Overland Classifieds :: 2002 Toyota Tacoma TRD Overland Build

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared several  expensive rigs, including a $529,000 Global X Vehicles Patagonia and a $238,000 2016 Ford F-550 Camper. Although these vehicles are very impressive and offer all the comforts of a luxury apartment, I can’t help but feel they’re a long way removed from the origins of overlanding. I’ve always considered this form of travel a relatively affordable way to see the world, with emphasis placed on the experience rather than the vehicle. However, overlanding has become progressively more expensive in recent years , with expedition  builds often exceeding $100,000. However, there are still affordable options, and today’s $17,000 overland-ready Tacoma TRD is a perfect example. 

The seller has owned this rig for fifteen years (covering over 201,000 miles) and has “run many tires, suspension, and camping set-ups” in pursuit of the optimal configuration. This is a capable build  with everything you need to hit the road and explore, focusing on what really matters.

From the Seller:

For sale is my 2002 Toyota Tacoma. I’ve owned this vehicle for the last 15 years and in that time, I have racked up hundreds of nights and 200,000 miles of adventure. Though it’s far from new, it’s been well maintained with parts replaced before they’ve had a chance to become issues. The interior is clean and in good condition for its age and use. The truck handles medium-speed desert driving and lower-speed crawling well; it feels well planted and balanced in both scenarios. The camping setup strikes a nice balance of lightweight and reasonable comfort.” 

2002 Toyota Tacoma SR5 TRD

The Tacoma is fitted with a 3.4-liter V6 that produces 190 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. A long-lived engine is matched with impressive all-terrain capability thanks to Toyota’s TRD (Toyota Racing Development) package, which includes the following features:  

  • Locking rear differential 
  • Bilstein shocks 
  • Upgraded coil springs
  • Skid plates

Distinguishing Features

  • Pro Comp wheels with Geolandar M/T tires
  • Warn winch 
  • Goal Zero Yeti 500x battery with boulder 100-watt solar panel 
  • King 2.5-inch extended travel coilovers with 700-pound springs, Toytec Aluma 2.0 rear shocks, and Old Man Emu Dakar leaf pack 
  • CVT fiberglass rooftop tent 
  • Smittybilt air compressor 

This 2002 Toyota Tacoma SR5 TRD is listed for $17,000 and is currently located in Mammoth Lakes, California. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.

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No money in the bank, but gas in the tank. Our resident Bikepacking Editor Jack Mac is an exploration photographer and writer living full-time in his 1986 Vanagon Syncro but spends most days at the garage pondering why he didn’t buy a Land Cruiser Troopy. If he’s not watching the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, he can be found mountaineering for Berghaus, sea kayaking for Prijon, or bikepacking for Surly Bikes. Jack most recently spent two years on various assignments in the Arctic Circle but is now back in the UK preparing for his upcoming expeditions—looking at Land Cruisers. Find him on his website, Instagram, or on Facebook under Bicycle Touring Apocalypse.