There are some cool looking Tacoma’s on Instagram. They all have King suspension, roof racks, rooftop tents, expensive Rotopax fuel containers, and Maxtrax; they’re done to the nines. As much as I like to daydream of doing all these modifications to our Tacoma, we don’t have the money for it, nor do we even need to. In reality the Tacoma is plenty capable without modification, especially for the Midwest where we barely have hills. I’ve purchased a few things to increase our capabilities with the mindset of being prepared for emergencies. These are affordable Tacoma mods that more people should consider to increase their capability.
Affordable Tacoma Mods That You Need Before An Emergency
Fuel Storage
My commute to work is just over 30 miles and at an average of 18 MPG I go through about 3.33 gallons of gas a day. In an emergency I need to be able to get home and make sure Kathleen and the dogs are safe. I purchased three 5-gallon European military style fuel containers from MajorSurplus.com and keep them in the back of the truck. This doubles the distance we can travel before purchasing more fuel.
I need to find a better way of securing the jerry can’s, however. Currently I’m using ratchet straps, but a lockable mount would be ideal. Most solutions I’ve found only hold 1 or two jerry cans and are expensive. I will most likely have to fabricate something myself.
Ham Radio (Most important affordable Tacoma modification)
Communication is one of the most crucial parts of preparedness and was the very first mod to my Tacoma. Nothing is more reliable than amateur radio. Not only will it work when your cell phone wont, but there is a community of preparedness-minded people who are ready to help when crisis arises. Getting a license to operate a radio on amateur frequencies is easy. Learning how to use the radio before an emergency is key to being prepared.
I will have a full write up on how I installed my Ham radio in the future.
Fieldcraft Survival Mobility Go Bag
I have the Fieldcraft Survival 1-Gen Go Bag. This bag hangs on the back of either the driver’s seat or the passenger seat and puts extra gear within arm’s reach. It can be quickly removed and turned into a backpack in case you need to bail from your vehicle. I have a pouch with emergency medical supplies to treat life-threatening injuries, fire starting equipment, water purification tablets, snacks, and emergency blankets that can be used for signal or maintaining core body temperature. This bag does it all.
These are just the first affordable Tacoma mods. What I want to add soon are:
- New wheels and tires (preferably BFG KO2’s)
- Bigger medical supply bag
- Large water containers
- Additional exterior lighting
- New suspension
This Coronavirus pandemic has shifted our mindset. We’ve learned that we are well prepared compared to most, but not as prepared as we could be. Although these first affordable Tacoma mods are minor, they increased our capabilities tremendously and are a good first step in vehicle preparedness. Stay tuned for more affordable Tacoma mods.
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Disclaimer: We’re not professionals or experts on this topic, so all we can do is share our own personal experience in hopes that it helps you in your journey! We always recommend consulting with the pros directly.