free Tacoma and easy access to essential supplies.
At Ironman 4x4, our storage options include rugged all-weather cases that are durable and easy to organize. Our storage systems available online also include stackable drawers that you can arrange in the most efficient way for your ride while keeping everything inside locked and safe. Optimize storage today so you can maximize comfort for your big overland adventure.
Prepare Comfortable Sleeping Arrangements
Another critical step you can take to make the Tacoma more comfortable is updating your sleeping arrangements. Suffice it to say that overlanding requires preparing a tent and other sleeping materials because the trip takes multiple days. Overland enthusiasts can set up a campsite near their vehicle. On the other hand, rooftop tents are available so you can sleep away from the dirt and bugs on the campsite ground. At Ironman 4x4, we have rooftop tents for overlanding that feature an opening at the top for nights when you want to sleep under the stars.
Add Better Lighting to Your Tacoma
Dark nights, cloudy days, and other low-visibility situations can make overland adventures stressful. Thankfully, you can find a wide range of lighting options that make your ride better equipped for comfortable off-road traversal. For example, our off-road light kits available at Ironman 4x4 include LED fog lights, scope lights, and more ways to make low-visibility situations much easier to manage. Our lighting supplies for off-road travel also include mounting kits so you can conveniently add light bars and other accessories before the big trip. Not only will better lighting make driving easier, but it also ensures you can illuminate the campsite when necessary.
Upgrade Your Bumper
New bumpers may not seem as crucial as a lift kit or LED light bar, but they absolutely are, especially for overland trips. The front and rear bumpers at Ironman 4x4 give overland enthusiasts a durable alternative to their original bumpers. These robust bumpers provide the perfect mounting point for light bars and winches, so you can add even more accessories to the Tacoma before the big trip. As we’ll discuss in the next section, a winch is a critical safety tool that requires a stable, strong mounting point to hold the cable. If you’re planning an overland trip, make sure your front and rear bumpers are fit for the terrain and any other upgrades you need to make.
Collect Essential Safety Supplies
Learning how to turn your Tacoma into an overland adventure vehicle is important because it ensures you can make the most out of the activity and avoid frustrating mistakes. Plus, safety is an essential factor to consider on any overlanding trip, and your Tacoma plays a role. For instance, a wide range of safety equipment and supplies are available to stock up on before a big overland experience. First aid supplies are, of course, among the most essential materials to pack for the trip. Keep first aid kits safe in a glove compartment, drawer, or any other safe place on the vehicle so you always know where it is.
Off-road safety materials also include recovery equipment. Ironman 4x4 has a wide range of items so travelers can prepare to handle the terrain ahead. For example, our electric winches will pull your vehicle out of the terrain if you find yourself stranded. Your Tacoma may get stuck in muddy or rocky terrain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a safe way out. Our recovery gear also includes tire repair kits because tires can endure punctures and other damage thanks to the rough off-road terrain. If you have a convenient tire repair kit, you can avoid getting stranded during your trip. Use the list above to prepare your Tacoma today if you’re ready for the next overland adventure.
