I "overlanded" across rural Canada for a decade in a stock Ford Ranger wearing KO2s and a bed cap. I carried a basic little plug-in air compressor, a patch kit, a battery booster, basic tools, and a tow strap. That's it. I was doing more difficult trails than 90% of these youtube rigs. Slept in the truck bed nice and cozy on a roll of foam under the cap, and kept my food in a $30 Walmart cooler. Replaced ice every other day at the gas station. Never understood the need for anything crazier than that. My setup was quick and minimal. No fuss at all. Just driving, exploring, and camping. Spent weeks at a time in that thing.
This is a refreshing take and something I really agree with. I've always been after the 90% solution. Almost always you can find a product that is 90% of the benefit at half the price of the name brand. The auxbeam and off brand lights are a great example of that. I've been outfitting a Grand Cherokee as an overlander light with an emphasis on keeping things simple and light. I'm stopping at a mild lift and 32" tires because that is as big as you can go in the spare tire location and will get me to 95% of the places I'd ever want to go. Going to a 33" requires some other spare tire solution that is just going to add a bunch of weight and cost unnecessarily. The fold down tables on a swing arm are cool but I've got a roll top table that is twice the size and cost $60. If you've got the money for that kind of stuff that's awesome, but its definitely not required to go on some cool adventures.
I obviously agree with everything you said. We've all been sucked in to the idea that we "need" things to enjoy ourselves and honestly it's just not true. The coolest looking trucks I've ever seen have never been off a forest service road. Thanks for the comment!
Good job putting this out! It's so annoying seeing all the overlanding videos with YT'ers pushing every product under the sun! Back in 2019 I started a FB group for RV owners wanting to learn about RV Solar because I felt a lot of people were getting scammed. They were being sold expensive setups that were much more sophisticated than than what they needed for their style of camping. We've recently sold our RV and no longer live that lifestyle but the group now has over 6k members and I think it's fair to say it has saved a lot of people thousands of dollars. So bravo for doing your part for overlanding community. When we sold our RV we decided to downsize and just do some road trips and local dry camping with our GX460. Hence, how I found your video. Thanks again and I'm subbed.
I appreciate this comment and the one previous to it! Since we're conversating.... I would agree with people getting scammed and in all reality it's mostly to look cool in front of your peers.
This was incredibly helpful. I’m one of those “accidentally goes way off the deep end with every hobby I get into” kind of people. This is the voice of reason that I didn’t know that I needed. Thanks for the rad content.
Thanks for being a voice of reason in an area where guys spend 20-30k or more on stuff...cool stuff but maybe mostly unnecessary...well said and totally countercultural! From a new subscriber.
Great commentary from a credible source. In the distant past, I got out with friends all over the Arizona desert with a lightly modified Isuzu Trooper with 31” tires and it went almost everywhere. When I was hungry or thirsty, I grabbed a snack from my igloo cooler. We tent camped. It was fun as hell and I didn’t take one social media photo because that did not exist. Any sharing happened in person on the trail. This is 100% a social media phenomenon. Stop feeling like you have to compete with others. Do what you want/need, but don’t fall for pressure to to buy all this crap that you don’t need or want.
Thank-you for all the information i really appreciate your knowledge. Yes i agree the 285s are my fit too. That's the size i think works best for all around Overlanding and daily driving. A Big thanks to you for helping us GX460 owners set up their rigs. 😊
Plenty of great points. I pretty much agree with the minimalist approach. I bought from new & built a '17 Transit van (now has 75k miles. Could not be happier with it. I just put in what made sense (ie - minimalist) I will be buying and building a GX 460 to get me a little further off-road & will be adding just what I deem necessary.
Great tips, I'm building my 2009 JKU as an overlander vehicle, I'm only putting Old man Emu 2620 springs for a 2.25" lift to support extra weight and Rancho[LifeTime Warranty] shocks, parts and installed for about 1080.00 that's it for suspension, saw no need for thousands more for suspension. I sleep inside to save on RRT, its just me most of the time, its my Overlander/Micro Camper/ Fishing Rig. Love your content, thanks for the tips. 👊
First of all, take your stock vehicle on the trip you have in your mind for your overland build and see how it goes, in most cases you will get to where you are wanting to go if you've started with the appropriate vehicle type. After building a WJ a couple of wranglers and now a GX470, I've learned that OEMs spend a ton of money and time on R&D and engineering for comfort and reliability so why start tearing into suspension and other engineered components for aftermarket. Starting with the right base vehicle and keeping a ton of it stock is the key for the majority of us. Go up one tire size in overall diameter for a bit more clearance, make sure maintenance is all up to snuff before upgrades, focus upgrades on protecting it's stock capabilities, sliders, skids. Improve reliability, put a good battery in there. Keep things non-custom or vehicle specific on the interior, unless you are handy and building it yourself. Otherwise, put your money in things that can move from this rig to the next.
My GX460 is not my first build, and I have already learned many of the lessons you are espousing here. My approach is even simpler than yours - no drawers, I made a sleeping platform out of 20/20 aluminum extrusions that is light and easily removed when not in overloading mode, and I can fit more under the platform than in a drawer, although it is more difficult to access the stuff in the back. As you did, I rejected the expense and complication of dual batteries; have a single big (27F) AGM battery with a lithium jump starter for backup. I run a CPAP and fridge overnight with no problem. I also ran power to the rear for the fridge and my CPAP at night. I have made some mods for rock crawling that are unnecessary for overlanding, by choice, and that's fine, I would never say you need 35s for overlanding.
It sounds like we had very similar thought process with what's important. I would agree with the point on the 35's for overlanding. Spending long days on overland trails rarely requires larger tires and keeping good MPG is important if you're far from civilization. Thanks for the comment!
@@roamingwithjosh I regeared to 4.88s with 35s and still get I think decent gas mileage, 16-17 highway depending on winds. The E-rated tires probably cost me as much mpg as anything I have done.
Awesome video. I'm new to the concept of overlanding, but think it's kind of crazy to have a $2000+ rooftop tent on top of a Tacoma for example, when you could just sleep in the bed of the truck or in a hammock or in a regular tent.
I would have to agree and I am one of the guys with a rooftop tent. It's definitely nice being up off the ground and setup is pretty simple. I think people need to at least give camping in a tent, hammock or the bed of a truck before they go out and decide to drop that much money on a tent attached to your roof. Thanks for the input!
Yeah I never understood the tent on top thing myself. Last thing I wanna do at 6am when I wake up and have to piss is climb down a ladder. Or do ya’ll just pee out the door and give a warning?
Thanks for the video and for the tips and guidance. I am slowly building my rig and this confirms that i don’t need those fancy stuff. I’ll buy what i need as we go. Thank you!
Bro I felt like I just sat through a Sunday service. But I 100% agree. I would like to see your wiring on the compressor, usb ports in the back, and the auxbeam controller. Can’t find much info on that stuff and you seem to have a good grasp on electrical safety. Cheers bro
I am no expert but i have travelled baja for the past 7 years, I started with a cheap but well maintained 2002 Nissan Xterra 4wd, nothing fancy just good tires and shocks, it took me all over the place and it was incredibly capable and reliable. Then i had to sell it and so i modified my 2016 awd rav4 with a 2'' lift kit and all terrain tires and that little crossover went all over the place, i didn't stop exploring just a little common sense and a slightly moded crossover can go many places. Now i am starting to mod my 02 Sequoia 4wd but its going to be an extremely budget oriented build. Thru the years i have learned that all you need is a reliable car, good suspension and tires and thats like 90% of your needs, a good place to sleep, cook and shower and you are set up for adventure travel, all of that can be had for very little money, you just need to think outside the box and be resoursefull.
My man, this is such good advice! True words of wisdom from someone who’s been through it, and isn’t a shill. Subscription well earned. …with the bell rung. 🔔
Coming from the recreational boating community, I see a lot of overlap with these issues. Folks building out weekender rigs like they’re wanting to live aboard for months on the hook (at anchor). Or they’ll spend $5k on a stereo system, but only have a handheld marine comms radio.
It's definitely one of those things that you can easily get sucked into. There's nothing wrong with building an awesome rig, but the new people who think they need all these gadgets and gizmos is who this video is hopefully going to help. Thanks for the comment!
Hey, good for you, and to share what many of Us always want but get sucked into brand names etc. Indeed, many alternatives out there. So many times you see people out in the world with half as good of rigs equipment doing same if not more versatile adventure overlanding. Good.
You make an excellent point, but understand that for many (perhaps most) people doing any kind of hobby, the tinkering/buying IS the point, despite what they'd like to claim as justification. One of the classic examples of this is the aquarium hobby. For most aquarists, building the setup and optimizing it, then choosing, buying and introducing the livestock is the fun part. The problem, however, is that aquariums can only support a finite amount of life, so once you hit that upper limit, you either stop screwing with it, or you go over the edge and things start dying, quickly. Actually OWNING a finished aquarium often proves to be boring, so then they start another one, just to keep experience the feelings they find truly satisfying. I think most hobbies fall into this category, and retailers have definitely amplified this effect, since, once we stop modifying and adding customization to our stuff, they stop making money. So there's big money in keeping us thinking that we NEED the next best thing. And finally, there's a reason why most hobbies are almost entirely populated by men...it's our more competitive nature which allows advertisers to keep us buying. Because hey, if I can shave four grams off my bicycle wheel, I'll be able to beat all the other guys!!!
You make some extremely valid points. My hope is to save people a few bucks over the long term and bring into perspective that the journey and the experience happens in the wild, not the garage. Appreciate the comment and agree with your take. Thanks for the comment!
So many people are getting scammed for most of the builds. Drove from Arizona to Alaska and back for 3 months. To be honest you dont even need to build a crazy vehicle to enjoy.
Outstanding video. Thank you, so great. As a photographer, I always battle just bringing a few more batteries, which I have, vs wanting all the charging. Trying to navigate what is “needed”. I’d love to hear more about “necessary” 4x4/vehicle needs on the gx460. Perhaps do a very similar video to this, but for the drive/suspension. Spending a lot of time backpacking, things tend to be contained. Though been doing more over extended over landing/exploring , no more than 7nights, in the eastern sierras and colorado and Montana. Looking at purchasing a 3-5 yr old 4Runner or gx460. Gx460 seems like it does need a new lightweight approach front bumper. Would assume new heavy duty brakes would be a godsend. And a little more beef of suspension. Curious what u are running, it looks proper and stealth. 4Runner needs the supercharger.. ha. But yes things to think on. Thank you, and great job here.
Thanks for the comment and I absolutely agree with you. I have a previous video that I did that explained the suspension and why I went the way I did. I think it's a very simplistic lift with the ability to carry enough gear and handle the weight of bumpers, sliders, and skids. The only reason I didn't go 4runner is the motor. The GX also has a really comfortable ride and some nice features that the 4runner doesn't have. Shoot me an email if you want more detail and I'd be happy to go into more depth. josh@nativenomads.us
Thanks for making this series of videos and keep up the good work I am looking at buying a 2010 to 2013 GX460 and trying to keep it as simple as possible One thing I'm running into is the bumper situation as I don't want to lift the car too high but I want to have good approach break over and departure angle. And I don't want to add a bunch of steel that's going to weigh me down and take away from the gas mileage and carrying capacity for things I actually need
Thanks for the comment! There's definitely a fine line you have to ride when it comes to bumpers and weight. There's no easy answer for it and if you add anything the gas mileage will be reduced.
I think I was posting a question on electrical systems on another one of your videos while this one was uploading… lol. More options to consider! My only real needs for battery power is a CPAP (AC) and a DC fridge, which combined is about 4-500ish WH a day (I also have more camera, drone, and flash batteries than I probably need). My AC60 can handle a single overnight trip, add the B80 and I can do 3… just the Subi’s dc charging cig ports are sporadic (randomly 20-90w), so I’m trying to figure out a better solution if I’m spending more time driving than able to use solar panels.
I honestly thing it's more of an issue with the Bluetti product. I have the same issue. I get better consistency out of the 12v cig plugs that I wire myself and that may simply be because I use a larger gauge wire then what the factory uses when they run theirs. It may be something to test by just hooking one up to your battery and seeing the performance you get out of it.
@@roamingwithjosh I think I’ll do that before I drop money into a system that doesn’t necessarily work better. I’ve read that the Subi DC issue is caused by the smart alternator, which is why I’ve been looking in direct battery (with switch, converter, control, inverter, or etc) options.
Good video. My Ford Maverick that has 8.8" of ground clearance and is bone stock outside of the Toyo ATs I bought gets me to 99% of spots on forest service roads out here in Washington. Outside of true offroading, I get to the same spots as Toyota bros on 35s and 5k suspension.
Everyone knows that if ur doing a over landing rig the 5,000 light bar systems are a must!! The dual battery set up is a must have to run all your heating at night time and radios, ham radios, sat phones etc etc … most important part of all is the looks are you really having fun if you don’t look the part ?? NO ur not , so buy for looks and when a dude drives by ur rig with his gf she’s looking at ur rig and ur looking at her then she smiles at you and says WOW I WISHED I WAS WITH THAT GUY !! Thats why we do it for yall are messing up the game telling these guys to go small or go home … Always buy bigger and always make sure the bigger looks absolutely ridiculous over the top and you’ll have the best trip a man can have trust me
I appreciate your honesty! Question: What do you see as the essentials for preparing your vehicle for offroading. i.e. shocks, springs, skidplates, underarmor, etc? I plan to purchase either Lexus GX or LX.
That’s an extremely tough question to answer. You need to ask yourself what kind of trails you intend on doing. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have on instagram messenger, it’s way too much to type on UA-cam.
What kind of power supply did you run to the cargo area near the fridge? I saw the glowing light in one of your shots (11:23ish) and assumed it was power for the fridge. Would love to know how you ran that back there...
I'm going to make a video about the power system. Simply, I used a blue sea fuse box and ran wire to the rear for the three different components. It's a bit too much to type. Shoot me a message on instagram and I can send you a video.
What are your thoughts on after market bumpers on a GX 460... dobinsons deluxe front and rear bumper. I assume they are largely unnecessary. Skid plates? Rock sliders?
Here is the link for the suspension I used - adventurerigshop.com/collections/lexus-suspension/products/dobinsons-1-5-to-3-5-ims-lift-kit-for-gx460-2010-2022?variant=45432498389268 I went 2.5" in the front and 200-400 heavy rear load weight. The truck rides like a cadillac and I couldn't be happier with it. I also don't really get into the super difficult routes and plan to keep it pretty simple with this build. That said, this suspension could very easily handle harder trails if you ever found yourself in that situation, like most of us do from time to time.
Its only a scam if you don't use the stuff you install on your rig. Plus I got everything on my truck from Facebook market place for half the price. 2003 silverado z71 for my truck nothing overpriced or fancy. It's used for fishing & camping south texas beaches and lakes & rivers.
I don't like the Prinsu rack on the GX460. The thing is noisy and the wind deflector destroys the paint up near the windshield plus it makes cleaning the top and moonroof difficult, it also interferes with the satellite radio reception. I ended up removing mine and it is in pieces in my garage. I might go with Lexus cross bars and platform rack. I don't have a roof top tent so that isn't a concern. For now I'm just running without a rack. All I have is lift, 33" tires and fridge.
Hey bro i like your thinking about not getting scammed....Been there and done that! So I'm a newbie to the GX 460 platform and its a 2013 KDSS. Ugly front end compared to the trd pro 4runner but thats besides the point of what its designed to do and what I'm going to use it for and that's Overlanding and camping trips to Canada on minimum maintenance logging roads. So i was thinking a Dobison IMS suspension no more than a 2 inch lift. What size tire do you think i should go with 285, 275 or stay with a 265? Should i stay with the 18 inch rims that are on it now or drop down to a 17? Of course if we talking about what's simple. Im going to put an Australian roof rack on top that's made of strong durable aluminum. Ironman 4x4 sells them on their site for 900 to 1000. I would like to get the spare tire out from the bottom and on the hitch so i can access it easier since im getting old and having some back issues. Just try to keep it simple and functional for me and my wife who is older than me. I like your Dobison drawer system set up. Just trying to get an idea of what's practical for our trips to the Big Woods of Canada. Im thinking a Wall Tent set but be happy if both of us could sleep inside of the GX 460. Anyways happy trails on your new adventures with your Overlanding rig.
Eric, I went with the 285 tire size because I prefer more sidewall on my tires at all times, even if it's overkill, it doesn't cost much more to have more rubber. I would go 17s for the same exact reason I said previously. More sidewall is always a good choice. I would recommend emailing Adventure Rig Shop. They can get all the ironman stuff you're talking about and they will also give you a discount on the Dobinson stuff along with anything else you buy. Their email is Info@adventurerigshop.com. My main issue with trying to sleep in the car is all the stuff you have to take out to get your sleeping area set up and then load it all up again. A nice tent goes a long way in keeping the interior of your rig situated. I'm sure you could both sleep in there without too much issue, but is it worth the teardown and set-up work you will have to do every day? That would be the question I ask myself about sleeping in the rig. Hope this is helpful and thanks for the comment!
Where out west are you moving. I am looking at moving to Idaho or Montana by the end of the year. Just found this channel and love it. I am looking at a gx 460 for my next build. Very good info.
im looking to do a build ,gm suburban size for a troopy pop top like build ,want a diesel but. not a fan of independent rear axle and most are top trim high country with 3 rows of leather ,2nd row ent screens sunroofs and luxury car bits like the 134" wb 229 " overall opt 2 is a single cab 8" box same size as suburban but this is a oversize 145" wb crew cab 5.5"-6' box world , saw a f150 powerboost 6.5 ' box 154" wb way to long utes do have towing and payload
A suburban size build would be an insanely large vehicle. I like your idea, I just wouldn't want to take that think on any tight trails. Thanks for the comment!
I guess I got scammed by………myself 😂 I’ve spent nearly $30k on my 150 series build, not because I feel like I need all the upgrades/add-ons/modifications but because I WANT to spend the money to have fun building, it’s not a “trap” it’s my hobby 😉
Dual battery is 100% a scam for car camping bec let’s be honest… That is what most of us are doing, not true overlanding. I run a big portable charger I got off Amazon that can jump start my car if need be. I tested it at Bonnaroo for nearly a week and it still had 50% battery left after charging a group of 10 peoples phones, air mattresses, etc. Don’t over pay
Yeah, I don’t want to build out my GX so that it gets 10MPG or less and weighs 6 million pounds as a “prepared daily driver.” I just want to spend a day on a trail, maybe cook a meal or two, and then sleep at home or in a hotel 😂
Good perspective, but playing devil's advocate: if there's an overland "scam", doesn't your monetized UA-cam channel with sponsored videos glorifying 6 rigs (and a trailer) in 3 years make you one of the "scammers"? I subscribed back when you were just documenting your honeymoon, and I don't think all your different phases and experiments while building your channel result from an industry wide scam. Is there a commercial component to the hobby? Yes. Do people spend a lot of money before developing a gear philosophy based on personal experience? Often. Scam? No.
I'm 100% part of the issue and have absolutely influenced someones decision based on my experience. However, my hope is that people will just get out there and see what they need before making rash decisions like I have over the years and spend money that could have been better used towards something else. The "scam" is a personal observation of what people depict as reality. Most things you see aren't worth the money and there's a more practical solution for almost every name brand item. That's my thought process on the topic. Thanks for the comment and the many many times you've chosen to watch the channel. I sincerely appreciate that!
Well said. I'd add that one can be burned/scammed by less expensive gear too! And cheaper gear often has a shorter lifecycle that's actually more wasteful. It's a challenge to find the sweet spot. But that's what makes it interesting
"We're going to show you how we avoided getting scammed with our GX460" Dude, you already got scammed XD You can get a competent vehicle for less than that.
Wait...So you want people to pay a subsription fee so you can work less time, produce less content so you can have more freedom to enjoy your life while everyone else works to pay to participate in a forum??? I know that comes off like a dick, but off the cuff your sales pitch to the audience shouldn't be a statement of convenience for you..
This guy lost me when he said he doesn't need to survive a zombie apocalypse, and when he said I don't need a 450-dollar Roam or Pelican box when a $27.37 plastic tote will do.. 😐🫣
I "overlanded" across rural Canada for a decade in a stock Ford Ranger wearing KO2s and a bed cap. I carried a basic little plug-in air compressor, a patch kit, a battery booster, basic tools, and a tow strap. That's it. I was doing more difficult trails than 90% of these youtube rigs.
Slept in the truck bed nice and cozy on a roll of foam under the cap, and kept my food in a $30 Walmart cooler. Replaced ice every other day at the gas station. Never understood the need for anything crazier than that. My setup was quick and minimal. No fuss at all. Just driving, exploring, and camping. Spent weeks at a time in that thing.
Appreciate the comment!
Finally, a voice of reason.
It was a long time coming. Thanks for the comment!
This honestly just change my whole idea for my rig. Thanks for being a good voice of reason
No worries! I'm still stuck in the trap, as much as I try not to be. Thanks for the comment!
This is a refreshing take and something I really agree with. I've always been after the 90% solution. Almost always you can find a product that is 90% of the benefit at half the price of the name brand. The auxbeam and off brand lights are a great example of that. I've been outfitting a Grand Cherokee as an overlander light with an emphasis on keeping things simple and light. I'm stopping at a mild lift and 32" tires because that is as big as you can go in the spare tire location and will get me to 95% of the places I'd ever want to go. Going to a 33" requires some other spare tire solution that is just going to add a bunch of weight and cost unnecessarily. The fold down tables on a swing arm are cool but I've got a roll top table that is twice the size and cost $60. If you've got the money for that kind of stuff that's awesome, but its definitely not required to go on some cool adventures.
I obviously agree with everything you said. We've all been sucked in to the idea that we "need" things to enjoy ourselves and honestly it's just not true. The coolest looking trucks I've ever seen have never been off a forest service road. Thanks for the comment!
Good job putting this out! It's so annoying seeing all the overlanding videos with YT'ers pushing every product under the sun! Back in 2019 I started a FB group for RV owners wanting to learn about RV Solar because I felt a lot of people were getting scammed. They were being sold expensive setups that were much more sophisticated than than what they needed for their style of camping. We've recently sold our RV and no longer live that lifestyle but the group now has over 6k members and I think it's fair to say it has saved a lot of people thousands of dollars. So bravo for doing your part for overlanding community. When we sold our RV we decided to downsize and just do some road trips and local dry camping with our GX460. Hence, how I found your video. Thanks again and I'm subbed.
I appreciate this comment and the one previous to it! Since we're conversating.... I would agree with people getting scammed and in all reality it's mostly to look cool in front of your peers.
This was incredibly helpful. I’m one of those “accidentally goes way off the deep end with every hobby I get into” kind of people. This is the voice of reason that I didn’t know that I needed. Thanks for the rad content.
I'm right there with you! Thanks for the comment~
Thanks for being a voice of reason in an area where guys spend 20-30k or more on stuff...cool stuff but maybe mostly unnecessary...well said and totally countercultural! From a new subscriber.
I appreciate it!
Josh is the best, always no bs straightforward content.
Great commentary from a credible source. In the distant past, I got out with friends all over the Arizona desert with a lightly modified Isuzu Trooper with 31” tires and it went almost everywhere. When I was hungry or thirsty, I grabbed a snack from my igloo cooler. We tent camped. It was fun as hell and I didn’t take one social media photo because that did not exist. Any sharing happened in person on the trail. This is 100% a social media phenomenon. Stop feeling like you have to compete with others. Do what you want/need, but don’t fall for pressure to to buy all this crap that you don’t need or want.
Agreed and I appreciate the input from a true veteran of the overland community!
Thank-you for all the information i really appreciate your knowledge. Yes i agree the 285s are my fit too. That's the size i think works best for all around Overlanding and daily driving. A Big thanks to you for helping us GX460 owners set up their rigs. 😊
Anytime, my friend! Thanks for the comment!
Good food for thought. It’s making me rethink on what I need to have enjoy my adventure, get out of trouble and work backwards from there. Thanks!
That's a good method!
Plenty of great points. I pretty much agree with the minimalist approach. I bought from new & built a '17 Transit van (now has 75k miles. Could not be happier with it. I just put in what made sense (ie - minimalist)
I will be buying and building a GX 460 to get me a little further off-road & will be adding just what I deem necessary.
Thanks for the input! I also have a sprinter that I have kept pretty minimal, and it's been absolutely great. Thank you for the comment.
Great tips, I'm building my 2009 JKU as an overlander vehicle, I'm only putting Old man Emu 2620 springs for a 2.25" lift to support extra weight and Rancho[LifeTime Warranty] shocks, parts and installed for about 1080.00 that's it for suspension, saw no need for thousands more for suspension. I sleep inside to save on RRT, its just me most of the time, its my Overlander/Micro Camper/ Fishing Rig. Love your content, thanks for the tips. 👊
Sounds like you're on the right track! Appreciate the comment and enjoy the rig!
First of all, take your stock vehicle on the trip you have in your mind for your overland build and see how it goes, in most cases you will get to where you are wanting to go if you've started with the appropriate vehicle type. After building a WJ a couple of wranglers and now a GX470, I've learned that OEMs spend a ton of money and time on R&D and engineering for comfort and reliability so why start tearing into suspension and other engineered components for aftermarket. Starting with the right base vehicle and keeping a ton of it stock is the key for the majority of us. Go up one tire size in overall diameter for a bit more clearance, make sure maintenance is all up to snuff before upgrades, focus upgrades on protecting it's stock capabilities, sliders, skids. Improve reliability, put a good battery in there. Keep things non-custom or vehicle specific on the interior, unless you are handy and building it yourself. Otherwise, put your money in things that can move from this rig to the next.
Good advice - it's about getting out and using it!
My GX460 is not my first build, and I have already learned many of the lessons you are espousing here. My approach is even simpler than yours - no drawers, I made a sleeping platform out of 20/20 aluminum extrusions that is light and easily removed when not in overloading mode, and I can fit more under the platform than in a drawer, although it is more difficult to access the stuff in the back. As you did, I rejected the expense and complication of dual batteries; have a single big (27F) AGM battery with a lithium jump starter for backup. I run a CPAP and fridge overnight with no problem. I also ran power to the rear for the fridge and my CPAP at night.
I have made some mods for rock crawling that are unnecessary for overlanding, by choice, and that's fine, I would never say you need 35s for overlanding.
It sounds like we had very similar thought process with what's important. I would agree with the point on the 35's for overlanding. Spending long days on overland trails rarely requires larger tires and keeping good MPG is important if you're far from civilization. Thanks for the comment!
@@roamingwithjosh I regeared to 4.88s with 35s and still get I think decent gas mileage, 16-17 highway depending on winds. The E-rated tires probably cost me as much mpg as anything I have done.
Awesome video. I'm new to the concept of overlanding, but think it's kind of crazy to have a $2000+ rooftop tent on top of a Tacoma for example, when you could just sleep in the bed of the truck or in a hammock or in a regular tent.
I would have to agree and I am one of the guys with a rooftop tent. It's definitely nice being up off the ground and setup is pretty simple. I think people need to at least give camping in a tent, hammock or the bed of a truck before they go out and decide to drop that much money on a tent attached to your roof. Thanks for the input!
Yeah I never understood the tent on top thing myself. Last thing I wanna do at 6am when I wake up and have to piss is climb down a ladder. Or do ya’ll just pee out the door and give a warning?
Thanks for the video and for the tips and guidance. I am slowly building my rig and this confirms that i don’t need those fancy stuff. I’ll buy what i need as we go. Thank you!
No worries! Glad it was helpful.
Definitely something to keep in the back of your mind, getting started.
Thanks for the comment!
Bro I felt like I just sat through a Sunday service. But I 100% agree. I would like to see your wiring on the compressor, usb ports in the back, and the auxbeam controller. Can’t find much info on that stuff and you seem to have a good grasp on electrical safety. Cheers bro
That video is definitely on the list of things to get accomplished. Appreciate the comment!
Great video, just getting into OL’ing and bought a 2019 gx460. Researching a practical build out for my intentions w the vehicle. 🤙🏽
Congrats on the rig! Please feel free to reach out on IG if you have any questions. I'd be happy to help!
I am no expert but i have travelled baja for the past 7 years, I started with a cheap but well maintained 2002 Nissan Xterra 4wd, nothing fancy just good tires and shocks, it took me all over the place and it was incredibly capable and reliable. Then i had to sell it and so i modified my 2016 awd rav4 with a 2'' lift kit and all terrain tires and that little crossover went all over the place, i didn't stop exploring just a little common sense and a slightly moded crossover can go many places. Now i am starting to mod my 02 Sequoia 4wd but its going to be an extremely budget oriented build. Thru the years i have learned that all you need is a reliable car, good suspension and tires and thats like 90% of your needs, a good place to sleep, cook and shower and you are set up for adventure travel, all of that can be had for very little money, you just need to think outside the box and be resoursefull.
I agree. Ground tents and a good sleeping pad will take you a long way. Thanks for the comment!
My man, this is such good advice! True words of wisdom from someone who’s been through it, and isn’t a shill.
Subscription well earned. …with the bell rung. 🔔
lololol Much appreciated!
Coming from the recreational boating community, I see a lot of overlap with these issues. Folks building out weekender rigs like they’re wanting to live aboard for months on the hook (at anchor). Or they’ll spend $5k on a stereo system, but only have a handheld marine comms radio.
LOLOL Maybe it's just a dude thing
Love this, so true how easy it is to get sucked into the never ending time and money vacuum of vehicle builds, been there myself… great vid! 👏
It's definitely one of those things that you can easily get sucked into. There's nothing wrong with building an awesome rig, but the new people who think they need all these gadgets and gizmos is who this video is hopefully going to help. Thanks for the comment!
The tiny battery jumpers these days are truly awesome pieces. I have NOCO units in all our vehicles.
It really is a life saver!
Hey, good for you, and to share what many of Us always want but get sucked into brand names etc. Indeed, many alternatives out there. So many times you see people out in the world with half as good of rigs equipment doing same if not more versatile adventure overlanding. Good.
I totally agree! Thanks for the comment
Was just talking about this exact thing!Excellent video !
Thank you!
I see built expensive rigs in places that lifted crossovers are also at (90% of the time)…. Made me think about this! Thanks for the video.
No worries! When I show up somewhere in my Subaru with a bunch of built jeeps I generally laugh out loud. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for another thoughtful and helpful video. I wish I saw it 3 years ago because it would have saved me from myself. Cheers.
Thanks for the comment and continued support!
You make an excellent point, but understand that for many (perhaps most) people doing any kind of hobby, the tinkering/buying IS the point, despite what they'd like to claim as justification. One of the classic examples of this is the aquarium hobby. For most aquarists, building the setup and optimizing it, then choosing, buying and introducing the livestock is the fun part. The problem, however, is that aquariums can only support a finite amount of life, so once you hit that upper limit, you either stop screwing with it, or you go over the edge and things start dying, quickly. Actually OWNING a finished aquarium often proves to be boring, so then they start another one, just to keep experience the feelings they find truly satisfying.
I think most hobbies fall into this category, and retailers have definitely amplified this effect, since, once we stop modifying and adding customization to our stuff, they stop making money. So there's big money in keeping us thinking that we NEED the next best thing. And finally, there's a reason why most hobbies are almost entirely populated by men...it's our more competitive nature which allows advertisers to keep us buying. Because hey, if I can shave four grams off my bicycle wheel, I'll be able to beat all the other guys!!!
You make some extremely valid points. My hope is to save people a few bucks over the long term and bring into perspective that the journey and the experience happens in the wild, not the garage. Appreciate the comment and agree with your take. Thanks for the comment!
The credo is "Simplify and add happiness", or what do you really need for a comfortable bug out vehicle for a w/e or a week.
Agreed!
So many people are getting scammed for most of the builds. Drove from Arizona to Alaska and back for 3 months. To be honest you dont even need to build a crazy vehicle to enjoy.
I couldn't agree more! Loved the pics BTW, looked like a solid trip.
Outstanding video. Thank you, so great. As a photographer, I always battle just bringing a few more batteries, which I have, vs wanting all the charging. Trying to navigate what is “needed”. I’d love to hear more about “necessary” 4x4/vehicle needs on the gx460. Perhaps do a very similar video to this, but for the drive/suspension. Spending a lot of time backpacking, things tend to be contained. Though been doing more over extended over landing/exploring , no more than 7nights, in the eastern sierras and colorado and Montana. Looking at purchasing a 3-5 yr old 4Runner or gx460. Gx460 seems like it does need a new lightweight approach front bumper. Would assume new heavy duty brakes would be a godsend. And a little more beef of suspension. Curious what u are running, it looks proper and stealth. 4Runner needs the supercharger.. ha. But yes things to think on. Thank you, and great job here.
Thanks for the comment and I absolutely agree with you. I have a previous video that I did that explained the suspension and why I went the way I did. I think it's a very simplistic lift with the ability to carry enough gear and handle the weight of bumpers, sliders, and skids. The only reason I didn't go 4runner is the motor. The GX also has a really comfortable ride and some nice features that the 4runner doesn't have. Shoot me an email if you want more detail and I'd be happy to go into more depth. josh@nativenomads.us
Thanks for making this series of videos and keep up the good work I am looking at buying a 2010 to 2013 GX460 and trying to keep it as simple as possible One thing I'm running into is the bumper situation as I don't want to lift the car too high but I want to have good approach break over and departure angle. And I don't want to add a bunch of steel that's going to weigh me down and take away from the gas mileage and carrying capacity for things I actually need
Thanks for the comment! There's definitely a fine line you have to ride when it comes to bumpers and weight. There's no easy answer for it and if you add anything the gas mileage will be reduced.
I think I was posting a question on electrical systems on another one of your videos while this one was uploading… lol. More options to consider! My only real needs for battery power is a CPAP (AC) and a DC fridge, which combined is about 4-500ish WH a day (I also have more camera, drone, and flash batteries than I probably need). My AC60 can handle a single overnight trip, add the B80 and I can do 3… just the Subi’s dc charging cig ports are sporadic (randomly 20-90w), so I’m trying to figure out a better solution if I’m spending more time driving than able to use solar panels.
I honestly thing it's more of an issue with the Bluetti product. I have the same issue. I get better consistency out of the 12v cig plugs that I wire myself and that may simply be because I use a larger gauge wire then what the factory uses when they run theirs. It may be something to test by just hooking one up to your battery and seeing the performance you get out of it.
@@roamingwithjosh I think I’ll do that before I drop money into a system that doesn’t necessarily work better. I’ve read that the Subi DC issue is caused by the smart alternator, which is why I’ve been looking in direct battery (with switch, converter, control, inverter, or etc) options.
Good video. My Ford Maverick that has 8.8" of ground clearance and is bone stock outside of the Toyo ATs I bought gets me to 99% of spots on forest service roads out here in Washington. Outside of true offroading, I get to the same spots as Toyota bros on 35s and 5k suspension.
I would have to agree with your take! Thanks for the comment!
Gear lust is real. I have spent crazy amount of money on firearms and sport cars.
I’m in the same boat dude
Reason I'm looking at a used Mercedes sprinter van. I wanted a gx460 but the only off road I do is mostly on a mountain bike or gravel bike.
Not a bad idea. We love our sprinter!
Everyone knows that if ur doing a over landing rig the 5,000 light bar systems are a must!! The dual battery set up is a must have to run all your heating at night time and radios, ham radios, sat phones etc etc … most important part of all is the looks are you really having fun if you don’t look the part ?? NO ur not , so buy for looks and when a dude drives by ur rig with his gf she’s looking at ur rig and ur looking at her then she smiles at you and says WOW I WISHED I WAS WITH THAT GUY !! Thats why we do it for yall are messing up the game telling these guys to go small or go home … Always buy bigger and always make sure the bigger looks absolutely ridiculous over the top and you’ll have the best trip a man can have trust me
lolololol
I appreciate your honesty! Question: What do you see as the essentials for preparing your vehicle for offroading. i.e. shocks, springs, skidplates, underarmor, etc? I plan to purchase either Lexus GX or LX.
That’s an extremely tough question to answer. You need to ask yourself what kind of trails you intend on doing. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have on instagram messenger, it’s way too much to type on UA-cam.
What kind of power supply did you run to the cargo area near the fridge? I saw the glowing light in one of your shots (11:23ish) and assumed it was power for the fridge. Would love to know how you ran that back there...
I'm going to make a video about the power system. Simply, I used a blue sea fuse box and ran wire to the rear for the three different components. It's a bit too much to type. Shoot me a message on instagram and I can send you a video.
What are your thoughts on after market bumpers on a GX 460... dobinsons deluxe front and rear bumper. I assume they are largely unnecessary. Skid plates? Rock sliders?
My newest video details all the mods we just completed and a bumper, sliders, skids was part of that video. Check it out when you have time!
Thanks Josh! New to GX overland building. What about suspension updates if you don't anticipate crazy routes?
Here is the link for the suspension I used - adventurerigshop.com/collections/lexus-suspension/products/dobinsons-1-5-to-3-5-ims-lift-kit-for-gx460-2010-2022?variant=45432498389268 I went 2.5" in the front and 200-400 heavy rear load weight. The truck rides like a cadillac and I couldn't be happier with it.
I also don't really get into the super difficult routes and plan to keep it pretty simple with this build. That said, this suspension could very easily handle harder trails if you ever found yourself in that situation, like most of us do from time to time.
Thanks so much. Really enjoying your channel!
So true. I see guys spending money they don’t have on items they won’t use or don’t need just to look cool.
Agreed!
Great info.
Thank you!
Its only a scam if you don't use the stuff you install on your rig. Plus I got everything on my truck from Facebook market place for half the price. 2003 silverado z71 for my truck nothing overpriced or fancy. It's used for fishing & camping south texas beaches and lakes & rivers.
You're one of the few, my friend. Thanks for the comment!
I don't like the Prinsu rack on the GX460. The thing is noisy and the wind deflector destroys the paint up near the windshield plus it makes cleaning the top and moonroof difficult, it also interferes with the satellite radio reception. I ended up removing mine and it is in pieces in my garage. I might go with Lexus cross bars and platform rack. I don't have a roof top tent so that isn't a concern. For now I'm just running without a rack. All I have is lift, 33" tires and fridge.
Right on! I haven't had any of those issues.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
Anytime! Thanks for the comment.
Thank you for all the detail
Anytime!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Happy to help!
Hey bro i like your thinking about not getting scammed....Been there and done that! So I'm a newbie to the GX 460 platform and its a 2013 KDSS. Ugly front end compared to the trd pro 4runner but thats besides the point of what its designed to do and what I'm going to use it for and that's Overlanding and camping trips to Canada on minimum maintenance logging roads. So i was thinking a Dobison IMS suspension no more than a 2 inch lift. What size tire do you think i should go with 285, 275 or stay with a 265? Should i stay with the 18 inch rims that are on it now or drop down to a 17? Of course if we talking about what's simple. Im going to put an Australian roof rack on top that's made of strong durable aluminum. Ironman 4x4 sells them on their site for 900 to 1000. I would like to get the spare tire out from the bottom and on the hitch so i can access it easier since im getting old and having some back issues. Just try to keep it simple and functional for me and my wife who is older than me. I like your Dobison drawer system set up. Just trying to get an idea of what's practical for our trips to the Big Woods of Canada. Im thinking a Wall Tent set but be happy if both of us could sleep inside of the GX 460. Anyways happy trails on your new adventures with your Overlanding rig.
Eric, I went with the 285 tire size because I prefer more sidewall on my tires at all times, even if it's overkill, it doesn't cost much more to have more rubber. I would go 17s for the same exact reason I said previously. More sidewall is always a good choice. I would recommend emailing Adventure Rig Shop. They can get all the ironman stuff you're talking about and they will also give you a discount on the Dobinson stuff along with anything else you buy. Their email is Info@adventurerigshop.com. My main issue with trying to sleep in the car is all the stuff you have to take out to get your sleeping area set up and then load it all up again. A nice tent goes a long way in keeping the interior of your rig situated. I'm sure you could both sleep in there without too much issue, but is it worth the teardown and set-up work you will have to do every day? That would be the question I ask myself about sleeping in the rig. Hope this is helpful and thanks for the comment!
This was very informative. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Where out west are you moving. I am looking at moving to Idaho or Montana by the end of the year. Just found this channel and love it. I am looking at a gx 460 for my next build. Very good info.
We moved to AZ. I have a lot more GX content coming also.
The GX460 is a Toyota Prado. Basically a 4Runner underneath. . .
Thank you for the video.
Thank you for the comment!
Excellent advise.
appreciate it!
Once again, great video, great advice!! ...No, you're not an idiot ;)
Much appreciated!
Thank you for this one
No worries!
Thank you for this
You got it!
im looking to do a build ,gm suburban size for a troopy pop top like build ,want a diesel but. not a fan of independent rear axle and most are top trim high country with 3 rows of leather ,2nd row ent screens sunroofs and luxury car bits like the 134" wb 229 " overall opt 2 is a single cab 8" box same size as suburban but this is a oversize 145" wb crew cab 5.5"-6' box world , saw a f150 powerboost 6.5 ' box 154" wb way to long utes do have towing and payload
A suburban size build would be an insanely large vehicle. I like your idea, I just wouldn't want to take that think on any tight trails. Thanks for the comment!
@@roamingwithjosh I mostly desert camp or do x country trips for trail rig id go 4runner
Great video
Thanks!
lol, yeah light bars whistle…common knowledge.
Not all of them.
I guess I got scammed by………myself 😂
I’ve spent nearly $30k on my 150 series build, not because I feel like I need all the upgrades/add-ons/modifications but because I WANT to spend the money to have fun building, it’s not a “trap” it’s my hobby 😉
right on!
Dual battery is 100% a scam for car camping bec let’s be honest… That is what most of us are doing, not true overlanding. I run a big portable charger I got off Amazon that can jump start my car if need be. I tested it at Bonnaroo for nearly a week and it still had 50% battery left after charging a group of 10 peoples phones, air mattresses, etc. Don’t over pay
Agreed!
Thx
No problem
Yeah, I don’t want to build out my GX so that it gets 10MPG or less and weighs 6 million pounds as a “prepared daily driver.” I just want to spend a day on a trail, maybe cook a meal or two, and then sleep at home or in a hotel 😂
There's nothing wrong with that!
Suspension, tires, amazon roof rack. IMO
Not a bad way to look at it.
Good perspective, but playing devil's advocate: if there's an overland "scam", doesn't your monetized UA-cam channel with sponsored videos glorifying 6 rigs (and a trailer) in 3 years make you one of the "scammers"? I subscribed back when you were just documenting your honeymoon, and I don't think all your different phases and experiments while building your channel result from an industry wide scam. Is there a commercial component to the hobby? Yes. Do people spend a lot of money before developing a gear philosophy based on personal experience? Often. Scam? No.
I'm 100% part of the issue and have absolutely influenced someones decision based on my experience. However, my hope is that people will just get out there and see what they need before making rash decisions like I have over the years and spend money that could have been better used towards something else. The "scam" is a personal observation of what people depict as reality. Most things you see aren't worth the money and there's a more practical solution for almost every name brand item. That's my thought process on the topic. Thanks for the comment and the many many times you've chosen to watch the channel. I sincerely appreciate that!
Well said. I'd add that one can be burned/scammed by less expensive gear too! And cheaper gear often has a shorter lifecycle that's actually more wasteful. It's a challenge to find the sweet spot. But that's what makes it interesting
"We're going to show you how we avoided getting scammed with our GX460"
Dude, you already got scammed XD
You can get a competent vehicle for less than that.
Thanks!
Wait...So you want people to pay a subsription fee so you can work less time, produce less content so you can have more freedom to enjoy your life while everyone else works to pay to participate in a forum??? I know that comes off like a dick, but off the cuff your sales pitch to the audience shouldn't be a statement of convenience for you..
Thanks for the input!
Less is more. 😤
I would have to agree with you on that!
First comment
Thanks!
This guy lost me when he said he doesn't need to survive a zombie apocalypse, and when he said I don't need a 450-dollar Roam or Pelican box when a $27.37 plastic tote will do.. 😐🫣
Thanks for the comment!
That’s because he’s right and you need branding to feel secure LOL