Boyink
New member
Hey all. I've been lurking here for a bit while shopping for the next rig.
I currently have a 2008 Toyota Sienna setup for camping (details here) - basically platform bed, pull out kitchen, solar, battery, fridge, awning and a bunch of storage. It's been a good rig, but mileage is hitting 230K+ and while I know it could last another 100K miles I wanted to start working on the next build - something we could go a bit more rustic on. I won't poke the "are we overlanders" wasp nest, we just want to be able to explore more BLM land, gravel roads, etc. I also wanted something that could tow a small travel trailer, so we could have a basecamp with potty, shower, AC, and heat.
After considering every possible option under the sun I came back around to the Suburban platform. It's not quite as big on the inside as the Sienna (longer, yes, but narrower, lower, and lacking the deep trunk space the Sienna has after removing the 3rd row seats).
After watching BAT, eBay, FB, and the classified forums here this clean '00 popped up and was only two hours away. It's got 175K miles on the 6.0, the rear hatch, almost-new Michelin 265's, and an older but nice Kenwood/Garmin stereo/nav system. An inspection didn't turn up anything serious so we adopted it.
I didn't get the vehicle history other than Carfax showing regular oil changes, but someone loved this truck. Wheels are like-new shiny, no rips in the seats, and drives very tight.
The build plan isn't anything too extreme. No plans for a lift or any exterior racks/bumpers. The solar panel and awning on my Sienna will move over at some point. Interior-wise I'll start with a shallow platform bed and a rear kitchen/chuckbox to house the fridge. If we need more storage I'll look at adding a side unit on the drivers side, but I don't like the builds that block the entire passenger side window.
First order of business is some general detailing, new headlight lenses, replace the missing radio antenna, paint the roof rack, etc. I've already done some debadging since these photos were taken.
Oh, and personalized license plates. Three choices:
AGDBRBN
ROUS
STAYPUF
I currently have a 2008 Toyota Sienna setup for camping (details here) - basically platform bed, pull out kitchen, solar, battery, fridge, awning and a bunch of storage. It's been a good rig, but mileage is hitting 230K+ and while I know it could last another 100K miles I wanted to start working on the next build - something we could go a bit more rustic on. I won't poke the "are we overlanders" wasp nest, we just want to be able to explore more BLM land, gravel roads, etc. I also wanted something that could tow a small travel trailer, so we could have a basecamp with potty, shower, AC, and heat.
After considering every possible option under the sun I came back around to the Suburban platform. It's not quite as big on the inside as the Sienna (longer, yes, but narrower, lower, and lacking the deep trunk space the Sienna has after removing the 3rd row seats).
After watching BAT, eBay, FB, and the classified forums here this clean '00 popped up and was only two hours away. It's got 175K miles on the 6.0, the rear hatch, almost-new Michelin 265's, and an older but nice Kenwood/Garmin stereo/nav system. An inspection didn't turn up anything serious so we adopted it.
I didn't get the vehicle history other than Carfax showing regular oil changes, but someone loved this truck. Wheels are like-new shiny, no rips in the seats, and drives very tight.
The build plan isn't anything too extreme. No plans for a lift or any exterior racks/bumpers. The solar panel and awning on my Sienna will move over at some point. Interior-wise I'll start with a shallow platform bed and a rear kitchen/chuckbox to house the fridge. If we need more storage I'll look at adding a side unit on the drivers side, but I don't like the builds that block the entire passenger side window.
First order of business is some general detailing, new headlight lenses, replace the missing radio antenna, paint the roof rack, etc. I've already done some debadging since these photos were taken.
Oh, and personalized license plates. Three choices:
AGDBRBN
ROUS
STAYPUF
