Backwoods Adventure Mods exists for one simple reason: to build products you’ll actually use. And because we are passionate about the industry we serve, we spend more time testing our gear in the dirt than in the shop. Whether you want to chase pristine alpine lakes down secluded forest service roads, crawl over gnarly mountain passes, or sleep under a crystal clear desert sky, the right build, gear, and mindset make all the difference.

Why We Wander

There is a pull to the wild that you can feel in your chest. On our recent trip to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado we took the opportunity to not only test our gear but reinforce the driving ethos behind our mission. The vistas, rivers, steep switchbacks carved a century ago and dotted with abandoned mining towns - these places strip away the daily routine and remind you what it is to be alive. The value of a trip like this is rarely the checklist, miles, or modifications; it is the quiet morning coffee, the conversation around the campfire, the breathless awe as you crest the top of a pass. That is why Backwoods Adventure Mods exists: to give people the confidence and tools to chase moments like this.

"You have to commit…you just have to commit and know - that's part of life." 

That’s what Backwoods Adventure Mods does every single day -  in our product design, in our testing, our iteration, our progress toward future growth, and our service to our customers.

The Builds That Carry Us

We build trucks to be driven hard, and live the adventures our products support. Below are highlights from the four different rigs that carried us through the San Juan Mountains of Colorado - real rigs built for real adventures.

Tundra: The Long-Haul Overlander

• Wheels and tires: 37-inch Toyo Open Country on Method wheels

• Front end: Scout Low Pro bumper, Baja lights, Agency 6 recovery components

• Armor and access: Rock sliders that double as steps, rear AWE high-clearance exhaust with bash guard tip

• Roof strategy: Roof rack dialed to create a "front porch" vista using deck panels with a reverse mounted FSR tent mounted to our Tundra Bed Rack

• Accessories: Starlink mount, aluminum cargo boxes, Morflate air down kit
  
  

Land Cruiser 250: Balanced Adventure Platform

• Suspension: Dobinson springs to handle the added weight of extra gear

• Lights: Pro Six Gravity KC light bar integrated into a custom fairing adapter

• Storage: FSR Odyssey tent, our soon-to-be-released universal hitch swing prototype, overland storage box for small trucks and SUVs

• Tires: Kenda Kinder Cleaver MT2 testing for combined highway/offroad performance
  
  

4th Gen Tacoma: The Trail Hammer

• Tires: 37-inch Kinder Cleaver MT2s, beadlock-capable setup

• Suspension: Dobinson rear coils and king shocks all around

• Bumpers and armor: Our hybrid design Hi-Lite Overland Series 4th Gen Front Bumper with a lightweight aluminum shell with steel winch cradle for strength where it counts

• Roof and Bed Racks: Drifter roof rack with optional accessories and our fully kitted Tacoma Bed Rack

3rd Gen Tacoma (personal rig): The Dialed Daily Adventurer

• Suspension: +2 long travel kit from Dirt King, Dobinson long-travel coils, Archive Garage shock relocation

• Storage: Durbox flatbed tray and canopy, removable for different missions

• Bumpers and armor: Backwoods Hi-Lite Overland Series 3rd Gen Front Bumper, Rock Sliders, and Skid Plate System

• Functional mounts: Propane, chainsaw, Backwoods jerry’s can, with a full recovery kit and cooking system on board

• Exhaust: Dual AWE exhaust for sound and performance
  
  

Trail Lessons

Practical habits keep any off road trip from going sideways; it’s the little things that matter most when you’re hundreds of miles from home with the nearest reputable shop a long way off.

Simple rules we follow:

• Run what you bring: Don’t build a $100,000 rig with $20,000 of bolt-on gear you’ve never tested. Start simple, learn, then iterate.

• Find people who know the terrain: Companions can spot you when things get gnarly, share their experience, and generally make the trip easier and more memorable.

• Commit: If you’re always afraid of scratching your paint you’ll miss out on killer experiences and incredible views. Accept a few scrapes and dings as part of the story.

• Maintain daily: Check bolts and lugs, tires for damage, recovery gear for wear, tighten straps, and adjust tire pressure to suit the day’s trail.
  
  

Gear Highlights and Innovations

Testing new ideas in the field is part of our DNA at Backwoods Adventure Mods. Prototypes like our universal hitch swings, DRIFTR roof systems, and overland storage boxes all started out as sketches, and ended up proving themselves on the trail and around camp. Kit we leaned on during this trip to the San Juan Mountains included our heavy-duty aluminum bed rack cargo boxes, modular roof deck panels, dedicated tent systems from FSR, Morflate tire systems, and our Driftr Roof Racks with Starlink mounts for reliable connectivity when work demanded our attention out on the trail.

How to Start Your Own Journey

Start with curiosity and a willingness to be uncomfortable for a little while when you first start your build and adventures. Get the basics sorted first: reliable tires, sensible suspension, a recovery kit, lighting, and a plan. Camp cheap and simple at first - good coffee, a reliable camp stove, and a shelter that sets up quickly go a long way. Most importantly, find people who share the same appetite for adventure who can lend advice, help, and gear when needed.

Quick starter checklist:

1. Proper tires and a way to air them down/up

2. Recovery gear: you can get out of a lot of stuck situations with a barebones kit - kinetic strap, shackles, a shovel, and a set of traction boards 

3. Comms: cell, radio, and at least one emergency satellite option for remote areas

4. Full-size spare and tools for tire repair, extra fluids, and pre/mid-trip fastener checks

5. A tent system, comfortable mattress & bedding, and a dependable cooking setup
   
   

Closing Thoughts

Backwoods Adventure Mods is about more than making premium upgrades for your vehicle. It’s about designing and refining gear for real life adventures, then using that gear to chase moments that stick with you long after the trail dust settles. If you want inspiration or practical products that are proven on-trail, and pursue a build that prioritizes use, not just looks. The wild is waiting, and the right rig makes all the difference.

For us here at Backwoods Adventure Mods, the ethos behind our drive is clear: build to use, test to improve, and travel to reinforce the why behind what we do.