Revamping the 2022 Toyota Tundra for Off-Roading and Overlanding

Modifying and Wheeling a New Generation of the Toyota Tundra

When it comes to overlanding and intermediate off-roading, the latest Toyota offerings are hard to beat. Not only do the options range from mid-size trucks and SUVs to larger-capacity vehicles for varying cargo and family size needs, but Toyota offers a great platform to build upon in all of its mid- to full-size vehicles in order to create respectable off-road machines, from mild to wild.

“Equipped with the standard 3.5L twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission straight from the factory, the 2022 Tundra is a great off-roading platform straight out of the gate.”

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For Leroy Do of Thornton, Colorado, it was the 2022 Toyota Tundra 4×4 that caught his eye. Revised and refreshed for 2022, the new third-generation Toyota Tundra addressed some of the “downfalls” of the previous generation offerings, which mainly include limited power and torque, lower tow and payload ratings, less than optimal suspension system components, and an interior that had dated 15 years just like the second-generation platform had.

Not only did the new version of the highly popular truck gain oomph in all the right departments for 2022—and a suspension built for better handling, ride comfort, and towing ability—but it also got a pretty significant facelift inside and out, bringing it into the new year with a much more aggressive looking frontend and modernized info-centric interior.

The 4WD version also offers, for the first time on the platform, a factory rear locker on the updated model—a win, win for the off-roading crowd.

The verdict? The 2022 Toyota Tundra was the perfect platform for a new overlanding rig!

New Offerings Mean New Opportunities

Wanting to build a truck capable of fitting and fulfilling all of his needs when it came to off-roading and camping off the grid, Leroy opted for the revised-for-2022 full-size truck already well on its way to being an off-road worthy rig from the dealer’s lot. But with a newly revised truck comes some hurdles, including aftermarket companies not quite being up-to-date with their bolt-on, and otherwise noteworthy upgrades. Because of this, new owners looking to build these vehicles right away run into their own span of research and development in order to create a vehicle built to their wants and needs.

Though challenging and even frustrating at times, once you get past the R&D stage and really see your vehicle coming together, it’s well worth it in the long run!

Equipped with the standard 3.5L twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission straight from the factory, the 2022 Tundra is a great off-roading platform straight out of the gate. Fed by a robust 32-gallon fuel tank, the drivetrain combo offers an increased tow rating of up to 12,000 pounds and a one-tank driving range of around 600 miles (when not towing, of course), giving the truck plenty of room to stretch its legs on- and off-road before you have to find your next gas stop.

Wanting to capitalize on that breathing room, Leroy equipped his Tundra with a plethora of suspension components from King Shocks that would make any off-road adventure more enjoyable, both from a ride quality standard and a capability standard.

King 2.5 Series adjustable shocks were added to the truck both front and rear, as well as the suspension giant’s front springs. Out back, Leroy went with springs from Dobinsons Springs & Suspension. Added to the package is a Total Chaos upper control arm kit and similarly branded rear links, topped off with CBI Offroad Fab skid plates. Put in place by Runnin 4 Tacos (@runnin4tacos) of Denver, this suspension package gives the Tundra even more leg room when it comes to taking on trails from Wheeler Lake to Pearl Pass, as well as countless other trails in Colorado, Utah, and Nevada that Leroy likes to frequent.

What about snow wheeling? Yes, that’s a thing in Colorado and other states covered in the flaky white stuff from the sky at least a quarter of the year. It has only been made better with the upgraded setup!

Planting the truck to the dirt are 17×8.5-inch RS7-S wheels from Relations Race Wheels on all four corners, wrapped in 37×12.5R17 Toyo Tires Open Country R/T Trail tires for added grip.

Decked Out

While suspension upgrades are certainly a must when it comes to outfitting an off-road vehicle, so too is lighting, and Leroy’s Tundra has no small amount of lighting upgrades.

The truck’s main source of light comes from AlphaRex Nova-Series LED projection headlights in Alpha-Black. These bad boys not only change the look of the Tundra’s face, they also provide consistent low-beam lighting, superior high-beam projection technology, and added light bar and unlock activation lights.

Beyond the headlights, the Tundra features a plethora of secondary lights from Baja Designs, ranging from small pod and bumper lights to a prominent six-beam light bar above the truck’s windshield. Needless to say, there’s nowhere Leroy could take his Tacoma where he won’t have the utmost visibility at his fingertips!

In addition to upgraded lighting components, Leroy decked his Tundra out with a TRD Pro grille and CBI Offroad Fab bumpers. For all his off-road camping needs, he opted for an iKamper rooftop tent atop an extra sturdy upTOP Overland Alpha roof and bed rack system, which helps the truck maintain its bed space while also functioning as a hotel on wheels.

“Finished off in factory Lunar Rock paint with dark gray ‘R4T’ (Runnin 4 Tacos) decals, Leroy’s truck is a sight to be seen taking on the trails of the Rocky Mountains and beyond.”

Finished off in factory Lunar Rock paint with dark gray “R4T” (Runnin 4 Tacos) decals, Leroy’s truck is a sight to be seen taking on the trails of the Rocky Mountains and beyond.

So was having to do extra research and trying out different ways of building his ultimate rig worth the effort? According to Leroy, absolutely! Currently, he loves the way his truck came out and wouldn’t change a thing (we’ll give it a couple years, Leroy!). What he would do, however, is recommend doing your research and buying the correct parts right out of the gate, especially when building a recently revised generation of vehicle. With enough research, a good group of knowledgeable people, and a can-do attitude, building that ultimate ride is available to everyone!

UPGRADES

2022 Toyota Tundra 4×4

OWNER: 

Leroy Do
Thornton, CO

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION: King Shocks 2.5 Series adjustable shocks front and rear, King Shocks front springs, Dobinsons Springs & Suspension rear springs, Total Chaos upper control arm kit, Total Chaos rear links, CBI Offroad Fab skid plates, suspension components installed by Runnin 4 Tacos, Denver

WHEELS & TIRES: 17×8.5-inch Relations Race Wheels RS7-S wheels, 37×12.5R17 Toyo Tires Open Country R/T Trail tires

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN: 3.5L twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, 32-gallon fuel tank

BODY & PAINT: Toyota Tundra TRD Pro grille, AlphaRex Nova-Series LED projection headlights in Alpha-Black, CBI Offroad Fab bumpers, Secondary lights from Baja Designs, upTOP Overland Alpha roof rack with grab handles, iKamper rooftop tent, Lunar Rock paint, dark gray “R4T” Runnin 4 Tacos decal

INTERIOR & STEREO: Toyota Black SofTex upholstery

Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD Sep/Oct 2024