Build an overlanding LX450? (2 Viewers)

[Wrencher93]

Or...you could do a full size truck build and tow an atv/dirt bike trailer. Go anywhere you want on the bikes and go any reasonable place with the whole set up. I saw a sprinter that was set up to accommodate two bikes and had living space. Seemed like a pretty sweet set up.

 

[Bludozer]

I agree, and same thought came to me when I was watching @SOAZtim video Mt. Uturuncu

View attachment 2418225

Here they are doing a 1000 point turn at >18,600 ft above sea level.

I think a Tremor wouldn't able to go where they went. Tim and Kelsey video's are providing inspiration that an FJ80/LX450 can do it. I still have 100+ videos of theirs to watch.

A tremor or the like can probably go 97% of the places they want. Personally I'd be willing to give up that tiny percent for the massive added comfort/convenience of a truck + camper.

I love the 80, I think its the best 4x4 ever made but there are much better options for long term travel.

 

[Feldrian]

I agree, and same thought came to me when I was watching @SOAZtim video Mt. Uturuncu

View attachment 2418225

Here they are doing a 1000 point turn at >18,600 ft above sea level.

I think a Tremor wouldn't able to go where they went. Tim and Kelsey video's are providing inspiration that an FJ80/LX450 can do it. I still have 100+ videos of theirs to watch.

I'd definitely steer clear of a full size American vehicle if you're planning to overland aboard. Diving through Europe in a Tremor size vehicle would feel like driving a semi. Narrow lanes and big vehicles would chew into the relaxation factor, not to mention the fact Toyota parts are available on every continent bar Antarctica. But this is obviously a landcruiser forum, we might be a bit biased.

Side note on blue water cruising - you'd be surprised how lonely/ boring it can get. The pictures look great on Instagram, but the reality of being anchored in a mosquito inundated bay in Tahiti for three weeks (or months) with no ac and not much to do wears on all but the most dedicated couples. I love the sailing part, but in a cruiser that needs to dodge weather you have surprisingly small windows to actually move around, unless you want to roll the dice with your life during hurricane (or cyclone) season. If I was going to do it again, I'd fly somewhere, rent a house and a car for 3 months at a time and be less shackled to mother nature.

 

[pawnthatdude]

Driving a full size, USDM only, truck in developing countries sounds like a PITA. I know people have driven everything under the sun in most every country, but that doesn't make it trouble-free.

An acquaintance of mine got their Earthroamer (F-550) stuck in Costa Rica with big drivetrain problems with 6 months/22k on the clock driving the Pan American. They waited literally months for Ford to ship warranty parts and the local Ford dealership to repair it. The Ford CEO got involved to handle their warranty claim. Then all international travel shut down in March before they even got the truck back! This would simply never happen in even the most unreliable, neglected 80. Maybe the 80 is not the answer, but those shiny new US only models sounds like a potential minefield if any issues do come up internationally.

 

[NeverFinis]

Or...you could do a full size truck build and tow an atv/dirt bike trailer. Go anywhere you want on the bikes and go any reasonable place with the whole set up. I saw a sprinter that was set up to accommodate two bikes and had living space. Seemed like a pretty sweet set up.

I have considered bringing a motorcycle and it is on the table. I do have a Triumph Tiger 955i + utility trailer.

I'd definitely steer clear of a full size American vehicle if you're planning to overland aboard. Diving through Europe in a Tremor size vehicle would feel like driving a semi. Narrow lanes and big vehicles would chew into the relaxation factor, not to mention the fact Toyota parts are available on every continent bar Antarctica. But this is obviously a landcruiser forum, we might be a bit biased.

I drove 40' transit busses at one point in my life, so I am not unfamiliar with driving big vehicles through tight spaces. The concern I have is if it can physically fit.

Side note on blue water cruising - you'd be surprised how lonely/ boring it can get. The pictures look great on Instagram, but the reality of being anchored in a mosquito inundated bay in Tahiti for three weeks (or months) with no ac and not much to do wears on all but the most dedicated couples. I love the sailing part, but in a cruiser that needs to dodge weather you have surprisingly small windows to actually move around, unless you want to roll the dice with your life during hurricane (or cyclone) season. If I was going to do it again, I'd fly somewhere, rent a house and a car for 3 months at a time and be less shackled to mother nature.

All good points. I know sailing is ~95% not sailing. I still couldn't convince the wife that there isn't actually much sailing in sailing. It is short periods of high stress followed by long periods of boredom.

The big positive to me with sailing is that it is new and different for me, which means active learning. Active learning keeps the brain healthy.

Originally, the plan was to sail and then overland. I think sailing might be harder to do after overlanding because people are less likely to try new things as they age.

An acquaintance of mine got their Earthroamer (F-550) stuck in Costa Rica with big drivetrain problems with 6 months/22k on the clock driving the Pan American. They waited literally months for Ford to ship warranty parts and the local Ford dealership to repair it.

The one thing I have heard about Ford's Diesel, which a Earthroamer surely has, is that it is extremely complicated, with additional emission controls, and can be prone to issues. Sure, you can drive it to 500,000+ miles, but not without issues and $$ service. This is why the new 7.3L gas motor is attractive to me. It is simple, under-stressed and it is designed for commercial duty. Whether it is well designed, who knows. That will take years to know. I have faith in the rest of a Super Duties drivetrain, except maybe the new 10 speed transmission. That might take a few years to know as well...

I will say this, I have had better luck with Ford motors than Toyota motors. I am comparing pre-2001 Toyota engines to post-2000 Ford engines. Apples to Orange comparison but it is what I have to work with. I have had countless head gasket problems, starter problems, and fuel pump issues with Toyota's, all between 90K to 125K miles on the motors (multiple 22r-e, 1fz-fe).

Many manufacturers had HG issues through the 90s, including Ford. Since 2000, we have put 650,000 miles on Fords, I have yet to have a single issue with a motor, or any other issue besides wear parts. No HG issues, no starter issues, and no fuel pump issues. My commuter car is a 2010 Ford Focus with 180,000 miles. My wife drove a 2007 Ford Fusion AWD 3.0L V6* to 350,000 miles. That motor in her car still sounded new at 350,000 miles, with the original exhaust, transmission, transfer case, etc.

I posted here long ago when my LX450 water pump failed on a camping trip, and I was unable to locate that water pump at any nearby Toyota/Lexus dealership. (edited to add that I also tried local auto part stores). I was in New York at the time, not some distant 3rd world country. The closest Toyota dealership tried to tell me that they don't service Lexus...and once I convinced them it was the same engine, they said it would take a week to get the water pump. We made it home, with the bad water pump, but only due to my ingenuity. YMMV.

*Later versions (3.5L) of that V6 did have water pump issues, which would leak into the oil pan, despite double seals, rather than externally. They fixed that design a few years later. We only traded in the Fusion because General Motors gave us an offer we couldn't turn down. We ended up buying a $42K MSRP Chevy Volt for $20K net. We still drive the Volt and it has 130K miles on it now.

 

[pawnthatdude]

The one thing I have heard about Ford's Diesel, which a Earthroamer surely has, is that it is extremely complicated, with additional emission controls, and can be prone to issues. Sure, you can drive it to 500,000+ miles, but not without issues and $$ service. This is why the new 7.3L gas motor is attractive to me. It is simple, under-stressed and it is designed for commercial duty. Whether it is well designed, who knows. That will take years to know. I have faith in the rest of a Super Duties drivetrain, except maybe the new 10 speed transmission. That might take a few years to know as well...

It was their rear axle that basically grenaded, not engine/trans. But that's not really my point either. The point is the consequence of a breakdown in a country where your vehicle does not exist is a lot higher than the consequence of any old rinky dink that is common in country. The question is, how likely is a breakdown on a new vehicle? That's mostly impossible to know. As you have pointed out, it's mostly based on anecdotes.

 

[BILT4ME]

When in Rome, drive what the Romans do. Just my opinion. The LC is a world vehicle.

 

[Feldrian]

When in Rome, drive what the Romans do. Just my opinion. The LC is a world vehicle.

Romans drive Ferraris. I fully support overlanding in a Ferrari.

 

[spyduh]

Wits End Turbo. Worth the money! hand down best mod ever. 2nd best is the LRA 24gal Aux tank

 

[Bludozer]

Romans drive Ferraris. I fully support overlanding in a Ferrari.

As an Italian, I can assure you, they do not. Romans drive Fiats and Dacias. You do not want to overland either, let alone even drive them at all.

How this thread has not moved to chat yet is beyond me.

 

[sxp]

My folks own a Overland Gladiator. It is really nice, and it would make a nice camp rig if it was outfitted with a cap or a rack with an rtt. I don't think I would opt for the Mojave though. Get a cheaper model so that you can use the saved cash on a lift, wheels, and tires.

That said, I have an LX450 myself. I camp out of it for a week or two at a time when I can. It has been fine, and the only issues I ever experience with are when I'm local. Just installed a Wit's End floppy mirror syndrome fix, and a Solve Function shaky mirror syndrome fix on it this evening.

 

[rolliges]

(only read about half of the thread...)

Your 450 already is capable of going anywhere you want to take it.
Baseline cooling system, brakes, and starting/charging systems, (and of course, fluids).
To extend your range add an additional fuel tank and move the spare somewhere else.
Add the minimum stuff you need for living comfort.
Done.

 

[NeverFinis]

(only read about half of the thread...)

Your 450 already is capable of going anywhere you want to take it.
Baseline cooling system, brakes, and starting/charging systems, (and of course, fluids).
To extend your range add an additional fuel tank and move the spare somewhere else.
Add the minimum stuff you need for living comfort.
Done.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

I agree @rolliges

I have a Ron Davis Radiator installed, new water pump and new thermal fan clutch. I also think I have a Tundra alternator upgrade bracket somewhere, not installed. The stock alternator is fairly anemic. I think I got the bracket from a ih8mud member long ago. My LX450 has a new starter.

I also have an aux extended tank with dual filler, not installed. Front and rear brakes and brake lines were done by myself but the rotors do need surfacing and I replaced the front bearings and regreased the rear when I did the brake work. I actually have the new uninstalled rear bearings but that needed a special tool at the time. I now have that tool but the rear bearings looked great. I will keep the new ones as spares. I have all the components...just need to freshen/replace the engine.

I am pretty set on using the LX450 over buying new. I know the LX450 so well. I watched more of Tim and Kelsey's video over the weekend, and having a very old vehicle worked in their favor such as claiming poverty to corrupt cops. I have a rust cancer on my hood, which I was going to replace, but I think I will leave it there until after the trip.

 

[thelal]

Since 2000, we have put 650,000 miles on Fords, I have yet to have a single issue with a motor, or any other issue besides wear parts. No HG issues, no starter issues, and no fuel pump issues. My commuter car is a 2010 Ford Focus with 180,000 miles. My wife drove a 2007 Ford Fusion AWD 3.0L V6* to 350,000 miles. That motor in her car still sounded new at 350,000 miles, with the original exhaust, transmission, transfer case, etc.

nice

 

[ChiYota]

I am pretty set on using the LX450 over buying new. I know the LX450 so well.

Nice! Love the one you're with!