Scott Brady
Founder
We have been driving and testing a J8 for the past six months, and have started a series of modifications preparing the vehicle for significant international travel (think South America). This project will be exclusive to Expedition Portal, so progress will be covered in much more detail. The truck will be debuting at the Hollister, CA Overland Rally.
A quick introduction:
This is an Egyptian specification 1.25 Ton J8 with RHD and the VM turbo-diesel. We initially received the vehicle for performance evaluation against like applications (70 series, 110, G-Class, etc.) and it is now being modified for extended distance/time expedition travel.
Expeditions West was one of the first [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6UlZwyuQmw"][/ame] outside of Chrysler to test the J8 in 2009, and we are certainly the first to modify and prep one of these trucks for overland travel.
While not inexpensive, it is possible to assemble this vehicle just as we are by contacting AEV and Adventure Trailers. In comparison, this vehicle complete (when finished), will be about 20-30% less $$$ than the XV-JP we built for Central America with a greater emphasis on simplicity and extreme durability.
Serious air filter. We will be fitting a raised air intake as well (changing from the hood level one)
Factory fire extinguisher - a nice touch (love the cyrillic too)
Simple, clean interior
VM 4-Cyl 2.8L Turbo-diesel. It is magic- trust me, and was tuned by Mopar to 400 ft. lbs.
HD front and rear bumpers and recovery points. The recovery points are also certified for air lift.
Termal Imaging Camera - Why not
Some images from the early testing routes, including upchuck in Moab. This vehicle is only fitted with a rear LSD in the Dana 60 axle
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Mario from Adventure Trailers has taken on this project personally, and some incredible progress has been made while I was traveling the Silk Road. Most importantly, this will be the proof of concept vehicle for the new AT Habitat unit. Look for updates from Mario in this thread every couple days as we lead up to Hollister and SEMA
A quick introduction:
This is an Egyptian specification 1.25 Ton J8 with RHD and the VM turbo-diesel. We initially received the vehicle for performance evaluation against like applications (70 series, 110, G-Class, etc.) and it is now being modified for extended distance/time expedition travel.
Expeditions West was one of the first [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6UlZwyuQmw"][/ame] outside of Chrysler to test the J8 in 2009, and we are certainly the first to modify and prep one of these trucks for overland travel.
While not inexpensive, it is possible to assemble this vehicle just as we are by contacting AEV and Adventure Trailers. In comparison, this vehicle complete (when finished), will be about 20-30% less $$$ than the XV-JP we built for Central America with a greater emphasis on simplicity and extreme durability.
Serious air filter. We will be fitting a raised air intake as well (changing from the hood level one)
Factory fire extinguisher - a nice touch (love the cyrillic too)
Simple, clean interior
VM 4-Cyl 2.8L Turbo-diesel. It is magic- trust me, and was tuned by Mopar to 400 ft. lbs.
HD front and rear bumpers and recovery points. The recovery points are also certified for air lift.
Termal Imaging Camera - Why not
Some images from the early testing routes, including upchuck in Moab. This vehicle is only fitted with a rear LSD in the Dana 60 axle
Mario from Adventure Trailers has taken on this project personally, and some incredible progress has been made while I was traveling the Silk Road. Most importantly, this will be the proof of concept vehicle for the new AT Habitat unit. Look for updates from Mario in this thread every couple days as we lead up to Hollister and SEMA
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