Intro from Afghanistan...

[Saharicon]

Hey Guys!

Not totally new to the expedition world, but I am completely a newb to Toyotas. Except for the Hilux I drive over here in the sand box.

I have been a fan of the Tacomas since the 2 gens came out, I actually went to the dealership the day they hit, but then decided to go with this guy...

Which is now going from DD to competition rig. next time you see pictures of that it wont look the same.

I also have this which was going to be the expedition rig...

Then the ole lady said I like DDing it to much so she took it over.

Now I conduct all exping in this bad boy...

and the Hilux from time to time(I will take pictures of the Hilux if you guys want sometime)

Anyway, I love the whole expedition community, but I leave on the east coast and well for lack of better the scenery and laws suck. Plus I just love the west coast.

Little bit about me... I served in the Marine Corp for 4 years before I was medically discharged, I fought it til the end, but the powers that be didnt see me fit... Sooooo whats the next best way to get over here and do what I believe in... become a defense contractor!!! Which actually kinda works out for me because now I can fund all my horrible vehicle habbits :sombrero:

Well what does any of this have to do with Toyotas you are probably asking... I have decided I think I should get a Tacoma 4x4 Double cab when I get back. I was going to get a big Cummins or something to haul the jeep to comp, but I want a exp rig as well. Then I came across a thread on a Tacoma site and those guys were hauling some pretty serious loads with there Tacomas so I was like YES!!!!! This would be perfect, be able to haul the jeep on short rare occasions and build it for exp int he mean time.

So here I am ready to learn about Toys and all the glory they have to offer...

Oh, also I am working on getting my company to relocate me somewhere out west. Probably Edwards AFB, CA or Dugway, UT. I was just out at NTC outside of Barstow in November for them so thats a option too... did some running around in the desert in my rented H3 while I was there too :bike_rider:

 

[RU55ELL]

Welcome to ExPo!

 

[NothingClever]

I suppose I should let good manners prevail and put aside my scorn for fobbits to extend a welcome to a prospective Taco driver :ylsmoke: .

Welcome to the Emporium. 1st hit is free - after that all custom bumpers and Nationa Luna products will cost you full price .

 

[bjowett]

Welcome. Nice Jeep. You may also want to consider a Tundra... unless you just don't like em'.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29091

 

[Saharicon]

Welcome. Nice Jeep. You may also want to consider a Tundra... unless you just don't like em'.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29091

I seriously like the Tundra a lot, but I am concerned about its ability in more tight sections and smaller trails. I would like to see some of yours out on the trail? I actually went through your whole build yesterday and was quite impressed with the attention to detail.


Nothing Clever, I know im one of those pesky jeep guys, but I love all things that revolve around motor sports. Except fords :ylsmoke:

 

[4Rescue]

Welcome!!!!!!!

Nice rigs mate, but...Show us your Toyota!!!!!!!!! Were innundated with jeeps here in the states but what we don't get is all the cool Toyotas you get in Afghan. Honestly, I'd go with a Toyota over a Jeep anything (I've owned a few Jeeps, that's why I drive Toyotas ), but that's just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt mate. Those WJ Cherokee's are pretty cool when built up, but I just don't think they offer the build quality or dependability of a Toyota. It's not just a made up "legend", as I'm sure you're well aware, Toyotas are litteraly THE rigs to have if the terrain is nansty and the trip is long (I'm fairly certain that the LC70 is the ONLY truck to circumnavigate the African cont. with ZERO mechanical issues and no failures of any sort. Wich I could find that story again it was a good read).

That or a Diesel G-Wagen like Steve Smith's. THe G is the only truck that can be said to be "tougher" then the LC70 IMO Maybe the Patrol (older ones) but I've seen them fail in Australia and it wasn't a nice experience...neat trucks (the G) but you pay a hefty price to gain entry.

Cheers

Dave

EDIT: now I see, you're coming back to the States, you're not actualy FROM Afghanistan...in that case, get an LC80... Pretty much the most capable Expo platform offered in the US IMO. Or a DC ???-2004 Tacoma like the Expeditions West truck... Basicly what I'm saying is that once you go Toyota you'll start to see the flaws of the Jeep come out more. I sure did when I went from an XJ to my Current 4Runner and it -the 4Runner- has twice the miles that my old XJ had and it's STILL in better shape today. The XJ I sold to a friend and it bit the dust a year ago...By that time it was almost unbearable to ride in for all the rattling etc. 4Runner is still going strong.

 

[bjowett]

The tighter the trail, the bigger the challenge for a fullsize. You'd be surprised where they will go. Obviously it will not fit where a Jeep does... but that's why you have a Jeep.

Jeeps are cool, my wife drove a 99 TJ Sport for a few years. We ordered it with everything we wanted for a nice year round DD that could also go up a few pass roads around here. Hard and soft top, 4.0L, 5 spd, 3.73 gears, Dana 44 rear axle.... threw on some 31" AT's and an ARB Bumper. It was a blast.

 

[Saharicon]

Welcome!!!!!!!

Nice rigs mate, but...Show us your Toyota!!!!!!!!! Were innundated with jeeps here in the states but what we don't get is all the cool Toyotas you get in Afghan. Honestly, I'd go with a Toyota over a Jeep anything (I've owned a few Jeeps, that's why I drive Toyotas ), but that's just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt mate. Those WJ Cherokee's are pretty cool when built up, but I just don't think they offer the build quality or dependability of a Toyota. It's not just a made up "legend", as I'm sure you're well aware, Toyotas are litteraly THE rigs to have if the terrain is nansty and the trip is long (I'm fairly certain that the LC70 is the ONLY truck to circumnavigate the African cont. with ZERO mechanical issues and no failures of any sort. Wich I could find that story again it was a good read).

That or a Diesel G-Wagen like Steve Smith's. THe G is the only truck that can be said to be "tougher" then the LC70 IMO Maybe the Patrol (older ones) but I've seen them fail in Australia and it wasn't a nice experience...neat trucks (the G) but you pay a hefty price to gain entry.

Cheers

Dave

EDIT: now I see, you're coming back to the States, you're not actualy FROM Afghanistan...in that case, get an LC80... Pretty much the most capable Expo platform offered in the US IMO. Or a DC ???-2004 Tacoma like the Expeditions West truck... Basicly what I'm saying is that once you go Toyota you'll start to see the flaws of the Jeep come out more. I sure did when I went from an XJ to my Current 4Runner and it -the 4Runner- has twice the miles that my old XJ had and it's STILL in better shape today. The XJ I sold to a friend and it bit the dust a year ago...By that time it was almost unbearable to ride in for all the rattling etc. 4Runner is still going strong.

HaHa thanks 4Rescue. I do love my jeep though :ylsmoke: its a rough, windy, cold, loud, annoying ride that I would never part with, but I do like Toyotas a lot too. Im really on the curve between a Tacoma(2nd Gen) or a Tundra(2nd Gen) I really love the 4th Gen 4 Runners too but I just dont think it would be the right choice for me.

bjowett, have you hauled anything with your Tundra?

 

[CLynn85]

First off, welcome to ExPo and thanks for your service as a Marine.

HaHa thanks 4Rescue. I do love my jeep though :ylsmoke: its a rough, windy, cold, loud, annoying ride that I would never part with, but I do like Toyotas a lot too. Im really on the curve between a Tacoma(2nd Gen) or a Tundra(2nd Gen) I really love the 4th Gen 4 Runners too but I just dont think it would be the right choice for me.

bjowett, have you hauled anything with your Tundra?

I own a 2007 with approx 85k on it so far. As much as I like the truck, if I had to do it again, I would go with a 1st Gen Tundra. They're almost the same size, but you gain the added power and strength of the half ton truck. I'm not even close to being a fan of the 2nd Gen Tundras.

 

[Saharicon]

First off, welcome to ExPo and thanks for your service as a Marine.



I own a 2007 with approx 85k on it so far. As much as I like the truck, if I had to do it again, I would go with a 1st Gen Tundra. They're almost the same size, but you gain the added power and strength of the half ton truck. I'm not even close to being a fan of the 2nd Gen Tundras.

Really? I thought the 2nd Gen Tundras were more beef than the 1st gen? I really dont know a lot about the first gen.

and thank you for the kind words, it was just a job like anyone else does though and I loved it :victory:

 

[Overland Hadley]

Welcome to ExPo!

 

[Saharicon]

thanks guys!


I thought I would post of pictures of Afghanistan for you, not really an Expo but some cool pictures...

I had to go to another base and do some stuff for some Apache guys so I jumped a flight with BlackWater and they asked if I was ok with doing some low level flying and i was like :wings: (I use to be a Huey crew chief, im all about the low level)

Flying through the canyons

view from where i work

and a picture of my dog Guinness just because... this was during the big snow storms in the north east...

 

[Mamontof]

Welcome to EXPO !

Be safe , bring lot of experience drive in Afgani mountains little towns :smiley_drive: and try to repid extreme in Moab or Colorado :wings:

 

[Blain]

Welcome aboard devil dog!

If ya don't mind me asking, or would rather PM me the answer, what contractor you working for? Prior MOS?

 

[Saharicon]

Welcome aboard devil dog!

If ya don't mind me asking, or would rather PM me the answer, what contractor you working for? Prior MOS?

I work for AAI Textron Services.

My primary MOS was 6324 AH-1W and UH-1N Avionics Tech. Then I went AO so I could fly/crew cheif.

I currently work on a system called OSRVT, basically its a real time situation awarness video system for troops on the ground. They can connect to basically anything flying in the sky that is transmitting a feed, but mostly we deal with UAVs like Predator, Reaper, Shadow, Sky Warrior, Scan Eagle, Raven Etc Etc Etc

If you have more questions you would like to know feel free to PM me.