Sold my truck!! Now what??

[Colorado Ron]

well, sold the powerstroke yesterday. Thought I would just jump into building a new rig that I had planned, but really having a hard time doing it now that I actually have the cash in my hand!! LOL!! I find myself getting stingy and not wantin to let go of the cash!! Now what do I do??? Decisions, decisions. Should I go all out and build my version of the ultimate expedition rig, or take on the challenge offered to me on overland journey, and build a rig on the cheap--pocketing alot of the money at the same time?? What u guys think??

[asteffes]

Get one of these:

http://www.gwim2.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/743statu.htm

[Colorado Ron]

haha! Be kinda rough goin down the highway!

Maybe Ill skip an expedition rig and get a Dual Sport motorcycle instead. HMMM. Decisions!

[bigreen505]

Well, selfishly, I would love to see you build a rig on the cheap to see what one looks like. We have seen lots of rigs that started reasonably inexpensive, but are not tipping the scales closer to $45,000+.

If you are looking for a good base rig I have a 1990 pathfinder that I'm selling to buy something newer. It is a great rig, but as a daily driver I want something a little cushier. I'm in Denver. :wavey:

Let me know.
Bill

[BajaTaco]

No plans to finish this?

http://www.coloradoron.com/images/P1010819.JPG

[CLynn85]

No plans to finish this?

http://www.coloradoron.com/images/P1010819.JPG

IIRC That project was parted out?

[calamaridog]

If you have mad skills and time you need to build a cheap and reliable rig and buy your wife something nice or take your dream vacation:suning:

Glad you sold your truck! I hope you got close to your asking price too.

[pskhaat]

I say build on the cheap. A lot of people like the idea and perceived reliability of the new vehicle purchase. I don't have enough time off from the rat race, but if I were to go really explore, my expedition vehicle build would be a FJ60 landcruiser stripped to the bones, nothing but functionality. I'd remove all the `computers' and emissions equipment (to the extend that I could still register it), put in a non-US carburetor and manually-dialable (for fuel qualtiy rating) distributor, a PTO winch with mild lift & 235/85r16s (easily found elsewhere). It'd also be quite cool to make a high-roof system for it too.

This you could build on the cheap. Doubt that kind of thing interests most people, but it would be the most functional & reliable vehicle that I believe can be reasonably sourced. (A diesel BJ60 would be better, but they're hard to find) It'd never be a Mog but I can't imagine Mog parts being that easy to find in the Americas.

Speaking of diesel BJ60s, if you ever wanted to go down that LC route, my brother in Durango has a US clean registered BJ60 for sale :)

[Colorado Ron]

Seems like alot of people want the budget builder. The original challenge was a capable world traveler for under $5k including the cost of vehicle.
Heres the original challenge thread:

http://www.coloradoron.com/applets/viewtopic.php?t=38

[pskhaat]

What I listed should be pushing the $5k range, but would include very uber-cool expedition features. The original challenge included locker, and that is pretty $. Also, I don't know a gasser 4x4 with simple mods that can push 300 miles without a long range tank.

[Colorado Ron]

any pics or more info on it?

[goodtimes]

I think you should build a "reasonably priced" vehicle. Sure, we would all love to have a uber-reliable $5K exped rig.....but lets be realistic. How about a full size version of Bajataco's taco? More in the lines of a $20K rig that isn't so cumbersome as to lend it a pain in the *** for "street" use. Obviously, with a $20K price tag, it would not be a new vehicle.....but say $10K for a good reliable 3/4 ton truck, and $10K worth of modification to make it a little friendlier to live out of.

[kcowyo]

If it's just a project to keep you occupied until the next one comes along, I'd go with a budget-builder outfit. If you decide on the perfect vehicle for you and you could see yourself keeping it till the wheels fall off, I'd say do it up right.

I would be a little leary of taking a budget outfit on too big or long of an expedition. For instance, I have a low buck '85 Toyota pick up that I would take on any trail in this state. But when the opportunity came up to travel to Arizona & Utah, for a 12 day trip, I took the more comfortable, reliable, and properly equipped T100. The '85 is fun to knock around in and could have handled the trails in UT & AZ just fine, but the highway miles to get there would have been brutal. Comfort, when you're miles from all that is familiar, is a huge mental boost.

I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with either way. I hope it's something unique, that's my vote!

[Nullifier]

I say get a flat bed mog and build that. Big, cool, go anywhere, and relatively in expensive. Parts are available on every continent and you could take it to iceland for your trip.

Or I would build a Junk yard dog. That would be fun. Scavenging Junkyards for decent parts and building a mut is fun stuff. I have done a few hotrods that way, when I was younger and broke. Make fome fun rides really cheap. plus I never lost any money when I sold them LOL!

Maybe an old full size pick up or military power wagon. Drop in a solid motor and trans. Even more fun get a 4x4 chassis like a jimmy or explorer drop a mini van body on it. Deck it out with armour. lot's of functioal storage and easy to find drivetrain parts. Just a thought. The possabilities are endless.

[Westy]

Tundra, you could pick up a nice used 2001 Tundra, extra cab w/ v8 for a reasonable price.

Lots of storage space, plenty of cab space, optional v8 power, toyota reliability and new enough to be comfortable for longer excursions. Put a Dana 44 or 60 under the front end for strength, maybe you could fit an FJ80 front axle as well if its wide enough?
Possible downfall could be its length, but you could bob the bed 10-12 inches to help with that.
Nice tundra:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/01tundra/DSC00536.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/01tundra/DSC00703.jpg

Brian

[Colorado Ron]

Thanks for all the replies! I have decide to take on the Budget Buildup challenge!!Heres the qualifications:

-Must be 4x4
-Must be capable of self recovery
-Must be able to go 350 miles to a fillup
-Must be able to sleep in it comfortably
-and should be easy to work on!

Has to meet all the above qualifications plus has to have at least one locker. Has to be bought and built for no more than $5000. It should be designed to drive the most challenging terrain available in the world, do so in some comfort and safety, provide a sleeping/camping facility, and operate with minimal environmental impact(No 454 gas sucking rigs). Something reasonable. You can buy, sell, trade whatever you need to do. Safety equipment does not count towards price. As long as it doesnt get crazy. For instance, a roll cage is safety, a full blown exo-cage with built in equipment and mounts isnt saftey. And most of that should be counted. Should be something that parts can be found easily. You have to be able to recover yourself. Your spare parts wont count either. Everyone needs those. But if you rearend is about to explode, you cant carry a Currie 9inch in the back just in case!

So there you have it! Its on! This should be fun!

[Westy]

Couple questions:

How capable do you want the vehicle to be? Solid axle or IFS? What type of upgrades are you planning on besides winch and rear locker? Most challenging terrain in the world?

For this I would suggest either an early Toyota solid axle pickup or 4runner, whichever you can find a good deal on. Jeep XJ would be my next choice solely because you can pick up newer ones CHEAP and upgrades are cheap and plentiful

83-85 Toyota pickup or 84-85 4runner -

Pros: bulletproof motors, Toyota reliability, strong frames, solid front axle, strong rear axle, plenty of storage space, spare parts are a dime a dozen around the globe. Strong aftermarket support around the world. Upgrades are fairly reasonable. Excellent wheelbase. Easy to work on. Cheap to buy, well maybe except for an 85 4runner. Fit 33-35s with very little lift. oh yeah and Toyota reliability.

Cons: rusty beds, engine power is lacking for long distance travels, comfort may not be the greatest (install bucket seats from a celica, sr5 4runner, etc and its a HUGE improvement)

Jeep XJ -
Pros: Storage space, 4.0 motor has plenty of torque and hp, solid front axle, aftermarket support is good, upgrades are fairly reasonably cheap, coil sprung front live axle, completely enclosed vehicle, you can pickup newer XJs for very very reasonable prices, wheelbase is good.

Cons: reliability? could be argued of course, unibody, aftermarket and spare parts around the world not easily found. dana 30 is weak even if upgraded. Requires a good amount of lift just to fit 33s.

[pskhaat]

I still say an old FJ60 with extra fuel tank(s)/can(s). Best case an old BJ60 (may exceed $5k) due to rarity.

Second to that would be an older 22R(E) Toyota MiniTruck. What would be REALLY trick (but may exceed the $5k req) is putting a Toyota 2L diesel into the mini (the 2Ls used to come in 2wd Toy commercial pickups). This has been done. The 2Ls are slow, small, torqy and sips fuel like it's a martini.

Either of those (minus the desireable diesel options) how could you beat?

[Nullifier]

5K!!! hell I bought my taco for $3500 cash and still there is no way I could get it done for 5K! good luck it sounds like a junk yard dog projest to me.or a early 90's cherokee you could pick up for 1500 and doi a little TLC to

[Colorado Ron]

Well those would be my first choice too. Catch is, I want to take my family as well. So I need somthing with more room(5 kids). Ive got the vehicle picked out. And have got most of the parts either found or bought. So Ill have to surprise you guys on what I come up with!