Expedition Vehicle Must-haves?

[umingmaq]

Hey guys,

I've been lurking about the site for a while now, and I have a few questions for you guys who seem to have already built up your rigs.
I currently have a 1985 FJ-60, bone stock. Which I'm going to sell, so I can buy a new FJ Cruiser. I considered an FJ-80, but I want something newer and extremely reliable for some future trips. The gas mileage and offroad capabilities of the FJC, plus the fact that I can get one new for just a little more than the cost of one of the latest 80's and difinitively less than the cost of an even newer 100, I'll chose an FJC.
I'm thinking of adding an aftermarket front bumper, but for reliabilty and simplicity I only carry an ARB Magnum hand winch. Do you guys think you really NEED an aftermarket bumper or do they just look cool and expeditiony. The other question I have is Aluminum Vs. Steel rims? I like the idea of steel, so I can hammer them out on the trail, but Aluminum is lighter and stronger in some ways. What do you all say? I'm also torn between good old Wedco or Scepter jerry cans or a Man-a-fre auxilliary fuel tank. What would you guys recommend? Do any of you prefer wedco over scepter or vice versa?
I drove the James Bay Road back in the summer of 1998 in my old FJ-60 before it was paved and I'd like to go up and do the trans-taiga road next summer in my new FJC. So I'm not new to vehicular expedition travel, but it's been more of a way to get to cool places. I'd like to plan a couple of trips that include some more challenging off-road terrain. Let me know what you all think. Thanks for your replies and any other MUST HAVES you might recommend would be great.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[DaveInDenver]

The only thing I think a vehicle must have is you behind the wheel going someplace. Everything else is in support of that. After market bumper (in particular bull bar) for me is about safety while headed down the highway as much as anything off road. It also serves as a beer table, step stool to work on the engine, dog leash tie-point, various recovery gear tie-point, antenna mount and parking cart wrangler.

 

[mike h]

Welcome! I wish I drove the James Bay Road when it was dirt.

I'd say nobody needs an aftermarket bumper until they have mangled the factory one, assuming you don't plan on trying to mangle the factory one right out of the gate. But they are nice to have for peace of mind concerning animal collisions.

OEM alloy wheels, especially on Toyotas, are pretty bulletproof. The only advantage to steelies is they are cheep.

I like the steel NATO cans because I feel confident they won't leak stored on their sides, which is how I lash them on the roof. Unless you are always in remote (gas-less) situations it's not worth the $$$ to have an aux tank installed. For James Bay and Trans-Tiaga, a couple of 5 gallon cans up top will be all you need. I don't know the range of the FJ, but you may even squeak by without them...?

I prioritize my tires first, undercarriage skids and sliders second, and from there it becomes creature comforts/tech upgrades unless something breaks.

A new FJ along the Trans-Tiaga - I'd say all you need is food, water, bug spray and head nets!

 

[Robthebrit]

>OEM alloy wheels, especially on Toyotas, are pretty bulletproof. The only advantage to steelies is they are cheep.


For small wheels that is very true but as the size of the wheel goes up steel may have an advantage if you can handle the weight. That is you can use pretty much any available tools to pry the tire back onto the rim, with alloy you have to be careful not to damage the bead seat when using 3 crow bars, a tire iron and a couple of large screw drivers.

Rob

 

[outsidr]

steel over aluminum when it comes to body armor. Aluminum will fracture quicker than steel in pole vs. car incidents.

1. F&R Recovery points that will be strong enough to hold 7-8500 lbs dynamic load from strap.
2. A friend with a kitted truck that has a sunny disposition.
----0r----
a winch

Seriously though, it all comes down to recovery. As long as you can recover from a mistake and have spares + enough food+water you can go just about anywhere, ...eventually.

If I had one thing it would be a winch though cause I wind up solo often.
If I had three going where you intend, I would also take a pull pal and high lift jack.

 

[Brian894x4]

An 80 costs as much as FJC?

A fully built, fully reliable, fully decked out 80, lockers, armor, winch, the whole works....might approach the price of a virgin FJC. But then any vehicle, including an FJC needs to be built and outfitted.

Other than gas mileage, which there is definately a difference, to me, the 80 is by far, the better bargin...and better expedition rig.

But then I'm bias.

Seriously, for a rig that doubles as a daily driver, weekend cruiser and expedition rig, I can see the advantages of an FJC. But for a dedicated expedition rig, I love my 80 and I don't think I would trade it for anything else...except maybe a supercharged 80. But that's just me.

 

[Pskhaat]

Selling the FJ60 for an expedition rig? Counter to what I was expecting. 60s are classic and talk about reliable, few rigs can match that.

 

[kcowyo]

Ok, I tried to think of just 5 things I would carry or must have, in a brand new FJ for a 2 week trip to the middle of nowhere....

Recovery gear - your hand winch, shackles, straps, hi-lift, shovel... whatever you're comfortable using
Water - if the recovery gear doesn't work, you may be stuck for awhile...
Gas - for peace of mind or use it to burn the recovery gear to signal for help. Use water to douse flame....
Communication - CB radio, cell phone, 2M radio, FRS radio, satellite phone, something.....
Sleeping solution - ground tent, roof top tent, hammock, cot.... somewhere to kick back at the end of a long day

 

[Brian894x4]

I would also add some sort of air source. Even if it's just a cheap air pump. Lowering the air pressure in your tires can get you out of a lot of messes.

 

[gary in ohio]

Let me know what you all think. Thanks for your replies and any other MUST HAVES you might recommend would be great.

Lots of cash! :arabia:

 

[Hltoppr]

I agree with DaveinDenver that you really don't need much of anything besides a vehicle....which you have...the rest is just window dressing...

Your FJ60 will rock without mods! Pull the rear seats and go!

-H-

 

[adventureduo]

First couple things that come to my mind would be a reliable rig. #2 would be tools, spares and more tools. #3 would be skid plating

 

[kodiak1232003]

Ok, I tried to think of just 5 things I would carry or must have, in a brand new FJ for a 2 week trip to the middle of nowhere....

Recovery gear - your hand winch, shackles, straps, hi-lift, shovel... whatever you're comfortable using
Water - if the recovery gear doesn't work, you may be stuck for awhile...
Gas - for peace of mind or use it to burn the recovery gear to signal for help. Use water to douse flame....
Communication - CB radio, cell phone, 2M radio, FRS radio, satellite phone, something.....
Sleeping solution - ground tent, roof top tent, hammock, cot.... somewhere to kick back at the end of a long day

This plus the air source mentioned, in my experience, is a very good list. anything more and you end up overloading your rig.

if you're going camping i'd add some camp chairs and food, of course, but really all you need in ANY situation are:

1. food
2. water
3. shelter

K.I.S.S. is the way to go.

 

[kcowyo]

I would also add some sort of air source. Even if it's just a cheap air pump. Lowering the air pressure in your tires can get you out of a lot of messes.

True. I didn't specify, but I consider an air compressor a part of Recovery Gear.

The K.I.S.S. method will provide an individual with plenty of good times.

 

[durangodds]

I may be bias here, but for what you'll spend on a new FJC you could pimp out your 60 and have it be very mechanically sound and reliable (if it isn't all ready). The one thing I love about mine is it ALWAYS starts. It doesn't have annoying little electronic advances (switches) on everything that can leave you stranded.

But... if your heart is really set on it, where are you located and how much are you going to sell the 60 for?