Medical Charity Expedition Build Questions

[EOE_overland]

So if your goal is medical missions and the transport of people & supplies then you need the best platform for that.

Could it be a crew cab truck with a shell?
Could it be a 4x4 ambulance with some refit?
Could it be a 4x4 brush truck used by a fire crew?

I've been thinking more and more about this...and though the space factor hasn't changed, I've been trying to think out of the box for if there is a change and can seriously look in to something a little bigger for supply hauling trips.
Xtreme4x4 TV had an episode yesterday that I caught about bobbing and upgrading a Deuce and 1/2 to wheel with and to carry the show's Suzuki crawler to events. While that purpose isn't exactly like mine, they got the truck in (what appeared to be) good, running condition for about $4K. They whacked off the 3rd axle and last few feet of the frame and built a bed for the 'Zuki. The second episode for the build is next week, but other than that they bought wheels and tires (lightly used 50" Michelins) for about $100 bucks a pop. Something like that (or a Unimog, etc) that could be found cheaply with a simple box on the back of the frame could haul a lot of stuff and double as sleeping quarters when not completely full. Other than making sure it's painted so that it looks NOTHING like a military truck, would a Deuce make a decent long-range rig? I don't know what engine they frequently have, but I imagine it could be repowered fairly easily if parts are getting scarce(?). And with a LOT of sound-proofing it might begin to border on reasonably comfortable?
I've not thought too much about larger vehicles, even vans, for this because of the fear of being a bigger target for border/customs hassles and theft.

Any thoughts on using a Deuce/Unimog/Volvo ex-mil truck for this type of service?
And here's the link to the episode; not much info there, but you can buy it on episode on iTunes for $2. And they crush a Neon too

Xtreme 4x4 - Episodes | PowerblockTV

 

[1leglance]

50ish mph top speed....need I say more

Here would be my list of rigs for what you are doing:
-Ford Excursion with the 7.3L diesel (shares a ton of stuff with the super duty line)
-You pick the 4dr truck you like (dodge or ford diesel would be my choice) put a shell on it and call it done.
-Ford van with the 7.3L diesel, do a U-Joint (google him or check expeditionportal.com/forum) 4wd conversion.

Those would be my top choice for a daily driver that can also haul 2-4 people and supplies.
The Excursion gives a ton of room and security.
For the truck:
If the majority of your trips are 2 people then remove the back seats, add a fridge and some drawers & pull that setup when at home and need the backseat for people.
The shell gives storage space and a sleeping area when on regular camping trips.

I love Toyota rigs and if you lived nearer Mexico and were only talking 2 people ever I would say your 62 is perfect. However the long cross country highway miles (each trip is what 2-3k miles), need to take 2-4 people plus supplies means something else.

 

[DrivingMissRosey]

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....

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



Camping Stuff

Baja Almanac (Great Map!)
Con-Fer Roof Rack 5.5' x 8'
2 5Gal Water Jugs (Military grade plastic)
Engel 35 Fridge/Freezer (New this year, I got sick of soggy cooler food.)
Hannibal Rooftop Tent/Awning w/sides
2 Dagger Crossover Kayaks (paddles/PFDs etc.)
Sleeping Bags/Pillows/Towels etc.
2 Burner Coleman Propane Stove
Coleman Lantern
Small Propane Cylinders
Primus Himalaya Multi fuel stove
White Gas
Pots/PansFolding Table
1 32oz. Nalgene for each person
1 Quart Liquid Bleach (for cleaning up)
Extensive Medical Kit (Depends upon level of training (I'm an EMT-B), when Skeddy is traveling with us (EMT-P), we include IV fluids and other goodies...)
48 Quart Containers (4) for storage
BABY WIPES (These Rock!)
Snorkle gear
Minimal clothing...2 pair trousers, 2 pair shorts, socks
Rain Shell, 200 wt fleece
Sunscreen
Sun Shower (Trying to get a Zodi one-burner...)
Pepper spray
Tarp
Hand Cleaner
XM & World Band Radio
CB
Magellan 4000xl GPS
Globalstar Sat Phone (Renting is Cheap!)

Tools

Ratchet set w/metric sockets & adapters
Box end wrenches
Torque Wrench
Misc. Electrical stuff
Breaker Bar (1/2")
Bolt Cutters
Slim Jim (Maybe "technically illegal", but I've never been hassled it's at the bottom of my stuff)
Pliers/Screwdrivers etc.
Duct Tape (Note: Check out the new "clear" tape...)
Bailing wire
Multi-Meter
Shovel
Hatchet
Factory Service Manual

Other stuff: Passports, Tourist Visas, Health Insurance (1. www.travelinsure.com); Mexican Auto Insurance (Baja Bound Mexican Insurance Services - Mexico Auto Insurance Online)

I leave a copy of our passports/auto information license, reg. title etc. with a family member, and keep about $200 (10s & 20s) and other copies of all information and passports in the truck in a "secret location." We also include a relatively detailed itinerary with times where we will have the sat phone on to receive calls (emergency ONLY!).

What no Guia Roja?

 

[Off Duty]

50ish mph top speed....need I say more

Here would be my list of rigs for what you are doing:
-Ford Excursion with the 7.3L diesel (shares a ton of stuff with the super duty line)
-You pick the 4dr truck you like (dodge or ford diesel would be my choice) put a shell on it and call it done.
-Ford van with the 7.3L diesel, do a U-Joint (google him or check expeditionportal.com/forum) 4wd conversion.

Those would be my top choice for a daily driver that can also haul 2-4 people and supplies.
The Excursion gives a ton of room and security.
For the truck:
If the majority of your trips are 2 people then remove the back seats, add a fridge and some drawers & pull that setup when at home and need the backseat for people.
The shell gives storage space and a sleeping area when on regular camping trips.

I love Toyota rigs and if you lived nearer Mexico and were only talking 2 people ever I would say your 62 is perfect. However the long cross country highway miles (each trip is what 2-3k miles), need to take 2-4 people plus supplies means something else.

I'd definitely go with the 7.3 Excursion if you can find one in good shape, for all the above reasons.

Sure is nice to be comfortable traveling the highway and not limited to 70mph unless you need to, and to be rested when you arrive.

Having everything tucked under one roof and relatively secure means a lot as well.

 

[EOE_overland]

Well, I've put some more thought into this topic. Until now, the idea of buying a vehicle like some of the models recently suggested was academic at best. I started a new job about a month ago that requires a bit of travel. My pay isn't enough to budget for all the stuff I want in an expedition vehicle, but it does give me a slight advantage: I get a vehicle allowance monthly AND my schedule is now much more flexible. This fall (most likely) once I'm through training and settled into the new job, I'll have two choices for my rig: 1) buy a car for work and finally be able to work on my cruiser without fear that I need to drive it to work on Monday, or 2) sell the cruiser and put the money toward a Tundra pickup or F250 7.3. I'll be reimbursed for fuel also, and everyone else I've met so far at my company drives F-150s of various years. So I know that a pickup choice is acceptable (gas-wise) to double as a work truck. I've been looking around online and driving by dealerships to scout my options.
The other big advantage is that I'm not stuck on a 9-5, Mon-Fri schedule. Which means once I've got a vehicle thats ready to go (new one or I get cruiser back in shape), I can finally do something that I've wanted to for a while: disaster relief. On a small scale of course, but I could react on short notice to, for example, a hurricane in NC or tornado in Tennessee, collect a trailer load of food, water, and other supplies from our church, neighbors, or self-purchased, and drive them to the affected area. In the whole scheme of things, its not much. But for someone it'll help. With another truck tagging along, or 2 or 3 it could be a little more. Anyway, that's what is bouncing around my head lately.
My wife and I had a baby 7 months ago! So I've been trying to use the time I'm not able to spend on my truck to regroup and refocus the planning for the charity stuff.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I still say keep the cruiser, but that's because I love them more than Ferds. Congrats on the baby!

 

[Volcano cruiser]

I have noticed the Tundra pickups. Some of them are big and roomy and again once you cross the border folks are you used to fixing Toyotas if anything goes wrong. They would also fit the other requirements listed above. What I don´t know is how they stack up to the Ford trucks engine wise?

 

[project62]

hey matt - Let me know the next time your running off to another expedition site. I'm hoping to join you. Catch you soon.

 

[EOE_overland]

hey matt - Let me know the next time your running off to another expedition site. I'm hoping to join you. Catch you soon.

Will do bud, hoping to get something in the works soon. Maybe back to SE Kentucky? I'll keep you posted.