Expedition (not rockcrawling) wheeling: relative value of mods for 80? (1 Viewer)

[re_guderian]

That's the number one reason I changed out the axle and hubs on my M416; to be able to run the same wheels and tires as my Cruiser.

I'm too lazy to do this. I just threw the second spare in my M416, along with my spare FOR the M416. Now I regret selling it (the trailer). On a 5-day trip by myself (stupid, stupid, stupid) through AZ from the Mexican border north, I hit a washout at night and got 2 flats at once. Soooo glad to have 2 spares. Winch came in extremely handy here too. I hadn't planned on hardcore "stucks". Just looked away from the road for a second, took the wrong track and hit the washed-out section. To get myself out of this ONE situation I used

- 2 spare tires
- winch
- tow strap+tree strap (to reach a tree to winch from)
- shovel
- high-lift with bumper attachment
- hammer
- WD-40 (to fix hi-lift)
- tools to put stupid PS belt back on 3 times so I could have an alternator to charge my battery to run my winch
- Flashlights, headlamps and TONS of extra batteries (worked all night long)
- my fav tool, 3' iron pipe to help un-invert my shackle and bend my leaf spring back into place (stoked about not having to worry about THAT on my 80)
- crow bar for same
- tons of water to drink (it was July in the desert )
- digital camera with movie record feature to make my last will and testament
- didn't have to use, but had just in case: '90 Specialized Stumpjumper with tool bag, pump, and helmet...

I guess what I'm saying is that what you bring with you might be WAY more important that what mods you have on your truck. CB/cell phone would have done no good in the middle of the Apache-San Carlos Indian Reservation. The winch was key, but a hand winch with sufficient cable might have worked as well.

My definition of "Expedition Wheeling" -- And the rig

 

[wileetoyote]

Definately a great post. All opinions thus far deserve much respect and (as its intention) provides yet more great ideas that can suit each individuals wants and needs.

That said, I have a two pronged approach... I've built a crawler just for that one purpose (89 4Rnr) and I've purchased my cruiser for both short and (eventually) long "expedition"/camping type purposes. Living here in AZ for the last 11yrs, the LC's original intent was along the lines of Hiltopprs Mexico runs but what I've found myself doing more and more each winter is driving to Colorado to go boarding. So as my destinations change, my needs and accessories for each trip seem to be slightly different. With the exception of a few permanent items, your accessories can hopefully be removable and or exchanged when needed.

My idea of an 'Expedition' type rig is (or would be)...

1) Mostly stock, reliable Cruiser (that INCLUDES TRD SC's)
2) Lockers (stock or not)
3) Winch (with appropriate bumper)
4) HD Roof rack (conferr, ARB, etc.)
5) Heavy duty springs for loaded down rig (0"- 2.5" lift)
6) Gas cans or long range tank
7) 31"-33" offroad tires (I run 33" GY MTR's and love 'em)
8) Dual battery's
9) Two sets of jumper cables, welding goggles, weld sticks
10) GPS, cell phone, CB, FRS, and a good camera
11) Laptop with DVD Player (and lots of DVD's (disney movies, porn, whatever)
12) Cupholders for everyone
13) Rear bumper (but really only if its purpose is to make room for spare tire, and gas or water cans, and can provide room for that LR gas tank)
14) Fridge (or just a good cooler will do if your not gone for long or your destination is not too remote).
15) air compressor
16) Complete tool box and some spare belts (whatever other spares you may think you'll need...that may be another thread)

and last but not least...a second expedition vehicle if your destination is in complete isolation! Friends shouldn't let friends trek alone!

WET

 

[Bongani]

I like the layout of the drawers. Do you have more info on them? Who built them?

This is a home made system by one of the guys on the www.landcruiser.co.za forum. Looks dam sweet.

 

[NMuzj100]

I find that I use my LED headlamp more than any other piece of gear in my rig although most of my trips are probably not "expedition caliber". I did drive to Alaska and back over the Alaskan and Cassiar Highways over 8 weeks but my current trips around home cover the same terrain you are interested in just not for too many days.

Reliability is key. Several times my Suburban nearly ruined my Alaska trip and definately ruined several days (Spent a whole day in a awful bed and breakfast where my wife and I felt like unwelcome guests while the Transmission was rebuilt and didn't trek to the artic ocean because of reliabilty problems). You already bought a LC and will maintain it so no problem there. Doing your own maintnence at home with a full set of tools (and MUD access) will give you the familiarity with the truck to successfully troubleshoot problems in the field and hopefully recognize them before they become serious.

Even for short trips an air compressor to air tires up is needed. Jugs of water (5 gallons) and a way to tie them down securely is required to travel the desert southwest even for a short outing. If you want to set up camp by water a cheap bug-proof awning is well worth the space and effort to set up.

If I had more money to outfit the truck I would add an aux fuel tank and a drawer system. As it is I just top off with the expensive local fuel as far out in the boonies as I can (an option I understand is not available in the Outback) and reorganize my gear every morning as I pack.

I don't have a GPS but have the glove compartment and front pockets stuffed with maps. Redundancy is OK as far as maps go. The state "free" map will have details that you can't get from the topo or Rand Mcnally and vice-versa. Pay for guide books (or get them from a library) - Redundant the same as maps. A good guide will save you money,time and make sure you see what you really came to see. Try and get off the beaten path mentally as well as literally. I like to get local recommendations on sites to see.

Save the thousands on equipment and take a couple of small trips to find out what you want or need. I have found that for a lot of gear the cheapest item is exactly what I need because I only use it while camping and the extra durability is wasted as it gathers dust in my shed. If I break it then I must be using it enough to justify getting the quality piece (this advice only applies to non-essential gear).

 

[reffug]

I like to think of mine as an expedition set-up that likes rocks.

Exactly..........................

 

[GeoRoss]

Save the thousands on equipment and take a couple of small trips to find out what you want or need. I have found that for a lot of gear the cheapest item is exactly what I need because I only use it while camping and the extra durability is wasted as it gathers dust in my shed. If I break it then I must be using it enough to justify getting the quality piece (this advice only applies to non-essential gear).

Some of the best advice I've seen so far.

Ross

 

[landandsea]

Eric,

I seem to remember that you did an "expedition" to Baja. If that's the type of trip your considering expanding on, here's my recommendations...

- Of course, all terrain type tires, at least

- winch? Not very usefull. Have one on the FJ55. Whenever I needed it, there was nothing to hook on to. But all of my expeditions to Baja were for the purpose of finding remote (really remote) beaches. I even carried a wide fluke anchor to hook the winch to. Even that didn't work. The winch looked cool, but never got me out when I was stuck.

-Locking diffs - now were talking useful. With the FZJ80 in Baja - never have had to dig out (knock on wood)

-Wide beam auxiliary lights. Wouldn't go without them. The best plans for only driving during daylight don't always work out. Lighting up the road ahead of you is huge in my experiences. In fact with good lights, I never hesitated to drive at night.

- Spare tires. Always carried two. Never had to use both but often used one of them. I would have been really concerned without the second spare after shredding a tire.

Certainly not an all-inclusive list, just, as you asked, from my experiences.

Ed

 

[landtank]

Ed, have you ever tried burrying a spare as a winch point. Years back I talked with a guy who did just that in the desert to get himself out.

 

[Hltoppr]

I might add that the Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide, by Tom Sheppard, is well worth the price. First editions are hardbound and full color, and now run about $500 used, and the second editions are softcover (with some updated information) and are running about $250 new. www.earthroamer.com has a few of the second editions left.

I was fortunate enough to get both a first edition and second edition before they went out of print (about $60 each) but feel the information in them would be worth the high price tag for those serious about vehicle travel to remote places. This isn't the cheezy 'how to off road" books that you'll find at Barnes and Noble. It is a full, college level text on the ins and outs of travel, clothing, equipment, vehicle set up, driving, communications, etc.

I've read mine cover to cover, and continue to go back to it for ideas and advice. I can't recommend it enough.

Also full of useful information is the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, which can be ordered for $20 from www.adventure-motorcycling.com or www.aerostitch.com. While technically motorbike oriented, the details of insurance, carnets, travel and the like are very detailed, and it's just plain fun to read.

-H-

 

[re_guderian]

Ed, have you ever tried burrying a spare as a winch point. Years back I talked with a guy who did just that in the desert to get himself out.

Would work well on sandy beaches, flat desert maybe. My experience in AZ has been that below the surface dirt is a lot of rock It's an option, but don't rely soley on that. It might not have been the safest option, but I used my 85' of winch cable to a 30' tow strap to reach a tree (using the word "tree" loosely...)

 

[Jim_Chow]

Would work well on sandy beaches, flat desert maybe. My experience in AZ has been that below the surface dirt is a lot of rock It's an option, but don't rely soley on that. It might not have been the safest option, but I used my 85' of winch cable to a 30' tow strap to reach a tree (using the word "tree" loosely...)

Yep, here in AZ, the ground is very hard. Not solid rock, but I couldn't dig a hole deeper than 4" deep w/ a pick ax in my yard. Nor are there many trees to winch off of (except along the washes, and sparingly, if you're fortunate enough to get stuck there). If you tried to burry a tire or anchor, you'd be at it for days! The best solution if travelling alone is to find an easier way around the obstacle.

 

[wileetoyote]

I'm a proponent of winches.

In traveling through a nasty washed out fireroad in the desert hills, my buddy's truck lost traction (not a LC ;p ) and was precariously tettering on a 150' steep embackment. His winch was the only thing that save his a$$. He hooked it up to my truck ( in hindsite maybe that was a bad thing... ) and got him back on stable ground. Yes, its a rare need for sure, but invaluable when in an emergency situation.

My other point for wanting a winch was my fear of sliding off an icy road when trekking over a mountain pass. Seen a few too many abandoned cars and trucks during nasty winter storms. I don't think my lockers could have gottten me out of some those snow banked gully's. I've only lost traction once in the Cruiser and was able to get it pointed in the right direction after about 40' of sliding (AWD is awsome) but I would have been screwed if I went over the side.

WET

 

[re_guderian]

I'm a proponent of winches.

I agree totally. I have used my winch to anchor the truck to change a tire on a steep, rocky slope. In the spirit of the thread about mods for expedition-type wheeling, my opinion is a winch isn't complete without some options for anchor points, such as spikes, shovel/tire, strap, or better yet as someone mentioned another vehicle.

 

[ParadiseCruiser]

...my opinion is a winch isn't complete without some options for anchor points, such as spikes, shovel/tire, strap, or better yet...

...a functional set of good, old fashioned sand anchors, and the tackle to be able to put them to good use. Never leave home without 'em.

R -

 

[landandsea]

Ed, have you ever tried burrying a spare as a winch point. Years back I talked with a guy who did just that in the desert to get himself out.

I think that would have a chance of working. I'll bet that there's a trick to it though. My guess is that you would have to dig at least a 3' deep hole and then dig a channel for the cable to follow on a straight line. Or maybe the cable would dig its own channel under pressure. The trick would be to minimize any upward pull.

I've gotten stuck on both the Pacific Ocean and Sea Of Cortez sides of the Baja peninsula. On each occassion, the sand was extremely fine grain and very deep.
That's why I think the tire would have to be buried so deep. The anchor I carried was a Danforth designed to dig itself deeper as pull is applied. It did just that. It buried itself to where I couldn't see any trace of it. Even though it was rated to hold a 40' boat in strong winds, it didn't grab enough to budge the ol' FJ55.

You got me thinking about another use for the spare tires. Jack up the LC and put the spares under the stuck tires. Lower it down on them and (hopefully) drive off.

I actually carry folding - I don't know what to call them- things that I bought from a vendor at a ski show. They are designed to get you out when stuck in the snow. But now that the FJ55 is retired, I haven't had a chance to try them. I do carry them in the 80, just haven't been stuck to the point that I had to use them.

Thanks for the suggestion,

Ed

 

[powderpig]

It really it great to read all the different thoughts on this. I beleive my truck is set up real well for expedition as well as some border line extreme 4 wheeling (exteeme to me is the short bus on 40's or ben's mini on soon to be 44's). I love my 6 inch lift as it gets alot of the dangles bits off the ground as well as allow me to run35-37 inch tires(more distance under the axle). Before the 6 inch lift I had a 4 inch lift and still ran 35 tires. This was a stable set up with out having to add wheel spacers to the axles. As for reliable, either set up has proven it self over many Kmiles of use. Both daily driving and wheeling weekends.
I believe turbos and superchargers are nice, but could add problems when you get crap fuel.
Extra fuel tanks are the greatest. As you venture off the pavement, you tend to travel slower and not usually in overdrive, so fuel ecomany is less(usually around 11-12 or if in low range 8-9 mpg or less depending on terrian).
spare parts do you no good if you do not know how to put them in. Best tool is knowledge, after that the hand tools you need come with time and your ability. Only carry what you know how to work on or are prepared to work on.
Some day I may add a winch, but really have not needed it. High lift and shovel have gotten me out of a lot of trouble.
It is always best to travel with others or be prepared to handle the situations you get your self into. I climbed solo in alaska for many years (yes even some glacier stuff, also tought mounteering for many years), I do beleive if you prepare your self for most problems, you really do not need some one else. Yes it is nice to travel with others, I like conversation and merriement.
You have bought one of the most dependable vechicles you can buy from a factory. You could do it cheap and simple and get many places with out much in the way of mods.
Eric it is a choice on how each and every one has built their truck to handle the concept they see in their minds eye. Set your buget and build the truck in your minds eye. have fun, I know I do with my truck. Maintance before a trip is a major key to staying out of trouble, practiceing with it (as alot of us do to see what the truck is capable of and what hits and brakes) is a real key to know what capabilities you and your vechicle have.
I can see by alot of your posts you are having a hard time seeing the truck of your choice in your head. No ones truck was built right the first time, I believe we all have gone through different stages of a build only to change some thing after we have tested it out.
Any how it was nice to hear others thoughts. later robbie

 

[sethro]

This type of "wheeling" is the main reason that I got an 80 series.

My truck;
285's
J's w/ spacers/caster plates

Plans;
long range fuel tank
inverter
dual battery setup
on board air
fridge
sliders, front bumper, rear bumper
toyota turbo diesel motor

Good advice to take your rig out on a couple of local shakedown runs, and figure out what you like, want, need. I'm off to Baja next week for a very mild wheeling/surf trip. It's my first shakedown run for this truck. Should be fun.

This is a great thread!

cool,

seth

 

[clownmidget]

Wilee brought it up but I would think an onboard welder (like Mobi-Arc) would be very nice if truly doing expedition travelling. There have been many, many times I've seen them used when it was really, really necessary to be able to connect metal.

The two biggest constraining factors I've encountered while travelling are fuel and water. Having potable water always on hand can get challenging in a big hurry and you better have some if you run out of fuel . For strictly expedition style stuff I'd also go the route of the bigger main fuel tank and the bigger aftermarket subtank. I believe that's 38-gal and 44-gal respectively for a projected range of over 800 miles conservatively. The big water bags/tanks that fit into the rear quarters were very nice as well.

 

[lahar50]

Mine would be for expedition and stock for now 1997.I am going to make some sliders ? because I have already bent my right side step board.Biger tires,lift and bumpers.I will make what I can ? and buy the rest over time when I can.I do have front and rear lockers.

 

[Lars]

How about an annual expedition style trip for 80's forum members?

Maybe an excursion down to Baja? Or a trip through the 4corners states... hit the mountain passes of Colorado(Ouray,Silverton), Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde and the Canyonlands area of Utah?

Any interest in something like that?