Looking to get into overlanding.

I have a 2016 sr5 with the double cab. the problem I have is that I have no clue what to start with first. Suspension? Wheels and tires?

Where would you start?

 

suspension then you will drive a while looking like you skipped leg days but it will be worth it so you can get the tires size you want. 295/70 or 35"s are a good choice for Tundras.
go with coil overs for suspension.

 

I figured suspension would be the way to go forward.

 

There's a big difference between "overlanding" and "rock crawling."

You don't necessarily *need* anything to overland other than a vehicle and a map.

That said, if your plan is to get far away from people and have the means to go almost anywhere and self recover, I would recommend a good winch, recovery straps, soft shackles, traction boards, a shovel, etc, before lift, wheels, and tires.

If you just want to look cool at the mall start with a lift and tires, then get some light bars, then get some cool decals.

Seriously though, recovery gear will be the most useful investment if you truly are planning on getting deep out there.

 

I think it would be beneficial to get the suspension at least. At least for the areas I want to go. But recovery tools are high on my list.

 

Underbody protection is good too. Truthfully you're not really adding a lot of ground clearance or approach/departure angle with a 3/2 lift and slightly bigger tires. You're netting 1-1.5" additional at most.

If you just want to get out there and enjoy the unbeaten path, you can do quite a bit with a stock Tundra.

 

I'm not against suspension at all, I'm just saying it's less important than recovery capabilities. It's usually the first thing people do though. Me included.

 

That's true.

 

Listen to Backslider... big difference with overlanding, rock crawling, mudding, or high speed baja style racing.

For overlanding, good tires is a priority. 10 ply a/t or m/t tires that give you traction and won't go flat hitting a twig or rock. Suspension is not going to do anything, you can still get to the same place as the guy with the expensive shocks...maybe a little rougher ride or slower but you will get there.
Lift will not do anything (without bigger tires)..same ground clearance...lift allows you to put bigger tires and increase your ground clearance but for overlanding stock is plenty.

I would get tires, recovery gear and take a class on overlanding. Knowledge is your most important tool...know when to choose a different path BEFORE getting stuck. Just get out there, start off easy, as you get more comfortable with hairier stuff you will know what your truck needs and talk to the guys on the trail, most are friendly and get their advice

 

Always spend a little extra on things that come between you and the ground. Shoes, a nice mattress, and relevant to this thread, tires.

The first upgrade should be a new set of shoes for your truck (Nitto Ridge Grapplers, Cooper STT Pros, General Grabber X3, etc...the info is out there google search). Since you're getting new tires, go ahead and find the wheels you want. 17in or 18in. No 20s, you're not stopping at the mall on the way to Sedona.

After that, you should heed the advice here. Get a winch. A shovel. Some straps. And I got a sat phone/Garmin inReach, but thats up to you and how deep in the cut you want to be. At least with the inReach I can tell them where to find my body.

After you get these "basics" you can start the gear queering like I did.