Expedition 80 series
- Thread starter Big Green
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i'm working on one but its not anywhere near as finished as most of the guys that have done the ROTW on the 80 forum, look over there.
Shahram
I ain't got herpes no more.
Okay, I'll play...
Shahram's rig, AKA the Tijuana Technical.
Basic specs are in my sig line. All very basic mods.
Here's the rear exterior. It is now also missing the rear spoiler.
You'll notice no roof rack. That is because I have a habit of keeping all my gear below the window line, and strapped to the floor. Lightness and simplicity are my goals. No fridge, no extra electrical or electronic stuff. Basic equipment, stripped down.
For small bits, tools, etc., I have a homemade cargo organizer. It's fairly light, and easy to install and remove when needed.
This is more than enough gear for two or three, not including large food/drink cooler. The drawers are "under-the-bed" boxes from Target. The top one is for small camping and comfort equipment. The bottom one keeps tools and fluids isolated from the rest of the cargo. The brown box is a full kitchen.
Here's what it looks like full. I also have a 48" hi-lift and all recovery gear stuffed in there, with room for four/five up front. Everything that sits on top of the cargo organizer is lightweight. All the heavy stuff goes down below.
I've also added a Home Depot Cheapo cargo barrier. It won't stop gear from decapitating you in a freeway head-on, but it will stop a tent or a bin from sliding into the passenger compartment on a steep downhill slope with bumps.
I had two major sources of inspiration in the building of my rig: First, my inner cheap-ass. I've got little to spend, and truth be told, I can't stand those over-built, over-equipped nancy-mobiles. You love your $650 fridge. Great. Did I mention my five-day cooler was on sale for $16.00 at Ralph's grocery store? The other concern that my inner cheap-ass has is "What happens when things break?" If you have complicated, expensive stuff, it will eventually break, need repairing or replacing, and since you're used to the convenience of all that stuff, you'll just have to go out and spend more money on more stuff. My inner cheap-ass has broken that cycle. When I see what little he is capable of living comfortably with, I am in awe!
My second source of inspiration is Tom Sheppard. While he may indulge in some equipment I would never need, he is after all driving around the Sahara for weeks on his own. And just look at his rig! Stripped down, no roof rack, bins organized and strapped to the floor. The guy doesn't use a tent or even have A/C!
Shahram's rig, AKA the Tijuana Technical.
Basic specs are in my sig line. All very basic mods.
Here's the rear exterior. It is now also missing the rear spoiler.
You'll notice no roof rack. That is because I have a habit of keeping all my gear below the window line, and strapped to the floor. Lightness and simplicity are my goals. No fridge, no extra electrical or electronic stuff. Basic equipment, stripped down.
For small bits, tools, etc., I have a homemade cargo organizer. It's fairly light, and easy to install and remove when needed.
This is more than enough gear for two or three, not including large food/drink cooler. The drawers are "under-the-bed" boxes from Target. The top one is for small camping and comfort equipment. The bottom one keeps tools and fluids isolated from the rest of the cargo. The brown box is a full kitchen.
Here's what it looks like full. I also have a 48" hi-lift and all recovery gear stuffed in there, with room for four/five up front. Everything that sits on top of the cargo organizer is lightweight. All the heavy stuff goes down below.
I've also added a Home Depot Cheapo cargo barrier. It won't stop gear from decapitating you in a freeway head-on, but it will stop a tent or a bin from sliding into the passenger compartment on a steep downhill slope with bumps.
I had two major sources of inspiration in the building of my rig: First, my inner cheap-ass. I've got little to spend, and truth be told, I can't stand those over-built, over-equipped nancy-mobiles. You love your $650 fridge. Great. Did I mention my five-day cooler was on sale for $16.00 at Ralph's grocery store? The other concern that my inner cheap-ass has is "What happens when things break?" If you have complicated, expensive stuff, it will eventually break, need repairing or replacing, and since you're used to the convenience of all that stuff, you'll just have to go out and spend more money on more stuff. My inner cheap-ass has broken that cycle. When I see what little he is capable of living comfortably with, I am in awe!
My second source of inspiration is Tom Sheppard. While he may indulge in some equipment I would never need, he is after all driving around the Sahara for weeks on his own. And just look at his rig! Stripped down, no roof rack, bins organized and strapped to the floor. The guy doesn't use a tent or even have A/C!
Very nice Shahram!
NLXTACY
Wits' End
And then you have a-holes like me who are trying to do the exact opposite 
I look at it this way...
What can I do to my truck and still have my wife want to have sex with me in it?!
Power outlets, done. 110v power, got it (the woman has her needs and who am I to stop her
), dual batteries, new leather on the way, heated seats on the way, new stereo, cush bed roll coming. On and on.
I look at it this way...
What can I do to my truck and still have my wife want to have sex with me in it?!
Power outlets, done. 110v power, got it (the woman has her needs and who am I to stop her
), dual batteries, new leather on the way, heated seats on the way, new stereo, cush bed roll coming. On and on.
Good thread, and nice job Shahram. I'm still getting all the mechanical and suspension fixes out of the way and then I'd like to work on my storage deck/sleeper. Look forward to more.
Nice clean rig Shahram. I like the storage solutions you have built in. Very effective.
Here are a couple of pics of what I have so far. The things you can't see that have been added are:
On board shower with 5 gallon tank mounted where spare tire used to be.
In cab winch control.
Edgestar fridge/freezer with slide.
LED dome lights + added dome to rear storage area.
Upgraded high and low beams w/Slee wire harness
Jensen double din stereo with NAV, rear camera (second camera waiting for install), HD radio, SAT radio, I-Pod controls.
Dual batteries with hellroaring isolator.
Rear storage (concept from here on mud).
yaesu 8800 ham radio
cobra CB radio
12 volt power outlet added to storage area (for fridge)
RTT that can be switched between my 416 trailer or mounted to the cruiser.
Aussie Locker in the rear
CDL switch
On board shower with 5 gallon tank mounted where spare tire used to be.
In cab winch control.
Edgestar fridge/freezer with slide.
LED dome lights + added dome to rear storage area.
Upgraded high and low beams w/Slee wire harness
Jensen double din stereo with NAV, rear camera (second camera waiting for install), HD radio, SAT radio, I-Pod controls.
Dual batteries with hellroaring isolator.
Rear storage (concept from here on mud).
yaesu 8800 ham radio
cobra CB radio
12 volt power outlet added to storage area (for fridge)
RTT that can be switched between my 416 trailer or mounted to the cruiser.
Aussie Locker in the rear
CDL switch
You forgot to add that you now have a rechargeable LED flashlight!!
A seriously badass rig. Perfectly set up for a week long expedition, especially with his M416 in tow.
Kenny, nice setup. I just ordered an Edgestar myself and am starting to sketch out a slide for it. Can you post some more detailed pictures of the slide you built. Also your water tank setup too if you got time.
Thanks!
Shahram :
If you've not read it yet - pick up a copy of Tom Sheppards "Quiet for a Tuesday".
A trip into the Algerian Sahara and he had all his maps confiscated at the start of the trip !
Managed to do the whole trip on 'tourist maps" and old GPS waypoints he'd already logged in his GPS on previous trips.
I got a signed copy from the overland journal folks - inspiring stuff.
I just bought an 80 that's going to be an expedition rig - it arrives in 3 weeks
If you've not read it yet - pick up a copy of Tom Sheppards "Quiet for a Tuesday".
A trip into the Algerian Sahara and he had all his maps confiscated at the start of the trip !
Managed to do the whole trip on 'tourist maps" and old GPS waypoints he'd already logged in his GPS on previous trips.
I got a signed copy from the overland journal folks - inspiring stuff.
I just bought an 80 that's going to be an expedition rig - it arrives in 3 weeks
I just switched the slide in the picture to the Engle slide from Slee. The custome slide I made was not as sturdy as the Engle slide. I'm gone this week but maybe GLTHFJ60 can take some pics of the water tank, he his house sitting for us this week.Kenny, nice setup. I just ordered an Edgestar myself and am starting to sketch out a slide for it. Can you post some more detailed pictures of the slide you built. Also your water tank setup too if you got time.
Thanks!
Here is mine, it handles double duty as an expedition rig and my weekend "rock crawler". My sig lists most of the mods
Here are some of the expedition specific items.
Dual battery sytem w/1200 watt power inverter
Engel fridge on my storage system. Holds 2-20 liter water jugs under the fridge and my tools/spare parts in removable bins on the other side (also holds 2-10 sub woofers for 1800 watt sound system)
Inverter install (and amp for rear door speakers)
Remote on/off switch and outlets for 110v and 12v
I have a custom fuel can holder on my Slee rear bumper in place of the hi-lift mount.
DVD stereo for entertainment and 2 cameras to help spot on solo trips. View rear suspension from my "belly cam"
Links to the some of the install threads:
storage unit
jerry can carrier slee rear bumper
stereo upgrade
It is still a work in progress, I need a shower system and better water storage.
Here are some of the expedition specific items.
Dual battery sytem w/1200 watt power inverter
Engel fridge on my storage system. Holds 2-20 liter water jugs under the fridge and my tools/spare parts in removable bins on the other side (also holds 2-10 sub woofers for 1800 watt sound system)
Inverter install (and amp for rear door speakers)
Remote on/off switch and outlets for 110v and 12v
I have a custom fuel can holder on my Slee rear bumper in place of the hi-lift mount.
DVD stereo for entertainment and 2 cameras to help spot on solo trips. View rear suspension from my "belly cam"
Links to the some of the install threads:
storage unit
jerry can carrier slee rear bumper
stereo upgrade
It is still a work in progress, I need a shower system and better water storage.
Last edited:
Mike,
Sweet rig. After I saw your stereo upgrade and the second camera I ordered one and plan on mounting it like you did.
Sweet rig. After I saw your stereo upgrade and the second camera I ordered one and plan on mounting it like you did.
Kenny has the camera with him on vacation and I have yet to buy one, so pics will have to wait till he gets back.
Sweet trucks guys! The camera setups are pretty awesome.
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Hows this?
(For those wondering, Yep, im getting it all back on the 17th of this month
The setup was too good to let go)
(For those wondering, Yep, im getting it all back on the 17th of this month
The setup was too good to let go)
Thats a sweet setup I'd like to hear some of the details on how you have it setup and more pics
