We're "small time"...
I have some 500 posts on the IFSJA and still havent seen what according to this site what you would call a Expo / Adv. rig.
Guess Im looking for a roof tented, snorkeled, self sufficient wheeling rig. I understand that there are different levels but I was hoping to see one all done and ready for the world tour. You know the Dekar special. :smiley_drive:
MT,
Yeah, I doubt you'll see any that are set up ready to do Dakar or the Camel Trophy. Most of us are just local adventurers. Due in part I think to the fact that our "buy-in" costs for these now outdated rigs is reletively very low. The added fact that most came with very thirsty V8s that haven't been produced in 19 years, best case...kinda makes a trans-con trek truely adventourous since one would never be likely to find support parts.
Does that mean they would not be a good choice? Heck no. But then the build cost will go up fast. And since most of us will only travel a couple states either way (unless trailered) due to fuel costs, we can usually limit the amount of extra baggage.
If you look at pics of mine you may see something fairly typical with a nod towards the expo. The basic stance is achieved via a Rustys 4" lift. A set of narrow BFG mud T/As in 33x10.50 15 are mounted to some old school slot mags and work and fit pretty well. Though my rig would greatly benefit from axle gears and a new engine transplant, it has never failed to provide me with reliability and a big grin. The lack of power has, perhaps, been the leading cause for less extreme damage and breakage? Mind you mine is dragged around by a carbed and tired 258, backed by a 4 speed and sporting the fantastical 272 gears in the diffs!:Wow1: The only nod to improvement there was a LocRite I installed in the rear a couple years ago.
The front bumper was fabbed by me. I wanted something of an ARB look without the big ARB price (if they even offered one for a FSJ, they don't). The factory aluminum bumper offered less than stellar protection and nowhere to mount a winch. That alone may have proven to be the single greatest mod so far. I can push as far and hard as I wish but eventually I WILL get stuck. It is a level of security knowing that I could self-recover.
The roof rack I also built out of Home depot gas pipe.Yeah-yeah...you can stop laughing now. It was a first time trial at such an endevor for me and I am only so-so happy with it. It works. It holds the 4 8" Bosch lights to illum the trail ahead and the two utility lights that point out the rear for backing up or night time camp activities. And it also holds my spare tire and an old, free, metal Army footlocker that is for parts, tools, fluids, and what-not. But having made this from scratch on a very limited budget...I feel it is far to heavy. It is a good size and would allow the use of an RTT if I should ever have need of it ( I don't when camping in this alone) but would require some shuffleing of stuff first.
Does it sit ready to tackle the Sarhara? Climb Everest? No. haha...hardly. But for the amount of money I have in it, played against the sheer joy of building and using it...it has been a fantastic choice and a worthwhile investment in my very humble opinion.
