All-Pro Off Road Live from the Overland Expo 2011 (Daily updates!)

[stroM-]

March 31, 2011

The Overland Expo has gained increasing popularity as a growing segment of the motorcycle and 4WD community. Fully outfitted and capable 4WD's build to explore further and with the creature comforts which help endure long trips away from home are what are gaining popularity. In a Commentary article, CT4WD featured a new wave of 4WD's which are highly capable in most terrains yet outfitted well enough to be self sufficient for long distance touring.

I've just travelled 8 hours, 465 miles, in the All-Pro APEX outfitted Toyota Tacoma to showcase a new line of products directed right at the overland/expedition adventurer. Notable changes are seen here on the Tacoma which includes, extended light hoops, heavy duty expedition leaf pack, RTT bed rack, and Action Packer cargo rack with integrated RotoPax fuel packs.

RTT... check!

Welcome to Amado, AZ!

After the long drive through some arid desert and running over the odd tumble weed, I arrived into Amado around 6:30 PM with just enough light to set up the exhibition booth. Forecast for tomorrow is supposed to be a blazing 93F with clear blue skies! Now for the interesting part... finding the assigned lot! Lot number 70 is where I'll be set up for the expo which is slightly over sized 15x15 space that will showcase the Tacoma along with All-Pro's products. With a little bit of light still hanging around, the Camping Lab's tent is deployed along with the exhibition tent.

RTT deployed and ready for a good night's rest

Goodie Bags after check-in!

Dinner is served

With the sun slowly setting, I set up the BBQ off the side of the Tacoma and cooked up some dinner before heading up into the tent to write this post straight from the Camping Lab's tent. The wonder's of technology! I look forwards to bringing some awesome updates from the Expo tomorrow so check back oftern for the play by play... Stay tuned!

 

[stroM-]

The official start of the Overland Expo started today with incredible weather and a meeting at the exhibitors headquarters. Organizing and prepping for the days ahead! After the meeting it was time to get back to the All-Pro booth to greet the eager attendee's of the expo.

Exhibitors Meeting

Banners of the Overland Expo

The All-Pro booth looks pretty good in the daylight! I had laid out some of our products and brochures highlighting the APEX series of products. After a few hours at the booth, a familiar person had shown up... CT4WD.com member; David Enns! He had driven his Trail Teams Edition FJ Cruiser all the way from Calgary, Alberta Canada (1,664 Miles). His FJ Cruiser is definitely a sight to see which consists of All-Pro Upper Control Arms, Walker Evans 2.0 front coil overs, ARB front and rear bumper and Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlocks with 35" Mickey Thompson MTZ's.

David Enns visiting the All-Pro Booth

Overall it was an excellent day filled with an incredible amount of Toyota owner's! Definitely more than I had originally expected. Great feedback on the products and the new line that we're introducing... Can't wait for day 2!

Stay tuned for more updates!

 

[grimbo]

I love the BBQ stand that hangs off the bed rails, anymore info on it?

 

[JonB]

It's a small table we made that attaches to the Pack Rack. We will have mounts on both sides of the rack and a couple of different table sizes.

 

[stroM-]

I was able to sneak away from the booth for a short while today! Here are a few pictures - Many stellar products being promoted!

Daily write up coming later this evening!

 

[FireGuy]

So what are the specs on the white Tacoma? What type of lift and what size tires?

 

[JonB]

The white Tacoma has BFG 315/75R/17's on Walker Evans beadlock wheels.
All-Pro Off Road Long Travel front suspension kit with Walker Evans remote reservoir coil over shocks, Lift is about 4".
Rear suspension is All-Pro's Expedition rear leaf pack with Walker Evans rear shocks.
This Taco is protected by All-Pro armor, including front and rear bumpers, Rocksliders as well as all of the All-Pro skids.
The front end has 4.56 gears with an ARB Air Locker, the rear has a Detoit.

 

[r3run33]

hello thanks for the posts any info on the tent you are using? is ti and esy awn

 

[freeze]

the rear has a Detoit.

I believe the rear is a Toyota E-locker.

 

[stroM-]

And the recap of day 3 and the trip in general...

3rd day at the Expo was awesome. Weather had cooled down some and there was a great turn out. Wind was a HUGE factor therefore I could not set my EZ up tent because even with stakes it was hovering like a UFO! Needless to say, I got a fair share of sun on day 3. Many people stopped to say goodbye that had been there all 3 days, great seeing the familiar faces from the recent days and also a lot of new people asking questions being very intrigued. Whether they were a Toyota owner or not they all had something great to say about the new products and enjoyed picking my brain about suspension components and possible armor ideas in the future. Here are some amazingly set up 4WD's and products from the event that I was able to sneak away and photograph. Enjoy!

There were many exhibitors that packed up early and it kind of slowed the day down, as the expo came to a close we had a complimentary BBQ dinner and auction for the participation in the expo! We all enjoyed getting together as friends and not competitors for the last evening! I think that is the greatest thing about the overland industry is everyone is trying to help everyone out. There are no "cut-throat" companies, or companies that even put down other products. Many times I would hear from the spectators that another exhibitor told them to check out our booth! Such a great atmosphere and all around wonderful people to be working a show for a 3 day weekend.

After the BBQ I called it an early night because I was going to get up before sunrise to make the journey back to Hemet! Got in around 1 pm this afternoon!

Leaving as the sun was rising in AZ


In all just an awesome show to be able to participate in. Met a ton of new people and were able to put faces to names i may have emailed in the past!

Looking forward to Overland Expo 2012!

Thanks,

Jason

 

[JonB]

I believe the rear is a Toyota E-locker.

The rear is the 8.4" non e locker axle w/4.56 gears and a Detroit Locker.

 

[stonemasoncruiser]

Wow!! Drool, drool, drool...wish I was there. Thank you so much for sharing such great pics! Say high to Jeremy from ExpeditionOps From Steve back in MN.

Thanks again! Steve

 

[stroM-]

^ Will do! Really cool guy for sure! His shower mats are pretty stellar as well!

It was great to meet many new faces during the expo! :sombrero:

 

[theicecreampeople]

thanks for sharing your pics ,i should have been there but was caught between a trip through AR/OK with my son or a trip there with out him ,father son time was great ..for me its cool to see all the fjs in your pics ,great to see i picked a good rig ...thanks agin..:victory: