This is exactly the forum and direction I was looking for. Just getting started with my '01, but the goal is to have it ready for this type of adventure.
Having explored so much of AZ, NM, TX, CO, ID, MT, WY I have found the happiest I am is when I am disconnected, not out with a bunch of other rigs, but just out and away. Time for self reflection. I started out and learned a lot my first trip. My bag was too small for me, cold penetrates the underside of the vehicle pretty hard, and sleeping in a beanie really makes a difference. I read the forums. Read the "basics for overlanding" from the folks selling those "necessities" and watched in awe at the amount of shit people buy and use when they "overland". Dont get me wrong. You do you, I'll do me. But pizza ovens, skottles, blenders, huge multi battery setups with solar to run all of the camp lighting and kitchen accessories kinda loses the intent of being off grid. Go find a KOA.
Overlanding has become an IG sensation where we watch the same 40 people do the same thigs with the same overthought crap in the same places and we are none the better for it. To me the meaning of overlanding is:
Getting out.
Getting away.
Explore new places.
Self reflect at your moment in life.
Be grateful for the things and experiences you have.
Get out of your comfort zone.
Meet people along the way.
Be prepared for any situation specific to where you are going.
Always give more than you get.
Go explore but take the time to do it and respect yourself, not your ego, in the end.
this posting came off like a bunch B.S. " You do you, I'll do me." then talk crap about what others r running.... nether u or I know what the goals of the individual/couple are or their reason for whatever gear they want. Being on the road for months at a time creature comforts r nice to have and can make things more enjoyable and increase ur ability to connect with ur environment. Solar and a fridge so one can stay away from others for much longer then without unless ur hunting/fishing and collecting ur food and water. If ur heading out to get in touch with ur place in the food chain and self reflect then go find the deepest undeveloped woods/desert u can find, remove all ur cloths, shoes, etc so that all u have is whats between ur ears and c what ur made off....
I did find a M416 finally. It needs some work but it's doable. I hauled it home on dry rotted tires (47miles) and no spare. In hindsight I smacked myself for being stupid. I pulled the fenders and tire today to go to sandblasters. Tub and frame after that.
this posting came off like a bunch B.S. " You do you, I'll do me." then talk crap about what others r running.... nether u or I know what the goals of the individual/couple are or their reason for whatever gear they want. Being on the road for months at a time creature comforts r nice to have and can make things more enjoyable and increase ur ability to connect with ur environment. Solar and a fridge so one can stay away from others for much longer then without unless ur hunting/fishing and collecting ur food and water. If ur heading out to get in touch with ur place in the food chain and self reflect then go find the deepest undeveloped woods/desert u can find, remove all ur cloths, shoes, etc so that all u have is whats between ur ears and c what ur made off....
I kinda read the post with the same lens, but then reminded myself that everyone is entitled to their own opinion based on their life experiences and I shouldn't judge them because they have an alternative view of what it means to them.
That's the beauty of over landing: it means different things to different people and there's no one right way to do it. Some are hardcore about it and others are more about the modern amenities. In the end, it's what works for YOU that really matters, while remaining open minded to other points of view.
Nothing extreme here, but I do get off the pavement ~ 15 x per year, hopefully more with my 21' TRD. Considering the Eibach shocks and weight leveling -- I haul a lot in back, plus pull a trailer often. Suggestions?
I purchased my 2017 SR5 to be more capable on and off highway.
Since it is a DD I am not bolting much onto it.
My completely removable camping gear: folding cot eith pads, awning with reflective tarps, dmall cheap tire pump to be upgraded with better tires.
Homemade rear window screens, portapottty bucket with kitty liter, folding camp chair, multipurpose lowtable, electric spigot for 3 gal water jug, Various stoves, 2 ice coolers.
Here is a YouTube Vid from someone who has actually used the 4runner for her own type of overloading for over 180,000 miles the last 6 years. Not many using there rigs that much / per year for “overlanding”. She is not really a “gear head”, but makes up for lack of technical knowledge by really understanding her “use case”.