YOHB? Incredible ‘21 LC build at TAV in Albuquerque

[swhme]

I stopped by TAV in ABQ today to talk about some upcoming work on my 100 and start planning the build on my 200, and they showed me a ‘21 that they’re almost finished with for a customer in Florida. Full stage 2 build, he’s prepping for an around-the-world journey. A bunch of Tundra parts, 35” tires, goose gear drawer system and sleeping platform, etc.

Would love to hear more about the build and your journey!

 

[ikarus]

This one?

 

[swhme]

That’s the one!

 

[ikarus]

Looks like he used to have an Earthroamer. You weren't kidding about it being an incredible build, one of the best I've seen.

 

[swhme]

Looks like he used to have an Earthroamer. You weren't kidding about it being an incredible build, one of the best I've seen.

Apparently the plan is a full on around-the-world.

 

[CharlieS]

Which has been done repeatedly on scooters and small motorcycles. lol

 

[TeCKis300]

Looks killer. Hope they managed the up travel and the tires don't take out the fender.

 

[ikarus]

Which has been done repeatedly on scooters and small motorcycles. lol

Yeah the round the world trips are funny, I get the appeal and everyone has a different philosophy.. but I've spent enough time in 3rd world countries to know that I'd rather do it in an inconspicuous vehicle that can be easily repaired anywhere. Or at least know you can get spare parts when your negative offset wheels are chewing through wheel bearings. haha

Personally if I wanted to do it in style I might go for a Maltec where you could sleep inside without popping the top if you need a quick break, with a Toyota chassis and universal parts availability. Also I'm no international travel expert but I'm not sure how much offroading there is to do outside of dirt/gravel roads?

That said, for a stateside offroad rig I really like what they did with it.

 

[greynolds]

Also I'm no international travel expert but I'm not sure how much offroading there is to do outside of dirt/gravel roads?

There’s all sorts of mud, rocks, deep water crossings, and other challenging terrain all over the world. Camel Trophy, Africa, Australia, jungles in Central / South America, and so on all come to mind.

 

[swhme]

Looks killer. Hope they managed the up travel and the tires don't take out the fender.

A bunch of suspension work and parts transferred over from them tundra. Tens of thousands of $$$ in the suspension alone.

 

[swhme]

Yeah the round the world trips are funny, I get the appeal and everyone has a different philosophy.. but I've spent enough time in 3rd world countries to know that I'd rather do it in an inconspicuous vehicle that can be easily repaired anywhere. Or at least know you can get spare parts when your negative offset wheels are chewing through wheel bearings. haha

Personally if I wanted to do it in style I might go for a Maltec where you could sleep inside without popping the top if you need a quick break, with a Toyota chassis and universal parts availability. Also I'm no international travel expert but I'm not sure how much offroading there is to do outside of dirt/gravel roads?

That said, for a stateside offroad rig I really like what they did with it.

Apparently this is why he sold the earth roamer and built this cruiser with a sleeping platform inside

 

[CharlieS]

Money might be better spent on a baseball bat to the body and making it look less desirable. A brand new 2021 land cruiser all kitted out sounds like a big target to me.

But yeah, it is a cool looking build.

On the other hand, it isn't anything unique or anyone with cubic money can't get done. or do themselves...

 

[ikarus]

There’s all sorts of mud, rocks, deep water crossings, and other challenging terrain all over the world. Camel Trophy, Africa, Australia, jungles in Central / South America, and so on all come to mind.

For sure. I know Expeditions 7 ran into a lot of that as well. I guess the question is how much of that do you seek out when traveling solo vs just taking the paved highways and getting to your destination? Camel Trophy had a lot of support and I think they actively looked for difficult routes. I suppose that's a whole other discussion for a site like Expedition Portal.

I remember reading a story about a couple in a troopy doing a solo trip through the Congo and it was some of the craziest stuff I've ever seen. Washouts, broken down ferries, staying at remote villages for days waiting on parts, bush repairs, hiring locals to dig paths and push their cruiser through the jungle.. legit "overland" stuff - incredible read if you have the time:

Democratic Republic of Congo: Lubumbashi to Kinshasa

Congo Zaire Featuring Josephine: Frederik: and our trusty steed: [/quote]

expeditionportal.com

Apparently this is why he sold the earth roamer and built this cruiser with a sleeping platform inside

Makes sense! That Earthroamer would stick out like a sore thumb. 5x bigger than any taxi, van, truck etc you'd see on the road in most countries.

Money might be better spent on a baseball bat to the body and making it look less desirable. A brand new 2021 land cruiser all kitted out sounds like a big target to me.

But yeah, it is a cool looking build.

On the other hand, it isn't anything unique or anyone with cubic money can't get done. or do themselves...

I've been in places where just having a digital camera made me a target.. not that the countries were that unsafe but once you get past the tourist sections it's a different vibe.

 

[TeCKis300]

A bunch of suspension work and parts transferred over from them tundra. Tens of thousands of $$$ in the suspension alone.

We've seen other builds through here that are $$$$, eat fenders just the same.

 

[Killacaviar]

We've seen other builds through here that are $$$$, eat fenders just the same.

Sure have, and tundra swaps seem pretty common at the moment, and surprisingly affordable. It's a beautiful truck, however, I would be nervous driving that through some parts of the world... just from a personal safety standpoint

 

[stonepa]

Which has been done repeatedly on scooters and small motorcycles. lol

A clapped out Toyota Corolla can get you anywhere. Just ask the locals.

 

[swhme]

Here are all the details:

 

[turbo8]

Kinda strange.

No front skid, maybe they are going to put it on later? comment section said they will put it on later.

There is a spacer lowering the factory bump stop by what looks like 2"

The bushings on the tc rear links are gonna wear out fast and the bolts are going to work themselves loose.

And they are using the factory recovery hooks! jk

 

[CharlieS]

Just makes me happy to know I have a better build and I did it myself at a fraction of the cost a shop like that would charge.

 

[1Maverick]

Ya’ll should follow his trip on Instagram “greatwhiteroamer”. He will put the Cruiser through some harsh terrain and that’s just driving on the typical 3rd world roads in SA and off-road through the jungles. He does have skid plates as well. They were put on once everything was dialed in. Feel free to ask him questions about the build. I am also curious about the TC lower control arms and custom kdss relocation bracket they are going to manufacture if everything looks good. I’m surprised they didn’t just do a Tundra swap.