Building an expo rig on a budget

[Trail Outfitters]

Hi everyone. I just got back on to the forums after a few years due to selling my rubicon rig, and my off road itch has returned. I am very interested in building an expedition type rig and going on a very extended road trip this summer.

I love Toyota's and had a built 84 pickup as my rubicon rig which was amazing, and currently drive a 2wd pickup with the 22re. So I am already quite familiar with working on the Toyota which I'm sure would come in handy on a long trip.

One worry of mine was that I wanted to build a trailer for the rig and I was a bit worried about the 22re's power. Obviously, it will be geared down, but still a little worried about highway performance. Any experience with that?

I am very open to other ideas about vehicle platforms. I am not limiting myself to just pickups and 4runners. I am putting my vehicle and improvments budget around 5-6k, and all the rest of my money will be used for the trip. I am signing up for an automotive and welding class at the local community college for next semester and would love to have something to work on by New Years. And obviously a build thread to follow.

Any pics of built expo rigs in my budget would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Scott

 

[wierdbeard]

why not just go with a good 80? they have tons of capability right out of the box, and lately they've gotten pretty affordable.

 

[roscoFJ73]

What Weirdbeard says. You get some comfort ,power and reliabilty right out of the box with an 80 series.
Use your new found welding skills to build a roof rack for the upstairs tent and your set.

You dont need huge wheels,lockers or winches although a bullbar is usefull if there is likely to be animals on the road.

I wouldnt take the 22re towing a trailer,underpowered rigs on long road trips are stressful

 

[Shahram]

An 80 for "expedition" use doesn't require any modification, other than maybe removing the running boards and mud flaps...

Most mods are costly gravy, or because the user suffers from "Serious Expedition Image" issues, requiring a ton of crap installed on his rig to separate it from the legions of soccermommy-mobiles in the suburbs. A stock 80 with offroad tires, and a maintained engine will go virtually anywhere reliably and comfortably. An 80 with OEM lockers is even more capable, and won't affect the purchase cost.

As long as the vehicle is well maintained, and has good tires, you're all set. Sounds like you might already have the camping gear and recovery equipment. What more could you need?

 

[locrwln1]

An 80 for "expedition" use doesn't require any modification, other than maybe removing the running boards and mud flaps...

Most mods are costly gravy, or because the user suffers from "Serious Expedition Image" issues, requiring a ton of crap installed on his rig to separate it from the legions of soccermommy-mobiles in the suburbs. A stock 80 with offroad tires, and a maintained engine will go virtually anywhere reliably and comfortably. An 80 with OEM lockers is even more capable, and won't affect the purchase cost.

As long as the vehicle is well maintained, and has good tires, you're all set. Sounds like you might already have the camping gear and recovery equipment. What more could you need?

Exactly. My only recommendation is to replace the (most likely) worn out stock springs with some OME's and replace the shocks (choose your poison). Not only do you gain some additional load capacity, again your choice of how much and a way better ride. Keep the height to a minimum and not only is it cheaper, but the driveability remains.

Jack

 

[millatruse]

I agree with the 80 suggestions. 22RE bad for towing! It can barely pull its self around. I had one and had to do 120 mile round trip every day, thought I was going to go out of my mind! Every evening my leg would be tired from trying to push the accelorator through the floor!

 

[Trail Outfitters]

What kind of MPG can I expect to get from an 80? Also what years, motor, tranny, and other factory items should I look for in the purchase. Are these solid front/rear axles?

My only thought for using another toyota pickup/runner was that I wanted to tackle some tougher trails. Remember I grew up running the rubicon. I'm sure with mods an 80 would have no problem, but that could be costly.

Also remember I will be on a budget of about 6k for the vehicle and mods. I didn't think this would be enough for an 80.

 

[Hypoid]

Solid axles f/r, one(both?) are fully floating.

Check the 80 series forum, there's a thread of pictures showing what an 80 can do. Lift is easy, bumpers get expensive unless you make them.

I don't know if a pickup w/ tall cap might carry your stuff more easily than a 4Runner. If you've got so much stuff you need a trailer, you might be looking at 3.4L equipped trucks, and you can get the factory elocker in the rear in those. Price starts climbing though, and they'll be IFS.

 

[Hltoppr]

I think you should take the toyota truck and use the $5-6K to travel....that's like five months through Mexico, Central and South America!

The p/u will do just fine...a high lift jack, tow strap and some good BFGs are all the mods and equipment you need.

Just go...sieze the day, so to speak.

-H-

 

[Trail Outfitters]

Well after doing some research 4runners/pickups with too many mods are def. in my price range. Most have huge lifts that I would like to drop. After telling my girlfriend about the cruiser idea, I might have problems getting her into a 4runner though. They look very comfortable.

Can anyone post some links to some budget 80 builds?

 

[Hltoppr]

Here's a link to my old 80 series, built for travel.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/53419-rotw-hltoppr.html

-H-

 

[Trail Outfitters]

Awesome rig man. I really like it. How comfortable are you taking that on some of the more technical trails.

 

[Shahram]

Awesome rig man. I really like it. How comfortable are you taking that on some of the more technical trails.

I can't answer for HItopper, but I've had my 80, with similar lift and tires as his, on some trails rated 7-8 out of 10. Lockers have helped a lot, so if you get an 80 and plan on getting on technical trails, pick one up with lockers. A certain percentage of 80s came from the factory with front and rear diff locks, indicated by a dial marked "DIFF LOCK" just left of the steering wheel.

Hitopper's rig isn't all that basic, though...there are loads of guys here who have near stock rigs. I ran stock suspension with 33" BFG All-Terrains for years, and it was more capable than I could have needed.

The 80 is not a rock-crawler off the shelf. It can be made into one with some serious mods. But it is a true expedition vehicle off the shelf. Add good off-road tires and you're going to be blown away at how well it manages difficult terrain.

 

[clownmidget]

budget and 80-series are not compatible

IMO, you ditch the trailer idea altogether...if it can't fit in or on your vehicle, you're not packing light enough.

FJ-60 is a budget expo ride. You can find them with the H-55 5-speed manual which makes the 2F liveable. If you're hung up on speed and power you can find them with a small block and NV4500 still within your budget and that will leave any stock 80 in the dust. They have room, are stupid simple, easy to work on and parts are relatively cheap. You want real "budget" advice on owning an 80 call Dan @ American Toyota or Christo Slee and pick their brain.

My other vote is a SFA first gen 4Runner. Several well built 86-89's that have a nice front suspension from Marlin or All-Pro and the 22RE, although underpowered, can still move it through the trails as fast as an 80. If you can find one with a blown 22RE and have the skillz you can swap in the later 3.4-liter V6 from the Tacoma, 4Runner (these are regularly $1500 complete) and then you've solved your power issue.

 

[Shahram]

budget and 80-series are not compatible

I dunno...I've been seeing never-seen-dirt 80s on Craigslist here in SurCal for as low as $3-4k, with little more than 100k miles on them. Get some BFG All-terrains in 285/75/16, some camping gear, and you could easily have a reliable, capable, comfortable, under $6k expedition wheeler.

 

[clownmidget]

North of 125K miles and you might as well roll the dice whether or not the HG is going to hold up. So go price getting the HG replaced.

Ditto for the front axle. Most of the "soccer mom" ones have never ever had any front axle service, typically no brake work either so price rebuilding the front axle with new rotors, new inner seals, etc.

And that is just the easy stuff to rattle off, not getting into actual general maintenance parts or upgrades or aftermarket add-ons.

With a 60-series or early mini-truck/4Runner in that price range someone, usually an aficionado, has done all of that for you typically with upgraded parts, re-gear, locker, axles, birfields, rebuilt motor, etc, etc.

I'll agree that the entry price of getting into an 80 has come down amazingly, but the actual day-to-day ownership costs have not. They still get 12 mpg set up as an expo ride and all the nice quality parts that go into and onto them are pricey.

 

[rusty_tlc]

What kind of MPG can I expect to get from an 80? Also what years, motor, tranny, and other factory items should I look for in the purchase. Are these solid front/rear axles?

My only thought for using another toyota pickup/runner was that I wanted to tackle some tougher trails. Remember I grew up running the rubicon. I'm sure with mods an 80 would have no problem, but that could be costly.

Also remember I will be on a budget of about 6k for the vehicle and mods. I didn't think this would be enough for an 80.

I went through the Rubicon with a group of basically stock 80's, pretty much modified as locrwln1 mentioned. They all did fine no damage except one small paint scratch.

If you spend some time shopping you might find a truck you can afford, are you in a hurry?

 

[rusty_tlc]

budget and 80-series are not compatible

IMO, you ditch the trailer idea altogether...if it can't fit in or on your vehicle, you're not packing light enough.

FJ-60 is a budget expo ride. You can find them with the H-55 5-speed manual which makes the 2F liveable. If you're hung up on speed and power you can find them with a small block and NV4500 still within your budget and that will leave any stock 80 in the dust. They have room, are stupid simple, easy to work on and parts are relatively cheap. You want real "budget" advice on owning an 80 call Dan @ American Toyota or Christo Slee and pick their brain.

My other vote is a SFA first gen 4Runner. Several well built 86-89's that have a nice front suspension from Marlin or All-Pro and the 22RE, although underpowered, can still move it through the trails as fast as an 80. If you can find one with a blown 22RE and have the skillz you can swap in the later 3.4-liter V6 from the Tacoma, 4Runner (these are regularly $1500 complete) and then you've solved your power issue.

I like the FJ60 series, it's just tough to find one that isn't a rust bucket.

We looked at the 4runner idea. Our only hangup was the lack of space for two adults, a large dog, and gear for extended trips.

 

[Hltoppr]

Awesome rig man. I really like it. How comfortable are you taking that on some of the more technical trails.

You mean sweet jumps? JK...It'll go anywhere an expedition style rig is required to go.

Now....if you mean how would it do on some of the "rock crawling" trails...I don't know...that's why I don't have a rock buggy and trailer....

-H-