Ken Hoglund's Adventurous Overland Build

This week we’re proud to feature Ken Hoglund and his purpose-built 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road — a truck that evolved from family transportation into a fully capable overlanding rig.

Ken didn’t plan to get into the overland scene at first. A long-time photography enthusiast, he wanted access to Utah’s most remote and beautiful locations — but his Mazda Protégé wasn’t exactly adventure-ready. The search for a mid-size truck began, with one key requirement from his wife: it had to fit three car seats in the back. Challenge accepted. Thanks to a clever three-across car seat setup, Ken picked up his Tacoma brand new in May 2015.

Like many great builds, this one started small — a tonneau cover, then slowly moving toward overland capability. His first major investment came in February 2017 with a set of skid plates to protect the undercarriage long before he even touched the suspension. Over time, upgrades became more purposeful, each one solving a real-world need, from sleeping space for his kids to the strength to handle rugged Utah trails.

Bed Rack & Accessories

• PrinSu Design Studio CabRack

• Leitner Designs Active Cargo System

• Leitner Designs XL Gear Pod

• MaxTrax

• RotopaX Gas Can

Body & Armor

• CBI Offroad Moab 2.0 Front Bumper

• CBI Offroad Bushmaster 2.0 Rear Bumper (Dual Swing Away)

• CBI Offroad Rock Sliders

• CBI Overland Skid Plates

• Bay Area Metal Fab Lower Control Arm Skid Plates

• RCI Offroad Rear Diff Skid Plate

Gearing

• 4.56 Ratio Nitro Gears

Lighting

• Heretic Studio Clear 40" Bar (Roof Rack Mounted)

• Heretic Studio Clear Ditch Lights (CBI Ditch Light Brackets)

• Heretic Amber Fog Lights

• Heretic Amber 20" Bar (Front Bumper)

• Rigid SR-M Flush Mount Flood Lights (Backup)

Suspension & Tires

• Old Man Emu BP–51 Suspension Kit w/ Dakar Leafs

• Old Man Emu Dakar AAL

• Archive Garage Hammer Shackle Hangers w/ Cross Tube

• Timbren Industries Rear Active Off-Road Bumpstops

• Wheeler’s Off-Road Front Superbump Bumpstops

• Falken Wildpeak LT285/70R17 Tires

• TRD Matte Black Pro Wheels

• StopTech 6-Piston Front Big Brake Kit (Red Calipers)

Accessories

• Warn Zeon 10-S Platinum Synthetic Winch

• Wavian Steel Jerry Gas Can

• ARB Dual Air Compressor

• Expedition Essentials Bedside Mount

• Expedition Essentials TPAM

• Empyre Off Road Grille Insert

• sPOD Universal

• CVT Summit Mt. Rainer Tent

• Volant Cold Air Intake

• Safari Snorkel

• Yaesu TM-400XDR Dual-Band Ham Radio

• WeatherTech Floor Mats

Coming Soon

• ARB Front Air Locker

Ken’s build is a prime example of slow, thoughtful upgrades — each one designed to meet a need, improve capability, and keep the family comfortable on long adventures. From chasing the perfect shot to tackling the toughest Utah trails, this Tacoma proves that a well-planned build can handle just about anything.