Medical Charity Expedition Build Questions

[Gwynley]

Sounds like an interesting project!

Many aid agencies / charities openly advertise for services from capable trucks (usually landcruisers!), though I know many like to try and employ local drivers (especially true in Africa) "self help" is a big thing with charities at the moment.

How do you intend to keep the the medical supplies at the correct temperature? You'll probably need a large fridge - perhaps some Solar PV might be in order?

I'm doing a charity drive from London to Cape Town starting later this year in my HJ60 - have a look at my website to see what I am doing to mine, though Africa is a bit more extreme / remote than South America (hence why I spending a lot more money!)

The chocolate landcruiser guys are wizards in getting media interest - try and use their example. You will be amazed how much people will GIVE you in order to prepare if you get the questions right (and to the right people!) I have got a serious amount of support from London's biggest Toyota dealership....

Gwyn

 

[EOE_overland]

Since you're in need of a list, this is my Mexico equipment/spares list for a 1992 FJ80...basically the same as your 62. 2-4 weeks through Baja....

Great List; that'll really come in helpful! Are the kayaks a recommendation or a must-have ?
I've been eyeing the VDEG for a few years now, but with the recommendation I'll definitely pick it up. Tom Sheppard is great! Especially now that he ditched Land Rover (don't get me started ).
I've been looking for maps; where can I find the Baja Almanac?

 

[EOE_overland]

Sounds like an interesting project!

Many aid agencies / charities openly advertise for services from capable trucks (usually landcruisers!), though I know many like to try and employ local drivers (especially true in Africa) "self help" is a big thing with charities at the moment.

How do you intend to keep the the medical supplies at the correct temperature? You'll probably need a large fridge - perhaps some Solar PV might be in order?

have got a serious amount of support from London's biggest Toyota dealership....

Gwyn

So far I plan to only take stuff that isn't too temperature sensitive. I do plan on tinting the rear windows for a little privacy and temp control. I'll have two batteries which would help for a fridge, but for now it's not in the budget. But we'll see how the charity choice works out.

Did you get financial or parts support from the dealership?
Thanks Gwyn!

 

[Godwin]

Spares

Hoses
Belts
Air Filter
fuel filter
EFI relays (1991/1992 specific item)
Drum Brake Cylinders
Thermostat
Cap & Rotor
Spark Plugs & Leads
Pre-Mix Coolant (1 Gal.)
8 Quarts Oil
Oil Filter
U-Joints
3 Quarts Gear Oil
ATF (1 Gal)
Brake Fluid
Rear Axle Bearings & Seals
2 5Gal Nato Gas Cans
Expedition Exchange dot com Jerry can holder
1 Spare BFG Mud Terrain (I might take another this year, but haven't needed it.)
Viair 200P Compressor
Recovery Gear
Tire Repair Kit
High-Lift Jack w/ARB adapter
Funnel w/screen
gear oil bottle pump

Add fusible link to the list.

 

[Gwynley]

Did you get financial or parts support from the dealership?
Thanks Gwyn!

Parts, they gave me lots of credit.

 

[cruiser_guy]

For Mexico try and find the Guia Roji maps, they are often available at the Oxxo convenience stores in Mexico.

 

[Hltoppr]

Try Baja-Almanac.com for that map...they've been out of print for a while...maybe ebay? I second Cruiser Guy's suggestion for the GR map...it's the one I use for the mainland.

-H-

 

[cruiser_guy]

I do plan on tinting the rear windows for a little privacy and temp control.

I have all the windows behind the front seat tinted on both the '60 and the '55 with the darkest tint available for both privacy and temperature control but mostly to keep prying eyes out.

When the '45LV is road worthy one of the first trips will be for tinting.

 

[EOE_overland]

All right- still taking notes on all the information. Last night I compiled a list of all the parts I know I need and added them to the recommendations. Yikes! A lotta money! BUT now I have a list. I can get some stuff one at a time, and I have a concise list for when I ask for help. I won't be home much tonight, but I'll try to post it for anyone who cares to help edit.
Also sent a letter to a charity this morning that was recommended. So the wheels on the short bus (one of my affectionate names for the 62) go round and round. To all those who are interested, I'll keep you posted. Thanks!

 

[EOE_overland]

Here's what I got so far. I made a fairly detailed list of everything I could think of that I needed, added you recommendations. I cruised thru CCOT, Cruiser Outfitters, and SORs site just so I could get a list of part numbers and retail prices. WOW, that's a lot of dough! Definitely going to need to pick up a second job somewhere. Most of it is OME and tires. I did the same with the list of spares from Hilltopper and others. Any thoughts about the list? Per your recommendations, I'm going to stick with Toyota parts where possible. Any instances where there's a better (not necessarily cheaper) aftermarket part? And anything I may be forgetting?

OIL PAN GASKET (Toyota One piece!)
OIL PAN (Mine has plenty of big rust spots, so I'd like to replace if possible)
OIL PAN FASTENERS (Found 2 broken when I did my oil change!)
VALVE COVER GASKET (Valve adjust)
COOLANT HOSE
EXTENDED LIFE COOLANT
RADIATOR (Ok; Needs to be tested, but would like to replace if possible)
AIR INTAKE HOSES (Mine haven't cracked yet, but would like to be ahead of it)
ENGINE BELTS
WATER PUMP
FRONT AXLE SHAFTS (Got a price on SOR HD Chromoly shafts- worth it?)
REAR WHEEL BEARINGS
REAR AXLE SEALS
DISTIBUTOR CAP
PLUGS (Can get Toyota, but I can get NGK thru boatyard I work at...good move?)
PLUG WIRES
IGNITION COIL (Seems to be fine, but should I do it if I can?)
U JOINTS
TIE RODS (ok, but again would like to replace if I can)
OME LIFT MED/HEAVY + GREASEABLE SHACKLES
TRANSFER CASE FRONT OUTPUT SEAL (Small leak)
TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SEAL (Ditto)
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BUSHINGS (Rattle-rattle!)
FRONT SIDE MARKER LIGHT
REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHT
FRONT BRAKE PADS
REAR BRAKE PADS
TIRES- 5 BFG AT 285 75 R16
WHEELS- 5 16" (Any good, cheap suggestions?)



Oh, and here's a newer picture of The Mule on her good side. Like the 2-tone gold??

 

[cruiser_guy]

I would not change seals, "Just because." If you do that where do you stop? Change them is you find them leaking. You can likely find the seals in your travels in Central America/Mexico if they do fail. Rarely am I unable to find the seals for my truck here in Guatemala. While I agree that Toyota seals are better you can generally get home even if a seal is weeping a little by simply keeping the oil level up and replace with Toyota when you get home.

I carry a bypass hose for the transfer case on the BJ60 because those are a known failure point and not easily monitored (not an issue on the FJ62). I have yet to NEED to replace a seal while on the road though I have installed my bypass hose on the side of the road.

Axle shafts, unless you are doing some heavy duty off road you should be fine with stock.

I would carry the hoses, water pump etc. rather than replace. The existing ones may well last for another 5-10 years. I've had spare rad hoses in my truck for the last 6-7 years and never yet needed them!

The way I look at it, unless you have money to burn, make sure everything is leak free and then go with it. Things like rad hoses I carry all the time, larger items like water pump etc, I'll carry on longer trips just in case.

 

[Hltoppr]

I agree. Axle seals are easy to carry, and would work for either side. If it's not broken...no real need to fix it. Exception may be a water pump, but I include that as a maintenance item on my rigs every 100K or so anyways. Do the belts, hoses, plug wires/plugs (I like OEM Toyota) and the stuff that's really leaking (oil pan gasket), as well as a valve adjust and birf job and you'll likely be good to go.

-H-

 

[esh]

What cruiser_guy said.

For spares you could carry gasket material and liquid gasket goop to save space and weird sizes.

Don't replace your markers! Nice old ratty lenses add to the illusion.

16" wheels-

Eagle Alloy Wheels - Series 128

Not sure if these would fit-

Wheels - summitracing.com

a 16" factory p/n 42601-60262-03. Even from a source with dealer cost type prices they are 125 each.

 

[Bogo]

And yes, if this does get going, the original plan was to make it a few-vehicle caravan. Right now it's my 62, a Wrangler (lots of space there, he said sarcastically ), and maybe another Wrangler (one of my buddy's buddys?). Depending on how much stuff we need to haul, we may need some help. When I find out what we're doing for sure, I'll post a help-wanted for sure.

Transport. Make sure your vehicles can be put into containers. That way you could ship them to a locale, fly there and save that driving time and wear and tear. Containerized shipping is available to almost all parts of the world reachable via semi.

 

[Bogo]

I definitely want to upgrade my stock tires- my ground clearance now is close to a Subaru's. I guess my main question about that is: Will any gain in clearance over 31" be overshadowed by more loss in mpg and supply-hauling power? I know my 62 wheel-wells will hold bigger meats, but is it worth it for an extra 1" or 2" over 31 for what I'm planning?

Go with the 31" and use a standard size so you can get replacements everywhere. Consider a set of tire chains.

And is it worth picking up a snorkel for $300 to help keep the dust out, or would it be better spent elsewhere. Or make the 62 stick out too much as was mentioned earlier?

For now carry a few extra air filters. They are light and can go on the roof.

I'm definitely working on all the "organizational" stuff associated with this type of trip. And it is absolutely overwhelming. But now that the holidays are over and I'll hopefully be home for a few weekends, I wanted to start coming up with a good list for the truck. And the more people I tell, the more questions I get about what I need. So now maybe I'll have a semi-intelligent answer .

Stay stock if at all possible that way parts are easy to order from any toyota dealer anywhere. Carry a paper copy of the parts catalog for your rig and the FSM. I was going to suggest going to ToyoDIY.com to get a parts catalog, but I don't see 1962 there.

Winching: If in convoy, long winch strap and tow straps will do for most situations. Also consider a trifor style hand winch. Get it with a long cable and some snatch blocks. Hand winching may take time, but it will get you out of trouble and the unit can be tucked inside the rig out of sight.

Refrigeration for vaccine transport is a must so you will need to beef up your electrical system. A dual battery setup at minimum.

 

[Bogo]

Solar panels will stick out like a sore thumb. Add an extra battery to the house bank if you are worried. You will be driving most of the time anyways. Throw a spare alternator in if you are worried or get brush and diode kits for the one you have.

 

[Bogo]

You may wish to paint your roofs white to better reflect the sun. The lower bodies can still be a stock toyota color.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Solar panels will stick out like a sore thumb. .

You can get 2x40 watt panels in a frame that folds up into a space no bigger than a brief case and still make 80 amps a day

 

[Gwynley]

You can get 2x40 watt panels in a frame that folds up into a space no bigger than a brief case and still make 80 amps a day

Yup or something flexible - which wouldn't even be noticed on the roof

 

[EOE_overland]

As of now, I don't have any plans to mess with vaccines or prescription meds; I'm not licensed to drive around the US with them in my car (that would end a trip quickly!). I'm going to stick with supplies that aren't temperature sensitive like syringes, bandages, equipment, etc. Down the road, maybe? But for possible future reference: I've looked for flexible solar panels, and the brands I'm familiar with (I'm a marine electrical technician by trade) in the boat industry are around $400 US for a 12W panel. A little pricey for 12 watts of power- any cheaper alternatives?. Again, as of now my alternator will be running most of the day on a trip. And my power consumption should be close to nil at night. The dual battery setup I'm going to install in the next few months is mostly because it's an electrician thing. I get the parts at a discount, and with the automatic charging relay I install between the batteries I can jump-start myself if needed. Or keep my stereo/computer components going while I crank the engine. It's more for fun than a necessity. And it's something electrical I can do on my FJ while I'm at work; I'm stuck with mechanical maintenance now, unlike my Land Rover that kept me busy on both fronts.

Hltoppr: by "birf job" do you mean grease the birfs, or replace?

And I've dropped a few things from my previous list. With the water pump- I already have one that I was planning on installing. Should I install it before I go and take the old one with me, or leave it and bring the new spare? I have no reason to believe it's not in good shape currently. Thanks folks!