Minimalist Overland: Stock 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
Tacoma Mods
Anytime Backup Camera: www.anytimebackupcamera.com
RCI Full Slid for Tacoma: rcimetalworks.com/product/05-...
Getta Grip Transmission adaptor: www.gogettagrip.com
SnugTop GB Sport: www.snugtop.com/product/gbsport
Hi, I'm mike, I'm an adventurer and a dad and today i'm here to tell you don't need a "rig" with a "build thread" and it's own "instagram profile" to drive out to the middle of nowhere, cook some hot dogs, and watch the sunset.
To illustrate this point, I want to show you our 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road and why I think a vehicle like this it a great minimalist vehicle for overlanding, off-road exploring and camping with your family.
Exterior
On the outside, the Toyota Tacoma is a good looking vehicle. The TRD Off-Road adds a few good styling elements like this grill which started it's life with a chrome look and has been updated with Rustoleum truck bed spray, and these black plastic fender flares. This vehicle has the paint matched rear bumper which indicates that it is equipped with the blind spot monitoring sensors. The vinyl TRD Off-Road vinyl decal rounds out the exterior trim level cues.
The topper is a SnugTop GB Sport with the sportsmen package which includes the roof rails and rack as well as a 500# dynamic load rating. While the paint matched shell matches the design of the truck perfectly and looks great, the low profile and limited rear opening isn't ideal. But it came with the truck.
This vehicle is also equipped with a towing package which includes a hitch rated for 6400 pounds and a 6 pin and 4 pin connector.
Interior
The interior of the 3rd gen Tacoma hasn't to my knowledge won any design or functionality awards. It does however look great and function adequately. It has all the things. The head unit is good, not great, but it pairs with a phone via bluetooth or wired connection and a phone is a far better infotainment source anyway. Apple Car Play would be nice, but isn't a deal breaker. It has the capability to change some of the functions of the vehicle as well as track maintenance.
The climate controls control the climate (only inside the truck) so count the bucket for Toyota on that one.
Comfort and Safety
For the last 20 years at least, all vehicles have had power windows and door locks. And for the most part, they have settled the reliability issues of the 1980's when grandpa use to yell at us for cycling the locks and windows constantly on the way home from church. This truck has more nice features than any vehicle I've owned. Heated Seats, sun roof, back up camera, Parking sensors and Blind Spot Monitoring.
I've added the Anytime Backup Camera with front facing camera. Being able to turn the back up camera, when in drive is helpful when hitching up to the trailer, and the front facing camera can somewhat make up for the poor visibility around the hood.
None of these things are particularly necessary for overlanding. Just small things that are sometimes nice to have. Ok most of the time. Ok all the time.
Suspension
The biggest complaints I have with the 3rd Gen Tacoma come with the suspension. While the TRD-Off Road has a slight upgrade in the suspension over the SR and Sport models, it isn't much.
This truck comes with Bilstein 4600 shocks that are pitifully small. While the ride is OK, it suffers on long sections of washboard and rocky bumps which is the bread and butter of overlanding. The front springs are perfectly fine, but the rear leaf springs, while they do have a robust looking overload leaf, are woefully inadequate for any kind of load. Still, many Tacoma owners don't find this to be a problem and you see a lot of leveling kits to make up for the modest stink-big rake of a stock Tacoma. So it clearly suits the majority of Tacoma buyers needs.
With the load of my topper and gear I found we were riding the bump stops quite frequently. I upgraded the stock bump stops to Timbren Active Off-Road Bump stops and added Icon Add-A-Leafs. This mostly solved the problem and while I still ride the bump stops when fully loaded with the trailer, the Timbrens have more travel and a softer overall feel when loaded.
Drive Train
Like steak a french fries, the drive train is the meat and potatoes of any overland build. The difference you get with real 4 Wheel Drive over the all wheel drive you see in many crossovers and SUVs is important, even if it isn't ALWAYS important.
Read More: ttps://allterrainfam.com
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This video was a pleasure to find as a fellow 3rd gen Tacoma owner, trying to be as minimalist as possible. Thank you for taking the time to put this out.
All great and valid points. I find there are a lot of overlanding KZreadrs who are spending thousands on mods they don’t really need to do. I have a 2020 TRD off-road and it’s yet to let me down. I completely stock. I will be adding extra skid plates and different tires at some point but for now it’s prefect for what I need it for. Exploring and getting into the backcountry. It’s not perfect but it does the job and is pretty dependable.
@armandcouture4655
2 жыл бұрын
Same here! 2020 Off Road in Quicksand color.
@sucha603boy
Жыл бұрын
I bought my 21 TRD off-road last year and have been off-roading it with my jeep friends. I find that the two main things from the factory are a need for skids/sliders because the truck is long, and tires. I plan on going up one size to 265/75/16 ATs but I was incredibly happy with what the truck did stock. Slow and steady with a spotter and you can cover some really rough obstacles. The any time front camera would definitely be nice and I will also be purchasing that. I would say that most probably 99% of Tacomas I see are mall crawlers where I live.
@joshuacameron4342
5 ай бұрын
I have a 23 TRD OR. It's has a Leer topper and is silver, too, like All Terrain Family's! The only real mod I've done is add an RAS to compensate for the shell and camping equipment. Definitely considering a skids for the transmission and transfer case and rock sliders. Though I think weight is one of the enemies of quarter tons, so will probably just choose one and go with rock sliders over skids. Like a lot of other people here, this truck always amazes me what it can do stock.
This video is 100% spot on. The stock tacoma TRDOR is insanely capable (minus the stock Wranglers that come stock) and will do what 99% of owners need it to do - hitting fireroads, unmaintained trails, and gettting to a campsite. The 1% that actually go crawl, will definitely want skids, sliders, a winch and maybe a front bumper. I don't understand the whole overland craze of dumping 10's of thousands of dollars on gear that you probably only use a few times a year, but lug around everyday.
The freedom to roam, the joy of discovery - this video embodies the soul of overlanding and offroading.
Some peeps don’t understand your humor Mike, but you made me chuckle.
Solidly one of the best, most sane, most right videos on YT about the Tacoma and Tacoma mods… well done and second all of that!
Agree with all of this! Truck is awesome stock. Better tires and an upgrade to suspension and the truck will never struggle! Graham from 4wd 24/7 is always a prime example of what similar vehicles are REALLY capable of doing.
@inspiringrex1198
Жыл бұрын
Did they have a toyota pickup?
@jkroemer2685
Жыл бұрын
@@inspiringrex1198 no it's a Dmax (Isuzu).
Amen! I think many people underestimate the capability of stock vehicles. With good tire placement and taking it slow you can do quite a lot. Not to say you will be able to do the toughest trails out there but enough to get out and enjoy some remote places. Also, people have been camping for decades without all the fancy gear you so often see on KZread and IG, which means it is not required to get outdoors and camp.
This is such needed and great advice - I love the minimalist approach, seriously well done man.
Ive taken my taco on all types of terrain! My taco is a beast!
One of the best overland/build videos I've seen in a while. Great camera work, un-obnoxious music, good humor. Also, nice truck! (And yes, the hood is "shapely" and terrible.)
Your absolutely right! I'm still driving my 1988 Toyota 4×4 truck with a camper shell, it is pretty much stock, 32 × 15 tires. It's been to lands end and back and still going strong. Keep it simple, you can go a long ways!!! 🏜️✌🏽
Thanks for turning me on to the aftermarket bump stops and add-a-leaf kit. I use a Softopper (only 36#) so don't have the extra weight of a re-enforced camper shell, but do carry heavy astronomy gear, and extra full sized spare, 30 gallons of water, camping gear for 1-2 people, two heavy batteries for the astronomy gear, rock hounding/fossil hunting tools, and 2-3 coolers on overlanding trips, usually over miles and miles of washboard (Northern Death Valley, Utah-Colorado border area, etc.) and have experienced the bottoming-out phenomenon when loaded. However I was not keen on doing a major suspension upgrade as the truck also does a lot of highway miles hauling kayaks and bikes, and I like to fuel economy and relative ride comfort of the stock setup for such mundane uses. I am going to go your route on the bump-stops and added leaf. I also understand the logic of LT D or E load rated tires rather than the stock P-metric S rated tires, but going to E class AT tires on my last truck (2013 Ram 1500 4x4) the extra weight (rotational weight) dropped my average combined MPG from 16 to 14 (-12.5%). For my purposes, range per tank is really important due to the remoteness of most of my dark sky campsites, and I worry that my 19-20 MPG average on the stock rubber will take a big hit. What kind of MPG hit did you notice switching to the BFGs?
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
I was getting 18-19 mpg with the stock size enrates tires. But see if you can find a C load tire or a SL in an LT casing. Better than P but much lighter than E.
Oh man, woofers and ceramic coating. Hit me right in the feels.
Awesome video.....thank you for sharing. I'm currently waiting for my Tacoma to stop sunning its self at the port in Mexico and hope to be out there with you on the trails sooner than later.
Great vid! Honest and good points. For those of that want to keep it simple, basic and minimal. It’s about getting out there with what you have and within your budget too. Thanks!
Just got my 2022 yesterday. Can't wait to go out and get it dirty! I've thought about doing the small lift with slightly bigger tires, but I think I'll wait, gotta find a topper for it now!
Mike, all good points and great to hear someone else speak to "less is sometimes best'. I have a 2020 TRD Pro with a few mods that I have added over time as I found what makes sense not what looks best. I am running KO2's (stock size) - have them on all of our vehicles. I did do a re-gear this summer, we tow a Conqueror UEV 490 and live at 9K in Colorado. The re-gear has helped the efficiency of towing and climbing mountain passes plus off road control with the camper. Probably the only real modification I struggled with the most yet found to have the most benefit once completed. The engine runs smoother and with less stress. I have been asked why not go larger with the tires or add a rooftop tent and other mods that seem to be the current hit. That is not how we use the truck and the few mods I have made all have come from using the truck over the past three years not the day after purchase. We use our Taco to camp, explore, fish, hunt and generally just enjoying the mountains. We hardly ever travel on the interstate anymore, if we do have to get some place over pavement we like to old school it and take the highway system (kind of what we did with our parents when we were kids - pre interstate). Thanks for sharing and promoting the true value of the Tacoma "AS IT IS".
I got the same setup, rig, color and camper shell. Except mines a manual. Love it!
This is a great video! My daily tow rig is an F150 and my off road toy is a stock Xterra. I love wheeling the Xterra stock! One main benefit is the terrible MPG of a stock Xterra matches the terrible MPG of an overloaded 4Runner or a JK on 35s that wasn’t regeared 😂
Thank u 🙏🏼 just got a new 2023 Trd off-road and I’m broke but see these guys going crazy ! U give me hope I love it
@AllTerrainFamily
10 ай бұрын
You don’t need much to have a good time.
I agree with you completely. I bought a 2021 Tacoma 4x4 Off Road replacing my 2004 Tacoma 4x4 that never broke down. The club I belonged to called my truck "The mountain goat". It was almost stock. Towed their built Jeeps out on two occasions. I did add some things that I felt I needed on the 2021 because I often go off on my own. I added a winch, rock sliders, winch bumper, aluminum skid pans, Leer shell and some lights. We must live close to each other because I noticed you showed Jumbo Grade in your videos. I would enjoy wheeling with you if possible. Thanks for the honest video.
This is bang on and refreshing! Awesome!
Great video. Happy to be a new subscriber!
Love this video. Great info and true statements
Great segment, Thankyou. Love the Word Smithery. Though I traverse through the overland valley of bad breath, having forgotten my oral b overlanded brush of tooth, I fear not one Eye Yota, whilst driving my offroad Toyota.
Totally!! Some people spend more time upgrading their rig than taking it off road. Unless you know youre going somewhere extreme, a stock truck with high clearance, good tires, and with 4x4 will get you anywhere with ease with no problem.
Omg I LOVE your shirt. I'm a space nerd... And I need this!
Love your philosophy! I am of the same mindset.
Sweet review
Love it! Common sense! Thank you very much for this video.
My truck came with 32s (K02) and a leveling kit. Gas milage was very meh. I've added Icon suspension, add-a-leaf, full skids (RCI with exhaust reroute) rock sliders, couple of gas tanks and 10 gallons of water and static recovery gear. Gas milage didn't change. But I try and drive it gently. If I want a "go-fast" car, I have BMW for that. In other words, don't be afraid to add a few things to your truck.
Great video! I recently git a 2018 trd off road and love it. Sure is has a few quirks but what ever. Like you said it crazy how all the reviews and forums put down the truck saying it lakes power and has a terrible transmission. I feel that it dose what I want it to do and when commuting to work gives me 22MPG, sure the trans shifts a lot but thats ok, its geared for economy.
Love the humor!!
Great video - thanks!!
Introduction was well said 👏. Most overlanders rig/ very cool 😎 is overbuilt just to drive on dirt/ gravel roads.
Thanks for the great video and info. As an OS BMX guy, would have gone with an OS Oakley grip, but the Oury is pretty killer! 😊🤘🏼🙏🏻
Well written script and good points.
Well made video dude. I'm the farthest from a Toyota Fan Boy it gets... but I have a respect for those that are driving what THEY want vs what everyone else has.
Love it, I too am keeping my 3rd gen tacoma stock!!! ....until I save up enough money to build it.
Subscribed due to the realistic and honest thoughts about the Tacoma! I just bought a TRD Off-Road, waiting for it to be delivered (hopefully within the next 3 weeks). Once it’s in my possession, I will definitely put the ceramic coating on and install two 12” woofers powered directly by the OEM head unit! ;)
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
I forgot how salty i was about that!
@Christian-iv8ss
2 жыл бұрын
@@AllTerrainFamily 😬😂
I liked the cameo of the Rebel.
Yes Love it!!!
Good video!
This is one smart video.
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
This is one smart comment.
I'm 6'3, and I have absolutely no issues seeing over the hood! However, I could see why it would be an issue for shorter people. But there are seat risers that you bolt the seat directly to mounts that bolt into factory locations!
@Doc1855
3 ай бұрын
The seat jackers are great to bring up to front of the seat, but our Taco has pwr driver seat
Nice 👍🏼 video.
You're a trip. But you speak the truth. Enjoyable video.
So my comment 2years ago of wanting a Trail didn’t materialize. I got a Lunar Rock 2022 4Runner TRD OR Premium in October 2021 and sold it December 2021 because of gas mileage. As of 27 Jan 2024 I am the proud owner of a black 2023 Tacoma TRD OR base Access Cab. I am actually having my friend paint correct and ceramic coat my truck because I live in Honolulu and park outside and wanted my truck to stay nice for the couple of years it’ll be sun kissed until I wrap it.
Really enjoyed the intro very poetic. I really do think there is one modification you really do need on your truck isn’t for doing light off roading and over landing. That would be rock sliders even before upgrading my tires I would do rock sliders. It is the first off road mod I think people should do. This is why I think you should go with the smart first if you damage your rocker panel and it’s a lot more common than people realize it is possibly one of the most expensive things to fix your doors are on able to open and close as a result sometimes they can’t even pull it back and the vehicle can be a right off so it is the first off-road modification I would definitely make. As well as offering protection it makes a nice step up into your vehicle it’s a nice step for loading things on your roof rack or washing the roof of your truck it is also a jacking point as these are not steps. They are fastened to the frame of your vehicle, you can get them with a kick out. Gets kicked out prevent you from jamming into your back wheel it will push the truck rear wheel clear of things like trees stumps and rocks. In situations where you have to pull the vehicle out and you can’t get to a front or rear winch point you can fasten the line to the rock sliders I’ve done it twice before to help pull a friend clear of some trees. Do you need rock sliders to go off-roading , know but if you damage that rocker panel you’ll sure as hell wish you had them.
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
Ordered some, they should be here next week!
@russellwood8750
2 жыл бұрын
@@AllTerrainFamily absolutely delighted to hear also immensely relieved 😅
The transmission really is inadequate. On my stock Tacoma with zero mods, it kept hunting for the right gear on the highway. I'm talking about 70 mph on straight Midwestern highways. Now that I live up in the Rockies and changed to slightly beefier tires and the suspension upgrade, it is even more of a problem. It is a problem I've learned to live with and ignore, but it isn't fine by any standards. It'll probably outlast me, hopefully, and if that is the case, I don't mind the inconvenience.
Checking in, did you ever replace your "First Aid Kit" ? Anyways... great video, love it and it showed up in my feed again. Your video was shot very well with great narration. A+++ ( I went to school for film and i really appreciate the time you put into this video, Cheers Sir. Have a great week.
@AllTerrainFamily
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the nice comment! I have a nice kit from MyMedic now. My wife found out you can use HSA for them so we got really nice ones. Happy Trails!
I just picked up this same truck yesterday
I think some tacoma guys have the same problem as jeep guys but at then end of the day I don't care what people spend money on I'll appreciate your high end rig while I'm sitting in my nearly stock TRD pro & stock size Hankook Dynapro ATMs
Whoa...are you saying I don't need 4 rotopax gas cans to get 5 miles into the backcountry with my Taco? This opens up a whole new world for me...BTW...where are all the jeeps with external gas cans headed???
I’m looking to get the 2021 Trail model as it gets the locking rear and is cheaper than the Off Road.
What drone are you using? Thanks! Awesome aerial footage! That's amazing man! What a dream your living! Just incredible!! :D Have a great day!
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
Mavic 2 Pro
They are actually a Bilstein shock but they're not a true 4600, the 4600 has a much larger body.
i have asked this question many times, how can the trucks handle all that extra weight with crazy racks and tires 3 sizes bigger than they were meant to have? i would think it decreases the longevity of the truck. Nice honest video, i like it. I keep my 4x4 pretty close to stock
I thought the two styles of trailer pins 7&4.
This is awesome! How has the AAL held up? On the fence with getting an AAL or new leaf pack with supporting mods.
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
The AAL was Ok. It has since moved over to a different tacoma. I would say it was adequate for what you see here, but not much more.
a video showing the actual tacoma! what its truly about. I started getting into the hype of "oh I need to mod my new $50k truck" then snap back to reality and realize how badass a stock Toyota really is from its birth lol. I do want to upgrade to 6112 and add a leaf with 5160 for a more dampened ride. and a 1.5"ish lift. but not for a year or 2... did you do anything for the front suspension? ps- I just got the back up camera for the front also... how have you liked yours?
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
The truck has change a lot, but as of this video the front suspension was stock. The backup cam is ok. Not super useful as a front cam but i do like having the anytime switch.
I really wish Toyota would let you order lower gear's optional from the factory. And maybe an extended roof lol
Keep Tobias blue 😂😂
Have you though about RAS active suspension kits? You said you mentioned you were riding the bump stops a lot.
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
I’m not familiar with that.
My one complaint on all of my Toyotas are the stock Front brake rotors
@AllTerrainFamily
3 жыл бұрын
Same. Both mine are vibrating.
Got a 2019 sport stock. Stock tires are terrible. 3/5 tires have plugs from punctures. Never in my 10 years of going camping down the beach have I gotten a flat from a thorn. 2 of my flats were from thorns. Idk what kind of rubber they are made from, but I think my bicycles tires are made of tougher stuff.
Overall I agree with your assessment of the 3rd generation Tacoma but the gearing definitely sucks. Stock tires and nothing in the truck and it has to shift to 4th just going over an overpass on I15. Tow a light mini trailer you might use manual mode and keep it in 4th it will struggle in 5th and never make it to 6th. Definitely re-gear to 4:88s.
Be honest do you ever use the crawl control?
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
No. But MTS is really good!
Ur skit plate was it all aluminum or half is metal ?
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
Aluminum is metal. But it’s all aluminum.
Is it okay if I put subs in my Tacoma but it doesn’t have an Instagram page? (yet)
@AllTerrainFamily
11 ай бұрын
Can you restate the question in English?
Decent truck, just NEEDS rock sliders, unless you enjoy permanent rocker damage like Mike:) Yeah, I noticed! And no, the transmission tuning is atrocious!
Hey did you leave the stock struts/suspension and just add the leaf and timbren bumpstop? Appreciate your response! 🤙🏾
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
The struts and springs have since been replaced. But the timbrens are still on.
@itsallminor6133
10 ай бұрын
@@AllTerrainFamily i was wondering about that i actually think timbrens suck. Replaced with what? How is the ride quality?
@AllTerrainFamily
10 ай бұрын
@@itsallminor6133 OME Heavy Load. They ride pretty good actually. I recently drove the ARB SEMA Tacoma and it also had Timbrens...
@itsallminor6133
10 ай бұрын
@@AllTerrainFamily maybe im just not a fan. Used them before. It's a catch 22. Put in off road suspension get softer and travel. But then put weight on it (in back or snowplow) it sinks 😂😞. So cheap fix is...timbrens. But it's not really a fix more a band aid for a bigger problem. Plus road like crap 😂😂. If its a overload problem timbrens dont fix it. Its overloaded either way. Timbrens just makes it look like its not as overloaded. They are a cheap (albeit cheesy) fix though. Lets say i take my taco put 3 people in it, 1700 lbs out back. A 200# bumper on front. Some 150 lb rock rails. Etc etc.. The payload is only 1100 or so lbs. I've greatly exceeded the gvwr. Does timbrens fix that? Its suspension, but also brakes, frame, stopping distance, gear line. Lot of factors. Timbrens, and even suspension doesn't really fix that...
@AllTerrainFamily
10 ай бұрын
@@itsallminor6133 They're bump stops. You don't want to be on them very often.
Keep "Txxx" Blue sticker? What does it say?
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
Tobias
Can I do this with a 4x2?
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
Maybe
Does the bed cover make it weather proof?
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
The Snugtop? Yes it’s weather proof
@panagiotisf7228
2 жыл бұрын
@@AllTerrainFamily so the bed doesn't get water inside anymore? And what about the 3rd brake light
@AllTerrainFamily
2 жыл бұрын
Nope. Doesn’t leak at all.
Minimalist I get but not cheap. 😅
10k later and he had his "minimalist rig".
don't recommend aluminium skid plate. Saving the weight doesn't make a darn bit of difference in power or gas mileage. Steel is the only way to go.
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
I disagree. 100# of unnecessary extra mass makes a big difference. These aluminum skids are plenty strong for my needs.
@stacky512a
Жыл бұрын
@@AllTerrainFamily the steel plate I bought, from RCI, is nowhere near 100lbs, but I understand concerns about weight.
@AllTerrainFamily
Жыл бұрын
The full skid kit is listed at 120#. The full aluminum is 68#.
A little ironic that you taking shots at others who have "build threads" and IG profiles. You do realize you are doing the exact same thing right? This video and your channel IS a build thread, it is just in video format and a YT channel. I'd venture that the guys who have "build threads" on the forums don't nearly spend as much time as you since you have to take videos, drone shots, edit them, upload them etc etc. They also don't ask for monetary support through a patreon page. You're really not all that different than the other guys making build threads or IG profiles, it's just a different platform. Just saying...
@AllTerrainFamily
3 жыл бұрын
You must not have watched to the end.
@AllTerrainFamily
3 жыл бұрын
Irony is exactly what i was going for!
@Gazziza29
3 жыл бұрын
@@AllTerrainFamily I look forward to the non-build build thread!!!
@johnfitzgerald5158
3 жыл бұрын
Lighten up Francis.
“Most do” mod is an ugly transmission lever? Ok… 🤔
Awful opinion. Bad decision. Oury over ODI grips. WOW!