LA to Brazil: How to budget for FJ62 Expo Conversion?

[tavman]

Hey all,

I want to build up my 1990 FJ62 LC into an expedition rig over the next three to four years, as time and money allow, so that when I'm done with my seminary training I can pack up my family and head down to South America. My wife is from Brazil, so that will be our final destination.

What I need to know is:

What are the necessary accessories for such an expo LC, and what can I expect to pay for stuff? I will be on a tight budget, so I won't buy anything new unless absolutely necessary. If you have items to sell, let me know.

What are recommended sleeping setups? ( for me, wife, and two kids).

Do I need a snorkel?

Is a lift necessary, or just for looks?

I currently have a CB, but should I install a HAM radio and get certified?

What are the recommended tires for such a trip?

Do I need an extra/bigger fuel tank?

Do you recommend padlocking the hood and rear hatch?

Many more questions, but these are what I could think of initially. If anybody lives in the Southern California area, and is willing to share info in a face-to-face, let's meet up.

Has anybody on here made this trip?

Feel free to post pics of your rig as an example.

Thanks in advance!

Tavis

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

What Seminary are you in? I am at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

 

[Rallyroo]

Many more questions, but these are what I could think of initially. If anybody lives in the Southern California area, and is willing to share info in a face-to-face, let's meet up.

I haven't driven to South America so I don't have any first hand advice.

There's an ExPo Meet & Greet this weekend in Ventura if you're interested. Some of us are camping on Sat and the day time meet is on Sunday.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42867

 

[Schattenjager]

Vdeg

I'll try to post more detail when I'm not on an iPhone - but you should source the current edition of Tom Shepherd's "Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide" It's spendy, but oh what a resource! With the time you have in front of you and careful study of the guide, your trip would be as well prepared as any.

Find more info HERE

 

[tavman]

Joey,

I'll try to make it this weekend, thanks for the heads up! We get out of church at 12 noon, but I can drive up afterwards if you all will still be there through the afternoon.

Tavis

 

[tavman]

Schattenjager,

I would buy that book today, but just dropped $700 to repair my wife's SUV. Will have to set aside the $96 bucks from my next paycheck.

Tavis

 

[jmarlo]

I'd like to make a similar trip someday to Peru (where my wife is from). When you figure out the realistic, cost effective way of getting from Panama (where its my understanding the Pan American highway stops) to Colombia, and then of course getting through Colombia without run ins with the drug runners, post that information!

 

[haven]

You wrote, "Pack up my family..."

Tell us more about how many people will be traveling with you, their
ages, and the impedimenta you'll be taking along. It might be better
to take a vehicle larger than an FJ62.

There's no need for an ExPo rig just to travel to South America. You can
drive all the way from USA to most places in Brasil on pavement (except for
shipping your truck around the Darien Gap, of course.).

Almost any South American town large enough to be on a map will have
regular bus and delivery truck service, so even when the road is not paved,
it will be drivable in a vehicle like a stock FJ62.

There are exceptions to this rule, of course. The Brasilian rainforest
south of the Amazon River has few roads that have an all-weather surface.
The road south of Manaus to Porto Velho (BR-317) still
has major sections that are a quagmire when it rains. And the famous
Trans-Amazonica Highway (BR-230) is still mostly dirt. You would be foolhardy
to travel these routes alone. It's a lot easier and safer when
you have companion vehicles that can help winch you out of the mud.

Chip Haven

 

[haven]

Jmarlo, the situation in Colombia is much improved. Today, you can
drive in relative safety from Cartagena, Colombia south to Ecuador
and Peru. You're more likely to encounter criminal activity in Colon,
Panama, the port that many people use to depart from Central
America.

 

[tavman]

Haven,

That's the best advice I've heard yet regarding the current conditions and what to expect. Also comforting to know that I won't have to drop a lot of cash just to get my stock FJ62 ready for the trip, other than some minor upgrades that would pertain mostly to passenger comfort and packability, such as a roof rack to stow away camping supplies, and maybe some external jerry cans?

As far as the family, it would be me and my wife, and our son who is just under a year old right now. So, within the next three years, I am anticipating us having another child, and by the time we leave for Brazil, we would have two kids under the age of four. Old enough to enjoy the trip, but young enough not to take up too much space

 

[jmarlo]

Haven,

Thanks for the info. Whats involved (and approximate cost) with shipping a vehicle around the Darien Gap?

 

[Christian P.]

Tavis & jmarlo,

You will find the most recent info here:

http://www.drivetheamericas.com/wiki/Main_Page

However, I would like to point out something. 4 years is a looooong time ahead to plan this trip. I would not be concerned about the truck and would not invest anything on it so early. I wouldn't even think about it.

Start with financial planning. Calculate how much the trip is going to cost you and how much money you can save until then. Allocate money for the trip itself first (gas, food, plane tickets, activities, etc). This is most likely going to be the trip of your lifetime for you and your family. Make sure to allocate money for all the nice things you want to do - visiting museum, scuba diving, excursions, eating out, etc.

Start studying Spanish too if you don't speak already. You wouldn't believe how different your experience will be if you can communicate with the people you meet. Invest on things that will remain with you after the trip - languages, cultures, skills, etc. Not a set of 35" tires.

Then use the remaining money for the truck. Most people start the wrong way, they spend all their time & money on building the truck.

You can do it in your stock FJ.

 

[NorCalLC]

Tavis & jmarlo,

You will find the most recent info here:

http://www.drivetheamericas.com/wiki/Main_Page

However, I would like to point out something. 4 years is a looooong time ahead to plan this trip. I would not be concerned about the truck and would not invest anything on it so early. I wouldn't even think about it.

Start with financial planning. Calculate how much the trip is going to cost you and how much money you can save until then. Allocate money for the trip itself first (gas, food, plane tickets, activities, etc). This is most likely going to be the trip of your lifetime for you and your family. Make sure to allocate money for all the nice things you want to do - visiting museum, scuba diving, excursions, eating out, etc.

Start studying Spanish too if you don't speak already. You wouldn't believe how different your experience will be if you can communicate with the people you meet. Invest on things that will remain with you after the trip - languages, cultures, skills, etc. Not a set of 35" tires.

Then use the remaining money for the truck. Most people start the wrong way, they spend all their time & money on building the truck.

You can do it in your stock FJ.

This is some of the best advice I've seen regarding this idea/plan.

I would also like to plan something similar in 2 years and this really makes sense.

 

[tavman]

Christian,

Excellent, excellent post, from somebody who's been there and done it. I'm afraid most of us get too "gear happy" when planning for a major trip like this, when we should try to be as minimalistic, although prepared, as possible.

Thank you for your great financial advice, too. It's easy sometimes to forget about those things along the way.

I've checked your blog and that Wiki site, which will serve as tremendous resources for me in the coming months and years leading up to the trip.

God bless,

Tavis

 

[Wander]

Tavis,

Sounds like quite a trip. I am wondering if you are planning to move to Brazil after seminary or is this a vacation/trip? With the tight budgets of new ministers it would seem that selling the LC here and picking up something there (if your moving there) would be your better option. This does unfortunately omit the adventure of the trip but maybe much easier over all. In the mean time you have some amazing adventures out there to enjoy and a great vehicle for the job. Those FJ's are ready to go off the dealer lot, with the age of the vehicle the big thing is to keep it maintained and fix what needs fixing. Watch that language when your busting knuckles under the hood-your a man of God after all.:elkgrin:

Good luck with seminary!