Expedition West Tacoma DEPOSIT IN HAND
- Thread starter GR8ADV
- Start date
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
That's one perspective, but while I haven't talked to Ken, I'm sure he's selling it for the same reason I sold it two years ago: This is a vehicle that can safely, comfortably and reliably go anywhere in the world, and when you own a vehicle like that, it gnaws on you to keep it just for occasional use. I didn't sell it because I needed the money; I sold it because once I built out my XV-JP, it wasn't going to get used commensurate with its abilities. I'm sure Ken is also selling in hopes that the truck will get used appropriately.
NH Moto Expo
Adventurer
I agree Mike...I used to own a "project" 1975 Ford Bronco...and in my minds eye I could see it restored beautifully. It sat in the garage untouched and slowly succumbing to neglect and it ate me up knowing that I didn't have the money or ability to bring it back to what it should look like. I sold it because I couldn't walk out of my house without it bugging me.
I see it driving around every once in awhile now and it was done up right by someone who knows what they are doing. Puts a smile on my face every time I see it.
I see it driving around every once in awhile now and it was done up right by someone who knows what they are doing. Puts a smile on my face every time I see it.
GR8ADV
Explorer
Mike, once again you have said it better than I ever could.
In addition I have a competing interest. At the end of August we are doing a WA Backroads trip, an offroad 5-6 day trip from the OR border north to the Canadian border. 3 or 4 of us are doing this on motorcycles this time. In the meantime we just spent the weekend camping up in BC in the Taco. It is great to have a vehicle ready to go all the time. Just add food and fuel and drive away to wherever calls.
bigreen505
Expedition Leader
I think the issue with this truck is it is completely purpose built -- like an overlanding supercar. Depending on your lifestyle, it's not really a daily driver. It is not the vehicle you are going to take to the store or to the mall, there are better vehicles for those purposes. It is the vehicle that you are going to keep packed and ready to go at a moments notice. It is a perfect truck for two people, but probably a little small for a family. The build is extremely high quality and you are paying for it (however, there are some choices that have been made along the way that you have to be OK with), so you buy the truck because it is turnkey ready in its current state. Not because you want a Tacoma to put a Four Wheel Camper or Flippac on.
To anyone seriously considering this truck, you really need to drive it and see it in person. Just because you or your buddy had a Tacoma once doesn't mean much. This one just moves differently. Tuned is perhaps the best word.
It bums me out that I never have the funds to buy the truck when it comes up for sale. If your vehicle needs match the design of the truck, there is nothing better.
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GR8ADV
Explorer
While I really can't disagree with much of what you have said, if you remove the tent it can be a great daily driver; even fully loaded for the next trip. That is part of the amazement of how it was built. But it is a little tall for the mall parking garage. I have commuted in it for a couple weeks straight as you see it. It drives and rides wonderfully. You won't go unnoticed however
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
My experience matches Ken's. With the compliant suspension and the gearing making up for the extra weight, it's as good or better than a stock Taco for daily use, save that shorter people face a bigger climb into the cab and it's not so well loved at the carwash.
zimm
Expedition Leader
thats the issue. if youre not going to use it for a 6 month adventure, youre not gonna use it. which is fine, if you you have the wealth and lifestyle to do that. then again, most of those people, even if they are outdoorsy, arnt this outdoorsy. you'll see them in a some sort of unimog sleep indoors truck.
if it had all the doodads, and was a G wagon cut cab hybrid, then some rich guy would own it to look at.
this truck was built to succeed in 99% of challenges... the 1% it fails, is resale.
it would make a fine central american "rent a truck for a week".
zimm
Expedition Leader
why would you put dd miles on a 20,000 truck with 60,000 in add ons? it doesnt make any sense.
GR8ADV
Explorer
I think the point is 'could' be used for that vs 'should' be used for that. Sometimes these purpose built vehicles become unmanageable in real life. The point is that this is not the case. If it was not so crazy good off road, people would not think twice about it on road. The truck can driven around for routine shopping trips quite comfortably, be your ultimate bad weather winter/ski truck or the ultimate adventure vehicle. It's not a MOG
I have ridden in pretty Land Cruisers with lift kits that were miserable to be in . And besides that it gets around 17 mpg. Last I checked this is about 25-30% better mileage than a bone stock LC80. For what it is worth, nobody will mess with you in the Costco parking lot.
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GR8ADV
Explorer
Couple more interesting things.
1) Here is a shot above the backup camera screen showing the hand built welded aluminum holder/bracket for the Hamm
2) and because I have this in another thread on security, here are the door locks that prevent the doors from being opened even if the window is broken. Bolt cutters will not fit either
1) Here is a shot above the backup camera screen showing the hand built welded aluminum holder/bracket for the Hamm
2) and because I have this in another thread on security, here are the door locks that prevent the doors from being opened even if the window is broken. Bolt cutters will not fit either
Tony LEE
International Grey Nomad
Nice set up and the description reads well, but as others have said, no matter how well optioned a vehicle is, it is only worth what anyone is willing to pay for it.
I was once interested in Gary Wescott's Turtle IV which is even more stuffed with optional equipment and the list reads like a who's who of off-road equipment sponsors - optional equipment which I had to pay for - albeit some, but not all of it at a written down value - but which I wouldn't have ever fitted to a vehicle starting from scratch simply because the fancy gear might be nice to have but certainly not needed.
In the end the asking price was just too high for me to be able to justify, especially given that it obviously wasn't/isn't the sort of vehicle I could resell to get a fair return on after I had used it for three or four years. I settled for something vastly inferior at a price to match and when I have finished with it in S America I will be able to hand the keys over to a passerby with no regrets.
Good luck with the sale - and like you, I hope it goes to someone who will buy it to do a job regardless of scrapes and dents rather than just sit around looking pretty
I really like the door locks. The rig I bought has really retro hasp and staple "Mr Bean" type extra doorlocks :drool:
I was once interested in Gary Wescott's Turtle IV which is even more stuffed with optional equipment and the list reads like a who's who of off-road equipment sponsors - optional equipment which I had to pay for - albeit some, but not all of it at a written down value - but which I wouldn't have ever fitted to a vehicle starting from scratch simply because the fancy gear might be nice to have but certainly not needed.
In the end the asking price was just too high for me to be able to justify, especially given that it obviously wasn't/isn't the sort of vehicle I could resell to get a fair return on after I had used it for three or four years. I settled for something vastly inferior at a price to match and when I have finished with it in S America I will be able to hand the keys over to a passerby with no regrets.
Good luck with the sale - and like you, I hope it goes to someone who will buy it to do a job regardless of scrapes and dents rather than just sit around looking pretty
I really like the door locks. The rig I bought has really retro hasp and staple "Mr Bean" type extra doorlocks :drool:
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
Whoa. Say it ain't so.
Ken, does everything work on the truck now? Gauges, electronics, air system, mechanical bits, plumbing, etc.? Tires, alignment, suspension, steering still good? Anything different from when you got it except the tent and top of bed structure? Thanks.