Question on expo and full size

[RocKrawler]

You can build just about anything to go just about anywhere, there will be consequences - The biggest truck on the toughest trails that comes to mind is the late Jason from SoCalBigDawgs. He built possibly the most ************ crewcab PU ever, boatsided solid axle multilinked cage bed and it went everywhere; Moab, The Hammers, and Rubicon where he unfortunately drowned attempting to swim out to an island in a lake. While he took trails you might never try, resulting in body damage you may never risk, its proof a big truck can go amazing places. A pic of his truck is below, and while its primarily setup for crawling, adaptations can be made to suit the builder. Another member of that club that wheeled hard is Rich "Chvyhs" who took his big red Burb all the same places. While I personally prefer Ford, I also like the older solid axle K5 and Burbs & tossed the idea of buying another burb for wheeling duties or trading my XR600R for one, they work really well on the trail.

 

[WickedZJ]

The plan is to be able to run some trails in Colorado or some other places I go for vacation. I also want to be able to get the hell out of town with debris on the ground since we can get some BAD storms here. Sounds like a Sub will work nicely for this. Size wise I know I will have to baecareful off road otherwise the body will pay for it. I am thinking a burb will make a good family expo rig that can keep the kids entertained and get us from point A to point B in comfort.

 

[roostercruiser]

:victory:i love my burban and still run out if room.

 

[ntsqd]

Spring in the CA Coastal Mtns:

Looking every bit like the Clampets after my grandfather passed away:

Goler Wash, DV:

Mojave Road:

 

[brut4s]

The Blazer and Bronco are great vehicles.How many kids and how old?Do you plan on useing a tent?

 

[WickedZJ]

I have two kids of my own but want to be able to bring my niece and nephew ( as I am his only positive male influence) with me when ever possible. So would be at minimum two kids, my wife and myself. I do plan on using a tent for now but would like to get an RTT in the future.

 

[RocKrawler]

Mojave Road:

I love your Burb...

 

[2Tracker]

I have had nothing but great experiences with my 93 2500. We have taken it down some pretty tough roads over it's life. We do off road race rescue for Best in the Desert and S.N.O.R.E events with it as well. We can carry all of medical equipment and two patients on back boards as well. We have been able to reach all racers where ever they have an accident. They are running highly modified machines that can get over just about anything, I found that I can take my truck to those same spots; just not as fast lol. The only modificaion I have is "turbo liner" around the lower portion of the vehicle and the grill was also sprayed. This helped to reduce rock chips and helps keep some of the brush scratches down as well.

My day job has given me the opportunity to use both the Ford Expedition and Suburban 2500 in extreme conditions. My department responds to many brush fires in some pretty remote areas. We found that the Expedition pretty much was never meant for anything but mild use at best. It seemed to end up in the shop after every fire with some type of mechanical issue. I do not count trail damage as mechanical issues. Operator error is not the vehicles fault. :ylsmoke: The only repairs to the Suburban were flats and bent rims etc... This particular Expedition may have been a lemon from the factory, I have talked with people that love their Expeditions and can't seem to break them as well.

Attached is a picture of my rig with the race magnets on, otherwise it looks like a normal rig at the Supermarket.

Best of luck on going big!

 

[redthies]

I had an 89 Burb with 4" lift and 35's. That truck got us through a ton of places. I agree with the others here who have said that with an it of care you can take a big rig most places. Obviously if the trees are 6' apart and your rig is 6'6" you are going to have a problem... With solid front and rear bumpers, sliders and mild lift with35 or 37s you will still have tons of fun! As for the Bronco/Blazer question, I don't think you will find enough difference from your jeep. A nice late 80s boxey sub is a great inexpensive platform.

 

[roostercruiser]

i have a Friend here in colorado that wheels his burban, he has a 6" lift, 33's for now and has no problem, just got to be mindful of length and height. if your going to rock crawl it is big, but for trail use its fine. yes it may have its limitations but so does everything else. he loves his burb and wont get rid of it!

thanks Randy you took the words right my mouth. i love my burban...

 

[BIGdaddy]

gosh, guys, I have to be the wet blanket here. I had an 89 chevy fullsize blazer and an 89 2500 suburban.

both were sold due to being pieces of junk. What a waste of money. I'd never buy an 80's 350 tbi platform again. This isn't to say the new 2500 sub's wouldn't be a good start, but jeez, I fixed and fixed and fixed those two trucks, where-as my 1st gen 4runner, Jeep commando, and now my XJ cherokee have needed little to no repairs while returning excellent driving manners.

As for something bigger than what you have, what about an AWD astro van? there's a couple good versions here on ExPo. We also owned a 2003 expedtion for four years. WHAT-A-GREAT-TRUCK! Ours was 2wd, but spent its share of time off-highway, off camber in some less than desirable traction situations. not bad at all.

I'd also have you consider the diesel ford excursion. I find that people are getting 15-20 on highway with them (I have a buddy who consistantly get gets 21 highway if he drives like a gramma), and you still have solid axles. I'd think you could find one cheap right now, with everyone still unloading SUV's like crazy.

regards,
Brian

 

[BIGdaddy]

I currently have a lifted 94 grand cherokee. My wife says she wants to get a vehicle with more cargo room to haul the kids and all their stuff when we go camping or on trips. My questions is this, is it worth it to go with a Suburban or say a full size Blazer? I want to be able to run trails and everything but have been told a burb is way to big and to stick with something smaller. What's you opinion on this? I figure who better to ask then the people who run them.

Thanks for the help

I also really like the crew cab power wagon. I think this would be a great truck for someone with 5-6 family members.

oh, and BTW, I have 3 kids, just so you know where my perspective is coming from.

I drive an XJ currently and find that it works very well to get us around when needed, though our 2005 grand caravan is our current "trip" vehicle, when not venturing off highway.

 

[ujoint]

Is a full size van out of the question? It can be configured many ways, and is usually a good bang for the buck.

 

[WickedZJ]

The wife would rather have a burb than a van. I so think the 4X4 vans look kinda cool but gotta keep the wife happy.

 

[t0mills]

See my trip report from this past June, here:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28310&highlight=states+days


I've owned many vehicles, a few I even bought new, and this 1995 Suburban with 215k miles on it has been the best that I've ever owned.

I trust it to take me ANYWHERE I want to go, and at a moment's notice.


It's a great platform to start out with, and doesn't need any upgrades (I speak of the K2500 version), but there is a lot of aftermarket support if you want to upgrade.