A properly equipped Toyota Hilux can take you where few other vehicles can. The 4×4 capabilities of the Toyota Hilux makes it ideal for exploring the world off-road.
Some Hilux adventurers take off-roading to the extreme, traveling for weeks, months, even years across borders and into unexplored realms, roads optional. Overlanding – self-reliant adventure travel to remote and often undeveloped destinations – is the embodiment of this spirit. The reliable Toyota Hilux, outfitted with extra fuel, supplies, and navigational aids, opens undiscovered lands to adventuresome drivers.
For overlanders, life is too short to be tied to the demands and obligations of conventional life. Time on the road can change your perspective for the better. Overlanding is more about the journey than the destination itself. To some, “overlander” is an identity. It’s a lifestyle, not a vacation.
Long-distance overlanding uncovers novel places off the beaten path on your own schedule. Your vehicle is your home, with the option to sleep under the stars. Overlanders, seeking adventure, exploration, and self-realization, are naturally drawn to remote destinations. The journey is an escape to get away from it all, but also leads to a goal. Overlanders are prepared to overcome obstacles, whether physical (breakdowns, weather, terrain) or intangible (cold, loneliness, lost bearings). Overlanders are self-reliant, but also agreeable to local encounters. A well-equipped Toyota Hilux can journey to places seldom visited by people.
Equipping a Toyota Hilux for an overland odyssey demands a degree of mechanical aptitude and resourcefulness, but also provides for a simplified way of life. A Hilux converted into a home on wheels is a cheap alternative to hotel rooms and restaurant meals, even in less-developed countries with weak currency exchange rates. In some regions away from civilization, living out of your Hilux is a necessity. “Roughing it” can itself be a transformative experience, but just how rough can be managed by how the Hilux is outfitted.
Countless overland routes cross Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Some are household names. The Silk Road follows the vast network of trade routes that connected the East and West, from China to the Mediterranean Sea, for over 1,500 years. Silk Road terrains include desolate deserts like the Gobi in Mongolia and China, and rugged mountain passes in the Pamirs and Tien Shan in Central Asia, offering a mix of sand, rocky paths, and river crossings. Commonly known as a rail journey, the Trans-Siberian route covers approximately 5,780 miles / 9,300 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok across the breadth of Russia, running through vast landscapes of dense forests, mountains, wide rivers, and unpaved roads. The overland Road to Kathmandu from Europe or the Middle East, popularized in the 1960s and 1970s as the “Hippie Trail,” offers an epic journey through diverse landscapes, including the deserts of Iran, the mountains of Afghanistan (historically, though current travel advisories strongly discourage this route), and the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. Craggy mountain tracks, steep inclines, and high-altitude conditions challenge even the most capable vehicles.
Hilux’s Overlanding Credentials
Choosing a suitable vehicle may be the most crucial decision in planning an overland adventure, and also the greatest expense. Depending on the type of journey, overlanders may spend as much modifying and equipping a vehicle as the vehicle’s purchase cost. Some overland trips may be inspired by the vehicle itself more than the destination.
A traditional RV or trailer is too flimsy for the rigors of overland travel. It’s no surprise that the Toyota Hilux is a favorite for overlanding. Hilux is the most popular overlanding choice in Europe and Australia and is common in South and Central America. The 4×4 capabilities of the Toyota Hilux give the model distinct overlanding advantages. Properly equipped and supplied, a Toyota Hilux can visit places accessible only to the brawniest vehicles.
Overlanding is not a fair-weather pastime. Mud, standing water, creeks and streams, rocks, sand, potholes, ruts, poorly maintained roads, and roadless expanses in cold, heat, rain, and snow await overland travelers. In some countries, infrastructure like streetlights and traffic signals is limited. Driving challenges can be compounded by unpredictable driving habits of the locals. Even if roads exist, they may not be paved or maintained. Sometimes a road is just a track in the dust.
Less massive than Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and truck-based overland conversions, the Hilux is easy to drive in all sorts of conditions. The light steering and standard wheelbase of the Toyota Hilux makes it highly maneuverable, especially along two-lane roads and narrow mountain passes. Automatic transmissions, ergonomic seats and dashboards, low engine noise, cup holders, and air conditioning reduce fatigue on long treks. The Hilux’s roomy dual cab, while too small for a proper bedroom, provides easy access to frequently used cargo without needing to stop and unload the truck bed. High ground clearance avoids damage from obstacles like small boulders.
An overlanding Toyota Hilux needn’t be too specialized. Stock engines, transmissions, differentials, and wheels are suitable for most overland adventures. At the completion of the expedition, the Hilux can revert to your daily driver.
Hilux Overlanding Truths
In a Hilux, two travelers are the ideal number for comfort and support. A long-haul overland trip will test and, if the chemistry’s right, nurture relationships with travel partners. An overland partner can serve as a spotter, surveying the landscape for hazards and walking treacherous sections first to guide the driver. An overlanding duo can take turns driving and sleeping to cover more territory day and night.
Water, the essence of life, is necessary for hydration, cooking, and bathing. Refill at every opportunity from taps, or pump from natural bodies of water (non-potable water must be filtered or treated, so pack purification filters and bleach for disinfecting water). Separate tanks for treated drinking water, greywater (used wash water, suitable for non-drinking needs like flushing), and black water (waste) for proper disposal will help conserve this precious resource.
A breakdown in the middle of nowhere, outside the range of cell towers, is an inconvenience if prepared, ruinous if not. The pervasiveness of the Toyota Hilux worldwide makes the model familiar to mechanics in countries rich and poor. Nevertheless, packing spares and replacements is vital for overlanding when exploring an unpopulated region.
Have replacement hoses on hand for ruptures, and oil, transmission fluid (for automatics) and radiator coolant to refill the fluids they carry. Fan belts, alternator belts, fuel filters and air filters are prone to failure. Drivers of gasoline fueled Hiluxes should also carry spark plugs and replacement sockets.
Punctures are inevitable when traversing long distances. Along with a spare wheel, pack a hydraulic bottle jack, jack stands, a reliable pressure gauge, tire levers, and a bead-breaking tool for tire removal and repair. A compressor can be permanently installed outside the Hilux and powered by the vehicle to re-inflate tires after repair (or after having deflated them for soft sand or snow).
A spare starter battery, mounted or stored, can serve as a backup to run electrical gadgets without draining the primary starter battery. By its nature, the alternator is a component prone to failure. A backup alternator and the skills to replace it can keep the overlander mobile instead of stuck at a mechanic’s shop.
Quality tools for making these repairs to an overlanding Toyota Hilux can be purchased from any hardware store. Metric “dog bone” wrenches, lug wrenches, torque wrenches, cap wrenches, hex bits, a ratchet set with socket extensions, pliers, a screwdriver set, a hammer, a mallet, and a utility knife belong in any overlander’s toolbox. Flashlights, flares, a pry bar, and a breaker bar should be easily accessible. Study a printed repair manual before departure and stash it in the glove box for reference. One specialized tool worth carrying is a small on-board diagnostics computer (OBD), a handheld device that interfaces with your Hilux’ computer. With your OBD readout, you can explain your vehicle’s faults to a mechanic. Thus equipped, the overlander has all that’s necessary to rescue or repair a Toyota Hilux off-road.
Glamping in a Hilux
Even unmodified, the Hilux is spacious enough to haul equipment and supplies for overlanding. Yet the Hilux’s potential for extensive customization makes the model a suitable platform for all types of travelers. The type and degree of conversion depends on the type of traveler. Will the overlander be camping, or “glamping?”
For overlanders seeking comfort and convenience, Toyota Hilux camper conversions can provide the comforts of home. Akin to a coach built motorhome, a Hilux camper is designed for less rigorous travels. Such conversions can be as straightforward as a commercial camper shell or a hand-built structure in a Hilux’s truck bed.
Serious campers can choose from commercial conversions like the GeoScout Condor from German customizer Geocar, or the SUV Adventure Camper BR75 by Japanese RV company Direct Cars Co Ltd. Both are based on a Toyota Hilux chassis (Geocar offers other makes as well), and superficially resemble a traditional Hilux pickup with a camper shell.
The BR75, for example, is designed for comfort. Direct Cars Co Ltd. provides more habitable space in the BR75 by removing the truck bed from the chassis. In fact, the low floor and an extendable roof gives adults standing room. Off-road tires extend the BR75’s reach. External power outlets and an extendable awning expand useful space outside of the BR75, bringing convenience to outdoor pursuits and luxury to alfresco dining.
Internally, the BR75 offers a bedroom, kitchen, dining room, and even a bathroom. The spacious rear living space has built-in bench seats and a collapsable table with plenty of functional storage. The pull-down bed, with a dense foam mattress, sheets, covers, and pillows, makes for a more restful night than a sleeping bag on a thin pad. A kitchenette, complete with a propane stove and 12-volt electric cooler for refrigeration, makes possible delicious home-cooked meals that are more sustaining than canned, freeze-dried, and dehydrated rations. A private shower room, complete with sink and extendable hose shower head for indoor and outdoor use, opens to a waterproof rear gate cargo space that doubles as a washable mudroom. An exchanger makes use of excess heat from a running engine for hot water. A waterless cassette toilet is a convenient and private alternative to campground bathrooms or pit latrines.
A Toyota Hilux camper conversion can be a comfortable, cozy house on wheels to retreat to after a long day of travel. Ideal for hunters, anglers, hikers, and nature lovers, with a camper conversion you can stop and set up house at any agreeable spot without the chore of unloading gear and setting up camp. Its compact size makes a camper conversion equally capable for trips to urban habitats.
Customizing the Hilux for an Overland Adventure
Luxury camping isn’t for everybody. Some adventurers forego comfort and convenience for truly unique experiences. The Toyota Hilux is ideal for adventurous overlanders who travel dirt paths and trackless deserts far from civilization. How the Hilux is outfitted is a decision made by the overlander, based on the location and distance of the journey.
Housekeeping in a Hilux isn’t very accommodating. In an unmodified Hilux, there won’t be room to stretch out and sleep comfortably. Sleeping arrangements can be as simple as a tent pitched next to a parked Hilux, but rooftops tents offer a more spacious alternative. Mounted to a Hilux’s hard shell, on a folding pedestal in the truck bed, or directly to the frame, rooftop tents provide a second story to the vehicle for protection from ground-based hazards like water, mud, and wildlife. A rooftop tent is convenient to set up and take down (some can be erected in a minute or less) and frees up vehicle space storage from bulky bedding. The convenience of a rooftop tent comes at the expense of added weight, vehicle balance, lower fuel efficiency, and the loss of rooftop storage. When practical, however, a rooftop tent is more comfortable and secure than a tent on the ground.
Unless entirely cut off from civilization, meals can be prepared from local fare. A small propane- or gasoline-fueled camp stove provides hot water and outdoor cooking. The usefulness of a folding table for preparation and serving can’t be overstated.
A damp cloth may serve as a bath. A hole in the ground might serve as a toilet. When nature calls, a resourceful solution can usually be found.
The full potential of the Toyota Hilux as an off-road overlanding vehicle is realized with some substantial aftermarket upgrades. A hardshell over the truck bed provides secure storage for supplies and gear. If a rooftop tent is sacrificed, the cargo space can be extended with a roof rack (pack supplies strategically to maintain as low a center of gravity as possible, stowing heavy items in the cab or bed).
Off-roading can cut fuel efficiency in half. Built-in fuel tanks, mounted inside the vehicle or underneath the carriage, extend range between refueling. Steel jerry cans, mounted outside the vehicle, are a portable option (be sure to pack a siphon). Thus fueled, the overlander can drive securely through undeveloped regions where gasoline or diesel is scarce or of poor quality.
A standard Toyota Hilux suspension may “bottom out” with a heavy load on rough terrain. An upgraded suspension to bear the additional load of overlanding supplies broadens the terrain that can be explored. Front and undercarriage armor can protect the radiator, gearbox, exhaust, brake lines, and fuel tank from roadway obstacles.
Durable steel rims, less expensive and stronger than alloy, and tall sidewalls for additional ground clearance and a smoother ride are a popular overlanding choice for varied terrain.
Sand, mud, water, snow, gravel, and steep inclines will trap even the nimblest 4×4. A front-mounted winch can extract your Hilux, or aid other trapped vehicles, and will save hours of physical effort. Flat tow straps pack into a small space. Sand plates, rigid or flexible planks made of plastic or steel, are slid under wheels to gain traction when stuck in sand or snow. These plates can be strapped to the side or top of the vehicle for transport. Packing shovels to dig out a sinking vehicle is mandatory.
An aftermarket snorkel, connected to the engine’s air intake and routed through the hood along a front pillar, can increase wading depth for fording water without flooding the engine. A cyclone attachment to the snorkel’s intake will pre-filter air and reduce ground-level dust intake.
The 12-volt electrical system and lead-acid car battery in light trucks like the Toyota Hilux is inadequate to power and charge multiple electronic devices like GPS receivers, radios, computers, cameras, and phones. An inverter, mounted inside the vehicle and connected to the starter battery, will convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC), enabling devices to be powered or charged with mains voltage.
Alternating current drawn from an inverter brings some risk to the vehicle’s electronics. There’s also no way to generate electricity for an inverter if the engine is disabled. Solar can fill the need of a secondary charging system for portable gadgets and backup batteries with flexible panels mounted on the vehicle.
Adequate illumination is crucial for setting up camp, cooking, and after-hours Toyota Hilux maintenance. Exterior spot lamps, for seeing distances, and flood lamps, for seeing the immediate vicinity, are typically mounted to light bars installed outside the vehicle for after dark.
G3 and G4 cell phone networks are common worldwide, but service can be unreliable in less-developed regions and completely unavailable off the grid. High-wattage (up to 50 watt) radios can be hardwired to a dash and connected to an external antenna, greatly increasing range. General mobile radio service (GMRS) handheld and hardwired radios are for two-way, short-range (1-2 miles) voice communication, but mounted GMRS antennas and higher wattage radios can extend that range tenfold. Ham radio, which has the farthest broadcast reach, is gaining in popularity with overlanders but requires a license. GPS works globally, but not all regions are accurately mapped. Standalone GPS units offer extra features, but downloaded smartphone maps are a viable option for many overlanders. In any case, pack paper maps and a compass as a backup.
The Hilux as a Home on Wheels
All-weather, all-terrain vehicles are sought by overlanders, long-distance travelers who follow their own path. To reach their goal, overland adventurers may need to travel through less developed countries or traverse no-man’s-lands. Roads may be poorly maintained or nonexistent, and gas stations few and far between. A Toyota Hilux can traverse mountains, streams, mud, snow, and sand. Properly equipped with winches, cranes, and traction plates, a Hilux can also extract itself after getting stuck in such conditions. Long-term overlanders add fuel tanks, water tanks, rooftop tents, long-range communications antennae, and secure storage to their custom Hiluxes. They pack food, tools, first aid, and replacement parts to manage breakdowns or delays. A Toyota Hilux customized for overlanding is a home on the road.
Overlanding attracts drivers with a passion for adventure and the outdoors. A durable off-road vehicle like the Toyota Hilux makes overlanding feasible. Overlanders seek the thrill of discovering novel places and the satisfaction of traversing difficult terrains at their own pace. They explore remote destinations, often without roads to follow. Self-sufficiency is a key principle of overlanding, with overlanders carrying their food, water, fuel, and camping gear for extended trips. Exploration and a spirit of adventure define overlanding.
The Hilux, engineered as a 4×4 workhorse by Toyota, is so robust that it’s a natural choice for an off-road tour through undeveloped landscapes.