One last trip? (2 Viewers)

[ifsmithy]

So it's been a long journey with this rig - over 10 years I think, and this forum has been an absolutely amazing resource. From Beno and cdan in the very early days helping me out with the correct gear to all others who have chimed in......there have been some fun trips with this thing, both alone and with friends.

Here is the build thread: Builds - Honey Badger Build Thread - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/honey-badger-build-thread.871976/

Reason for the post - I'm looking at one last major expedition. I've finally decided to take the plunge and am planning a much-needed 'mid-life gap year' before pivoting into a new line of work (kind of connected to what I do now but less of the work talk nonsense - its all planned ahead anyway).

The first several months of which I am seriously considering 6-8 weeks 'out there' boondocking (maybe longer???) beginning in September, with my mountain bike. Thinking Moab, SLC area, Fruita/Grand Junction/Denver front range, and then maybe Sedona way. I have buddies in some of those locations for breaks.

After this trip? Well, this build... if you read the thread, was mine and a buddy's. With me looking to relocate outside of SoCal possibly (and him just buying a Rivian to cart his family around), we will possibly look to sell. But maybe this final trip will convince me otherwise and I'll buy it outright.

I'm thinking upgrades: Prinsu rack, cargo box, some type of shower system (nothing complex - something more mobile and easy to deal with than the complux).

I have the inside set up to sleep in, but the cargo barrier is a pain, so I may relocate to a cloth barrier just behind the driver seats.

Also thinking of a dual pivot hitch to swing the bike out of the way.

I think the rig is pretty solid to do this with some minor upgrades, but comments, words of encouragement, and advice are, as always, appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

p.s. - if this thread belongs elsewhere - apologies...... but for sure would appreciate some 80's specific potential upgrades and comments of things to be wary off for a trip like this

 

[baldilocks]

This is a loaded question because your fellows here enjoy spouting opinions and spending your money.

What you really need is for your 80 to be freshly and thoroughly baselined and to have a complete set of tools along. Convenience items like showers, cooking systems, inverters, solar panels, sleeping platforms, etc. are purely subjective.

 

[ifsmithy]

This is a loaded question because your fellows here enjoy spouting opinions and spending your money.

What you really need is for your 80 to be freshly and thoroughly baselined and to have a complete set of tools along. Convenience items like showers, cooking systems, inverters, solar panels, sleeping platforms, etc. are purely subjective.

on the baseline - some items do need taking care off - coolant flush, oil change, etc etc - all that will be done.

Cruise control is dropping now and again - that would be useful to fix!

Always carry a toolset and have had to do some unique trail fixes - including sealing up a freezer plug hole in the power steering pump with some jb weld to drive 350 miles home!

And thanks!

 

[NeverFinis]

After this trip? Well, this build... if you read the thread, was mine and a buddy's. With me looking to relocate outside of SoCal possibly (and him just buying a Rivian to cart his family around), we will possibly look to sell. But maybe this final trip will convince me otherwise and I'll buy it outright.

I don't understand this part. Do you co-own the truck now and might be selling it when you finish the new trip?

As far as the truck, it looks like you have done a ton of work over the years and it is ready. I would hang onto it personally after the trip.

My advice, go and have fun.

 

[ifsmithy]

I don't understand this part. Do you co-own the truck now and might be selling it when you finish the new trip?

As far as the truck, it looks like you have done a ton of work over the years and it is ready. I would hang onto it personally after the trip.

My advice, go and have fun.

Yeah it was a fun side project for a buddy and myself - we were destroying his wife’s 4x4 mall crawler on off road trips so we decided to buy an off road overland rig as a project car - worked out very well over the pest decade- ton of fun camping with friends over the years - it’s all detailed in the first post on the build thread.

Been a fun 10 years but that chapter is soon to be closing!

So I’ll do a small little last trip and then decide what to do!

I think it’s pretty good to go apart from some baselining!

Thanks!