Minimum Requirements for an expedition rig?

[Black Op]

I know a lot of this is subject to personal preference but what is the opinion of MUST HAVES/ Minimums? So one ? might be is at what point can you or do you call your rig expedition ready?

Thoughts?????

 

[GeologistFelix]

<sarcasm>
- 37" tires, if not 44" (preferably 9.5" wide, to keep that critical tall and skinny look for expeditions)
- Bolt-on portal hubs
- Front and rear lockers
- 1HD-T (regardless of the vehicle it's in!)
- A brand new H55, assembled by beautiful and talented young Japanese women
- Orion t-case
- ARB bumpers
- Solid 1.75" sliders, rear quarter guards, and exo cage (tube is for sissies!)
- Gortex roof-top tent
- Hypoallergenic Yak fur seat covers
- ARB fridge
- 1800-liter aux fuel storage
- A Sherpa who's also a certified toyota mechanic, who can make really good coffee
- Front, rear, and side 12k PTO winches with synthetic line
- An extra engine, in an adventure trailer, in case the one under the hood goes bad
- A reasonably sized herd of cattle that you can render the tallow from into bio-diesel if necessary

Anything less than that, and it's really just a weekend warrior camping rig, you know, like a Ford Escape or something.
</sarcasm>

In all seriousness, I think all it really takes is this very simple list:

1. Mechanical reliability/limp-home-itude (if anything short of the engine itself blows, you should have the parts and tools to get it fixed enough to at least limp back to civilization).

2. Self-recovery ability. Doesn't even have to be a winch; sand/bridging ladders, hi-lift jacks, and heavy duty come-alongs all go a long way towards being able to get un-stuck when you slide into the deep mud, roll over on an off-camber section of trail, or get high-centered on a boulder.

3. Endurance. Not just the range you get on a full tank of fuel; food storage and comfort enter into it too. It's not much good if you can carry 2500 miles worth of diesel if you only packed a couple of sandwiches, and aren't going to be able to somehow live off the land along the way. That doesn't mean you need a 12V adventure fridge, though, or even a cooler; just be prepared with canned and dry goods, and potable water, so you can keep yourself fed at least as long as your engine can.


So, by my definition, almost any stock land cruiser will work, provided you throw in a few spare known-to-break/otherwise critical parts, pay some attention to recovery points (and a winch, preferably), mount a set of tires that'll work for the terrain you'll be covering, do some good planning for food and fuel, and then make sure it's a smart person in the driver's seat.

 

[rusty_tlc]

A stock Tacoma and a couple of gas cans will get you most anywhere in much of the South West back country. A tent and sleeping bag might make the trip more enjoyable. If you enjoy hot food throw in a stove and a pot.

Your co travelers might appreciate it if you bring along some clean socks and underwear. Purely optional if you travel alone.

 

[esh]

My minimum is a Toyota ladder-frame 4x4. Nissan Patrol and probably an IH Scout would fit in as well.

Everything else depends on your definition of expedition.

 

[Mark W]

First define "expedition". I see so many people talking about expeditions when they should be saying Road Trip that it makes me laugh and cry at the same time.

And a LOT of them should be saying "Weekend drive in the country"


Or... "Posing at the mall".


Mark...

 

[rusty_tlc]

I'm re-thinking the tent, that's kind of a luxury item.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Step 1:

First define "expedition".

This.

I've noticed that "Expedition" and "Wheeling" get thrown around here with casual defrence to the actual meaning. Saying this I will be honest:
My truck is not an expedtion vehicle. I'd like it to be someday, but realisitically, it's a long-term camping, daily-driving truck, and it's been left so perfectly vanilla, I can take it hunting and camping, or simply buzz the nearest town.
Someday, she will be an expo rig, and will fully be used as such: someday, I'd like to stop working nights at a hotel, and teach at a university. My priority is the teaching.

A good Toyota in stock form can get you anywhere you need to go, and back again. I would invest in a few upgrades, room for spares, maybe a LSD in the rear. a locker when things get serious. A good bumper. You won't need a winch if drive with your brain engaged, and a competent navigator. (The flesh-and-blood type, not the computer type.)

It's worth pursuing a HAM license and a small radio, but a reliable cell can help in emergencies.

I second Rusty TLC: camping basics in a stock truck will get you farther than you think.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[kidglove13]

Mark we all know your definition of "expedition", which will mostly not apply to most folks.
My rig is not an expo rig, it is strictly mall cruiser with weekends of throwing it around in the rocks.
The definition of expo could be very different from person to person.
If I were to throw all my gear into my rig and go out it could be considered expo with the ability to handle some hard terrain well above a stock vehicle.
The question is where will you be taking the vehicle and what capabilities will the truck need to have to take you where you want to go.

 

[Black Op]

So maybe I did not ask the ? correctly. So let me explain. My definition of an expo rig is totally self sufficient set up in a way to accommodate travel for several weeks and months at a time. Yep, definitions will differ from person to person. I see a lot of people saying that it is an expo rig when in fact its just a weekend camping warrior. My question was geared for "true expedition". Weeks and months of travel where you rely on your vehicle for travel, lodging, eating, etc. Self sufficient all the way. I agree that any LC in stock form could be an expo rig however, I was looking for any other mods or add's that would be considered at a minimum to have considering that the vehicle is to be self sufficient. My list would look something like this: (in no particular order and my opinion only)

1. reliable vehicle
2. spare parts for the most likely to need, spare fluids
3. spare tires, plug kits, OBA
4. A way to carry extra fuel (extended range fuel tank or jerry cans)
5. sleeping accomodations (RTT on top of truck, or Reg tent, or trailer with RTT, or sleeping platform in rig)
6. food and water storage
7. Navigation (good maps and compass)
8. recovery (winch, decent bumpers for recovery, hi lift, sand ladders, shovels)

These are minimums I feel would make your rig a a "true expo" rig

 

[Mark W]

So really the only thing that has a lot to do with the vehicle rather than the stuff you take with you is #1.

I gotta agree.


It is about the journey not the vehicle.


I propose that we drop the term "Expedition Rig" completely and leave it for the web wheelers.


Lets just say "The vehicle that I drove on my trip".


But it doesn't sound as macho and manly as a shopping list of adventurer styled upgrades (with stickers too!). I imagine the idea won't catch on.


Mark...

 

[greentruck]

#1. A well-prepared driver who knows the limitations and capabilities of his- or her-self and the rig they're driving.

There are some vehicles that are just impractical to use on an expedition. I started offraod on John Deeres, rusty 2-WD farm pickups w/ Hi-Lifts, and VWs. They always got me where I was going, eventually

I gotta agree it's more about the journey, than the hardware. Not that hardware is unimportant, but if it isn't needed to get you there, you're carrying too much. It's a sin I'm guilty of, too, but see #1.

Yeah, I know, a circular argument, but you learn on the journey.

 

[kidglove13]

Drive is definitly the biggest part of the equation.
But what you carry can be important as well.
Having every little dodad will be 99% useless if the driver and the rig are not capable for what you want to do.
Even on basic weekend warrior trips I carry the basics tools, fluids etc. nothing crazy just what I need and the guys I wheel with are like why do you need all that stuff which is not alot of stuff.
I say to them, after they have borrowed a wrench or tool or have asked for oil or a small part, where would you be if I did not have this crap, you would be SOL.
I get nothing but silence.
There are essential items and then there is over kill.
I believe in keeping it as simple as possible and putting more attention on the vehicle and its capabilities and mechanical soundness.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

So really the only thing that has a lot to do with the vehicle rather than the stuff you take with you is #1.

I gotta agree.

It is about the journey not the vehicle.

I propose that we drop the term "Expedition Rig" completely and leave it for the web wheelers.

Lets just say "The vehicle that I drove on my trip".

But it doesn't sound as macho and manly as a shopping list of adventurer styled upgrades (with stickers too!). I imagine the idea won't catch on.

Mark...

Don't be such a snob about it and let people have fun with it...

While your alaska trek is certainly an expedition, the rigs you use there would be pretty useless on a 3 week trip through the Baja back country. While my truck does well in the desert for extended periods of time, I could probably not cross the first river that you hit in Alaska.

I agree though that without stickers you would not get far anywhere.

Cheers,
Jan

 

[kidglove13]

FYI stickers add horsepower, best mod ever.
Thats why I do not have any.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Don't be such a snob about it and let people have fun with it...

While your alaska trek is certainly an expedition, the rigs you use there would be pretty useless on a 3 week trip through the Baja back country. While my truck does well in the desert for extended periods of time, I could probably not cross the first river that you hit in Alaska.

I agree though that without stickers you would not get far anywhere.

Cheers,
Jan

This. I don't go anywhere without basic tools, spares, fluids, and a few LED pigtails if I lose a light.
The vehicle you build your trips around is going to be key. I would take just about any Toyota truck out there, but the easier to maintain, the better. surprisingly enough, my little 22R's proved itself time and again in terms of maintainability, functionality, reliability, and ease of work. I would not take a 3VZ out on the long-term, even changing the plugs on one of those is a hassle.

FYI stickers add horsepower, best mod ever.
Thats why I do not have any.

Stickers establish street cred. Why do you think mine says: "Too slow? too bad!"

 

[Mark W]

Don't be such a snob about it and let people have fun with it...

While your alaska trek is certainly an expedition, the rigs you use there would be pretty useless on a 3 week trip through the Baja back country. While my truck does well in the desert for extended periods of time, I could probably not cross the first river that you hit in Alaska.

I agree though that without stickers you would not get far anywhere.

Cheers,
Jan

I kinda resent being called a snob because I don't get excited about the current fad of people playing like they are some sort of world explorer for people who see their "rig" in the parking lot of their downtown office, even though they have never and will never drive it anywhere but on the city streets, and highway systems of the US... with the occasional dirt road and weekend camping trip thrown in.

If people want to pretend and pose, I don't really mind... enjoy it all you want. But it is still a good idea to keep a bit of a grip on the reality of it all. And don't expect me to take them seriously.

Not sure why you think my rig would be useless in Baja. (Which one BTW? You are completely unaware of the variety of rigs that I have.... as are all but maybe 2 other people here on Mud.)

I don't know what you drive or what your experience may be I'll let you make the call as to whether yours is up to river crossings. You might be surprised what you can do with the right technique.

I would not call the Alaska Cruiser Trek an "Expedition". We spend a week and half on trails... and off trails. Cover from 180 to 400 trail miles. Our area of operations is confined to an area or about 3500 square miles. (Two different areas depending on where we go.) The ideal rigs for the Trek are NOT ideal "expedition rigs". The vehicles that my trail partners and I use to scout for the trek, bust new trail for the trek and wrangle the Trek are far from what I would use for any sort of expedition.

I sometimes call it an "expedition style" outing, just to try to help explain to people who are trying to figure out just what we do. I more often call it "hardcore sightseeing".

Now, for some of the folks who drive up to join us it is a bit more like an expedition in most peoples view. Still not in mine. Just a long trip across country. Some of these rigs that drive up *are* well set up for real "expedition type use.

Road tripping in North America is not something that calls for a day dream """Expedition Rig"""". And not what I can consider an "expedition either.

I see it all the time... Guys building their Cruisers.... Europeans bringing built up HZJ78 camper conversions over... guys buying Unimog campers... so they can spend a summer traveling across the lower '48 and then running up the highway to Alaska. I have at one or two of the Europeans stop in every year at the shop. And so far, all of these guys I have met with these various rigs could have made their trip in Subaru wagons. 99% of them never take their vehicle off of maintained roads.


If you want to spend a few months traveling back roads in third world countries... developing nations... whatever the current PC terms are... spending your time in out of the way places off the beaten track... then we can honestly talk about expedition rigs. If you are making a run from Oklahoma City to Disney Land with a week thrown in to camp in death valley... that is road tripping. Spending a month bopping around the country and staying in campgrounds... road tripping still.


Mark...

 

[Clutchee]

Don't be such a snob

Funny, that is all~

Mark I'll see you again one day

 

[Mark W]

Funny, that is all~

Mark I'll see you again one day

We'll make sure and reserve you a seat in the fuel trailer.



Mark...

 

[Combat Chuck]

I dunno, let the dreamers have their toys. 90% of "expedition" rigs online will never see anything tougher than a gravel road, fact; however, I won't be the one to tell them otherwise.

Just like how my friends think buying a CRV means they can go "offroad"; I don't want to break it to them that softroaders like that will get stuck on a rutted lane, because I know they really won't use it for anything that would even approach offroad, and they can safely have their dreams with impunity.

As to the argument that people will think thier barbie jeep can take them on an "expedition" through death valley, and end up dying from it - I like to think it was inevitable. As Ebenezer Scrooge once said, it would "decrease the surplus population". Let the idiots kill themselves off.

 

[SeattleMike]

...at what point can you or do you call your rig expedition ready?

I won't get into the BS of the "most people will never..." argument. In the end, people build what they want for the trips they want to take. Your answer to the question may be totally different than mine based on destination and needs. My answer to the question might make a desert rat chuckle but make perfect sense to anyone from British Columbia. All of us will have a different answer than those freaks in Iceland who build incredible machines.

For me, my 4Runner will be 'ready' when I can get myself unstuck, when I can call for help where I have no cell coverage... and be heard, when I can sleep comfortably in most (if not all) weather conditions, and when I can store enough food and water to keep my wife and I alive for 3 weeks without restocking. After those requirements are satisfied, I will move on to increasing the base capability of the truck to allow us to travel farther afield than my current 9.6" of ground clearance will allow, increasing the fording depth, and increasing the overall range. As it stands now, my truck is not "ready" for more than forest roads and primitive camping.

Sadly, the people who have the most experience to share on this topic have instead decided to posture and lecture and belittle people who are asking an honest question. We all start off knowing nothing and learning what we can from experience and from others. Mostly what I have learned on this thread is people are still jerks no matter where they live or what they do for a living, that I'll get better information and responses on Expedition Portal, and that forum regulars ironically stroke their e-peen while complaining about web wheelers and posers... stroking their own e-peen.

I'm so glad I joined IH8MUD