Top 10 Overland Parts & Mods To Buy (or Avoid) On Facebook Marketplace

I was browsing Marketplace again, as I do every day, and thought this would be a good topic to discuss.

Facebook Marketplace is a goldmine for used gear, but not everything is worth buying secondhand. Some items like recovery boards, roof racks, bed racks, ditch light brackets, rock sliders, and even overland trailers are solid purchases that can save you money without much downside. However, other gear requires a little bit more inspection and/or caution. Items like shocks, LED lights, winches, tires, recovery straps, and kinetic ropes all have potential wear, lifespan limitations, or unseen damage that could fail when you need them most.

This guide breaks down what’s worth picking up used and what you should think twice about before pulling the trigger. If you’re looking for off-road and overland gear while keeping costs down, use this as your go-to reference for making smart Marketplace buys, what to look out for, and what to consider before making an offer.

1. Recovery Boards (BUY)

Recovery boards are one of the best overlanding essentials to buy on FB Marketplace. They’re often lightly used, easy to inspect – even from photos – and can still be highly effective even after some wear. As long as the boards lay flat and the structural integrity is intact, they’re a solid buy.

What to look for:

• Minimal wear on the cleats, especially in the center
• No significant bowing or warping
• No major cracks or structural damage

What to avoid:

• Boards that are permanently bowed
• Excessive wear, especially if most of the center cleats are destroyed

Even if a board has a few missing cleats on the ends, it can still get the job done on the trail. This is hands-down the best used recovery item to grab at a discount.

2. Rooftop Tents (BUY)

Rooftop tents are another great item to buy used. They can be expensive when new, but plenty of people sell them after minimal use, making it easy to find a killer deal. However, a deep inspection is essential to ensure you get a tent in good condition.

What to look for:

• Fabric in good condition with no excessive wear, tears, or mold
• All zippers are intact and functioning properly (test every zipper)
• Secure fabric connection points
• Gas struts that fully open the tent without assistance
• No musty or unpleasant odors (some owners never air out their tents, leading to mold or mildew)
• Includes all necessary hardware, rain flys, and accessories

What to avoid:

• Broken zippers or missing fabric attachment points
• Blown or weak struts that prevent proper opening
• Strong odors indicating mold or mildew
• Missing hardware

One thing to consider is the mattress. Most stock rooftop tent mattresses aren’t very comfortable, so you may want to upgrade to a memory foam mattress or something that better suits your preference rather than a used one or one that has been slept on. If the tent itself is in good shape, but they don’t have a mattress or the mattress is clapped, I would just buy your own anyway. You will end up with the exact mattress you want and have the peace of mind of knowing no one has slept on it. This is one of the best overland items to buy secondhand.

Another thing to consider is the mounting bracket. Will the bracket work for your roof rack? Factor the brackets into the cost because not all brackets work for every roof rack.

3. Awnings (BUY)

Awnings, awning rooms, and general awning accessories are great pieces of overland gear to buy used. Many overlanders install them for the look but rarely use them, making FB Marketplace a great place to find deals. Since awnings are relatively simple in design, they’re easy to inspect and can last a long time if properly cared for.

What to look for:

• Fabric in good condition with no tears, mold, or excessive UV damage
• Functional zippers and Velcro straps
• A sturdy frame with no bent or broken poles
• Smooth operation when deploying and retracting
• All necessary mounting hardware included

What to avoid:

• Fabric with signs of dry rot, mildew, or excessive sun fading
• Broken or bent support arms that won’t extend properly
• Missing mounting hardware, as some brackets can be hard to source
• Awning sags or doesn’t stay taut when deployed

A used awning in good condition can be a great buy, especially since it often spends more time mounted on a rig than actually in use. Just be sure to inspect it carefully before making a purchase.

4. Drawers & Storage Systems (BUY)

Drawers like ARB and Goose Gear and storage boxes like Front Runner – are excellent items to buy used on FB Marketplace. Storage solutions are expensive when bought new, but they hold their value well and can often be found in great condition secondhand. Since they don’t experience a lot of wear and tear, they’re one of the best overlanding accessories to purchase used.

What to look for:

• Solid construction with no cracks, warping, or major damage
• Smooth operation of drawer slides with no excessive resistance
• Securely mounted rollers that aren’t loose or damaged
• Minimal rattling when shaken (some noise is normal, but excessive rattling may indicate worn parts)
• Included mounting hardware (if applicable)
• Latches that function properly and hold drawers closed during movement

What to avoid:

• Excessive rattling might indicate loose connection points
• Overloaded or stressed drawer slides that no longer function smoothly. Open the drawer fully extended a few times to see if it drops down.
• Missing mounting hardware, especially for vehicle-specific systems
• Signs of water damage, rust, or corrosion on metal components

A small amount of rattling can often be fixed with memory foam, 3M tape, or other DIY solutions, making it a great bargaining point when negotiating price. As long as the structure is sound and the drawers slide properly, used storage systems are a great way to save money while keeping your gear organized on the trail.

5. Skid Plates & Rock Sliders (BUY)

Skid plates and rock sliders are some of the best deals you can find on FB Marketplace. Since they take abuse by design, many people sell them cheap just because they look beat up. Savings of up to 75% aren’t uncommon, making used armor a smart buy – especially since you’ll slam them on rocks eventually.

Also, I would encourage you to find local fabricators that offer custom-built solutions for up to 50% off what the major companies sell them for. For example, C4 sells rock sliders for almost $1400, and you can get a custom set made locally for $700! That’s insane.

What to look for:

• Structurally sound steel skids and sliders (cosmetic damage is fine)
• Aluminum skids that lay flat with no significant bends at the mounting points
• All included hardware and mounting brackets
• Welds that are intact with no visible cracks
• Sliders with good frame plates and mounting points
• Custom builders/fabricators often offer custom solutions for cheap

What to avoid:

• Skids with severe bends that could affect mounting
• Aluminum skids with warped edges or misaligned bolt holes
• Rock sliders with cracked welds or bent mounting legs
• Rust that compromises the integrity of steel armor (surface rust is fine)
• Missing hardware that may be difficult to replace

If you’re buying used, a fresh coat of paint or a quick cleanup can make a used set look almost new. If the structure is solid and the mounting points line up, used skids and sliders are an easy way to save a ton of money without sacrificing protection.

6. Front & Rear Bumpers (AVOID)

Now that we’ve covered the armor worth buying used, let’s talk about the armor you should avoid. Front and rear bumpers may seem like a good deal, but they often take a beating and can be more trouble than they’re worth. Over time, bumpers flex and become an extension of the frame, leading to bent mounting plates, warped metal, and misalignment issues that are difficult to fix once they set in.

Front bumpers take a lot of stress from winching, which can cause the frame plates to bend and warp, making reinstallation on a different vehicle a headache. Rear bumpers often see constant pulling from recovery, leading to twisted mounting points and misalignment. Once a bumper has been deformed, getting it back to its original shape is nearly impossible.

That’s not to say there aren’t good deals out there, but buying used bumpers comes with risks. If you’re considering one, inspect both the vehicle it’s mounted on and the bumper itself.

What to look for if you insist on buying:

• Frame mounting plates that sit flush with no gaps
• No loose or missing bolts in the mounting points
• Body lines that align properly with the bumper – this can sometimes be misleading though if the vehicle body is also not in perfect shape.
• Minimal signs of bending, twisting, or misalignment

What to avoid:

• Gaps between the bumper and frame mounting plates
• Warped or misaligned body lines, indicating a hard impact
• Loose bolts or shifted mounting points
• Signs of past heavy winching or aggressive off-road damage

A used bumper might look like a great deal, but installation could be a nightmare if it’s been stressed or bent. If the truck it came from looks like it’s seen serious off-road abuse, assume the bumper has too. Enter at your own risk.

7. Lighting & Electrical (AVOID)

I never buy electrical components off FB Marketplace. It’s not that you can’t find good deals, but I prefer having a manufacturer warranty for anything 12V-related. Electrical accessories can be unpredictable. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t, and troubleshooting can be a headache if you’re not well-versed in 12V systems.

What To Avoid: 

• LED lights (light bars, pods, rock lights)
• Aftermarket headlights and tail lights
• Switch systems like Auxbeam or SwitchPros
• Aftermarket head units, stereo components, and audio mods
• Power stations and battery packs
• Communications like Baofeng or Midland radios
• 12V portable refrigerators
• 12v winches

If you insist on buying used, test it on the spot. Bring a portable 12V battery (small ones are available at Batteries+), hook up the power, and let it run while you chat with the seller. Watch for flickering, glitching, or random shutoffs. Give it a shake. LEDs are notorious for failing after taking hits off-road, only to randomly start working again later.

Power stations are another big no-go since their output degrades over time, and there’s no real way to verify their long-term health.

Buying used 12V gear is always a gamble. If it fails a week later, you’re out of luck. Enter at your own risk.

8. Shocks (AVOID)

There’s a bit of a gray area here. You can find great deals on shocks, but it’s tough to know their true condition. There’s no way to check internal wear, and you’re relying entirely on the seller’s word when it comes to mileage and usage. Even if you know when the seller purchased the shocks, there is no way of telling how hard they were on them. A set that’s seen hard off-road use may already be due for a rebuild, adding to your overall cost.

If you insist on buying used shocks, here’s what to check:

• Lower eyelets: Look for signs of over-torquing or uneven holes.
• Shock shafts: Inspect for pitting, corrosion, or tiny holes. Any damage here will destroy seals over time.
• Shock body: Surface rust or corrosion is one thing, but in excess can weaken the structure.
• Coil wear: Check for sagging or uneven wear if coils are included.
• Rebuild history: Ask if they’ve ever been rebuilt and when the next rebuild is recommended.
• Receipts & purchase date: Knowing when they were bought can give you a better idea of their lifespan.

Most importantly, look at the seller’s vehicle. If the truck is hammered, chances are the shocks have been put through serious abuse as well. Buying new is usually the better move unless you’re getting them at a price that justifies a full rebuild. Upper control arms usually fall into this category as well, but it’s a bit easier to spot a bad uniball or ball joint than shock internals. I would feel much more comfortable buying used arms versus used shocks any day of the week.

9. Recovery Straps & Kinetic Ropes (AVOID)

I would NEVER buy a recovery rope on FB Marketplace. These straps and ropes are rated for a limited number of pulls, and only the original owner knows how many times they’ve been used. Over time, they degrade, making each recovery riskier. There’s no exact science to knowing when a rope will fail, but one thing is certain: no rope lasts forever.

When buying used, you have no idea how much life is left in that rope. If it fails during a recovery, you only have yourself to blame. There’s no reaching out to the manufacturer for a warranty claim because you have zero insight into its history.

If you still insist on buying a used recovery strap or kinetic rope, here’s what to check:

• Eyelets and edges: Look for loose threads or fraying.
• Rated WLL numbers: If they aren’t marked with the WLL tag, don’t buy it.
• Dipped portions of the eyes: Check for peeling or cracking.
• Main rope body: Inspect for frays, cuts, or signs of excessive wear.
• Ask the seller: How often was it used? How was it stored?
• Look at their vehicle: If it looks like they wheel hard and often, assume the rope has been through a lot.

This is one of those high-risk purchases where failure can lead to serious consequences. Enter at your own risk.

10. Wheels & Tires (BUY – WITH CAUTION)

FB Marketplace is one of the best places to find killer deals on wheels and tires, but there are some key things to look out for.

Wheels

Buying used wheels is usually a safe bet, and inspecting them is fairly straightforward

What To Inspect

• Curb rash & rock rash: Cosmetic damage is fine as long as it doesn’t affect the bead or structure.
• Old wheel weight tape: Residue can indicate multiple past balances, which could hint at past issues.
• Warping: This is the biggest unknown. You won’t know if a wheel is out of round until you mount and balance it. Some sellers may let you test fit, but most won’t. Enter at your own risk here.

Tires

Buying used tires is a much bigger gamble. While you can save a lot of money, there are a ton of factors to consider before pulling the trigger.

What to Inspect:

• Tread depth: Check how much life is left. If they’re nearly bald, obviously pass.
• Wear pattern: Uneven wear, feathering, or cupping can indicate alignment or suspension issues. Pass!
• Sidewall condition: Look for cracks, bulges, or dry rot. If you find any of this, pass!
• Visible damage: Missing lugs, deep cuts, patches, plugs, or debris stuck in the tread. Definitely pass!
• Age of the tire (DOT Code): This is critical. Every tire has a four-digit DOT code showing its manufacture date (e.g., “2519” = 25th week of 2019). Many tire shops will not mount tires older than 10 years, and some won’t go past 6 years. Personally, I wouldn’t buy anything older than 3 years. Always check all four tires – some may be older than others.

Finally, check the UTQG Rating. The Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) system measures a tire’s treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. It’s not the end-all, be-all, but it does give you an idea of tread life expectancy. Generally, the higher the number, the longer they last.

Wheels are usually a safe buy, but you have to be extremely careful with tires. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always inspect in person and factor in the cost of mounting, balancing, and potential replacement if they don’t work out.

Final Thoughts

There are so many great deals on used parts out there. Look at this Gobi rack above, for example. It’s only $1000 with the ladder!! Come on, that’s a killer deal!!

The game of marketplace is all about patience. If you see something you like, be patient. Wait for the seller to drop the price and then shoot them an offer below the drop. If they say no, continue being patient. They will drop the price again, and again, and again. And if the product sells, maybe it wasn’t meant to be.

If you’re patient, you can build your entire truck with used marketplace parts.

I love Marketplace – I spend roughly an hour a day browsing for parts, vehicles, and, of course, project rock crawlers that I don’t have time or money for.

What did I miss? Anything else you would BUY or AVOID? Drop your comments below.