Expo West Request - 100 Series Pictures

[Dzrtcrzr]

So I am home again, I drove 14 hours, walked around for 6 hours, and decided I had seen enough and headed home.

In all honesty I was beyond disappointed. I'm sure I am alone in this thought as it appeared everyone else was having a blast.


I would say probably 90% of the display vehicles were new 4runners or new Tacomas or Dodge 2500/3500 trucks. I felt really bad for guys that own any other vehicle, as they weren't represented.


The only comparison I can make is to SHOT show. It used to be awesome, but once it got too popular it lost its grass roots appeal. This is true of many things. I'm sure Expo was awesome before Smittybuilt starting making parts. I'm not an elitist by any stretch as I use a Smittybuilt RTT, but 'overlanding' sudden explosion of popularity has really changed the scene.

Enough complaining, I'll post the cool 100s I saw!

Yeah I somewhat agree with you, it was my first one so of course it was a little cool, I liked some stuff from a few of the camping vendors but vehicle wise it was surely taco, 4runner central. But to me that's typical run of the mill convention cater to the new popular vehicles situation. probably will go again since I'm in Vegas but spend more time wheeling and camping:

 

[Live to Ski]

Kinda sorta agree with CreasyBear. I speaketh from experience as wife/I attended the snow-veraland-expo a few years ago.

1. A diesel LC conversion pioneer/guru from SLC went 5 or so years ago.....experience led him to same observation, enough so that he has never been back (to my knowledge)

2. I experienced the big $ migration into the arena during my attendance (man, who can afford 90% of that stuff).

3. However, I believe there is benifit to attending every other year because:
a. Ideas: Just because our rigs are thinely supported outside of the mud communicty, theses ideas can bread new/crossover ideas that help solve a lot of our problems.
b. Education: attended quit a few symposiums during my attendance. Always learned something (border crossings, photo, nav, etc.).
c. Networking: it always takes a village mentality, especially when you are far from the phyisical village and somehting goes south. Nice to have the ability to say "I met you @......) when reaching out for......
d. New friends: everyone there has the similar goals/needs. excellent breading grounds for making new/keeping up w. like minded folks (Just heard from a Mobike focused attendee that we camped next to during that oe attendance, he hangs in Oregon/i'm in SoCal).

Bottom line to me: worth the relatively affordable price of admission for experiences rather then hardware shopping spree. Dont' get me wrong in that I like "stuff" (otherwise known as "debris of life"), but like experiences just as much if not more.

 

[lt1fire]

I've never been to overland west but it was on my bucket list for a long time. But after hearing lots of this the last few years it's not super high anymore. Strangely I lived in NC for a long time and never heard this from my cruiser club out there but at the same time we are so starved for overland stuff in the SE that we take what we can get. I never made it out because the $500 for my wife and I to attend was a hard pull to swallow for us financially when living there. We live in Seattle now and after talking to people around here lots seem to not go to the overland expo anymore and instead gp.to the Northwest Overland Rally in WA. I've bought my wife and I tickets and for the 4 days there with all the classes and a 20x20 camp site it was $180.

I'll report on that one next month after going to it to see if I feel the same way like some.of you about the expo.

 

[Live to Ski]

lt1fire, intriguing plan, that NW Oland rally. Did not know about it.

 

[cruzerDave]

I've never been to overland west but it was on my bucket list for a long time. But after hearing lots of this the last few years it's not super high anymore. Strangely I lived in NC for a long time and never heard this from my cruiser club out there but at the same time we are so starved for overland stuff in the SE that we take what we can get. I never made it out because the $500 for my wife and I to attend was a hard pull to swallow for us financially when living there. We live in Seattle now and after talking to people around here lots seem to not go to the overland expo anymore and instead gp.to the Northwest Overland Rally in WA. I've bought my wife and I tickets and for the 4 days there with all the classes and a 20x20 camp site it was $180.

I'll report on that one next month after going to it to see if I feel the same way like some.of you about the expo.

Was all on board to attend NWOL when I realized it overlapped anniversary with the missus <doh>
Definitely on my radar for next year and looking forward to some reports & pics!

 

[lt1fire]

lt1fire, intriguing plan, that NW Oland rally. Did not know about it.

About the Northwest Overland Rally

Don't know how it will stack up vs the expo but with it being 32% of the cost it was a no brainer for us even if we weren't so local for it. Still going to hit up the expo one of these years, got family in that area that i'd like to go visit again soon.

I don't think you can go wrong with either event.

There is also the BC overland rally but since it is the very next week I won't be able to make it.

May go to that one next year.

BCOR - BC Overland Rally

 

[uzj100]

The buy stuff because it is expensive crowd. ;<)

I understand the taco's and 4Runner's need gear as well. The number of non-offroaded Toyota's is shooting through the roof as well just like the Jeep guys.

 

[benc]

It's unfortunate but most likely there will not be too many manufacturers focusing on the 100 series, most of what you see are enthusiasts and 100 series owners building product.
Sure the options and choices are slim but you end up with much higher quality products in a niche market IMO. I likley wouldn't have focused on the 100 if I didn't start out with 100 series products, very slim market compared to others.
Even when we were in silverton at 100 in the hills I think I saw more Tacomas and 4runners driving around than 100 series!
This was why I bought the Tacoma. That being said I have had the Tacoma for over a year and have yet to release 1 product for it as the 100 series orders have not slowed down, I plan to keep the 100 series my main platform for as long as the market will allow it.

 

[benc]

Not at expo but did have a chance to show off the new camp table dry box for the dissent rear bumpers at cruise Moab the week before!

 

[geanes]

It's unfortunate but most likely there will not be too many manufacturers focusing on the 100 series, most of what you see are enthusiasts and 100 series owners building product.
Sure the options and choices are slim but you end up with much higher quality products in a niche market IMO. I likley wouldn't have focused on the 100 if I didn't start out with 100 series products, very slim market compared to others.
Even when we were in silverton at 100 in the hills I think I saw more Tacomas and 4runners driving around than 100 series!
This was why I bought the Tacoma. That being said I have had the Tacoma for over a year and have yet to release 1 product for it as the 100 series orders have not slowed down, I plan to keep the 100 series my main platform for as long as the market will allow it.

EXCELLENT! I want one of your front bumpers for my recently purchased LX more than just about anything. I'm testing the market to see what I can get for one of my kidneys In all seriousness, I hope to place my order for the bumper before end of summer.

 

[cruzerDave]

EXCELLENT! I want one of your front bumpers for my recently purchased LX more than just about anything. I'm testing the market to see what I can get for one of my kidneys In all seriousness, I hope to place my order for the bumper before end of summer.

might want to save your kidney for the rear bumper & attachments... artwork is expensive

 

[geanes]

might want to save your kidney for the rear bumper & attachments... artwork is expensive

Good point CruzerDave! Your drawer system is on my list for the July purchase. I've got an idea for it that I think will be pretty cool!

 

[cruzerDave]

Good point CruzerDave! Your drawer system is on my list for the July purchase. I've got an idea for it that I think will be pretty cool!

wait a minute, are you saying KISS Drawers *aren't* artwork?!? Or that I should charge more kidneys for them?

 

[geanes]

wait a minute, are you saying KISS Drawers *aren't* artwork?!? Or that I should charge more kidneys for them?

Oh, your drawers (for the Land Cruiser) ARE artwork and I've been longing for them since I first started my build. Baselined first, adding sliders now.....you're drawers are next and then the bumper. I'll have to cool it after then as the spousal unit is getting a little jealous of the LX.

 

[paflytyer]

FWIW, 100s in the Hills is the only event where you're going to see products being specifically built and designed for the 100 Series platform. The 100 has been out of production for over 10 years now. There were probably more 80s and 40s in attendance than 100s. Most folks will recognize the few 100s in the photos above as members of MUD.

Overland Expo is just that...... an expo. Like any home building expo or hot tub expo. It's not an activity event. It's a place for vendors and manufacturers go to promote and market their newest designs and ideas. Overland Expo is great at being what it is. It's cool to see some of the huge RV-sized vehicles that cost $500K+. There really isn't anything between those mega-expensive vehicles and the Tacomas and 4Runners with roof top tents parked everywhere. There were a lot of cool new products and general camp/travel gear. There was an area that had a flea market feel to it. I actually liked that area. Lots of small products that are useful for anyone who likes to camp or travel. I lose interest pretty fast with the mega-rigs. They're RVs on 40+ inch tires. Once you've seen one, they all kinda feel the same. Huge everything, awesome cooking areas and cabinets, plenty of storage, cool gadgets and gizmos...... everything you'd expect if you were paying well over $200,000 for a house on mud tires.

I'm not saying the expo isn't fun or useful, it's just not someplace to go to do much except walk around and visit each booth. The industry folks are there to market, promote and sell products. If you have a question about their product or service, they'll have an answer. It's perfect for that. Some of the unique vehicles were very cool. Some cool restorations and converted military vehicles. A few diesel Land Cruisers being driven around the world. They were all in their own area a short walk away from the main grounds.

Some of the same vendors that were at Expo, will be at 100s in the Hills. Except the difference at 100s in the Hills is that you won't wait in line to talk to them across a booth table. You'll wheel, fish, hike, mountain bike, camp and sit around the fire with them. It's an entirely different experience. There is enormous value (for the buyer and seller) in sitting around the campfire or driving on the trail together before purchasing a product. We still believe in "boots on the ground" marketing and personal connections between businesses and consumers.

 

[Dzrtcrzr]

View attachment 1460901 View attachment 1460902 View attachment 1460903 View attachment 1460904 Not at expo but did have a chance to show off the new camp table dry box for the dissent rear bumpers at cruise Moab the week before!

@benc ....we need stickers!

 

[AimCOtaco]

@benc ....we need stickers!

I got a sticker! Ben was handing them out like candy at Cruise Moab, there were at least 4 100's that I know were on display at Vendor night at Cruise Moab this year. Dissent, Nitro-Gear, and Gamiviti all had 100's on display.... nothing like HIH but not too shabby for a fun sized Toyota event.

 

[CreasyBear]

That rear table is pretty cool!!


I was surprised considering a number of sources claim the 100 is the most used platform for 'overlanding' whatever that means.

 

[benc]

I got a sticker! Ben was handing them out like candy at Cruise Moab, there were at least 4 100's that I know were on display at Vendor night at Cruise Moab this year. Dissent, Nitro-Gear, and Gamiviti all had 100's on display.... nothing like HIH but not too shabby for a fun sized Toyota event.

Yes, I did finally get some stickers but not too happy with how they turned out, need to find a better sorce.

 

[planomateo]

Yes, I did finally get some stickers but not too happy with how they turned out, need to find a better sorce.

Check with stickermule.