Hi guys, I've been a lurker here for a while, and I'm doing my first overland build. I've seen many encouraging ideas on here, and I'm getting my build and restoration underway.
About me:
I'm a recovering Jeepaholic, having had a 2006 rubicon rock crawler that I went totally overboard with. This build will likely be 20% the cost of the last.
I've been in the auto industry as a car dealer/wholesaler either full or part time for the past 7 years. I decided to return to school full time to finish my undergrad degree in finance after a 5 year hiatus, and pursue an MBA, so the high dollar toys had to go.
I plan on keeping my build inexpensive, sourcing my parts on the cheap and doing my own fab work. I am fortunate enough to have a full shop at my disposal.
Why I chose this particular truck:
Price. Its a 2003 with 48k miles on the clock, and it will be fixed and freshly painted for under 3k. I look at it as trading the entire truck for the price of a set of new Walker Evans and MTR's I had in the garage.
F 150's are sold in Mexico as well, so I'm not worried about serviceability or parts problems should I break down.
Coming from a jeep background, I don't need high horsepower. I have much familiarity with the 4.2 v6, and after the revision of the intake gasket in 2001 these engines are extremely long lived. There is also more room under the hood.
I like single cab long bed trucks. It is just myself, and my cattle dog, so I have sufficient room up front.
Why build: I plan on seeing the country, as well as Central, and maybe South America. I started my first business at 19, and have been self employed in 5 different ventures over the past 12 years-some good, some horribly bad. I realize that the change from entrepreneur to employee will alter my traditionally flexible schedule, so I decided that a trip next year will help me get some travel bugs out of my system before working for the "man" and waiting a year for my measly week's vacation. There's as much sarcasm as pessimism in that sentence.
Build plans:
I plan on building the truck modestly, not something that will stick out too much. I also plan on staring a small business in the spring that will require a pickup, so it will double as a work vehicle part time. I do need a swing out rear bumper, as I have a powered paraglider I will be bringing with me.
I bought a ARE MX series cap for $200, and it will be the basis of my camper shell. I originally thought I would cut out the top and make some form of westfalia style pop up, but I'm on the fence right now. I do have 15 yards of kevlar-glass if I get ambitious.
I want to do the following:
Build a simple custom clearance front bumper that uses the factory upper portion of the bumper, and just make a steel lower. with a receiver for possible winch mounting. I do not want to add unnecessary weight to the vehicle.
I plan on putting on full length sliders, a rear glider/ Jerry can carrier that will be flush with the bedsides and bobbed like the taco fellas are doing.
I'd also like to incorporate a couple 70's style bedside camper special doors into the build to maximize space and give me a spot for a camp shower, etc.
I plan on making the interior of the shell minimalist. I've restored fiberglass scamp campers before, so I'm ok with some fiberglass work, and rat fur insulation etc. I was considering tabbing in upper fiberglass cabinets, but I'm going to have to consider stresses offroad on the shell.
I'm going modest at 265/75/ r16--biggest I can go keeping stock gearing. I'll go with a simple soft locker to keep it cheap but functional off road. Maybe one in the front 8.8.
I'm going to make 2 sets of tracks and mount the bed longitudinal, as well as the simple galley/storage on the right. They will slide out the rear, with fold down legs, and will be fully removable.
I'll have a full tool box against the cab, with spares. I prefer to do my own work, and will keep a spare starter and alt.
I want to put in a simple roof solar setup to power the laptop.
There's likely much more, but this is my start.
Pics of the truck:
Right now the roof is cut off, and the new front clip is on. Bedside repaired.
I picked up a mismixed gallon of nason basecoat for $50. so she will be a midnight blue, with raptor liner lower in either silver or tan. The MX camper shell is Arizona beige, so maybe that will be it.
I'll keep updating, there's much more I'm prob forgetting.
About me:
I'm a recovering Jeepaholic, having had a 2006 rubicon rock crawler that I went totally overboard with. This build will likely be 20% the cost of the last.
I've been in the auto industry as a car dealer/wholesaler either full or part time for the past 7 years. I decided to return to school full time to finish my undergrad degree in finance after a 5 year hiatus, and pursue an MBA, so the high dollar toys had to go.
I plan on keeping my build inexpensive, sourcing my parts on the cheap and doing my own fab work. I am fortunate enough to have a full shop at my disposal.
Why I chose this particular truck:
Price. Its a 2003 with 48k miles on the clock, and it will be fixed and freshly painted for under 3k. I look at it as trading the entire truck for the price of a set of new Walker Evans and MTR's I had in the garage.
F 150's are sold in Mexico as well, so I'm not worried about serviceability or parts problems should I break down.
Coming from a jeep background, I don't need high horsepower. I have much familiarity with the 4.2 v6, and after the revision of the intake gasket in 2001 these engines are extremely long lived. There is also more room under the hood.
I like single cab long bed trucks. It is just myself, and my cattle dog, so I have sufficient room up front.
Why build: I plan on seeing the country, as well as Central, and maybe South America. I started my first business at 19, and have been self employed in 5 different ventures over the past 12 years-some good, some horribly bad. I realize that the change from entrepreneur to employee will alter my traditionally flexible schedule, so I decided that a trip next year will help me get some travel bugs out of my system before working for the "man" and waiting a year for my measly week's vacation. There's as much sarcasm as pessimism in that sentence.
Build plans:
I plan on building the truck modestly, not something that will stick out too much. I also plan on staring a small business in the spring that will require a pickup, so it will double as a work vehicle part time. I do need a swing out rear bumper, as I have a powered paraglider I will be bringing with me.
I bought a ARE MX series cap for $200, and it will be the basis of my camper shell. I originally thought I would cut out the top and make some form of westfalia style pop up, but I'm on the fence right now. I do have 15 yards of kevlar-glass if I get ambitious.
I want to do the following:
Build a simple custom clearance front bumper that uses the factory upper portion of the bumper, and just make a steel lower. with a receiver for possible winch mounting. I do not want to add unnecessary weight to the vehicle.
I plan on putting on full length sliders, a rear glider/ Jerry can carrier that will be flush with the bedsides and bobbed like the taco fellas are doing.
I'd also like to incorporate a couple 70's style bedside camper special doors into the build to maximize space and give me a spot for a camp shower, etc.
I plan on making the interior of the shell minimalist. I've restored fiberglass scamp campers before, so I'm ok with some fiberglass work, and rat fur insulation etc. I was considering tabbing in upper fiberglass cabinets, but I'm going to have to consider stresses offroad on the shell.
I'm going modest at 265/75/ r16--biggest I can go keeping stock gearing. I'll go with a simple soft locker to keep it cheap but functional off road. Maybe one in the front 8.8.
I'm going to make 2 sets of tracks and mount the bed longitudinal, as well as the simple galley/storage on the right. They will slide out the rear, with fold down legs, and will be fully removable.
I'll have a full tool box against the cab, with spares. I prefer to do my own work, and will keep a spare starter and alt.
I want to put in a simple roof solar setup to power the laptop.
There's likely much more, but this is my start.
Pics of the truck:
Right now the roof is cut off, and the new front clip is on. Bedside repaired.
I picked up a mismixed gallon of nason basecoat for $50. so she will be a midnight blue, with raptor liner lower in either silver or tan. The MX camper shell is Arizona beige, so maybe that will be it.
I'll keep updating, there's much more I'm prob forgetting.
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