Toyota’s Tacoma SEMA Overland Concept Is a Simple but Rugged Build

We’re often inundated with over-the-top builds at The SEMA Show that draw all of the attention away from thoughtful builds that are not only accessible by the every(wo)man, but are designed to actually get out there and experience the backcountry for all it is worth.

Toyota’s Tacoma Ultimate Overlanding Concept is one of those builds that flew a bit under-the-radar this year, but maybe needs a deeper dive to show how “within-reach” this build really is to anyone looking to create an everyday overlander.

Toyota started this build with Cruiser Outfitters founder and owner Kurt Williams with the concept to build a versatile and capable overlanding vehicle without the extravagant price tag. Williams began with a Tacoma SR5 as the bones of this build, “Not everyone can buy, let alone find, a TRD Pro, so we wanted to build on the SR5 platform since it’s a great starting point to customize.” said Williams. The SR5 is also known as a great daily driver, which makes this rig a dual-use machine.

Any rig that is purpose built for backcountry exploration needs a few safety accessories, protective armor, and a good dose of some creature comforts. Williams built out this rig with self-sufficiency in mind. For armor, Williams went with the Summit Bumper, which offers protection from trail debris and animal strikes while housing a WARN winch. Expedition One provided the dual swing rear bumper, rock sliders and under vehicle protection.

ARB BP-51 bypass shocks make easy work of any terrain. The alloy Alpha 17” X 8.5” wheels were provided by Icon, which are wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 285/70/17 tires to create a stable base for the vehicle. From a running gear and armor standpoint, this rig is literally ready for anything (as evidenced by the photo gallery below) .

Storage is tackled with the ARB Outback Drawer System and the ARB BASE Rack on the cab and over the bed, which also holds the Yakima rooftop tent. An ARB Elements Fridge Freezer sits atop the drawer system for easy access to food and beverages. Finishing touches include a set of MAXTRAX recovery boards, and tools like a HiLift Jack and shovel to help out in times of need.

We applaud Kurt and the Toyota team for bringing this build to life and showing that a rig like this is accessible to everyone.

You can learn more about this build on the ARB website.