Expo build questions

[Cpt Prozak]

What are some things to consider buying when building an expo truck?

[FshTaco]

The most useful investment I've made to date is my Leer cap, and the sleeping platform I made recently.

[Jacket]

Reliability, serviceability, comfort and range. Oh, and a fridge....

Seriously, there is no "one size fits all" answer. It depends on where you are going, how long you are traveling, alone or in a group, etc.

Arguably a stock truck could be an expo truck. It really depends on your plans....

[onelastcast]

X2 with Jacket

First things I would consider is being redundent with recovery gear since you plan to go where very few venture, especially if your vehicle is the only one on the trail.

GL!

[Willman]

Reliability, serviceability, comfort and range. Oh, and a fridge....

Seriously, there is no "one size fits all" answer. It depends on where you are going, how long you are traveling, alone or in a group, etc.

Arguably a stock truck could be an expo truck. It really depends on your plans....

What he said!.....

How many people are in your group?
Where you planning on going?

And the list goes on and on....

A full tank of gas and a fridge (http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=979) and your set!

:)

[Cpt Prozak]

I might be going solo on some ventures depending on how many 4x4 people i befriend when i move to ohio. but anyway thanks for the help guys.

[Stealth 4x4]

Wow, where to begin? I think the best answer I can give on this one is to just say, aside from the basics which you should get right away, you'll know it when you need it. There is a ton of stuff out there that you could buy, but that you don't really need. I'd suggest you start out on smaller, less remote trips and let those serve to teach you what you want/need.

Of course, its a good idea to start out with some basics, recovery gear (hi-lift jack, D-shackes, tow or snatch strap, etc), tool kit, spare fuses, tire plug kit, onboard air (Walmart sells a tire repair kit and cig. lighter pump that will let you plug a nail hole and air back up - and you can get both for about $15-20 - no need to drop a lot of cash on some of these items unless you just like better, nicer gear and have the money) a place to sleep, first aid, fire extinguishers, etc. Read more here, maybe check out the ExPo site and read there, but take some of it with a grain of salt. A lot of these guys seem to have endless cash reserves for tricking out their expo rigs. And it is easy to let yourself start to think you need some of that stuff... But you can get by with a lot less, especially if you're handy and creative.

Yeah, like I say, there are a ton of things you could buy, but just start out with some basics and then just learn about what you need/want as you go. I think that's a better approach than buying a ton of stuff before you know you'll use it. Like for me, a fridge would be an expense I couldn't justify. For $750 I can put ice in my cooler whenever I gas up and spend a week or two of camping/wheeling. I'd rather spend that money on gas and camping fees actually getting out there than putting a reefer in my truck and looking at it in the driveway because I blew my budget on an item I could have done without. But I have a small budget, so... Even on the most remote trips where no ice is available, I can live with lukewarm water and canned or non-perishable food items if that's what it takes to keep me out and about. But that's just me.

[SAR_Squid79]

Like the other guys said - there's no 1-stop shopping all-inclusive "Expedition Kit". The best advice I think that I could give you, is just to take your rig (whatver you choose), and go camping. Start with some overnight trips, then progress to 2 - 3 day trips, then look at a 5 - 7 day trip.

If you're like me, on EVERY SINGLE camping trip for the first dozen or so times, you're going to recognize a few new wants, needs, and changes - every time. I feel like I've just now gotten my knowlege, ability, confidence, and gear up to the level where I FINALLY don't need anything else. ...and I've been at this for about 6 years, now. Sure there are a few other "Gucci gear" items that I'm lusting after, but nothing that I *NEED* to be able to go out and be self-sufficient and comfortable for a week.

Absolutely go to Expedition Portal (www.expeditionportal.com) and browse the forums, and read about other guys' rigs and gear. The best piece of advice I've read in this thread so far, is what Stealth 4x4 said - don't get caught up in thinking that you need all the rediculously expensive latest/greatest gear and gadgetry. Humans have been camping for thousands of years. 95% of the new shiny gear you'll see on ExPo is really nice, but isn't neccessary.

Long story, short - just get out into backcountry, and feel your way through.

[Cpt Prozak]

This is what im thinking (not listed by priority)


Bilstein 5100 adjustible shocks front, turned up to 2.5"
Bilstein 5100 shocks rear with 1.5" AAl
Extended BPV line
265/70/16r General Tire Graber A/T 2's
New rear bumper to relocate spare and hold high lift jack, shovel, and extra fuel
Tool box with basic tools and either 1/2" or 3/4" tourqe wrench
D-shackles
ABCD fire extinguisher
Tow straps
Tire patch kit
Home made snorkle http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2005/snorkel/
Two 8" subs with 1000 watt amp and new deck ( Im quite the audiophile, wont come till last however )
Optima red top
Deck plate mod
Grey wire mod
Relocate front and rear diff breather


Things i already have...


Wenstin safari bar with Hella 500ff's
Garmin Gps
First aid kit
On board air (small plug in type)
40 channel CB radio
Fiberglass bed cap



Comment and critiqe please

[dodecagon2000]

i would get rid of the subs and also get a front winch bumper and a winch, dual batteries are a good idea

[SAR_Squid79]

This is what im thinking (not listed by priority)


Bilstein 5100 shocks rear with 1.5" AAl
New rear bumper to relocate spare and hold high lift jack, shovel, and extra fuel
Tool box with basic tools and either 1/2" or 3/4" tourqe wrench
Optima red top
Deck plate mod


Comment and critiqe please


If you're going to get a new rear bumper to hold your spare tire, Hi-Lift, fuel cans, and shovel - you're going to need a hell of a lot more than an AAL! You're going to need full custom leaf packs.

A good tool set is vital. My tool kit started as *THIS* (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934260000P?mv=rr) and has gone way out of control from there. But that's a good set to get you started.

I don't like Optima batteries. In my opinion they're too big / heavy, dangerous, and unreliable. I'd suggest an Odyssey.

You don't need the deckplate mod... and if you're going to do a snorkel - you DEFINITELY don't need a deckplate.

I think you need SOMETHING to winch with. Until I could afford a winch I used my Hi-Lift as a winch. You would need the Hi-Lift Off Road Kit (http://www.4by4connection.com/offroadkit.html) for that, which is also a good "starter" recovery kit.

[NorcalPR]

If you're going to get a new rear bumper to hold your spare tire, Hi-Lift, fuel cans, and shovel - you're going to need a hell of a lot more than an AAL! You're going to need full custom leaf packs.




Not to mention either (preferably) box in the rear section of the frame, or plate it.

[RaideRNatioN]

If you're going to get a new rear bumper to hold your spare tire, Hi-Lift, fuel cans, and shovel - you're going to need a hell of a lot more than an AAL! You're going to need full custom leaf packs.

A good tool set is vital. My tool kit started as *THIS* (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934260000P?mv=rr) and has gone way out of control from there. But that's a good set to get you started.

I don't like Optima batteries. In my opinion they're too big / heavy, dangerous, and unreliable. I'd suggest an Odyssey.

You don't need the deckplate mod... and if you're going to do a snorkel - you DEFINITELY don't need a deckplate.

I think you need SOMETHING to winch with. Until I could afford a winch I used my Hi-Lift as a winch. You would need the Hi-Lift Off Road Kit (http://www.4by4connection.com/offroadkit.html) for that, which is also a good "starter" recovery kit.


Not true. Why pay for a full custom leaf pack when it will eventually fail again. I've had it with rear leafs, but I dont want to pay for coils. On both my rockcrawler and my little weekend warrior truck, Ive done this and it works great! Limits my uptravel slightly but holds all the weight I can throw at it. Also, I have CBI plates welded to the rear frame.

This is where I got the idea.


http://www.gearinstalls.com/dc.htm

[Stealth 4x4]

I ran a set of add-a-coils on the rear too for a while (writeup on my build thread). They did ride nice and added some lift and hauling capacity, and were cheap... but I didn't design a useful keeper/retainer and the coils I bought were just a little too short for the long side -- so the driver's side coil could fall out when that tire went to full droop. Only happened once, but that was enough. Ended up taking advantage of a good deal I found on a set of leaf packs in the end instead of futzing around with the coils any more. My coils were 10-inch 125 pounders too, not those 200-pounders shown in the link. In the end, I like the leafs better. But whatever solves your need for more spring rate and keeps you wheeling your truck.

[SAR_Squid79]

Not true. Why pay for a full custom leaf pack when it will eventually fail again.

Why bother with an internal combustion engine? It will eventually fail. :rolleyes:

[02tacotoy]

Why bother with an internal combustion engine? It will eventually fail. :rolleyes:

hahaha ^^^

[TEJASYOTA]

I assume you guys keep it on all the time at camp...so I guess a dual battery setup is mandatory eh?

Maybe...if you have one or more of the following items:
Aux lights - say more than (2)
Winch
Refrigerator

[RaideRNatioN]

Why bother with an internal combustion engine? It will eventually fail. :rolleyes:

So your combustion engine will fail in 2 to 3 outings into the rocks. Bummer. :rolleyes:

With lots of weight in the rear, taco leafs with AAL and I've even seen custom packs fail. I was simply suggesting an easy alternative to dropping a lot of cash on another leaf setup. What he puts into and how he wheels it will determine the life of those leafs. For me I chose a simpler, more wallet friendly, yet still effective way to beef up the rear end. Now, granted I wouldn't put a replacement Chinese knockoff motor in my Tacoma, but we're talking about leaf springs here and he isn't doing 100mph through the desert....

[Tacoma4life]

I agree the coils are a great alternative for a cost effective solution, especially when you can get rear TJ coils for free at most Jeep dealers.

[tacosupreme]

I've been to more countries than I can count on both hands with just a compressed sleeping bag and some spare skivvies in the back seat. Just go into the wild with a hi-lift and a spare, the rest is really just for the chick in the passenger seat, lol. If you don't have a chick then get a dog, cause it gets lonely out there in the great beyond. Sounds like you have a great start, just go find an adventure and you're all set.