If you've been around the overland scene for any length of time you're likely saying to yourself right now "I totally recognize that truck." Actually if you've spent any time exploring the American Southwest, you might have actually seen the Adventure Duo-mobile—and the odds are that you've seen it somewhere incredibly remote, and possibly random. Members of Expedition Portal have watched the travels of the Adventure Duo for years, watching the vehicle progress through various stages, and even recently adding a teardrop trailer for a little bit more comfort in the back country, trust us, they can justify it—even I'm jealous of how much time they spend on the trail. Check it out on the Vehicle Feature of the Week.
Their vehicle they've chosen to explore with is likely one of the best choices you could possibly make for an overland vehicle in North America, the Toyota Land Cruiser 80 series. Their 1993 model with factory locking differentials has accumulated tens of thousands of trail miles over the years and it's still chugging along. A quick look at the FZJ80 (the technical name for this model Land Cruiser) reveals that it's not exactly stock either, there's plenty of modifications that get used all the time.
The vehicle is well armored for the trail with an ARB bumper and Slee Sliders connected together with fender guards. There's also plenty of storage with the INTI roof rack and the swing-out Kaymar rear bumper.
The vehicle has detailed off-road navigation and proper radio gear.
On-board water and a hot shower anyone? They've chosen a unit from Helton.
When you're on the trail this much, you need to capture the moments, so a camera mount has been installed.
Dual batteries are connected to a selectable switch along with a BlueSea marine fuse block for power distribution.
A custom drawer system and sleep platform is fitted.
The venerable 1FZ-FE, even though it's traveled quite a few miles still looks clean, and like new.
A Front Runner foot well tank is used to carry water inside the vehicle.
1993 Land Cruiser FZJ80 Specifications:
- Factory E-locked front and rear
- LandTank Rear HD LCA
- Factor55 Winch Thimble
- 5.29's w/Marlin Seals and Star Studs
- ARB bullbar winch bumper
- Kaymar Rear bumper
- Dual spare tire swingouts
- "Landcruisercrap.com" Bottle opener
- INTI roof rack w/ladder
- 35 gallons of NATO can storage
- Cooper 285/75R16 ST/MAXX
- Mean Green 180 Amp Alternator
- Cobra CB Radio w/ Weather
- Panasonic Head Unit CD/MP3
- Wilson 1000 Antenna
- Wildyoats Limb Riser cables
- Husky Floor Mats front and rear
- LightForce 170's (roof rack)
- Old Man EMU 2" Springs: 850's, 864's
- Manafre 1" Coil Spacer
- Slee Offroad 1" Coil Spacer
- Old Man EMU caster bushings
- Pro Comp ES4000 shocks
- Warn M12000 Winch
- Viking Synthetic Winchline
- Daystar Poly Rollers
- ARB Safari Snorkel
- K&N Air Filter
- Donaldson Cyclonic Pre-Filter
- 10LBS PowerTank
- Slee Offroad Step Sliders
- Toyota OEM Hand Throttle
- Toyota OEM Center Diff Lock Switch
- 7 pin mod
- Rear Heater Deletion
- African Outback drawers w/F. slide
- African Outback bed extensions
- Cruisecam Video Camera Mount
- Georges LED Dome Lights
- Georges LED Map Light
- RV dual bulb light rear hatch
- Hood Black out w/10 yr Italian Vinyl
- Kaymar telescopic work/camp lamp
- RIGID D2 LED Worklamp
- Kaymar Hi-lift mount
- ARB Fender bars
- HELLA super tone horns
- LR Auto 24 gallon Aux Fuel Tank
- Lowrance Baja 840c GPS
- Ram Mounts
- Yaesu 2800m 2 Meter Radio
- Diamond SG2000HD Antenna
- Dual Batteries
- Diehard Platinum group 31's
- Blue Seas Power Distribution Block
- Blue Seas dual battery switch
- Marine Quality Gauge Cabling
- Slee Washer Bottle Relocation
- National Luna Terminal Lugs
- Toyota OEM aux battery tray
- West Marine Aux Power Receptacles
- Maxtrax Sand Ladders
- British Pacific Sand Ladder Mounts
- JDM style yellow fog hi-beam
- Engel Slide Lock
- Draw Tite III Brake Controller
- Silicone PHH and HH
- Lifehammer Escape Tool
- Alligator Double Seal Valve Caps
- Roadlessgear In-Cab Winch Controller
- FyrLyt 24 Volt Driving Lamps
- Hi-lift Jack 48" w/Neoprene cover
- Custom Fabbed Roof rack ladder
- Sunsei Solar Panel Controller
- RUD Snow Chains
- Extd. diff,t-case,tranny breathers
- Manifold Burrito Basket
- "HG" Pullpal Ground Anchor
- Trasharoo Spare Tire Trash Bag
- Yaesu FT-60 HT 2m/440
- Comet SBB5 Antenna for HT
- AirjackUSA Exhaust Jack
- Hannibal 6 Ft. Awning
- Helton Heat Exchanger/Shower
- Land Tank Blue Fan Clutch
- Sirius Satellite Radio
- Engel 45qt Freezer Fridge
- Engel Transit Bag
- Front Runner h20 Foot well Tank
- Escape Gear Seat Covers
- Fox 2.0 Reservoir and Damper
- AJIK Gates PHH Work Around Kit
- Overland Junkdrawer Cargo Organizer
The Duo decided a few years ago to add a bit of comfort to their setup considering the amount of time they spend exploring, A 2010 So-Cal Teardrop Krawler 459 allowed them the freedom to go on virtually any trail they desired, while allowing enough room to sleep inside.
Apparently they've been happy with the purchase!
Dave and Yoshi are avid Death Valley explorers, here they are within the park.
Open the back of the Teardrop and you have a nice kitchen provided by way of a Camp Partner Stove and an ARB Freezer/Fridge. Dixie, their dog, also snuck into the picture!
The 80 Watt Carmanah Solar Panel helps maintain the batteries on longer trips.
The entire Adventure Duo setup including the Trasharoo, Dave's invention to help keep 4WD trails clear of garbage, and help you pack-in and pack-out.
2010 So-Cal Teardrop Krawler 459 Specifications:
- 19 Gallon Fresh water tank
- 5 gallon NATO Fuel Storage
- 5 gallon NATO Water Storage
- Electric Trailer brakes
- ARB Freezer Fridge
- Interior DVD player/Stereo
- Partner Steel Stove
- 11lbs onboard Propane Tank
- 10lbs spare Propane Tank
- Diehard Platinum AGM Group 34 Marine Battery
- Shore Power Controller
- Solar Controller
- Roof top Ceiling fan/vent
- LED lighting throughout
- LED Porch Lighting
- Notebook Charcoal Grill/Firepit
- Nextgrill Stainless Propane grill
- PETT Enclosure
- ARB Adventure Light
- VisionX LED Worklamp
- Cooper 285/75R16 ST/MAXX3
- Portable Electric Water pump
- Portable folding wash basin
- Coleman White Fuel Lantern
- 80 Watt Carmanah Solar Panel
- 22 ft. Telescoping Mast w/Comet SBB5
- GoalZero Adventure10 Solar Kit
- GoalZero Light-A-Life Lamps
- GoalZero 27 watt soft Panel
- GoalZero Escape 150
- UnderFloor Storage Option
- Hannibal USA 1.9mm Awning
- Hannibal USA Room Extension
- Lock N Roll Multi Axis Coupler
- Overland Junk Drawer
- Mac's Tie Down Tracks
