S-10CREWCAB.NET

Fourwheel drive club of South Africa


Expeditions West Vehicles


Bajataco

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.

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.

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.

Welcome to the site Scott!

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!

Welcome Scott

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.)?

Not yet
Unfortunately my truck sits about as high as my wifes taurus.

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..

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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)

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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