teotwaki
Excelsior!
Meanwhile, the Equipment Nazis compile their list of must-have gear for that "Expedition" look
Lipstick on a Pig: The 10 Don'ts of Vehicle Modifications
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
Meanwhile, the Equipment Nazis compile their list of must-have gear for that "Expedition" look
rynosurf
Adventurer
I can understand having more than 4 off road lights if you are going over 100mph in the Baja 1000 and there is no moon in the sky but unless you are using the five lights on the roof rack to heat the solar oven that you place on your hood, I think this is overkill.
I had two KC lights on my old jeep that were more than sufficient for even the darkest nights in the middle of the desert .
I had two KC lights on my old jeep that were more than sufficient for even the darkest nights in the middle of the desert .
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
What I suggest....
-Spare TIRE only on the rear floor. No wheel. You can fit up into the 35" tire range and still have it fit on the floor. A large amount of non-daily use ear goes INSIDE the tire in all the wasted space and a few bags around the outside in the wasted corners. Yes, it's more of a pain to change a tire onto a wheel, but its far from impossible. With good quality tires I RARELY see the need for a spare.
-Run two soft tool bags behind the front seats. The mastercraft sized ones work great, use one for tools and one for recovery gear. A 48" highlift jack will also fit just above the bags on simple brackets. This keeps the weight of the jack low and forward of the rear axle ( if you want to carry one )
-Run a light simple rear bumper. Nothing fancy, and it doesn't need to be any thicker than 1/8" steel ( 3/16 or 1/4" aluminum is great too )
-If you need extra fuel, replace the stock tank first. You can get another 5 gallons this way. The weight is behind the rear axle, but about as low as you can get. For another 5 gallons I would run a SINGLE jerry can mounted in place of the factory spare tire on the tailgate The weight is similar to the factory spare and will not wear out the tailgate super fast. ( run this ONLY if you need more than 25 gallons of fuel ).
-A D-handle shovel rides on the fender well with the spade forward on a TJ really nice. The D-handle tucks behind the rear rollbar leg. A full size axe can fit on the other side with the head behind the rear rollbar leg. You can also fit a folding saw along one of the door sills.
-Install a light weight aluminum storage rack over the spare TIRE in the back. This is where most of your lighter gear goes. It works great for clothes bags, sleeping bags, camp chairs, etc. My golden rule is that you should try and NOT pack so much gear. Think of expedition wheeling in a SWB jeep basically like motorized backpacking. If you want things like huge DC refrigerators get a bigger rig.
Edit: SWB jeeps are for TWO people max
Just my opinion, just my thoughts.
matt s
Explorer
Metcalf thanks for the explanations - both of them. Not a bad idea on the unmounted tire.
For myself, I will continue to run a swing gate on my K5. The rear weight may not be ideal but I have not noticed any adverse handling with two cans and my spare back there. Of course when running this way I am loaded up for an extended trip anyway so perhaps the gear packed forward of the rear axle helped balance out the load.
FWIW Here is a topic I started a month ago while pondering the possible effects of adding weight to the rear bumper. Not exactly scientific discussion... ;-)
Also I imagine that on a larger rig (vs swb jeep) the 2-300lbs of bumper out of 6k total and 104" wheelbase make a difference too.
That and I don't exactly rock crawl with a classic k5
For myself, I will continue to run a swing gate on my K5. The rear weight may not be ideal but I have not noticed any adverse handling with two cans and my spare back there. Of course when running this way I am loaded up for an extended trip anyway so perhaps the gear packed forward of the rear axle helped balance out the load.
FWIW Here is a topic I started a month ago while pondering the possible effects of adding weight to the rear bumper. Not exactly scientific discussion... ;-)
Also I imagine that on a larger rig (vs swb jeep) the 2-300lbs of bumper out of 6k total and 104" wheelbase make a difference too.
That and I don't exactly rock crawl with a classic k5
Last edited:
What I suggest....
-Spare TIRE only on the rear floor. No wheel. You can fit up into the 35" tire range and still have it fit on the floor. A large amount of non-daily use ear goes INSIDE the tire in all the wasted space and a few bags around the outside in the wasted corners. Yes, it's more of a pain to change a tire onto a wheel, but its far from impossible. With good quality tires I RARELY see the need for a spare.
-Run two soft tool bags behind the front seats. The mastercraft sized ones work great, use one for tools and one for recovery gear. A 48" highlift jack will also fit just above the bags on simple brackets. This keeps the weight of the jack low and forward of the rear axle ( if you want to carry one )
-Run a light simple rear bumper. Nothing fancy, and it doesn't need to be any thicker than 1/8" steel ( 3/16 or 1/4" aluminum is great too )
-If you need extra fuel, replace the stock tank first. You can get another 5 gallons this way. The weight is behind the rear axle, but about as low as you can get. For another 5 gallons I would run a SINGLE jerry can mounted in place of the factory spare tire on the tailgate The weight is similar to the factory spare and will not wear out the tailgate super fast. ( run this ONLY if you need more than 25 gallons of fuel ).
-A D-handle shovel rides on the fender well with the spade forward on a TJ really nice. The D-handle tucks behind the rear rollbar leg. A full size axe can fit on the other side with the head behind the rear rollbar leg. You can also fit a folding saw along one of the door sills.
-Install a light weight aluminum storage rack over the spare TIRE in the back. This is where most of your lighter gear goes. It works great for clothes bags, sleeping bags, camp chairs, etc. My golden rule is that you should try and NOT pack so much gear. Think of expedition wheeling in a SWB jeep basically like motorized backpacking. If you want things like huge DC refrigerators get a bigger rig.
Edit: SWB jeeps are for TWO people max
Just my opinion, just my thoughts.
Lots of good advice here ^^^
I have gone full circle from stock to big, lifted trail rig to super low c/g competition rock buggy to stock (rear locker & 31's only) Experience has taught me that a low c/g and driving skill beats lifts and big tires any day. Roof racks loaded with spare tires and an entire tool shed baffle me. Not only do they add a bunch of weight up high, they are tree branch magnets. At least the tools are easy to reach when it flops on it's side! :sombrero:
greentruck
Adventurer
I can't believe I read all the way through and no one has mentioned running boards yet.
My opinion may be as controversial as CB for some, but they're pretty useless, even for short people.
My opinion may be as controversial as CB for some, but they're pretty useless, even for short people.
Larry
Bigassgas Explorer
I am surprised nobody mentioned 18”or bigger bling bling wheels yet. Sure a lot of new trucks are now coming from the factory with 18” and even 20” wheels for legitimate brake caliper clearance reasons or just to look the “fad” but, seriously….. They look stupid and having a large wheel with a short sidewall tire is absolutely worthless for a true off-roader.
Decals advertising every aftermarket piece of equipment bolted on ones chariot is also on my list. Just don’t do it unless that manufacturer/vendor is giving you a bunch of free crap.
Oh, I like swing out tire/fuel can holders! Buddy and I are actually getting ready to build one for my rig because I need it and refuse to have a 35” tire and 12 gallons of fuel riding shotgun in the passenger’s seat....and I am not putting that stuff inside my new Phoenix camper.
Decals advertising every aftermarket piece of equipment bolted on ones chariot is also on my list. Just don’t do it unless that manufacturer/vendor is giving you a bunch of free crap.
Oh, I like swing out tire/fuel can holders! Buddy and I are actually getting ready to build one for my rig because I need it and refuse to have a 35” tire and 12 gallons of fuel riding shotgun in the passenger’s seat....and I am not putting that stuff inside my new Phoenix camper.
teotwaki
Excelsior!
If you actually offroad you'll tear the running boards off. :elkgrin:
dsw4x4
Adventurer
This post sort of baffles me Someone said earlier that their mods are directly related to situations they have previously been in and feel they are worth having due to past experience. No snorkel?? I have been in situations in Colorado,Utah, Missouri and Alaska where a river swelled up over night and the only way back was crossing the swollen river with out a snorkel I would have been screwed to me they can be worth their weight in gold. i could go on about other things lift farm jacks I have dozens of stories where they have saved my ***, yes they are dangerous but so is the factory crank jack mounted under your seat. To me that is common sense. I to have been full circle I still own a stock exploder which by the way driving properly will go anywhere a jeep will go, a full rock rig box style bronco, a trail box style bronco and my expedition van. They all have different mods and they all probably break at least on of the top ten list including hp cbs bumpers exo cages etc etc... However each rig has that mod because it is useful in that situation. The list should be made up entirely of truck nuts and stick on portals from AZ.
Derek
Derek
dbreid
Adventurer
This is sort of a no brainer to folks on this forum, but for me the worst mod is knowledge (or lack thereof) about their own truck. Lots of folks spend a lot of money on things that don't increase their knowledge of their truck. For example, buying Fancy rims and tires does look cool, but in my experience, the only time I have ever gotten myself into trouble was with basics.
It is always a blown alternator, or starter, or bad injector that ends the trip. Never the lack of something. And by information, I mean basic knowhow on fixing things on your truck.
Lots of people ask me why I drive Old Chevy stuff. Wouldn't a sweet new Land Cruiser be better? Or wouldn't I prefer a Range Rover? Sure, those are MUCH nicer trucks that my Suburban or my K30. But I have blood and brains in those old chevies. If my junk breaks, I have the wiring diagram in my head, ready to go. And I have built myself a tool kit and a spare part cache that makes sense for my truck.
Any mod is up to you. But the mistake people make is in not using the mods to learn ABOUT the truck. You and the truck are a team, like it or not. And the more you know about your partner, and the nicer you treat her, the better your love life is gonna be.
Dan
It is always a blown alternator, or starter, or bad injector that ends the trip. Never the lack of something. And by information, I mean basic knowhow on fixing things on your truck.
Lots of people ask me why I drive Old Chevy stuff. Wouldn't a sweet new Land Cruiser be better? Or wouldn't I prefer a Range Rover? Sure, those are MUCH nicer trucks that my Suburban or my K30. But I have blood and brains in those old chevies. If my junk breaks, I have the wiring diagram in my head, ready to go. And I have built myself a tool kit and a spare part cache that makes sense for my truck.
Any mod is up to you. But the mistake people make is in not using the mods to learn ABOUT the truck. You and the truck are a team, like it or not. And the more you know about your partner, and the nicer you treat her, the better your love life is gonna be.
Dan
southpier
Expedition Leader
thanks for validating that! i've usually felt a bond with my vehicles. i get called out in the worst weather to answer security system alarms. usually 2:30 am during a hundred year storm or some equally uncomfortable situation. i've had a lot of conversations with the beasts over the years.
not because i am particularly mechanically savvy, but just spend a brick**** ton on preventive maintenance, they've never let me down
ratkin
Adventurer
That same license (now $85) lets you install and run up to 50-watt mobile units, and hit repeaters where available. Some of the FRS/GMRS combo radios from Motorola and Garmin can have the 462/467 MHz repeater offsets built in. And, as GeoTracker90 said, that's for your entire family to talk, not just yourself.
rusty_tlc
Explorer
On the LC boards they are referred to as damage multipliers.:elkgrin:
rusty_tlc
Explorer
Exactly why I love Old Land Cruisers.This is sort of a no brainer to folks on this forum, but for me the worst mod is knowledge (or lack thereof) about their own truck. Lots of folks spend a lot of money on things that don't increase their knowledge of their truck. For example, buying Fancy rims and tires does look cool, but in my experience, the only time I have ever gotten myself into trouble was with basics.
It is always a blown alternator, or starter, or bad injector that ends the trip. Never the lack of something. And by information, I mean basic knowhow on fixing things on your truck.
Lots of people ask me why I drive Old Chevy stuff. Wouldn't a sweet new Land Cruiser be better? Or wouldn't I prefer a Range Rover? Sure, those are MUCH nicer trucks that my Suburban or my K30. But I have blood and brains in those old chevies. If my junk breaks, I have the wiring diagram in my head, ready to go. And I have built myself a tool kit and a spare part cache that makes sense for my truck.
Any mod is up to you. But the mistake people make is in not using the mods to learn ABOUT the truck. You and the truck are a team, like it or not. And the more you know about your partner, and the nicer you treat her, the better your love life is gonna be.
Dan
craig333
Expedition Leader
This is sort of a no brainer to folks on this forum, but for me the worst mod is knowledge (or lack thereof) about their own truck. Lots of folks spend a lot of money on things that don't increase their knowledge of their truck. For example, buying Fancy rims and tires does look cool, but in my experience, the only time I have ever gotten myself into trouble was with basics.
It is always a blown alternator, or starter, or bad injector that ends the trip. Never the lack of something. And by information, I mean basic knowhow on fixing things on your truck.
Lots of people ask me why I drive Old Chevy stuff. Wouldn't a sweet new Land Cruiser be better? Or wouldn't I prefer a Range Rover? Sure, those are MUCH nicer trucks that my Suburban or my K30. But I have blood and brains in those old chevies. If my junk breaks, I have the wiring diagram in my head, ready to go. And I have built myself a tool kit and a spare part cache that makes sense for my truck.
Any mod is up to you. But the mistake people make is in not using the mods to learn ABOUT the truck. You and the truck are a team, like it or not. And the more you know about your partner, and the nicer you treat her, the better your love life is gonna be.
Dan
Yep, if my Jeep starter goes out I can grab the three wrenches I'll need without even looking. Wish I could say the same about my truck