Expeditions 7: Two Years Around the World on all Seven Continents.

[Scott Brady]

Lots of work to Greg's VDJ78. We were fortunate to meet Paul Marsh earlier this year, and he is one of the world's foremost experts on Land Cruisers, with quite a bit of recent experience with arctic conditions (Driven to Extreme series). We are going through everything on the truck. Every fluid and bearing.

This shows the rear in progress. Full bearing change, low temp grease, low temp fluids and significantly lowered bump stops.

Here is Paul fitting the front brake conversion, adapting the brakes to allow fitment of the 15" wheel. Arctic Trucks specializes in these types of conversions, and sent the parts.

Paul has such attention to detail that he cannot leave anything unattended to. We had some failures with the TLC on the rear locker harness from trail damage. Paul reinforced and expanded the factory skid plate to eliminate the problem.

A little more detail of the front brake conversion

There are no extended fender kits for rear of the 78 available in Africa, so we are building our own and reglassing a set of 76 rear flares.

Here are the tires! 38x15.5 AT405 tires from Arctic Trucks. Specially designed for snow and arctic travel.

 

[toddz69]

Here is Paul fitting the front brake conversion, adapting the brakes to allow fitment of the 15" wheel. Arctic Trucks specializes in these types of conversions, and sent the parts.

Mmmmmm......4 piston Toyota calipers under 15" wheels - nice. Looks like maybe some caliper shaving was involved?

Todd Z.

 

[Scott Brady]

The first shot of the Expeditions 7 Hilux emerging from the container in Cape Town. The Arctic Trucks team has been incredible, and are finalizing the Hilux while Paul and I finalize the Land Cruiser in Joburg.

 

[David Harris]

The first shot of the Expeditions 7 Hilux emerging from the container in Cape Town. The Arctic Trucks team has been incredible, and are finalizing the Hilux while Paul and I finalize the Land Cruiser in Joburg.

View attachment 196540

Mmmm. . . Nice. Should really be fun!

 

[Scott Brady]

A little teaser of Greg's Land Cruiser, with the tires being test fit. Overall, the tires fit better than expected, although turning radius is certainly reduced. Fortunately, you can make big turns in Antarctica! There are still a few items that need to be installed, like the fiberglass fender flares, but it is getting really close. We leave for Cape Town on Tuesday :smiley_drive

 

[grimbo]

Are you cutting the rear guards for better clearance and moving the front axle forward a tad?

 

[Scott Brady]

Are you cutting the rear guards for better clearance and moving the front axle forward a tad?

Not really, although the front is deceptive in that photo, as the tire is turned. We are not planning to do any cutting with the truck, and have made significant adjustments to the bumpstops and steering stops. Understandably, Greg wanted to avoid any permanent modifications to the truck he has driven around the world - we are all pretty attached to these trucks now.

Even with limited compression travel and the turning radius of a school bus, the truck will do great in Antarctica. At 3psi it is shocking the compliance these tires have.

 

[Scott Brady]

This image is a little closer and with the tire straight. Up travel is limited to about 40mm and the steering stops are adjusted. It is also worth noting, that with the angle of the radius arm, the tire will actually move forward slightly as the arm travels through the arc.

 

[grimbo]

Was thinking less about wheel travel but more about when the vehicle is in an angle and the body twists down. It's amazing how much a bump stop and body mount can compress in certain conditions.

 

[Scott Brady]

Was thinking less about wheel travel but more about when the vehicle is in an angle and the body twists down. It's amazing how much a bump stop and body mount can compress in certain conditions.

Agreed, and we are testing full compression and will adjust the limit straps as required.

 

[Equipt]

Impressive work Scott. I can only imagine the comments coming from Jack. Say hi to Jess and Paul for me.

Cheers,

 

[piratexpress1369a]

that looks cool ..are you going to drive to cape town and load into container there

 

[Willman]

Thanks for the updates Scott. That is one huge tire! Are you going to stud those meats? Wonder about your fuel range loss with those tires. Did you guys play with the gearing?

 

[grimbo]

Just wondering is there any sort of rules/restrictions etc once you are down in Antarctica? Do the various country sections have different restrictions/quarantine items etc

What about once you hit any of the bases do you need passports and visas to enter or is it considered one all encompassing "country" in that regard?

Will you be meeting up with the Spaniard cycling across from December 1?

What sort of infrastructure is setup for communication, is it purely station based and then you rely on satellite phones & how would coverage be that low surely not many satellites overhead?

 

[David Harris]

Why mod the Cruiser so much for something it's not made for, rather than just buy/hire another AT Hilux? BTW: Is the Hilux a diesel and if so what mods do they do to prepare it for the Arctic? It seems like the best tool for the job would be some sort of tracked vehicle like a Hagglunds.