Expedition Vehicles

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 6:41 pm

Fourwheel drive club of South Africa

Expeditions West Vehicles

Bajataco

a2b · Post by **a2b** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:36 pm

a taco makes a great expedition vehicle. BUT, honestly if i were to make one, i might make one out of a k-5. chevy parts are freaking everywhere and if you break down, some one can help. also, getting rid of all the ecu's and stuff and going carbed is a good idea. the only thing about the k-5 is gas mileage. you would like to have a better gas mileage but then again, a mini truck with little lift and loaded still only gets 14 mpg.

border man · Post by **border man** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:45 am

The taco from expeditions west lives right around the corner from me. I have always seen the truck parked in the driveway and wondered what they were all about. Very cool looking truck, they also have a lifted Montero I believe. Small world.

expeditionswest · Post by **expeditionswest** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:42 am

Hello all! I noticed a few hits coming from this site and checked it out. Then I see that Border Man is a neighbor!

Border Man,

Stop on by anytime... I know a few trails in CG that you might enjoy.

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:11 am

Welcome to the site Scott!

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:37 pm

expeditionswest wrote:Hello all! I noticed a few hits coming from this site and checked it out...

Thanks for taking the time to join us

Welcome!

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:25 pm

Welcome Scott

expeditionswest · Post by **expeditionswest** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:09 pm

Thanks for the kind welcomes

I seriously considered the Canyon in the double cab configuration before buying my Tacoma. The double cabs make for such great utility IMO.

So do any of you use the s-10 for extended OHV travel, like into Mexico, or on some of the longer tracks in the west (White Rim, El Camino Del Diablo, etc.)?

border man · Post by **border man** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:18 am

Not yet

Unfortunately my truck sits about as high as my wifes taurus.

kf6kmx · Post by **kf6kmx** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:08 am

border man wrote:Not yet
Unfortunately my truck sits about as high as my wifes taurus.

Tall Taurus..

I know the feeling though, my only 'lift' at this point is the (slightly) taller tires..

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:19 am

expeditionswest wrote:Thanks for the kind welcomes

I seriously considered the Canyon in the double cab configuration before buying my Tacoma. The double cabs make for such great utility IMO.

So do any of you use the s-10 for extended OHV travel, like into Mexico, or on some of the longer tracks in the west (White Rim, El Camino Del Diablo, etc.)?

I think that HenryJ might be one of the more expedition-rigged crews on the site - He'd have to fill you in more on what types of terrains he deals with, but I know he apparently has a lot of desert-like terrain he drives.

It's amazing that just in the last 12 months that the aftermarket has developed 2 different 6" lifts for a truck that essentially is now out of production. Before that there was the 5" trailmaster, and some pieces of junk sold by Truckin' Industtries.

The s-series has a few faults, including a front diff that really is stretched for off-road use on 33's, and stock gearing of either 3.42 or 3.73.

Oh and the fact that the front wheel wells can barely stuff a 31" tire without cutting.

Despite all of this, we persevere around here. I found your site a few months back while trying to get ideas on mods that might be do-able for building a "Get out there, and back again" kind of rig, without busting the bank account.

I find myself really interested in your Isuzu - drive-train and suspension wise you can have less than a grand in the suspension, and are running a 33" tire - did you have to re-gear the vehicle, and if so , how hard was it to find parts for it? For an IFS rig it seems to be very capable for a minimum of modification.

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:15 am

expeditionswest wrote:So do any of you use the s-10 for extended OHV travel, like into Mexico, or on some of the longer tracks in the west (White Rim, El Camino Del Diablo, etc.)?

I risk life and limb to travel a forty mile stretch of the infamous garden state parkway five days a week. Does that count?

and welcome aboard

expeditionswest · Post by **expeditionswest** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:12 am

border man wrote:Not yet
Unfortunately my truck sits about as high as my wifes taurus.

Border Man,

Seriously, stop by the house. I work from home (most of the time), and would love an excuse to get out. I know several trails within 15 minutes of us that are a ton of fun for a stocker. I have been working like crazy lately, and would love an excuse to get out...

Just send me an email: guide@expeditionswest.com

expeditionswest · Post by **expeditionswest** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:19 am

adrenalnjunky wrote:
I think that HenryJ might be one of the more expedition-rigged crews on the site...

...I find myself really interested in your Isuzu - drive-train and suspension wise you can have less than a grand in the suspension, and are running a 33" tire - did you have to re-gear the vehicle, and if so , how hard was it to find parts for it? For an IFS rig it seems to be very capable for a minimum of modification.

I know Henry (from another board). Good guy, and spends time on his modifications, looking for the best solution.

Regarding the Trooper: They are the ultimate sleeper vehicle. Tons of rear wheel travel, and a stout drivetrain (9 7/8" rear diff). You can purchase them reasonably, and fit a 33" tire with NO LIFT... I probably have about $450 into the suspension as you see it. It has been a great truck and 100% reliable. I havent even changed the brakes, and it has 94,000 miles on it

I did not regear the vehicle. It has 4.47 axle gearing from the factory and a very tight limited slip diff.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:20 am

adrenalnjunky wrote:...I think that HenryJ might be one of the more expedition-rigged crews on the site - He'd have to fill you in more on what types of terrains he deals with, but I know he apparently has a lot of desert-like terrain he drives...

I'd like to call mine an expedition vehicle, but it is not quite there. Maybe they never are

I thought it was interesting...I weighed mine loaded for a four day dry camp. All gear , full on fuel three passengers, ok ... 2 1/2

It weighs 5800 lbs

I was pleased to find out that it is very well balanced though. I had exactly 2900 lbs on the front axle and 2900 lbs on the rear

Mileage was acceptable. The best was 19.26 mpg , and the worst was 16.43 mpg. Lots of wind and hills were not helping matters on the latest trip.

I spend the majority of my time in the Owyhee desert. This is high mountian desert. Lots of sand, clay, broken basalt, shale, and volcanic rock. Altitude runs from 2000-8000 ft there are some areas a little higher, but most of our time is spent below 5000 ft.

expeditionswest · Post by **expeditionswest** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:56 pm

HenryJ wrote:
I'd like to call mine an expedition vehicle, but it is not quite there. Maybe they never are .

You truck is awesome, yet more importantly, you use it!

IMHO, any vehicle becomes an expedition rig, as soon as you embark on the journey. I am of the stringent opinion that money is much better spent on fuel going somewhere than a modification that takes gas money and time off...

HenryJ wrote:I spend the majority of my time in the Owyhee desert...

That brings back some GREAT memories

gocntry · Post by **gocntry** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:02 am

HenryJ wrote:It weighs 5800 lbs. I had exactly 2900 lbs on the front axle and 2900 lbs on the rear

Ok Sticker On My Truck Says GVWR 5150 W/ Front @ 2800 & Rear @ 2700
So...

Does That Make You 650 lbs Over? 5800 - 5150

Or

Does That Make You 300 lbs Over? 2900 + 2900=5800 - 2800 + 2700=5500

OR

Am I Still Lost And Confused

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:12 am

sounds like some creative math there on GM's part.

last time I checked: 2800+2700 doesn't equal 5150 (No telling where GM gets these numbers)

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:27 pm

gocntry wrote: Does That Make You 650 lbs Over? 5800 - 5150...Or... 300 lbs Over? 2900 + 2900=5800 - 2800 + 2700=5500

Good catch!

Yes it doe make it over, however I have upgraded the tires, widened the track, upgraded the shocks and beefed up the rear springs.

It feels good and handles the weight well, so I am going to call it good. This was loaded heavier than the usual trip, since I was planning on a 4 day dry camp.

Thanks for bringing it up though

I am going to skip a few meals , and try to shave some weight as I can.

border man · Post by **border man** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:08 am

HJ's new mod got me thinking of expedition vehicles and how I really want one. Recently (1-2 years) my bosses (somewhere in D.C.) have begun listening to the troops and acquiring us more purpose suited vehicles for the job. I'm talking about 4X4 transport vans, versus the 2 wheel drive ones we've had for ever. The 2 wheel drive ones were a real pain in the ass unless you needed transport right on a paved or graded dirt road (these don't exist on the reservation). Well anyways we've been slowly building up our fleet of Quigley modified 4X4 E-350 Ford vans and man-o-man these are sweet. It's like driving a lifted F-250. You get the solid axles and beefy suspension. I'd love to have one of these for myself. So much room.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:33 am

What an awesome platform! Add a RTT, winch bike rack and fridge. All set to go! Boy if those start showing up on the GSA sales watch out!

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:53 am

The quigley-converted vans are what Sportsmobile has been building their setups on. I'd love to get one of these.

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:57 am

nevermind - appears Sportsmobile West has started doing thier own 4x4 conversions too.

http://www.sportsmobile.com/sections/4x ... x4cost.pdf

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