There's still work to do but so far I removed the oem compartments around the hybrid battery and added my own with open storage space then put a storage/sleep system on top I built with 8020 and plywood. I added a Prinsu rack in place of the oem crossbars - totally worth it - quiet, modular and super sturdy), RCI skid plates (still waiting for the gas skid to arrive), swapped out tires for KO3s (275 instead of 265), added a Victory 4x4 molle shelf and mounted a weboost overland cell booster but didn't hardwire it in.
We (me, my wife and our dog) went to South Padre Island and explored the beach past Access 6 for quite a ways (maybe 15 miles).
I'm completely new to off-roading, so - observations for anyone in the same position:
(1) weight is very important to consider - the handling, gas mileage and stance of the vehicle change as you add stuff so be circumspect when modding/adding stuff - every additional pound affect these things as well as displaces other possible gear, people and pets;
(2) gear/mods - tires first! I did these last and my first attempt at an off-road adventure ended the same morning because of a screw in the oem sidewall. Rather than replacing one tire I knew I wanted to upgrade so I got KO3s. Youtube vids and online advice would have me avoid these because currently they're only offered in E and if its your daily driver C is considered a better fit. My first experience though, driving 11 hours to South Padre is that they're not much louder than the michelins that come from the factory. They do grip more and require a little adjustment on pavement, require slightly longer (2 or 3 seconds generally) stopping time, and they dropped my gas mileage from 18.9 to 17.1. However, I'm certain I would've been digging out of the sand multiple times on the beach - you can feel when it gets deep and squishy or too soggy and the traction matters enormously at that point. I wouldn't be home cozy and writing this if I hadn't had them, getting out at 4:40am as the waves hit my LC on the slim stretch of beach that remained after night high tide;
(3) lights - everywhere lol. want to find stuff inside the vehicle at night? flashlight with power, interior lights...but not iphone light - almost useless. Want to set stuff up in the dark because it took longer than you thought to get to your camping destination? Again, flashlights but also trail lights. Want to get out at 4:40am and get on the road when your trip is done? Trail Lights, definitely. It was a harrowing experience on a beach listed as a '4' on OnX (low/moderate difficulty) with no light and ocean water eating up the slim stretch of drivable sand. I personally think they're ugly but they are your very best friend in a 4x4 at night - I'm ordering as soon as I'm done writing this;
(4) after tires and lights, other useful stuff (that everyone says is useful but as a newbie I say really is) would be an air compressor - airing up and down with a battery-operated box meant for emergencies takes forever and it will likely overheat between tires, power - solar is awesome (I have an ecoflow battery and panel but I'm looking into jackery), a fridge (no, really, I thought this was ridiculous at first too...until the ice kept melting and making pre-packed food soggy and I had warm drinks at night), a good set of tools sized to your vehicle, traction boards, e-tool... and a towel (this last good advice but its really a nerdy reference to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).
I'm likely to make changes to my setup after lessons learned this time - if anyone has suggestions please share, I'd love to hear them. I'm really stoked to have the land cruiser and to be actually using it for more than ferrying yogurt from wholefoods to the house. Next trip I plan to tackle some trails between Louisiana and AZ in a few months.
We (me, my wife and our dog) went to South Padre Island and explored the beach past Access 6 for quite a ways (maybe 15 miles).
I'm completely new to off-roading, so - observations for anyone in the same position:
(1) weight is very important to consider - the handling, gas mileage and stance of the vehicle change as you add stuff so be circumspect when modding/adding stuff - every additional pound affect these things as well as displaces other possible gear, people and pets;
(2) gear/mods - tires first! I did these last and my first attempt at an off-road adventure ended the same morning because of a screw in the oem sidewall. Rather than replacing one tire I knew I wanted to upgrade so I got KO3s. Youtube vids and online advice would have me avoid these because currently they're only offered in E and if its your daily driver C is considered a better fit. My first experience though, driving 11 hours to South Padre is that they're not much louder than the michelins that come from the factory. They do grip more and require a little adjustment on pavement, require slightly longer (2 or 3 seconds generally) stopping time, and they dropped my gas mileage from 18.9 to 17.1. However, I'm certain I would've been digging out of the sand multiple times on the beach - you can feel when it gets deep and squishy or too soggy and the traction matters enormously at that point. I wouldn't be home cozy and writing this if I hadn't had them, getting out at 4:40am as the waves hit my LC on the slim stretch of beach that remained after night high tide;
(3) lights - everywhere lol. want to find stuff inside the vehicle at night? flashlight with power, interior lights...but not iphone light - almost useless. Want to set stuff up in the dark because it took longer than you thought to get to your camping destination? Again, flashlights but also trail lights. Want to get out at 4:40am and get on the road when your trip is done? Trail Lights, definitely. It was a harrowing experience on a beach listed as a '4' on OnX (low/moderate difficulty) with no light and ocean water eating up the slim stretch of drivable sand. I personally think they're ugly but they are your very best friend in a 4x4 at night - I'm ordering as soon as I'm done writing this;
(4) after tires and lights, other useful stuff (that everyone says is useful but as a newbie I say really is) would be an air compressor - airing up and down with a battery-operated box meant for emergencies takes forever and it will likely overheat between tires, power - solar is awesome (I have an ecoflow battery and panel but I'm looking into jackery), a fridge (no, really, I thought this was ridiculous at first too...until the ice kept melting and making pre-packed food soggy and I had warm drinks at night), a good set of tools sized to your vehicle, traction boards, e-tool... and a towel (this last good advice but its really a nerdy reference to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).
I'm likely to make changes to my setup after lessons learned this time - if anyone has suggestions please share, I'd love to hear them. I'm really stoked to have the land cruiser and to be actually using it for more than ferrying yogurt from wholefoods to the house. Next trip I plan to tackle some trails between Louisiana and AZ in a few months.
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