Best model for expedition base?
- Thread starter BillyGHusk
- Start date
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I say super charged Toyota V8 in a 55 is the new way to go. Who cares if it breaks....it is just cool!
Skrewball
TLCA#18502
As cool as it is to read everyone's 2 cents, if someone could setup a poll at the begining of this thread or another one that would be interesting to see which model would win. I know it would be difficult to list all of the different models but i am sure someone is up to the task.
AMEN brother!
Okay, so, to clarify:
Your destination determines the rig. I'd like to do a Prudhoe bay to Argentina thing someday.
I am pretty familiar with the 1st gen 4Runner/80's pickup, at least with a 22RE.
Are these a good expedition vehicle for South America?
And is IFS to be avoided?
Will the fuel injection of the 22RE provide repair/parts problems. With parts available, I can fix problems, save for a whole engine/tranny rebuild, myself.
Would a 3FE FJ60 be appropriate? BJ60's are great, but having one in the good 'ole USA is difficult. How difficult would it be to find parts for the later fuel injected FJ-60's, and their transmissions?
Thanks for your opinions.
-Dan
Your destination determines the rig. I'd like to do a Prudhoe bay to Argentina thing someday.
I am pretty familiar with the 1st gen 4Runner/80's pickup, at least with a 22RE.
Are these a good expedition vehicle for South America?
And is IFS to be avoided?
Will the fuel injection of the 22RE provide repair/parts problems. With parts available, I can fix problems, save for a whole engine/tranny rebuild, myself.
Would a 3FE FJ60 be appropriate? BJ60's are great, but having one in the good 'ole USA is difficult. How difficult would it be to find parts for the later fuel injected FJ-60's, and their transmissions?
Thanks for your opinions.
-Dan
cruiser_guy
Out of Africa / North Africa
The 22R series of engines is VERY popular in Central America, like the Chevy 350 in the states! I would avoid IFS though new vehicles here in Central America use it as well. Any 'Cruiser parts are relatively easy to find. I have been rebuilding the tranny/transfer for the FJ55 with the 3B turbo diesel and I have had no problems findng anything I need so far. I picked up an H41 tranny and was offered several others here in Guatemala.
dmc
SILVER Star
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i went through this decision process a few years ago as i was deciding what platform to buy in preparation for my trip. the debate for me was between the 60 and the 80.
one of the factors i have not seen taking into consideration in this thread is what exactly are you considering an 'expedition.' I consider my trip an expedition because hell i'm living out of my car for a year, through 2 continents and 15+ countries. however, as a solo traveler i'm also taking a more conservative course. I have spent plenty of time off the beaten path but it has been in areas that i trusted or knew i could get out of on foot if i had to. i've also come fairly prepared for most situations regarding spare parts, sst etc. if s*** really hits the fan in this day and age fedex can get me a us based part in 2 days to do the work myself. 10 years ago when ideas first formed I would NEVER go in an efi truck. 2f FJ60 was the platform. as the internet shrunk the world (hell i gathered almost all my info for my trip in less than 2hours one night on the internet) and contacts, support etc became readily available, the concerns of ecu's, efi etc sort of went out the window.
why did i choose the 80? comfort, size, ease of driving, durability etc etc. the 60 to me is still the classic cruiser. however coils, efi, lockers, solid axle etc make the 80 very easy to build and drive. i'll be heading out to a little visited stretch (according to my research) of beach in two weeks here in costa rica. 4 river crossings and rugged roads and i have no hesitation to go. this is costa rica. probably wouldn't consider it in nicaragua. i'll have to play it safe in northern SA but in chile, argentina, uruguay i'll be more adventurous. i trust the truck and my ability to fix/band aid it on the trail and get back to society.
now if you're talking 4x4fun race and camel trophy stuff with a team i would say a diesel 60 would be the best route to go. simple, reliable, proven. having driven both i would never change my decision to go with the 80 over the 60. granted i'm not even half way to my goal yet so a lot could happen but i'm sure i'll be able to handle any hurdles.
lastly the 'bling' factor. a scratched up rusted 60 would be a lot less conspicuous. however you start adding roof top tent, jerry cans, spare tires, winch etc you stand out regardless. i get stared at everywhere i go. (perhaps it's because i never capitalize my 'i's) you get used to it. a lot of waves and thumbs up but stares everywhere. the real eye opener came when the hotel clerk and i drove each other's trucks in tegucigalpa (he had a diesel hilux and a bj40 at home.) he mentioned that an 80 series in honduras is a luxury vehicle and people would think i was insane or rich (some of the former, nowhere near the latter) to outfit an 80 like mine and to keep it totally muddy the whole time. after that night i have done my best to be aware of those watching me as i drive by. not that i wasn't before but it really hit home that night. so i keep the truck dirty. i try to drive as conservatively as possible and hope for the best. a true overland rig will always stand out. my goal is to stand out in 'good for that guy' not a 'let's rob that guy' way. whatever the hell that means. so far so good. last two nights camping have been free thanks to the hospitality of costa ricans. sorry for the tangent.
basically unless you are planning for high risk travel most of the concerns with newer trucks can be dispelled through places like ih8mud and expedition portal. fedex, ups, crusierdan, cell phones, sat phones etc. at least in the western hemisphere. if i can somehow manage to extend my trip past ushuaia i'll let you know if i feel the same way.
dmc
one of the factors i have not seen taking into consideration in this thread is what exactly are you considering an 'expedition.' I consider my trip an expedition because hell i'm living out of my car for a year, through 2 continents and 15+ countries. however, as a solo traveler i'm also taking a more conservative course. I have spent plenty of time off the beaten path but it has been in areas that i trusted or knew i could get out of on foot if i had to. i've also come fairly prepared for most situations regarding spare parts, sst etc. if s*** really hits the fan in this day and age fedex can get me a us based part in 2 days to do the work myself. 10 years ago when ideas first formed I would NEVER go in an efi truck. 2f FJ60 was the platform. as the internet shrunk the world (hell i gathered almost all my info for my trip in less than 2hours one night on the internet) and contacts, support etc became readily available, the concerns of ecu's, efi etc sort of went out the window.
why did i choose the 80? comfort, size, ease of driving, durability etc etc. the 60 to me is still the classic cruiser. however coils, efi, lockers, solid axle etc make the 80 very easy to build and drive. i'll be heading out to a little visited stretch (according to my research) of beach in two weeks here in costa rica. 4 river crossings and rugged roads and i have no hesitation to go. this is costa rica. probably wouldn't consider it in nicaragua. i'll have to play it safe in northern SA but in chile, argentina, uruguay i'll be more adventurous. i trust the truck and my ability to fix/band aid it on the trail and get back to society.
now if you're talking 4x4fun race and camel trophy stuff with a team i would say a diesel 60 would be the best route to go. simple, reliable, proven. having driven both i would never change my decision to go with the 80 over the 60. granted i'm not even half way to my goal yet so a lot could happen but i'm sure i'll be able to handle any hurdles.
lastly the 'bling' factor. a scratched up rusted 60 would be a lot less conspicuous. however you start adding roof top tent, jerry cans, spare tires, winch etc you stand out regardless. i get stared at everywhere i go. (perhaps it's because i never capitalize my 'i's) you get used to it. a lot of waves and thumbs up but stares everywhere. the real eye opener came when the hotel clerk and i drove each other's trucks in tegucigalpa (he had a diesel hilux and a bj40 at home.) he mentioned that an 80 series in honduras is a luxury vehicle and people would think i was insane or rich (some of the former, nowhere near the latter) to outfit an 80 like mine and to keep it totally muddy the whole time. after that night i have done my best to be aware of those watching me as i drive by. not that i wasn't before but it really hit home that night. so i keep the truck dirty. i try to drive as conservatively as possible and hope for the best. a true overland rig will always stand out. my goal is to stand out in 'good for that guy' not a 'let's rob that guy' way. whatever the hell that means. so far so good. last two nights camping have been free thanks to the hospitality of costa ricans. sorry for the tangent.
basically unless you are planning for high risk travel most of the concerns with newer trucks can be dispelled through places like ih8mud and expedition portal. fedex, ups, crusierdan, cell phones, sat phones etc. at least in the western hemisphere. if i can somehow manage to extend my trip past ushuaia i'll let you know if i feel the same way.
dmc
I know not everyone has access to a HZJ75 cab chassis,but they really are the best. I nlove going into the desert with mine and camping in the back. Just perfect for 1-2 people.
The other benefits are factory discs all round,dual 90 litre tanks,factory bullbar and snorkle(I dont have one of them)
I have this canvass canopy over the 6'x8' tray which keeps me warm and dry. I have room for a full size single mattress or a small double size.
There is still room for my 100 amp battery pack,50 litre Waeco,Yamaha 1000 gen,120 piece toolkit,4x20 litre water containers and recovery gear.
I keep my dry and canned food in a cooler and cooking implements in a plastic tub.
I take a couple of solar bags for warm water for washing and showering.
For cooking I have a small gas stove but I also have a bbq plate which is easier and its nice to have a campfire in the cold desert night
Ive lived out of this set up for over a week on the road. I could go much longer if I took more food and water.
I take a tent for longer stays
I think the best series to use in long-long travel`s is the series 60, 80 or 78, but the important is the driver, the co-pilot, good equipment, and to much $$$ to pay the fuel hahahaaa, 
