the ultimate Pan-American Expedition vehicle

[mauricio_28]

So-called "small" rigs like the Hilux can also accomodate sleep-in facilities. Simply plop a Maggiolina tent on a rack above the bed
http://www.autohomeus.com/products/index.php

If I had money to burn, I'd ship a Maggiolina to Guatemala where I'd affix it to a manual 4WD 3.0L TDI Hilux. And then, I'd start driving south. With that killer core setup, the rest is details.

 

[IronViking]

Heres my vote for a truck.
Mitsubishi!! Should be easy to get and repair.
4x4 too.

 

[mauricio_28]

Ya, try driving/parking that rig in Mexico City, Lima or virtually any Latin American capital city.

Drool here: http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2008/163_news080411_2009_toyota_hilux_pickup/index.html

 

[canucksafari]

I am with IronViking on this one. Actually, that rig is used in countries all over the world. You can buy it new or used in the US or Canada. It comes in 4x4 or double cab (6 pas). The Fuso/Canter has probably the best access to local parts and supllies around the globe of any heavy truck. I have seen them in Cities from Mexico City to Cochabamba to Madrid. Are there lanes you won't get through? Of course there are. But a lot of those lanes you wouldn't want to try and run a Hiluz through either.

Interestingly, Jlit has said nothing about specifics concerning their vehicle and accessories budget. That would help us recommend new, used or abused. Also, it would be good to know how mechanically experienced they are.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I am with IronViking on this one. Actually, that rig is used in countries all over the world. You can buy it new or used in the US or Canada. It comes in 4x4 or double cab (6 pas). The Fuso/Canter has probably the best access to local parts and supllies around the globe of any heavy truck. I have seen them in Cities from Mexico City to Cochabamba to Madrid. Are there lanes you won't get through? Of course there are. But a lot of those lanes you wouldn't want to try and run a Hiluz through either.

Interestingly, Jlit has said nothing about specifics concerning their vehicle and accessories budget. That would help us recommend new, used or abused. Also, it would be good to know how mechanically experienced they are.

Jlit said they were considering two new toyota tundras.... suggesting at least 100k in vehicles and upgrades. They also said they dont know much in the way of mechanics. They did say they wanted to upgrade suspension, add armor (bumpers) and sleeping quarters, etc. $115k maybe?

The Fuso/Canter/Mitsubishi truck looks like a good idea guys.:smiley_drive:

 

[Christian P.]

Jilt,

I think we could keep posting ideas for a long time here, but I am a bit with Charlie on this one. I think we need a more precise idea of what exactly is your budget, the type of people in your group and your goals.

30 months on the road is a very long time. I don't think there's anyone here on this forum who has spent that much time camping and living out of a truck. The longest I have been on the road is about 18 months and that was alternating between hotels/friends and camping in my truck.

If you really going to spend that much time, you need some living space inside or else you will end up miserables. You need space to work, live, play, cook, etc - rain or shine.

You will also need some serious spaces for gears and extra parts.

Based on what I read, I would also think a Fuso Crew Cab would be your best bet or a F350 Crew Cab with one of these mega giant truck camper....

 

[canucksafari]

Based on what I read, I would also think a Fuso Crew Cab would be your best bet or a F350 Crew Cab with one of these mega giant truck camper....

Just to be clear, the Fuso crew cab (6 pas) 4WD is not available for purchase new in the US. It is available new only in 2WD. Canadians can access the few used ones with low kms from Japan which are 15 years old. If you are willing to accept 2WD (3 Pas), then I would also consider Hino and UD Trucks. Someone was telling me last week that UD Truck provides 4WD as an option. I haven't confirmed that as in Canada there is no UD Truck.

 

[BruceNP]

I agree that a Fuso is a great choice ...

... but I'm not convinced they need 4WD. Reading Doug Hackney's blog about using his Fuso, I think he's engaged his 4WD once and that probably wasn't necessary then. I wish he would chime in on this topic, but I know he's busy. DH is spending lots of time on gravel and dirt roads.

As a 2WD with a winch attached any one of the Cab Forward trucks that also has a crew cab option would probably do just fine. 4WD is just gravy. It would be cheaper too.

 

[haven]

UD 4x4

The company that works with Nissan Diesel America to convert UD trucks to 4x4 is Pioneer Four Wheel Drive Company. This is a factory-approved modification that you order through the UD Truck dealer when you purchase your truck. So you can finance the conversion as part of the original purchase price. Here's the Pioneer web site http://www.pioneer4wheeldrive.com

Here's the 4x4 conversion of a class 7 cab/chassis:

There's more information in this thread
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7748

Chip Haven

 

[canucksafari]

So you can finance the conversion as part of the original purchase price. Here's the Pioneer web site http://www.pioneer4wheeldrive.com

Wow, at those prices you can buy a lot of other truck!

 

[cydei]

Hello all,

My name is jeff, and 4 associates and I are putting together an expedition from the top of Alaska to the southernmost tip of Argentina. 2 guys will be riding bicycles, I will be filming a tv show, 2 others will be conducting research, and together we will be filming 3 documentaries along the way about the needs of humanity and the environment in Latin and South America. I'm here because we need the perfect expedition vehicle.

We need ample space for 3-4 people, film equipment, expedition gear, bikes, batteries, and 2 irish wolfhounds. As many of you know, the roads through South America will require rugged 4x4 capabilities. In addition, with the threat of armed radicals, theives, and corrupt policia, the vehicle needs to be armored.

Any advice and assistance is most appreciated. Thank you.

HELLO, I LIVE IN MEXICO AND IT IS MORE NEWS THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM STARTS IN GUATEMALA. TO CROSS MEXICO I WILL RECOMEND THE MAIN HIGHWAYS. DRIVE DURING THE DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM. YOU WILL FIND FEDERAL POLICE AND MILITARY CHECK POINTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT TALKS SPANISH. ALSO BRING A FOLDER WITH THE INVOICES OF ALL THE EQUIPMENT YOU WILL BRING, EVERY COUNTRY WILL ASK YOU FOR A TEMPORARY IMPORT OF THE EQUIPMENT AT CUSTOMS, CHECK WITH EACH COUNTRY´S CONSULATE BEFORE DOING ANYTHING. THEY MIGHT PROVIDE SECURITY OR ESCORT IF YOU PROMOTE THEIR TOURISM. TOURISM IN LATIN AMERICA IS VERY BIG IN SOME COUNTRIES (20% OF THEIR INCOME).
IN MEXICO, YOU CAN CROSS FROM TIJUANA TO CANCUN ON VERY NEW HIGHWAYS, IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO ENTER CENTRAL AMERICA THROW GUATEMALA, YOU CAN DO IT BY BELICE, I THINK THAT GUATEMALA IS BAD BECAUSE OF THE MARA-SALVATRUCHA (CENTRAL AMERICAS GANG) BUT FROM COSTA RICA DOWN TO COLOMBIA IT WILL BE A PIECE OF CAKE. CROSS COLOMBIA TO VENEZUELA, GO DOWN TO ARGENTINA THROW BRASIL, ARGENTINA HAS NO PROBLEM. IN BRASIL AND ARGENTINA YOU WILL FIND THE BEST MEAT AND GREAT PARTIES. CHECK THE GARMIN MAPS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA TO SEE THE BEST ROADS. GOOD LUCK. I DO NOT THINK YOU WILL NEED TO ARMORED YOUR VEHICLE, BUT IF YOU FEEL CONFORTABLE WELL, DO IT. VERY IMPORTANT, DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT, IN ANY COUNTRY.