2006 TRD Off Road 2wd worth modding for overlanding?

I recently just purchased a 2006 TRD off road 4x2, and I would like to start modding it for overlanding adventures. Upgrades I'm thinking of doing would include new front bumper armor with winch, new rear bumper, bed rack, and RTT. However a lot of forums say modding a 2wd is a waste of money. Should i have started with a 4x4 instead? Or would my truck be capable for most overlanding scenarios with good AT's, a rear locker, and recovery gear?

 

"Overlanding" is a marketing gimmick, don't get hung up on it. Personally, I hate the phrase.

If you're new to hitting the trails, it's easy to get stuck on the idea that you need all these things like 4x4, winch, etc.

Get your feet wet and gain some experience behind the wheel and out on the trails. Ideally with some friends that know what they're doing. You'd be surprised what an experienced driver can do with a 2wd vehicle versus a noobie 4wd owner.

This isn't something you'll learn overnight though. Give it a few seasons and you'll learn how to pick the right line, and where you'll need to upgrade to help you better overcome the next obstacle.

Get out enough and you'll find yourself changing that list of priorities or even eliminating some altogether like the RTT and other things.

 

2WD owner here.

Doesn't stop me from hitting the backcountry dirt.

I'd start with a set of good tires, a Coleman stove, and a basic tent. Everything else is fluff. It's a highly unpopular opinion here, but I always recommend the mantra of "keep the truck light and nimble." The more weight you saddle it with the more it's going to sink into the mud. I'd keep that in the back of my mind when adding 100 pounds here, 150 there... etc. That stuff adds up, and it's contrary to the reasons why we all bought small trucks to begin with. They're supposed to be light and nimble.


The most important thing is to just go. Let today's camp trip dictate what you need for tomorrow's. As with every hobby, trying to buy before you know what you need, that's a waste of money.

 

That makes sense. Im just a bright eyed new owner excited about all the possibilities, but shouldn't get ahead of myself. Also just not sure how limiting 2wd will be, i live in CA where its pretty dry most of the time.

 

I live in CA as well and have taken my Prerunner tons of places.

 

Of course a 2WD is a good vehicle. Overlanding is a stupid word tools use describe their "hobby" because it is just car camping. Exactly like it has been done since the days of the Model T.

 

My last work truck was an '06 OR prerunner with 300k when it retired, I'm a land surveyor and put my trucks in some sticky situations, only got that thing stuck once...in a flat field in the mud

Locker+good tires+experience will get you a long way...go see what it will do!
(And bring another truck with that recovery gear, at least until you know what you can do)

 

Good advice here, thank you.

 

2wd's are surprisingly capable. I took my then 05 trd sport across the Mohave trail from Barstow to Laughlin. Only needed one tug.

 

Good to know! Enjoyed looking through your sport build post.

 

Keep it simple. Tires, decent lift, stay away from heavy steel armor (sliders are fine). Get basic camping gear. Maybe throw a shell on it. Good recovery kit and an air compressor so you can air down to around 20psi or lower if it's deep sand. I avoid snow offroading. I wrote an article years ago about this subject and I'm still 2wd and alive to talk about it LOL. Try to go with a group or research the trails and look for the easy ones.


https://dirtnsmores.com/overland-2wd-offroad-truck/



Go explore!

 

If you aren’t doing anything crazy, 2wd is completely fine. I have done ALOT of camping with a 2wd suv with all terrain tires and a couple traction boards just in case. Never had a problem. 4WD gives you much more peace of mind — but fire roads and back to roads in national forests/parks are worth exploring with 2WD too. Best advice is to just go with another friend in case you get stuck.

 

Great article, thank you!

 

Yep. If you're going "overlanding" then you're mostly going for the SEMA look of bolting a bunch of crap on that you'll never actually need.

Go out an enjoy your truck before dumping a ton of money into it. Learn for yourself with your actual use if not having low-range is a detriment. Having clearance and good driving skills can get you to a lot of places with 2 wheel drive*

*As long as you're not trying to go to certain places like National Parks that require 4x4 and high clearance and low range...

 

Check yourself and that dopamine rush. This place and having a highly modifiable adult toy can get you in big trouble. As a teenager, I’d go out in the woods with my Honda Civic, single burner, and a pup tent. Only got stuck about 5x. All else is fluff and may even distract from the spirit of camping.

 

Also recommend you keep it simple and not worry about 2WD. As others have said, "overlanding" is mostly a contest of how much you can spend on gear that virtually no one would need in the CONUS. With that in mind, any truck I own will always have a winch.

Case in point, I just returned from a month long cross country trip to SD, MT, UT and CO, and completed Mosquito Pass. All done with only about 1" of lift (I prioritize CV and pinion angle over ride height) and no armor except skids, which paid for themselves. No 200 lb bumpers, no 35's, no light bars. That stuff is cool, but at some point we have to ask ourselves what is more important- the image or the experience?

 

Ive seen the 4L sign once or twice. I don't go beyond those just to avoid the inevitable ass-chewing if I bog down. Some signs however = full send.

 

I’m not even sure what the definition of overlanding is. I think it is basically driving around on dirt and gravel roads and camping. You really don’t need to do any mods to do that. I’d keep it simple , maybe a nice set of AT tires. Spend your $$ on things like camping equipment, fishing equipment or what ever.
4WD is always good to have but depending on where you are going will determine if you need it. I personally will never be without 4WD. The places I go hunting and fishing , many of them I couldn’t get in or out of without 4WD.
Too late now to worry about if you should have got 4wd. Just take things slow and learn you and your trucks limitations.

 

Haha love this. Thanks for all the feedback yall!