The Toyota Tundra is a common platform to use as an off-roader. You see, in the full-sized truck market, Toyota aims the Tundra more towards a lifestyle orientation rather than a full-on work truck. This makes these vehicles greatly appealing to people who love off-roading.
Also, let’s not forget Toyota’s reputation and history. Toyota trucks are well-known for their reliability which is a big selling point within the off-road community. Buyers look for something that can take them out in nature or around the country reliably for years to come. And, in many cases, the first choice is Toyota simply because of past reliability scores and reputation.
Now, the new Tundra, although more modern, keeps the underpinnings that make a true 4×4. It still features a body-on-frame design with a solid rear axle and independent front. Now, that solid rear axle is coil-sprung rather than leaf sprung making the new model more comfortable and more capable than before.
Since this is such a good base to build upon, it would only make sense to create a list with the 10 best modifications one could do to their Tundra. This will make an already capable truck, even more capable.
10 Off-Road Front And Rear Bumpers Are A Must
The new Tundra is a great truck, however, there is one area Toyota could have done much better. Aside from the fact that the front bumper hangs down low, the new truck also doesn’t offer front recovery hooks. This is true even on the TRD Pro models and is rather disappointing from a company such as Toyota.
That being said, this issue can be addressed by going for an aftermarket front bumper. To suit the front, you can also upgrade the rear. Upgraded bumpers will provide better approach and departure angles, body protection, and a solid recovery point to easily snatch a vehicle when it gets stuck. Furthermore, most upgraded bumpers will provide a spot for a winch which can be invaluable in certain situations.
Pros
- Off Road Protection
- Recovery Points
- Better Off-Road Angles
Cons
- More Weight
- Revised appearance might not vibe with everyone
9 A Winch Can Get You Out Of Very Sticky Situations
One of the main reasons people love off-roading is the challenge involved with the activity. Because of this, people can sometimes push their selves and their truck a bit too far which can result in getting stuck. Now, recovering a stuck vehicle with a snatch strap works in many instances. However, if you are alone or have gotten stuck in a dangerous or very boggy location, your only option is the winch.
A winch can be hooked up to any solid object and through the power of a motor paired with low gearing, can pull out a truck from most situations with relative ease. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the winch can be an invaluable addition to your off-road vehicle – especially if you travel alone.
Pros
- Will Get You Out Of Most Situations
- Allows you to easily help others
Cons
- It Adds Weight
- It Needs An Aftermarket Bumper To Be Mounted
8 Off-Road Suspension Will Drastically Increase Your Tundra’s Abilities
Upgrading the suspension on a 4×4 is one of the most common upgrades people do. This modification would also work wonders for the Tundra. Because this is a full-sized truck, it is designed with quite a long wheelbase. The longer wheelbase means that its break-over angles aren’t the best which can lead to getting hung up on the belly of the vehicle.
One of the best ways to minimize this issue is to go for a suspension lift. As you can imagine, this will provide the truck with more ground clearance but will also improve its payload capacity and off-road durability. Suspension upgrades come with a verity of stiffness levels enabling you to choose the perfect setup according to the weight you are carrying (like a winch with steel bumpers and a bed rack with a rooftop tent). Furthermore, aftermarket suspension provides more articulation and better damper cooling to ensure your suspension doesn’t overheat over rough terrain.
Pros
- Improved Off-Road Ride
- Improved Abilities
- Increased Payload
Cons
- Worse Fuel Economy
- More Wear On Components
- Worse On-Road Handling
7 Upgrading To Off-Road Tires Will Provide You Peace Of Mind
Tires are one of the most important components of an off-road vehicle. They are the thing that transfers all the power to the ground, but they are also the thing driving over sharp rocks and deep mud.
Good tires are important for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they provide more grip, meaning that you will be able to drive over tougher obstacles. Secondly, off-road tires are made from tougher materials that reduce the possibility of punctures. The last thing you want is a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. Now, depending on your intended usage, you can go either for an all-terrain or mud terrain tire. If you will be doing a lot of off-roading, especially in mud, then the mud terrain is the more aggressive and more capable tire. If on the other hand, you will be going for easier trails, then the all-terrain is perfectly suited.
Pros
- More Grip
- Better Puncture Resistance
Cons
- Decreased Fuel Consumption
- More Road Noise
6 Off-Road Wheels Are Important
Off-road wheels aren’t a must, but they can have a significant impact on your truck’s abilities. Good quality wheels can be lighter than factory units, which will make your Tundra more responsive while also putting less stress on the suspension. Also, you can choose the design of your liking, which will help personalize your truck.
Now, if you want to take your Tundra to the extreme, you can go for beadlock wheels. Beadlock wheels do exactly what they say – they lock the bead in place. This prevents the tire from slipping off when off-roading with low tire pressures. Keep in mind that beadlock wheels aren’t road legal in all states. Therefore, it is a good idea to do some local regulation research before you spend your money on them.
Pros
- Less Weight
- Better Economy
- Less Wear
- More Grip
Cons
- They Can Be Pricey
5 A Set Of Rock Sliders Will Keep Your Sills Straight
As mentioned before, the Tundra is a long beast. Even with a suspension lift and larger tires, there is a big possibility that you may run out of clearance on some obstacles. The last thing you want is to put some big dents in your brand-new Tundra’s sills. To avoid this, you can get a set of rock sliders that will act as sill protectors.
Rock sliders are made from steel and act both as protection but also as side steps. Therefore, getting in your truck won’t get any harder when you install them. Make sure that the rock sliders you go for mount on the frame of the truck not on the body, as frame-mounted sliders are much tougher.
Pros
- They Protect your Vehicle
- Can make it easier to enter lifted trucks
Cons
- They Add Weight
- They don’t always look natural
4 Take Your Tundra Swimming With A Snorkel
Many would argue that a snorkel doesn’t really improve a car’s water-wading ability and is only there to help the truck breathe cleaner and colder air. This, however, isn’t true. There are many instances in which water can go over the bonnet when off-roading, and if your Tundra doesn’t have a snorkel you will end up with an eye-wateringly expensive bill thanks to a hydro-locked engine. It goes without saying that if you are planning on hitting deep river crossings, a snorkel, and water-sealed airbox are a must.
However, the statement that snorkels help your truck breath cleaner air is also true. The fact that the intake is mounted higher up leads to less dust intake which prolongs the life of your engine.
Pros
- Helps your engine make it through deep rivers.
- Provides cleaner intake air.
- Acts as a cold air intake.
Cons
- Requires drilling into your fenders.
- Can break off-road as it is mostly made from plastic.
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3 Take Extra Camping Gear With A Bed Rack
A rack system will increase your Tundra’s off-road and adventure abilities even further. In many cases, off-roading goes hand in hand with camping, and camping means taking a lot of stuff with you. A bed rack can help you organize all your gear by providing more space to mount things. Throwing everything inside the bed simply won’t work as after a long day of wheeling, nothing will be in the same spot.
A bed rack simply mounts on your Tundra’s bed and extends roughly to the same height as your roof. This means that the truck won’t become much taller than it already is. Also, the fact that the rack goes all the way to the roof means that you can still use your bed to haul items.
Pros
- Increased Storage Space
- Tent accessories allow you to camp right on your truck
- convenience
Cons
- More Weight On Board
- Worse Aerodynamics
- Decreased Fuel Economy
2 A Drawer System Will Further Organize Your Tundra
If you want to organize your off-road gear even further, it is a good idea to go for a truck bed drawer system. This is essentially a box with a drawer that is made to fit the Tundra’s bed, providing you with tidy storage areas to keep all your gear organized. Furthermore, most bed drawer systems are lockable, making everything a bit safer. One of the biggest downfalls of truck beds is the fact that your gear can get stolen easily.
Keep in mind that this is a modification for people who mostly use their Tundra for off-road purposes. Once the drawer is in, you will lose quite a bit of depth in the bed; therefore, storage space will be reduced.
Pros
- Organized Storage Space
- Lockable Storage Space
Cons
- Less Cargo Space
- Difficult To Remove
1 Sleep Like A Baby In A Roof Top Tent
Since the Tundra is such a great adventure machine, it would only make sense to equip it with a rooftop tent to ensure baby-like sleep in nature. A rooftop tent mounts on your bed rack and provides elevated sleeping space. This means that you are safer from animal strikes but can also enjoy nature from a higher perspective. In most cases, rooftop tents also come with great-quality mattresses that are extremely comfortable.
Rooftop tents are expensive; therefore, when shopping, it can be tempting to go for the cheaper ones. However, it is better to spend the additional cash and get one that is lightweight, comfortable, and tough. Cheap rooftop tents tend to be noisy when nights get windy; they are heavier and don’t last as long.
Pros
- Comfortable Sleeping
- Protection From Animals
Cons
- Worse Aerodynamics
- Wind Noise
- Increased Fuel Consumption