Off Road TD (My First Build)

[FlyFish1971]

Hello all! After lurking these forums for awhile and talking to a couple of you, I've finally started my TD build! First of all, thanks to everyone on here for the invaluable information!
My idea was to start from scratch and build a teardrop that will be suitable for light to moderate off-roading. I built the frame out of 2x2 square tubing and did a spring-over for the axle to gain a little bit of clearance. As I've just started, I only have a few pictures, but will be adding as I go along.


Hopefully, it will resemble this when I'm done!


The frame welded and ready for the axle


Rolling!


Painted and ready for the wood! Temporary rims and tires for now.

[Weirdnerd]

In my personal opinion, ( I do not have the numbers to validate it) you may need to beef up the lance like a triangle with the frame, I have seen some pics of single "pipe' lance breaking while off roading.... seems to be some stress riser.

[rebapuck]

What will you be going off-road with? The truck?

[FlyFish1971]

Thanks for the suggestions! Slowcowboy - 30 bucks for shocks and a better ride is well worth it! Thanks for the info, I'll be checking into that right away.
Weirdnerd - I was thinking about a box up front. I'll talk to the guy doing my welding. Maybe I can beef up the frame with the triangle/frame and incorporate a box onto that.
rebapuck - The truck in the pic is a 2011 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with the 4 cylinder in it, so it does the VERY mild off road driving. Although I've been in some rough spots with it a time or 2! The other rig I'll be using is an 86 Toyota 4 Runner. I don't do any hard core off roading, just the hard to reach camping spots.
Thanks again everyone, I look forward to sharing the build on here!