Bring Your Truck to Life: Off-Roading and Overlanding

What Is ‘Bring Your Truck to Life’?

BYTTL is a tool crafted by the experts and enthusiasts behind RealTruck. The affiliated landing page compiles everything you’ll need to build the rig of your dreams, separated by category and passion, to guide our customers down an intuitive, easy-to-navigate build path. 

BYTTL covers everything from truck essentials to optional equipment. From the start, BYTTL directs consumers to click through must-have products and accessories arranged by category. Follow along to transform your stock rig into the truck you’ve always envisioned!

Navigating ‘Bring Your Truck to Life’

We’ve designed BYTTL to be as simple and streamlined as possible; however, we understand that not every consumer is adept at navigating websites and online retailers. In this section, we're covering the steps necessary to gain the most from BYTTL.

Step 1: Select Your Vehicle

After clicking the yellow 'Get Started' button at the top of the page, you’re directed to the ‘Select Your Vehicle’ menu, just below the ‘Bring Your Truck to Life’ banner. Use the drop-down lists to select your vehicle’s year, make, model, and other prompted information. This information helps BYTTL suggest products and accessories applicable to your build.

Step 2: Select Essential Products

With your vehicle selected, scroll through the main page for our top accessories by category, including: 

• Vehicle Protection

• Vehicle Storage

• Cargo Management

• Comfort and Convenience

Alternatively, utilize the integrated links at the top of the page to jump to particular categories without scrolling. If products pique your interest, add them to your cart to purchase or save for later!

Step 3: Select Your Preferred Activity/Hobby

With your basics selected, it’s time to select a particular hobby/activity! We’ve compiled parts and accessories based on three of our most popular interests–off-roading, outdoors, and tailgating–to optimize parts hunting. Select whichever activity best aligns with your interests and get browsing!

Step 4: Bring Your Truck to Life!

At this point, it’s time to outline your build! Scroll through the various product categories in your preferred activity and check out our top selections, adding them to your cart to purchase or save for later. At the bottom of each activity/hobby page, enjoy a selection of our related guides and resources on RealSource!

Off-Road/Overland ‘Bring Your Truck to Life’ Build Guide

With a thorough understanding of the BYTTL page and its operation, let’s put its parts and resources into practice! Follow along this next section as we compile a rugged, off-road/overland-inspired pickup build using BYTTL’s recommended products and accessories.

Step 1: Select Your Vehicle

As previously outlined, the first step to bringing a truck to life is...acquiring a truck! For our off-road/overland platform, we’ve selected a third-generation Toyota Tacoma, stretching from 2016–2023. This chassis is incredibly popular for overland builds for several reasons, including: 

• Extensive aftermarket presence

• Off-road prowess

• Legendary Toyota reliability

• Solid performance

• Striking looks

In other words, the third-generation Tacoma is a stylish, reliable, and capable mid-size pickup with a massive selection of off-the-shelf parts. When it comes to off-road builds, there aren’t many better starting platforms.

Step 2: Select Essential Products

With our third-generation Tacoma acquired, it’s time for modifications! To kick off this build, we’ll start with essentials on the main landing page, optimizing protection, storage, organization, and comfort.

Vehicle Protection: Clean Floors and Seats

One of the first stops for any vehicle, regardless of its age, condition, or build plans, is interior protection. Nothing detracts from a build and spoils drivability like a worn-out, tired, and dirty interior. This section covers products and accessories to protect our Tacoma build’s interior, including floor mats, seat covers, and sunshades.

Husky Liners WeatherBeater Floor Liners

When hitting muddy trails or snowy campgrounds, you’re bound to track debris, dirt, and moisture into your pickup’s cab. Rather than stain our Tacoma builds' carpet flooring, we’re opting for Husky Liners WeatherBeater Floor Liners for maximum protection. These rugged, USA-made all-weather liners offer durable construction, comprehensive coverage, and an unbeatable warranty. 

Features: 

• Vehicle-specific fitment

• Heavy-duty rubberized construction

• FormFit Design™ implements laser scanning for a precision fitment

• Remains flexible even when subjected to extreme temperatures

• Chemical and abrasion-resistant

• Patented FormFit Edge™ keeps moisture, dirt, and stains contained

• Stay-Put Nibs reduce movement

• Easy to install, remove, and clean

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty

Covercraft SeatSaver Seat Covers

An off-road/overland Tacoma’s flooring isn’t the only wear and tear-prone region of the interior. We’re adding Covercraft SeatSaver Seat Covers to our build list to safeguard the upholstery against stains and weathering. Covercraft SeatSaver Seat Covers are built to last and are fully machine-washable. After a weekend on the trail, just strip them off and throw them in the wash for a like-new look and feel! 

Features: 

• Vehicle-specific fitment

• Heavy-duty Poly-cotton or waterproof polyester construction

• Poly-cotton fabric is water-resistant

• Polyester fabric is completely waterproof

• Poly-cotton SeatSavers are available in six colors, polyester in two

• Includes center console covers where applicable (except bucket seats)

• Overlapped double-stitched seams

• UV-treated to protect against fading

• Machine-washable and dryer-safe

• Sold as individual rows

• 3-year warranty

Vehicle Storage: Organize Tools and Toys

As we navigate the page, you'll find our next essentials category: vehicle storage! Any overlander/off-roader should come prepared for any scenario. That means packing recovery gear, first aid kits, tools, and other emergency supplies. You’ll benefit from proper organization practices if and when an emergency occurs. 

This section covers products and accessories to optimize your pickup’s storage space, including consoles and organizers, toolboxes, and more!

UnderCover Swing Case Truck Bed Toolbox

Bed and cab space are somewhat limited in a midsize pickup, like our Tacoma build. When organizing tools and accessories, we recommend utilizing all allotted space, even unconventionally shaped and typically unused areas, like between the rear wheel wells and tailgate! 

The UnderCover Swing Case Truck Bed Toolbox does just that, tucking effortlessly into this previously unused space with its molded composite construction. This toolbox offers exceptional durability, moderate cargo volume, and a lockable, weather-resistant lid, keeping your tools and supplies safe from rain and thieves.  

Features: 

• Rugged composite construction

• Weather-resistant lid seal

• Lockable rotary handle

• Outer dimensions: upper case 29" long, lower case 15" long, 8" wide

• Inner dimensions: 15" max depth, 8" min depth

• Creates storage space in a frequently unused part of the bed

• Keep clutter and small items out of your bed

• Easy to remove and reinstall when extra bed space is needed

• 1-year warranty

Go Rhino XVenture Gear Recovery Bag

Where space is limited, we recommend investing in a soft gear bag, molding and compressing below seats, on cab floors, or tucked between other cargo in the bed. The Go Rhino XVenture Recovery Bag is one such product, offering a soft canvas design and robust durability. 

This product utilizes heavy-duty materials like 2000-denier Cordura fabric, nylon webbing, paracord, and premium YKK zippers, ensuring maximum longevity in even the toughest conditions. Load this bag with your essential recovery gear, tools, emergency supplies, or whatever else! 

Features: 

• Wax-reinforced, water-resistant canvas exterior

• Reinforced 2000-denier Cordura base

• 1000-denier Cordura interior

• Lightweight, durable, and easy to clean

• Storage for gear and tools

• Heavy-duty clear poly material pockets

• Pockets reinforced with nylon webbing

• Extra-strength YKK zipper with paracord pulls

• Industrial-strength 1-1/2" wide webbed straps

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty

Cargo Management: Protect and Secure Your Gear

With smaller cargo loaded and organized, we’ll need to guard and secure our Tacoma build’s cargo area. This section includes products and accessories to do exactly that, including tonneau covers, rack systems, and more!

Elevate Rack System

Haul baskets, bikes, kayaks, rooftop tents, ladders, and more with the Elevate Rack System–a rugged yet lightweight aluminum bed rack affixed to adjustable tracks. This system offers exceptional strength without adding unnecessary weight. The Elevate Rack System features dual, T-slot-compatible crossbars to secure gear mounts, cargo boxes, and other accessories in minutes! 

Features: 

• Engineered aluminum construction

• Durable, textured powder coat finish

• Install, adjust, or remove in minutes

• Elevate T-slot rails required for installation on most trucks

• Telescoping design is adjustable at 18", 23", or 28"

• Ideal for baskets, bikes, kayaks, rooftop tents, ladders, and more

• Integrated T-slot channels accept T-slot accessories

• Limited lifetime warranty

Elevate Rack Accessories

Alongside the Elevate Rack System, Elevate offers numerous accessories ideal for our off-road/overland build. Products like heavy-duty tie-downs allow us to secure coolers, spare tires, and other oversized accessories with ease. Elevate also offers convenient channel guards, preventing mud, dirt, snow, and other debris from collecting in the Elevate Rack System’s T-slot crossbars.

Comfort and Convenience: Ease at Every Step

Rounding out essentials are convenience products, namely side and bed steps. These products help to offset mods we’ll discuss in the coming section, like suspension lifts and oversized tires, ensuring passengers have no issue climbing into our Tacoma build’s cab or bed!

Go Rhino Dominator D6 Running Boards

Easing entry into our Tacoma build’s cab is a pair of Go Rhino Dominator D6 Running Boards, offering aggressive styling, exceptional rocker protection, and an extra-wide, non-slip step.

These running boards feature durable tubular steel construction with a corrosion-resistant powder coat finish for superior durability, regardless of the climate. Optional 4-inch drop steps offer even greater accessibility, though when not needed, quickly unbolt from the primary running boards for greater ground clearance.  

Features:

• Durable tubular steel construction

• Extra-wide 6" step pad with raised hex pattern

• Textured black powder coat finish

• Dual-purpose design offers the benefits of running boards and sliders

• Optional bolt-on 4" drop steps available

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panels (Frame Mount available on select applications)

• Comes with Dominator Xtreme Mount Kit and install guide

• Simple bolt-on application with no drilling required

• Limited lifetime structural | 5-year finish warranty

Go Rhino RB30 Slim Hitch Step

Piggybacking on our Tacoma builds is a rugged Go Rhino RB30 Slim Hitch Step! This 16-gauge, plate steel step features aggressive Raptor-inspired styling and a corrosion-resistant powder coat finish, perfectly complimenting the off-road aesthetics of Go Rhino’s Dominator D6 Running Boards. 

With an extra-wide, non-slip 4.75-inch step pad, enjoy a sturdy and stable step into the bed to access all essential gear. 

Features:  

• 16-gauge galvanized steel construction

• Available in textured powder coat or protective bed liner coating finishes

• Raptor-inspired styling

• Improved bed access with a 4.75" non-slip stepping surface

• Hitch-mounted step offers rear-end protection

• Works with any 2" receiver hitch

• Hitch pin not included

• Limited lifetime material | 5-year finish warranty

Step 3: Select Off-Road/Overland Products

With our essentials sorted, it’s time to select our hobby: Off-roading. In this section, we’ll navigate the product and accessory categories found in the Off-Roading Activities and Hobbies section, including bumpers, suspension, and more!

Bumpers: Go Places Others Don't

Heavy-duty bumpers are a must-have for an off-road/overland build. On tight trails and trick obstacles, your rig will inevitably make contact with obstacles. And when that contact occurs, we'll ensure our Tacoma build is protected!

Front: Go Rhino BR6 Front Winch Bumper

Protecting our Tacoma build’s front end is the Go Rhino BR6 Front Winch Bumper–a heavy-duty, winch-compatible, plate steel front bumper. This product features robust ¼-inch thick construction, a heavy-duty powder coat finish, and various integrated accessory mounts for a 12,000-pound winch, LED light bar, LED pods, and D-ring recovery shackles. Best yet? This bumper offers a simple, no-drill installation. 

Features: 

• Winch Ready Front Bumper

• Durable .25" mild steel construction

• Textured black powder coat finish

• Accommodates up to 12,000 lb winch

• Integrated LED light bar and fog light mounts

• Hinged winch cover 

• Proprietary ‘Rhino Hook’ D-ring shackle mounts

• Includes all hardware

• Simple, no-drill installation

• Limited lifetime material | 5-year finish warranty

Rear: Westin Pro-Series Rear Bumper

We’re opting for a Westin Pro-Series Rear Bumper to complement the rugged BR6 front bumper, featuring a similar construction and black powder coat finish. 

This bumper features a durable 10-gauge plate steel construction, bolstering impact resistance. The raw steel receives a corrosion-resistant dual-stage finish comprising an E-coat base and black powder-coat finish. Other notable features include a high-clearance design, integrated LED license plate lights, built-in LED pod mounts, and a simple bolt-on installation.  

Features: 

• Heavy-duty 10-gauge steel construction

• Dual-stage finish includes an E-coat base and black powder-coat finish

• Slender and lightweight one-piece design

• High clearance ends 

• Compatible with OEM hitch 

• Includes LED license plate lights

• Integrated mounts for dual FM6 Flush Mount LED Back-Up Lights (light sold separately)

• Includes vehicle-specific install kit and instructions

• Simple, bolt-on installation

• 3-year warranty

Suspension: Choose the Hard Line

With body armor handled, let’s shift gears to off-road performance, specifically suspension. Lift kits and leveling kits are vital additions to off-road/overland builds, providing clearance for oversized tires while retaining full suspension travel.

Superlift 3" Lift Kits

To improve tire clearance while keeping our Tacoma’s center of gravity low, we’re opting for a Superlift 3” Lift Kit. This comprehensive kit includes everything necessary to lift our Tacoma build, including tubular upper control arms, SuperLift Shadow series dampers, front strut spacers, rear lift blocks, and all necessary hardware. All components are proudly manufactured in the USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

• Complete front and rear lift kit

• Vehicle-specific fitment

• Includes all required installation hardware

• Offered with Superlift or Bilstein shocks

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty

Wheel/Tire Setup: Blood, Sweat, and Tires

Regarding off-road performance, suspension is only one part of the equation. While a lift kit provides clearance for oversized tires, we still need said tires and suitable wheels to stuff our Tacoma build’s fender wells!

Wheels: Black Rhino Matte Black Chamber Wheels

To make our overland Tacoma build look as great as it functions off-road, we’re ditching the stock alloys for a set of sleek, Black Rhino Matte Black Chamber Wheels. With a lightweight and durable cast aluminum construction, sleek matte black finish, and availability in numerous dimensions, the wheel will look and function exceptionally beneath our Tacoma.   

Features: 

• Durable and lightweight cast aluminum construction

• Sleek matte black finish

• Concave spoked face

• Contoured wheel lip

• "Black Rhino" stamped center cap

• Limited lifetime structural | 1-year finish warranty

Tires: Falken Wildpeak A/T3W Tires

Tires significantly inform ride quality both on and off-road. For our off-road/overland build, we’re selecting a premium all-terrain offering from Falken. The Wildpeak A/T3W offers excellent performance in all weather conditions due to its tread depth, 3D canyon sipe technology, and silica tread compound. In wet and snowy conditions, the AT3/W earns its USTMA and TRAC qualifications for the 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) symbol. On-road, the tire is quiet, controlled, and comfortable. 

Features: 

• Tallest tread blocks in its class

• 3PMSF certified

• Full tread depth sipes

• Aggressive upper sidewall 

• Offset shoulder blocks protect from protrusions

• Silica tread compound

• 55,000-mile treadwear

Fender Flares: The Worst Trails Make the Best Memories

With aftermarket wheels and tires often comes tire protrusion from the fenders and bedsides. Rather than risk paint damage and fix-it tickets, we’re outfitting our Tacoma with rugged fender flares to enhance tire coverage.

Lund SX Sport Fender Flares

Lund’s SX Sport Fender Flares are rugged, stylish, and durable, manufactured from premium tri-flex ABS thermoplastic for superior impact, abrasion, and chemical resistance. Flares come in either OE-inspired textured or smooth, paint-ready finishes; we’re eyeing the textured finish for our Tacoma build, considering the material’s integrated UV inhibitors and the likelihood of incurring scratches and chips. 

Lund SX Sport Fender Flares feature simple, bolt-on installations for easy at-home mounting. This product is proudly made in the USA and comes backed by a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

• Durable tri-flex ABS thermoplastic construction

• Vehicle-specific fitment

• Available in OE-textured or smooth, paint-ready finish

• Low-profile, OE-inspired design

• UV resistant to prevent fading, chalking, and oxidation

• Simple no-drill installation utilizing factory bolt holes

• Rubber edge trim guards paint against scratching and grooving

• Sold in 2-piece or 4-piece sets

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty

Winches and Recovery: Go Where the Winching is Good

No one likes calling for backup when the road gets tough, especially if you’re trapped in the remote wilderness! The key to any overland/off-road rig is self-reliance; if you can squeeze out of a sticky situation yourself, you’ll have a far more effective wheeler. For this reason, we recommend outfitting every off-road/overland build with quality recovery equipment, like a heavy-duty winch.

Rugged Ridge 12,500 LB Trekker Winch

We’re outfitting our Tacoma builds' front bumper with a premium 12,500-pound winch from Rugged Ridge. While this winch may be overkill for our mid-size pickup, don’t underestimate the weight of a full gas tank, burly aftermarket bumpers, beefy tires, and a bed loaded with gear! When it comes to winches, it’s always better to have too much power than not enough.  

Features: 

• Rated line pull of 12,500 LB

• Choose between steel or synthetic line

• Powerful 6.6 HP series wound motor

• Available with either wired or wireless controls

• 3-stage planetary drive gears

• Powerful 212:1 gear ratio

• Convenient free-spooling clutch

• Automatic load hold in drum brake

• 10" x 4.5" mounting bolt pattern

• IP68 waterproof gearbox, solenoid, and motor

• 5-year warranty

Overland Accessories: Scenic Ain't Seen Nothin’ Yet

With our Tacoma prepped for even the toughest trail, it’s time to set up camp. Nothing brings a sense of security like a premium overland tent setup when you’re out in the remote wilderness.

RealTruck GoTent

Why spend up to an hour assembling a conventional ground tent when you can set up camp in under a minute? For our overland Tacoma, we’re installing RealTruck’s all-new GoTent–a durable, hard-shelled tent complete with an Oxford fabric body, stainless steel frame, 2-inch-thick high-density foam mattress, and more! 

This tent mounts to any roof rack crossbar system, like our previously installed Elevate Rack. With stainless steel hinges, gas-charged struts, and a telescoping ladder, setup is easier than ever! And let’s be honest, the last thing anyone wants to do after a long day on the trail is fiddle with tent poles! 

Features: 

• Rugged stainless-steel frame

• Lightweight aluminum hardshell weighs just 169 lbs. 

• Waterproof Oxford fabric tent body

• Synthetic fiber floorboard adds structural strength 

• 2-inch-thick high-density foam mattress for undeniable interior comfort

• Windows include zippered mesh screens

• Integrated interior storage pockets

• Stainless steel hinges and gas-charged struts allow easy set-up

• Telescoping ladder makes tent entry a breeze

• Integrated T-slot rails on the tent's exterior accommodate a variety of overlanding accessories

• Includes universal mounting brackets for installation onto any cross-bar system

• Quick, 1-minute setup

• Limited lifetime warranty

Lighting: Illuminate the Off-Road Ahead

Last on our build list is lighting. Nothing instills confidence on a dark, dimly-lit trail like vibrant auxiliary lights.

Diode Dynamics SSC2 LED Light Kit

For lighting, we’ve selected the Diode Dynamics SSC2 LED Light Kit. This plug-and-play kit includes bolt-on brackets, two Stage Series C2 LED pods, and a complete wiring harness, mounting high-output LED pods at each A-pillar. Positioned just above the hood, these lights produce exceptional output at the sides and front of our Tacoma build, illuminating the edges of trails for safe navigation.

Diode Dynamics LED lights are made in the USA, IP67-rated, and backed by the confidence of an 8-year warranty. 

Features: 

• Bolt-on, no-drill installation

• Heavy-duty stainless steel brackets

• Mounts two Stage Series C2 LED Pods above your vehicle's hood

• White and amber LED colors are available

• IP67 weatherproof

• USA-made

• 8-year warranty