Expedition Americas FZJ80

[Brian894X4]

Nice build.

 

[All Four]

Great Job. Looks very sturdy to me.

 

[dmc]

i've added one last item to the boxes. designed around my huge stack of lonely planet guides but will work great for recreational reading too...

just a little bookshelf to fill in what i thought was wasted space behind the front seats.
dmc

 

[Max.Powerzz]

I've been trying to convince the we "need" a storage system in the back of the cruiser. She said the book rack just sealed the deal for her...

 

[dmc]

I've been trying to convince the we "need" a storage system in the back of the cruiser. She said the book rack just sealed the deal for her...

i'm glad i could help persuade the misses. this is my second set of storage. i loved my drawers but i think this system will work out very well. honestly i'm very happy with the bookshelf. it holds dvd cases also. from a convenience stand point it will be nice to have the guide books so handy as well as journal, dictionary etc. i had been thinking about tying them in a hammock across the back but safety concerns got the better of me. Filling what i viewed as wasted space was nice to.
dmc

 

[dmc]

another solid weekend

did some more PM on the truck this weekend...

valve adjustment, actually just checked the valve tolerances. all were within spec...

next came the throttle body. it was filthy. before and after with brake cleaner then the hello kitty brush to finish up...

not pictured but also done was the EGR VSV and new valve breather hoses...

5 weeks from tomorrrow i hit the road. oilpan gasket, fan clutch, 4:88s and all fluids is all i have left on the plate mechanically.
dmc

 

[Silverscout]

If you get to San Francisco swing on buy and I'll buy you a beer. Good luck!

 

[Grolar]

Hats off. I will follow your trip closely as I'm dying to to the same. Wondering if you had posted a tentative roadmap somewhere?

 

[dmc]

Hats off. I will follow your trip closely as I'm dying to to the same. Wondering if you had posted a tentative roadmap somewhere?

actually i'm using good old fashioned paper maps. I guess my mind just has a hard time letting go of the old habits. i have access to a 42in scanner at work and wil be scanning them in. i need to get a digital map made up just for safety reasons. it would be easier for me to get help if others know my route. i had an agenda posted on my blog including cities, roads and time frame. i decided it wasn't the best plan for me to be telling the whole world (okay like people who read it) where i was goign to be all the time. like an invitation to get robbed.

all i can say if you're dying to do the same find away to make it happen. i'm walking away from a great job and spending a lot of cash in the process but i haven't once second guesses the decision to leave.
dmc

 

[Grolar]

i decided it wasn't the best plan for me to be telling the whole world (okay like people who read it) where i was goign to be all the time. like an invitation to get robbed.

all i can say if you're dying to do the same find away to make it happen. i'm walking away from a great job and spending a lot of cash in the process but i haven't once second guesses the decision to leave.
dmc

Fair enough. Can you just elaborate about the countries you're going to cross and about how you're going to go past the Darien gap and Colombia? I assume you'll drive in Chile, if so don't miss the obvious (Atacama, Valparaiso) but also the Valle del Elqui in between, which is a great hideaway, far from the Panamerican (feel free to PM me if you are interested about cool spots in Chile). And do you plan to have the rig shipped back to the US, or will you be traveling all the way northbound?

And about making the big splash: I'm really thinking about it and it's not about money and time (I'll have both in two year's time), but two young children in the back seats might add a little to the payload, as well as the burden when it deals with safety. I'm all the more anxious to see how well you travel down there. Your blog is in my bookmarks already, looking forward to reading you. I'm impressed by your dedication. All the best.

 

[CF1128]

We will be watching

Best of luck, your blog is already in my favorites, we will be checking it daily.
Be safe.
Expect the unexpected, but I am sure you are well prepaired.
Poverty is an amazing aphrodisiac, and you would be amazed what those with nothing would do, remember that.
I am nervous for you, but way more excited, I think it takes balls the size of Texas to actually take this on, so kick some ass and enjoy. This is what you have worked your ass off your whole life for.

 

[dmc]

Best of luck, your blog is already in my favorites, we will be checking it daily.
Be safe.
Expect the unexpected, but I am sure you are well prepaired.
Poverty is an amazing aphrodisiac, and you would be amazed what those with nothing would do, remember that.
I am nervous for you, but way more excited, I think it takes balls the size of Texas to actually take this on, so kick some ass and enjoy. This is what you have worked your ass off your whole life for.

thanks man i appreciate it. honestly i was a nervous wreck for most of june but now i'm over it and fully committed. the blog has been slow to update due to things like working on the truck. i'm looking forward to writing and taking pictures instead of turning wrenches. speaking of poverty as an aphrodisac reminds me of one of the greatest stories i've heard.

a friend of mine was in tibet for 3 months. wandering, taking photos, just experiencing. one night he had a local latch on and not leave him alone. pretty much forced her way back into his room. 'bad' would be the only outcome and he knew it. after a soul searching talk with himself alone in the bathroom. he remembered his red sharpie and faked a STD on himself. apparently even poverty doesn't overcome the aversion to red spots where they don't belong. :whoops: yep red sharpie already packed.
dmc

 

[TEPUI]

nice rig, Dave. PM me if you need any help, tips, etc while in Chile.

Have a great trip!

 

[Darwood]

I'm curious, what suspension are you running on your truck?

Dave, good luck on the trip.

 

[dmc]

nice rig, Dave. PM me if you need any help, tips, etc while in Chile.

Have a great trip!

you're added to my list of contacts. chile is about 4.5 months away but as i get closer i'll take you up on the offer. thanks
dmc

 

[dmc]

I'm curious, what suspension are you running on your truck?

Dave, good luck on the trip.

I have the 4 in OME Comp springs right now. they allow me to run my 315s when I want to. However i do have some OME 964 rears and J for up front in case i get to heavy once I load the truck down. I hope to have it fully loaded up and ready to roll by next weekend. that way i'll be able to test the dynamics of the truck for a few weeks before i go. if i need a higher spring rate i'll swap out for the shorter stiffer springs in the rear.
dmc

 

[CF1128]

Red Sharpie Aye...

Godspeed Man,
Well you got your Sharpie, don't sweat then.
Just enjoy and be safe dude. I wish I was riding shotgun, oh yeah, stay away from the worm.(I started thinking shotgun, someones got to hold the mezcal) There is no good reason to swallow the worm no matter what the locals tell you, it just aint right, and wet wipes, sometimes you can't find no toilet paper...and you can never have enough Gold Bond powder either.
Oh yeah, rig looks great.
we will be watching.
Chris

 

[Kaderabek]

Only if they put worms in Coke....

TJK

 

[dmc]

Only if they put worms in Coke....

TJK

or cherry coke

baby wipes are already in the truck in large quantities and i prefer johnsons baby powder to the gold bond. both great tips. i learned the baby wipe trick from my married friends who have been hauling the around for years.
dmc

 

[albertom]

Awsome trip dave... im really jealous! If you need any help while in Colombia let me know. Im in Bogota, but i might be able to help you out with some other parts of the country. Have fun, be safe and TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!!!

Albertom