[EOE_overland]

Thanks again for all of the advice! My first trip will be down to Red Bird Mission in Beverly, KY March 14-16 (tentative; Easter week sometime if the weather doesn't cooperate). I've still got a few things to do on the Cruiser before I'll comfortable loading her down all the way for a 10 hour drive. Still have a cracked eyelet on my passenger rear spring :(. But I'm psyched! It's going to be great- RBM has a great school, med clinic, and does community outreach (home improvement, etc) in the area. So the goal is to fill the back of the 62 with art, gen ed, medical, and food bank supplies. If, for some reason, I get more stuff I'll figure something out. I've sent out "needs" lists to friends, family members, and most everyone I know, so we'll so how that works out. I've bought a few things myself already; probably end up buying most of it this trip anyway- but that's ok with me. I'm going, and that's all that matters! I'll post plenty of stuff about the trip when I get back.

For those that have PM'd and posted offering help and encouragement in all different ways- thanks!
I've added our new facebook link to my signature if anyone is interested more in what we're doing and needs can check it out there. Otherwise, something I could use a tip on: a decent place to camp in SE KY or SW VA. Thanks again!
-Matt

[EOE_overland]

Hi Folks!

For all those who helped out with advice and encouragement when this thread started, I wanted to post a quick update on progress on the Medical Charity:

This summer's been interesting (sarcastically). Working through a few health issues in our family, Larry and I (the other half of Ends of the Earth) have used the summer to continue working on our trucks. I've continued upgrades and repairs on my truck as I passed 225K last month; I put 20K on it since I bought it last October. I've replaced my radiator, installed an extra cooler for my autobox (while I still have it), replaced numerous hoses and lines, oil pan, etc. I've got a lovely set of BFG ATs in 33x10.50 now. I've also started adding a few electronic items such as a CB, inverter, and hopefully soon a mobile HAM. Body is still just as pretty as before, with the only change being a flat-blacked out hood panel. Money's been tight with the economy not working out great for lowly boat technicians like me, but I've been slowly pecking away at it. And my truck continues to run great! In the next few months I hope to get my H42 4-speed in now that I have all the conversion parts.
Larry is finishing bringing his '99 TJ back from the hard rollover he took at EJS Moab in the spring that wiped out his fenders, hood, windshield, rollcage, 2/3 of his bodymounts, and rear heim joint and control arm mounts. I think that was it ? Bloody brilliant.

As far as the org goes, we've got our 501 applications in to the IRS. And I'm ankle deep in connecting with a charity in the Copper Canyon area (~Creel) of Mexico with the plans to head down in the spring. This seems like a good first trip south of the border, being a relatively short distance from the border in southwest Texas (as opposed to a trip to South Baja first). So things are slowly but surely ticking along. Our trip to KY in march was a great success! And locally I'm going to volunteer again this year to take doctors and nurses in to work during snow emergencies (Maryland drivers suck!). Thanks again for all the continued support. I'll continue to post updates as needed.
Matt
Ends of The Earth - Extreme 4-WD Medical Expeditions
info@eoe4x4.org

[kennyfj40]

Matt,
Good to hear things are coming along, even if it is slow going. How long do you plan to allow for the transmission swap? Hope we can do some more wheeling togather.

[1leglance]

Keep up the good work...the backoffice stuff can wear you down.

[EOE_overland]

Originally Posted by kennyfj40

Matt,
Good to hear things are coming along, even if it is slow going. How long do you plan to allow for the transmission swap? Hope we can do some more wheeling togather.

Hey Ken- I've been planning on a week or two down time. She's my DD, so that will make things interesting. We shut down for two weeks at Christmas, so maybe then? I still need to rebuild Johnny's tranny and leave time during the swap to have my driveshafts altered (or buy a set of 60 shafts?). I'm hoping to get the pedal bucket and master cylinder in ahead of time to limit down time as much as possible. Planning on a week or more should give me time to take care of any issues that arise, take care of the others I know will arise (transfer case output seals, rear main, ...) and work slowly enough that I don't screw anything up . Thanks man! Hope to go wheelin soon too. Larry just sent me a text today that he's down in southern KY wheeling at the Jeep Jamboree.

Originally Posted by 1leglance

Keep up the good work...the backoffice stuff can wear you down.

Thanks Lance; checking in on your posts periodically gives me a little inspiration when the backoffice stuff gets old .

[GLTHFJ60]

How did I miss this thread?

Document rebuilding that H42 very, very well. I'm going to need to rebuild my H55 in the next couple of years because the 2nd gear synchro is starting to go.

Thanks for the pics of Larry offroading in southern KY. I miss being down south Hey Kenny!

[EOE_overland]

Anybody have real-world advice on crossing into Mexico in the TX-NM area?

I was planning a quick recon trip to Creel in Jan/Feb to eyeball the charity we're connecting with and make a few other contacts in the area. Since I live near Baltimore (and it is supposed to be a "quick trip"), we (Larry, brother- professional spanish translator, and maybe wife) were going to fly cheap to El Paso on a friday evening, get an airport shuttle to Juarez airport to spend the night at an airport hotel. Then pick up a rental car (cheap!) at first light and drive straight to Creel. We have somewhere to stay in Creel, which I'm told is quite safe. But my buddy Larry is starting to flake on the border crossing. We could fly straight to Chihuahua, but that would be a lot more expensive and I was hoping to recon the border crossing for experience before I try to do it with my own truck filled with medical supplies (hello customs!). Anyway, I know about the "stay away from drugs/hookers after dark" and we'll be sticking to the nice toll roads. I've been other places with US state dept warnings, and I'm not too worried. Should I be? Anybody cross near Juarez/El Paso or Presidio/Ojinaga recently? Any help is appreciated!

-Matt

[Volcano cruiser]

You should pm cruiser-guy. He is a mod here. He travels a couple of times a year from Guatemala crossing that borer, through the U.S. and on into Canada. He just made this trip and is getting set to to do it again. I saw him about a month ago and we actually were discussing the various routes to cross the U.S. / Mexico border, i.e. pros and cons of each so this is fresh in his mind.
Good Luck
John

[EOE_overland]

Originally Posted by Volcano cruiser

You should pm cruiser-guy. John

Thanks John,
Yeah good call; I'm going to shoot him a PM tonight.
Do you fly to ES or drive when you head down there?
Great advice,
Matt

[cruiser_guy]

The border is tighter now than in times past. The US Homeland Security asked us questions the last time we crossed going south out of the US as did the Mexicans. In previous times you simply drove across and if you got the dreaded red light you might be searched, not so now. We were "searched" with some wand thingy also a couple of times (not sure what that was about).

You should check with both the Mexican consulate/embassy as well as the US Homeland Security about carrying drugs or medical supplies. You might need a broker to help you across.

I also responded to your PM.

[Volcano cruiser]

Originally Posted by EOE_overland

Thanks John,
Yeah good call; I'm going to shoot him a PM tonight.
Do you fly to ES or drive when you head down there?
Great advice,
Matt

Matt,
My rig "development project/ build" is not as far along as Charles (cruiser-guy) two completed builds. While it is again my DD it is still very much in the development stage. As such I have been flying back and forth between the U.S. and ES. My plan, assuming that my contract is extended here for work, is to finish the build and drive the rig back whenever it is time for me to go home.
Love your project and when I relocate back in the U.S. East Coast, I'll give you a buzz and see if I can lend a hand.
Best,
John

[EOE_overland]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

I also responded to your PM.

Right back at ya! I sent you another one too .

Originally Posted by Volcano cruiser

Matt,
Love your project and when I relocate back in the U.S. East Coast, I'll give you a buzz and see if I can lend a hand.
Best,
John

Thanks John! Shoot me a PM or email anytime if you're back and wanna get a cup of coffee. DC's not too far away .

-Matt
matt@eoe4x4.org