This think looks completely awesome, and in the past, that sort of thinking has got me in trouble, both with vehicles and, well, I am just going to try to stay on topic as this is a vehicle forum.
Therefore, a sanity check requested, offer advice, share some experience or flame away ( I mean, it would be hard to imagine any flaming worse pre-purchase than how I could possibly imagine what could be raised sitting by the side of the road with my family stranded and unable to communicate with the locals).
I ( think I ) am looking for something to build up for overland travel and am trying to sort out a good vehicle for a family of 5. Based on limited research, it is best to have all up front, so the crew cab appeals. Mogs scare me due to the costs and uncertain history, I love my Sprinter but I got it new.
After many years of living mostly abroad, I gotta admit that I like the idea that this is an American truck and, hey, it looks like it has the right design, but that is a glib assessment, I know nothing about it, other than a supposition that most fleets are well taken care of and that a lot of gear can be stripped off and a box built ( with a large pass through).
Any guesses for mileage?
Any guesses for weight and capacity?
I figure my budget for this would be 50-60 K including base purchase price.
If it is a MACK and parts are available easily, that certainly reduces the concerns I have.
Intended Uses:
Long term
AlCan highway from the PNW
Intended trip to S America
and
Near Term / Frequent
recreational use such as Skiing, Beach, camping and biking base camp vehicle.
It's me, my wife and three little ones I do not want to have stranded afar. Been there, done that, in Southern Thailand 25 years ago in my 1968 Series IIa Defender 110 - having to find a guy with a welder to re-attach the gear shift lever at 10:00 PM on a Saturday night. Seriously, it broke clean off at the base, ever seen that? I was just sitting there holding it in my hand laughing after the light changed to green. I spent more time under that darn vehicle than behind the wheel and my mountain biking buddies will never let me forget it.
I recently read the Eco Roamer 72 page string and thought that approach was great, until page 52 or so and then, boom, the wheels literally came off. Did I say my kids are small? I think I mentioned that. I also am rather fond of them.
So, crowd sourcing experience and insight, is something like this for a man of soundly mediocre technical skills too much to consider or is something like this likely a good solution or should I just buy a minnie winnie and call it a day?
Oh, budget would be 50 - 60K total to finish including purchase price and a 4 month time line to take it to serviceable status ( not necessarily final).
Thanks for the insight - damn good looking vehicle, could this Brush truck be a practical and reliable solution or is considering it a complete folly?
Thanks
