This thread has been a timeslice, a snapshot, of the U.S. market for high capacity 4x4 (and some 6x6) chassis examples.
It has shown that there are actually quite a few out there at a wide range of price points.
But, as you've probably noticed, they are almost all conventional cabs.
That can make for a smoother ride, but it's not optimum for space utilization, meaning the maximum payload for a given overall vehicle length.
AFAIK, the Fuso FG remains the only factory 4x4 cabover / forward control chassis sold in the U.S., although the new-to-market civilian versions of the BAE military chassis are now becoming available.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/75446-BAE-SD-Brazos-Chassis-now-available-through-GXV
For those who are looking for a lower priced 4x4 or 6x6 high-capacity cabover chassis here in the U.S., it usually comes down to finding a rare cabover straight truck that was converted to 4x4 by a specialty shop such as Tulsa Truck.
http://www.tulsatruckmfg.com/cabover.html
BTW, if you want to do your own, Tulsa Truck quoted me $26-28k for a 4x4 conversion for an air brake cabover chassis back in 2009. I don't know the current pricing.
If you don't want to do your own, if you are looking for a factory 4x4 or 6x6 in a cabover / forward control chassis, and especially if you are planning to take the truck to other parts of the world, then a non-U.S.-market truck is an option.
Again, keep in mind, I know little to nothing about these big trucks, so there may be big caveats with these listings and there may be more, different or better suppliers.
As with the other listings in this thread, I'm only trying to provide some food for thought and a snapshot of pricing. OK, yes, it's expedition vehicle chassis porn. There, we've said it.
But, again, it's just a timeslice/snapshot view, so if you're viewing this thread months or years from now, pricing and availability will have changed.
The following listings and prices all came from L. Jackson & Company, a UK company specializing in ex-NATO trucks and equipment.
http://www.ljacksonandco.com/
And, just an FYI, they also sell armored G-Wagons, Range Rovers and ATVs if you want to use one as a dinghy on your 8x8.
http://www.ljacksonandco.com/index.php?option=com_joodb&view=catalog&Itemid=230
It is my (tenuous) understanding that the truck must be at least 25 years from manufacture model year to import it into the U.S., 15 years for Canada.
It is also my less tenuous understanding that you can bring a vehicle into the U.S. for up to one year for testing, demonstration, modification, etc. That means you can bring it in for your build, but would then need to leave on your RTW trip.
Temporary Import (added 2012-06-22)
NONRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
A vehicle registered in a country other than the United States may be imported for personal use by a non-resident of the United States for a period not to exceed one year. The vehicle cannot be sold while in the United States and must be exported within one year from the date of entry. This period cannot be extended under any circumstances. The importer’s passport number and the name of the country that issued the passport must be supplied on the HS-7 Declaration form. Use Box 5 on the HS-7 Declaration form.
RESEARCH, INVESTIGATION, DEMONSTRATION, TRAINING, OR RACING
A vehicle may be imported for research, investigation, demonstrations or training, or competitive racing events. Unless the importer is a manufacturer that certifies vehicles as complying with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, the importer must obtain prior approval from NHTSA. An application form to obtain this approval can be downloaded at
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/racing/box7form.pdf. When completed, the application form, with substantiating information, should be faxed to 202-493-0073. If you have questions or need further details, please call 202-366-5291. The importer must attach a copy of the NHTSA permission letter and the importer's substantiating statement to the HS-7 Declaration form. Use Box 7 on HS-7 Declaration form.
INTENDED FOR EXPORT
Vehicles or regulated equipment intended solely for export must be labeled or tagged “FOR EXPORT” on the vehicle or equipment item, and the outside of any container in which the vehicle or equipment item is shipped. This type of entry may be used to temporarily import a vehicle for repair. Use Box 4 on the HS-7 Declaration form.
Here are some links on vehicle import into the U.S.:
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(In an effort to keep all the import info in one place, I integrated this info from post:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...pacity-chassis-examples?p=1128572#post1128572 ) (added 2012-06-22)
This link relates to bringing in vehicles that are old enough to bypass the ICI process:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...lkL0ZWUEVBUC1r
Excerpts:
If the vehicle is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation.
If the vehicle is 25 years old or more, it does not have to comply with the DOT's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to be imported permanently.
The age of the vehicle is determined by subtracting the calendar year of manufacture from the calendar year of importation.
As of 2012, those cutoff years are:
21 years: 1991
25 years: 1987
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(added 2012-06-22)
There is a list of vehicles that have been through the process for acceptance into the U.S. They are almost all cars, light trucks and motorcycles. If a vehicle is on this list, then the importer does not need to petition for allowance, etc.
The list is here:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig100111.pdf
The Canada Path
If you can get the manufacturer to certify that the vehicle complies with Canadian requirements, you may be able to leverage this clause in the "List of Nonconforming Vehicles Eligible for Importation":
VEHICLES CERTIFIED BY THEIR ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER AS COMPLYING WITH ALL APPLICABLE CANADIAN MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
Import Eligibility Number: VSA-82
Descriptions of Eligible Vehicles: All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR greater than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) that are less than 25 years old.
Docket Number - Online: NHTSA-2007-28692
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One alternative to importing the chassis at all would be to build a camper box and ship it to where the truck chassis is. Then mount the box, register the truck wherever it is or in a different friendly jurisdiction and start your RTW trip from there.
Note that shipping costs, ICI costs, etc. are not included in the price quotes.
Quoted prices include inspection and prep (basic mechanical function) but no painting.
As with all of these listings, I have no personal knowledge of these trucks or any affiliation with the seller, etc.
All previous caveats about fully researching anything you are interested in should be heeded.
For instance, some of these ex-NATO trucks use air cooled engines that are probably *very* loud.
Is your traveling partner ready and willing to wear these the entire way around the world?
