Ideas for a WJ Expedition build in Kyrgyzstan?

[ryanh1006]

Just joined the forum...mostly I've been a motorcycle guy, but I'm branching out. A little background. I moved to Kyrgyzstan over a year ago and have started a transport company. At first we were looking to make some modifications to the inter-city transport system using a pre-ticketed service, but when we put it online we just kept getting calls for jeeps! Now we're selling our mercedes sprinter and investing in a couple of cheap taxi cars as well as a jeep (local lingo...all SUVs as well as crossovers/soft-roaders are called jeeps). I'm a guy with deep south redneck roots, as they say, that don't hurt my feelings much. I will have $10-12K to build a basic expedition jeep. I plan to fly to Germany and drive one back (cheaper, newer, and better condition that way), so I have to get 2003 or new due to import regs. Right now I'm looking at three models (although the title shows which way I'm leaning): 1) Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ with 2.7 CRD (Mercedes...so I can actually get parts here); 2) Kia Sorento with 2.5 diesel and 5spd manual; 3) Hyundai Terracan with 2.9 diesel and 5 spd manual (and possibly 7 seats instead of 5, but uncomfortable in seats 6 and 7 and very little interior storage space).

During the winter the vehicle would primarily run from the capital (Bishkek) to ski resorts around the country, many in Karakol which is about 420 KM from Bishkek. During the summer it would provide transport to individuals or small groups of tourists to remote villages and nomadic mountain camps. Maybe once per year it would participate in a full scale expedition. Over time we would of course add more vehicles. What do y'all think of the options? Open to advice, commments, ideas, etc. Which mods are essential, which could wait, etc?

Pictures from a recent jeep trip we did...this was one of the "big" roads in the area.



Pictures from a couple of motorcycle rides recently

 

[Judoka]

Man, as a fellow Reb I would suggest you buy a Jeep! Motors are important' but if the rest of the car falls apart who cares what is under the hood? I have wheeled ZJs and WJs all over the States, and they are very capable and dependable if set up right. I don't care what anyone says, the absolute most important modification for any of road, or long distance travel vehicle is suspension. Then tires. I am also an ADV Rider, and the type of travel we have been doing takes us into remote areas, where our equipment cannot fail! Start with suspension and tires, and build from there.

 

[SSF556]

How about a WH(WK) 2005 - 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0L diesel Mercedes engine?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

How on earth did you end up in Kyrgyzstan?

 

[ryanh1006]

Man, as a fellow Reb I would suggest you buy a Jeep! Motors are important' but if the rest of the car falls apart who cares what is under the hood? I have wheeled ZJs and WJs all over the States, and they are very capable and dependable if set up right. I don't care what anyone says, the absolute most important modification for any of road, or long distance travel vehicle is suspension. Then tires. I am also an ADV Rider, and the type of travel we have been doing takes us into remote areas, where our equipment cannot fail! Start with suspension and tires, and build from there.

I agree on the suspension being most important...the trick with this vehicle is it'll be a daily driver for shuttling clients around a really remote country, so it has to be reliable enough not just to keep me happy, but to be reliable for clients, and if it breaks down, it must be repaired quickly, making parts supply really important...I can't wait to order something from Europe for it.

How about a WH(WK) 2005 - 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0L diesel Mercedes engine?

Well, it's a bit more expensive than I'd like 'cause I'd rather not get the first year of any new model, and to get an '06 or newer is currently beyond my price range. Plus WK has an independent front end. The primary reason for considering the WJ over any other model (Pajero, Trooper, etc) is that it has a solid front axle. Without that consideration it loses a lot of ground due to the difficulty of getting the non-mercedes parts on it.

How on earth did you end up in Kyrgyzstan?

To make a long story short...because I wanted to! My wife and I did a lot of research and then picked up and moved here to teach English looking for business opportunities. As you can see from the pics...the place is spectacular! I don't regret it at all...you can start in the morning in a fairly modern city (Bishkek) and in the afternoon/evening you can be sitting in a yurt camp with no electricity drinking lightly fermented mares milk and eating more parts of a sheep's anatomy than you care to think about...who wouldn't want that?

Of course the number one question I got when moving here was..."is that a country?"

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I have heard of the country and have eaten more parts of goats and cows than most folks would ever admit, sounds like a great opportunity and that scenery is nice, good luck.

 

[Dan Grec]

To make a long story short...because I wanted to! My wife and I did a lot of research and then picked up and moved here to teach English looking for business opportunities. As you can see from the pics...the place is spectacular! I don't regret it at all...you can start in the morning in a fairly modern city (Bishkek) and in the afternoon/evening you can be sitting in a yurt camp with no electricity drinking lightly fermented mares milk and eating more parts of a sheep's anatomy than you care to think about...who wouldn't want that?

That's ******king great!
You are my new personal hero!!

If you ever have the time to post more photos and experiences, please do so, I'd love to read.

---
As for vehicle choice...
What are the locals driving and what's easiest to get parts for?
As much as I loved driving my Wrangler through Central and South America, I always knew getting parts for it would be a pain the *** compared to anything Toyota.
Of course, Toyotas don't come cheap, which is why I don't have one.
Are there Land Rovers around? I personally think they break down a lot, but they seem to have world-parts parts support.

Have you considered a JK Wrangler? You could get the 2.8 diesel in Germany, though who knows about parts for it.

Side of the road mechanics can work wonders (as I'm sure you've seen), though there are some things you just need parts for, and as you say, ordering from Europe will take some time.

Good luck, have fun!

- (Jealous) Dan

 

[Fireman78]

Isn't that were Dr. Evil stole the nuclear warhead from in Austin Powers?
Regardless, looks like a beautiful place. Good luck and please post more pics and stories!

 

[ryanh1006]

That's ******king great!
You are my new personal hero!!

If you ever have the time to post more photos and experiences, please do so, I'd love to read.

---
As for vehicle choice...
What are the locals driving and what's easiest to get parts for?
As much as I loved driving my Wrangler through Central and South America, I always knew getting parts for it would be a pain the *** compared to anything Toyota.
Of course, Toyotas don't come cheap, which is why I don't have one.
Are there Land Rovers around? I personally think they break down a lot, but they seem to have world-parts parts support.

Have you considered a JK Wrangler? You could get the 2.8 diesel in Germany, though who knows about parts for it.

Side of the road mechanics can work wonders (as I'm sure you've seen), though there are some things you just need parts for, and as you say, ordering from Europe will take some time.

Good luck, have fun!

- (Jealous) Dan

Thanks for the vote of support!

Regarding vehicle:
What we're starting almost amounts to a comfortable mountain taxi...we're making arrangements with local shepherds to let people stay in their nomadic camps high in the mountains, we're trying to hook up with ski resorts for this winter, etc. Check out my website at ihn.kg for a better idea of what we're trying to do. Over time I hope to expand to about three vehicles so we can afford to take one off the road and so that we can head a lot of different directions as well as set up small expeditions for folks. We get a lot of requests to take one person to some far corner of the country, but sourcing a higher priced SUV for them makes it untenable price wise.
If it was just for me, I'd pick an older model pajero, or a Lada Niva (someday I might get one and do a diesel swap along with suspension upgrade...ultimate sleeper performance SUV). However, clients want nicer digs than that, so we're looking for leather interiors with smooth suspensions without a really steep price tag...I don't care that much about smooth personally...I ride an almost stock (except for ear splitting open pipe) Honda Dominator two-up for crying out loud Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol are definitely kings of the road here, but they're just crazy expensive and we're trying to hit a middle road by picking up a lot of independent travelers. Hence the WJ is attractive if I can actually get the maintenance parts for it (visit to the local auto parts bazaar coming right up). KIA/Hyundai actually have reasonably good parts supply here, so they are more attractive, but their off-road cred isn't nearly as good. I'd say there are more WJs than there are Land Rovers...though Freelander soft-roaders seem to be making some inroads.

Why can't someone just make a basic, comfortable, offroader without all the fancy crap and make it at a cheap price? Ok...back off my hobby horse.

I have heard of the country and have eaten more parts of goats and cows than most folks would ever admit.

I think I'm pretty much down to brain, spleen, and limph nodes...eaten just about everything else!

Isn't that were Dr. Evil stole the nuclear warhead from in Austin Powers?

Haven't watched the movies...so not sure...but usually people steal them in our norther neighbor, Kazakhstan

Good luck and please post more pics and stories!

We'll do as soon as I get the time and figure out where to put them. You can check my blog...I have a few of them there...ihn.kg/blog

 

[ryanh1006]

Oh yeah...any thoughts on Quadra-Trac vs Quadra-Drive for expedition driving?

 

[yossarian19]

I hear that quadra drive in all its iterations is just fantastic. You don't have to think about it, it just works out the traction for you and you point it where you want it to go.
Sounds ideal to me.

 

[SSF556]

Oh yeah...any thoughts on Quadra-Trac vs Quadra-Drive for expedition driving?

At a minimal QT2...QD2 is superior in that it has electronic lockers...you can add a rear air locker to the OT2 system.

 

[ryanh1006]

I hear that quadra drive in all its iterations is just fantastic. You don't have to think about it, it just works out the traction for you and you point it where you want it to go.
Sounds ideal to me.

What about reliability under long term abusive conditions? Will it hold up running 32"s stock?

 

[bbbflash]

At first thought, I thought suspension would be your most important upgrade. I am an expat who moved to Australia and entered the diesel jeep world. I absolutely love it! It is my daily driver, but I want it to be a capable weekend camper vehicle. I would suggest subscribing to ausjeepoffroad and jeep forums for specific jeep info as well as here. First thing I would do would get a thorough service on everything.

As far as your suspension, I wouldn't go any higher than 2" lift. It depends on the type of terrain you are having to deal with, but if it is mostly gravel roads 2" should do well. Any higher and you will have to deal with death wobble and there are countless forums about it on any jeep forum. It's a world of pain and a money pit from all accounts. The beauty is that it is only shocks and springs that you need to replace. The most recommended setup for ride is the dobinson springs and bilstein shocks. Everyone is Aus raves about them for both on and offroad use, but consider what you have locally first. Consider going heavy duty as the extra people an luggage will become a factor. This amount of lift will easily support 245/75/16 and with a little trimming 265/70.

I would give that a go before you start dumping money into accessories. I am keeping the fact that this is also a business so expenses need to be practical. Some of the other stuff I would consider:

Vehicle protection in the form of bull bars. Depending on wild life or any other consideration such as traffic I would consider one but not a must. The benefit is that it gives you a platform to mount some lights for late evenings or night runs. Again, have a look at what other vehicles have in the area.

Depending on the terrain under vehicle protection might be something to consider if its really rocky.

Roof racks and possible small trailer. I know ski equipment and passengers will easily fill the Grand Cherokee. If you do that I would chip it to help smooth out the turbo lag and possibly give a little power increase. The benefit of a trailer is that in the summer months when the luggage isn't so bulky you can just unhook the trailer.

Consider a snorkel to help keep the air clean if in dusty conditions.

As far as qt2 or qd2, I would go qt2 and if traction becomes an issue, I would install an elocker and not have to worry about the air locker setup and compressors.

Do remember that the same engine in this jeep is also in the sprinter vans and they are everywhere. Ausjeepoffroad has an entire thread dedicated to this engine with builds and part lists.

Good luck with your adventure. It sounds like a great one and I am going to keep and eye on this thread. I am sure others will have some suggestions as well.

 

[whoshotjr]

I have a WJ 2.7CRD and it is a great vehicle, and has mostly been very reliable. Although recently I had a couple of faulty injectors and it needed to be towed back home, fortunately it was only a few km's.

If you've had a Sprinter you'll know the engine and transmission are good and are not to bad to work on, also parts are pretty easy to get in Europe. A code reader is a bit of an issue with this vehicle though, no cheap options that anyone knows of yet.

If you can get a QD vehicle this would be the best way to go but having said that a QT vehicle will get most people where they want to go. As bbbflash suggested don't go over 2" of lift unless you want a heap of drivability and death wobble problems. If you need to go over 2" start looking at long arm kits for the front end. As for shocks the Old Man Emu Shocks are also a good option as they work pretty well, haven't used the Bilsteins on this vehicle so I can't comment on their valving. The best mod you can make to a WJ suspension is a swaybar disconnect kit, makes the front end much more compliant.

31" tyres seem to fit better without major bodywork surgery from memory. This is a good place to research and ask questions:

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=130

They are a capable and comfortable vehicle, here is some video of mine going up Big Red (Simpson Desert - http://www.exploroz.com/Places/938/QLD/Big_Red.aspx )towing a trailer.

Jason