UZJ100 built for the long trip south

[zimm]

after having putting 100,000 plus miles on a set up 100, and having owned a 110nas, gwagon, etc etc. i can say you'll love the rig for this.

opines from lots of wheeling on one?

its a different truck on 35's. why? the weight, and you cant escape the weight so you have to have feet that can handle it. it really is that simple. central and south america isnt dry moab. the added inch for clearance doesnt hurt either. 315's will be easier to find than 295's, being as almost no one makes a 295. also, i dont know about you, but i haven had a 315 fail yet, and getting back to the truck weight, it WILL be rough on 33' sidewalls when you air down. i cut 2 33" duratracks in 12 hours.

unless youre racing or something, expensive shocks and UCA's are a complete waste. the metaltec rear lowers though are essential. i bent 3 lowers before buying them.

drawers? i have the original AO system from years back, and i must admit, they are 100 pounds of unnecessary weight. a birch plywood platform with plastic containers and canvas bags can stuff 3x as much gear underneath and be be just as functional up top at 1/3 the weight penalty. i've concluded drawers are a wannabe item like UCA's on this truck.

my front bars are adjusted to be level with the rear when loaded, and that puts me less than 2" of lift, and i dont rub with 315 MT baja claw ttc's. with the added heavy spring rates, i removed both sway bars without handling penalty and the rear articulates smoothly to provide great traction.

i did not regear the diffs. to me its fine, its a truck.

 

[Shradicalwyo]

Always surprised I haven't seen you rolling around town yet, I think I saw your old 80 series at the post office a few times some years ago.

I agree with the state of the hole, my gf and I are starting to look into other places and have a plan for when we eventually lose our housing (crossing fingers for it lasting at least through winter)

The 100 looks so good on that size tire, I'd love to have them on my tundra but it's a little more work to fit 'em.

 

[RMP&O]

Always surprised I haven't seen you rolling around town yet, I think I saw your old 80 series at the post office a few times some years ago.

I agree with the state of the hole, my gf and I are starting to look into other places and have a plan for when we eventually lose our housing (crossing fingers for it lasting at least through winter)

The 100 looks so good on that size tire, I'd love to have them on my tundra but it's a little more work to fit 'em.

Whats up!? Ya, I don't get out much, like I said this place is over crowded. Was just at the grocery store, got no less than three sneers and glares from snobby rich ladies. Had my fill of this, only leave the house to work, get groceries or deal with life things. Otherwise I just hang out at home and work on my trucks, I have a lot of them currently so it takes up most of my time. My place is for sale, showing today with the realtor, they show it often. It is going to sell sooner or later and then I will be SoL. So I am moving out before that happens. JH has really turned into a place all about greed, just look at the Walgreens mess to know what I mean.

Any ways, apologies for being so negative about the J-Hole, it has done this to me over a lot of years. Anytime you want to stop by my shop and BS I am usually around, I am down on South Park not far from the gravel pit.

Cheers

 

[RMP&O]

So I am the dude who bought this....

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/161634-Eezi-Awn-Manta-270-awning-FS

I was after the Bat or Manta, that takes care of that item. I also went and bought my seat covers as well as a switch for my LED light bar. That is about it for now.


Cheers

 

[RMP&O]

after having putting 100,000 plus miles on a set up 100, and having owned a 110nas, gwagon, etc etc. i can say you'll love the rig for this.

opines from lots of wheeling on one?

its a different truck on 35's. why? the weight, and you cant escape the weight so you have to have feet that can handle it. it really is that simple. central and south america isnt dry moab. the added inch for clearance doesnt hurt either. 315's will be easier to find than 295's, being as almost no one makes a 295. also, i dont know about you, but i haven had a 315 fail yet, and getting back to the truck weight, it WILL be rough on 33' sidewalls when you air down. i cut 2 33" duratracks in 12 hours.

unless youre racing or something, expensive shocks and UCA's are a complete waste. the metaltec rear lowers though are essential. i bent 3 lowers before buying them.

drawers? i have the original AO system from years back, and i must admit, they are 100 pounds of unnecessary weight. a birch plywood platform with plastic containers and canvas bags can stuff 3x as much gear underneath and be be just as functional up top at 1/3 the weight penalty. i've concluded drawers are a wannabe item like UCA's on this truck.

my front bars are adjusted to be level with the rear when loaded, and that puts me less than 2" of lift, and i dont rub with 315 MT baja claw ttc's. with the added heavy spring rates, i removed both sway bars without handling penalty and the rear articulates smoothly to provide great traction.

i did not regear the diffs. to me its fine, its a truck.

All good Zimm, however.....

I am not buying new tires, I just bought tires. If I find I trash more than one down south I will simply buy new tires down there. I put 60k on a set of BFG A/Ts, x2 times to Panama and back plus more and never had even a single hole. Not expecting any tire dramas on the trip unless somebody slashes them.

UCA will allow me to dial caster back in. However, they also have a downfall, the bushings are not as long life as stock ones. I fully noticed caster change going from no lift to lift, I sure wouldn't mind it back where it was.

Shocks, well I like to bomb dirt and gravel roads at speed and I don't like shock fade. It is a luxury item though so don't need them and don't plan to buy them.

As far as drawers, yes it is adding weight and taking up a bit of space. Not much space lost though and only about 100lbs added. Here is the deal with drawers for me, I like things organized in my truck, especially when living out of it for long periods of time. The drawers are useful for items that don't come out often, like tools, spare parts and recovery gear. They are also a nice place to keep your kitchen. That is exactly what I will be using them for. With the full length FR roof rack I have lot's of room up top for gear. I will be focusing on keeping the light weight stuff up there like luggage. Does that mean I am doing drawers? Nope, I have not bought any yet but I might be for sure.

I am not going to re-gear, it would be better but is not needed for where I am going. Speed limits are slow down there and I won't be in any hurry. It really doesn't effect off-road enough to do it. Only way I would re-gear is if I was putting in lockers which I am not.

I haven't touched my torsion bars since I installed and set it up. It has sagged a bit since then, it does need more fine tuning. However, I am adding weight as the build progresses. Until I am there on the build as well as have my gear sorted (load) I don't plan to play much with suspension.

Cheers

 

[zimm]

have you used bfg at's, in mud, loaded to 7500 pounds w/o lockers?

i'm not bustin' nuts or raining on you here or anything, i'm just saying, i had them on this truck and they hold clay like metal lath holds plaster. atrac is useless for this, and they wont clear no matter how much go pedal you use. im sure they are fine in the dry sections of the andes, and i never had a sidewall puncture either, but i wouldnt want them low in the jungle. i kept those turds on for 2 years "because i bought them". looking back at experience, i'd sell them now before theres miles and get something more aggressive. i didnt merely just see this movie before, i was the scorned love interest in it.

on the upside, i became a master jedi of the winch.




not that you are going out of your way to hit the really crappy stuff, but theres room in back for an m8000 once the tire is on a carrier. it should be nothing for your fab skills, and i used that winch helping those behind me constantly. it sounds hokey, but it makes quick work of recoveries vs turning around and theres often not room to use an elastic strap. just something to chew on.

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

subscribed.

 

[Adventurous]

have you used bfg at's, in mud, loaded to 7500 pounds w/o lockers?

i'm not bustin' nuts or raining on you here or anything, i'm just saying, i had them on this truck and they hold clay like metal lath holds plaster. atrac is useless for this, and they wont clear no matter how much go pedal you use. im sure they are fine in the dry sections of the andes, and i never had a sidewall puncture either, but i wouldnt want them low in the jungle. i kept those turds on for 2 years "because i bought them". looking back at experience, i'd sell them now before theres miles and get something more aggressive. i didnt merely just see this movie before, i was the scorned love interest in it.

on the upside, i became a master jedi of the winch.




not that you are going out of your way to hit the really crappy stuff, but theres room in back for an m8000 once the tire is on a carrier. it should be nothing for your fab skills, and i used that winch helping those behind me constantly. it sounds hokey, but it makes quick work of recoveries vs turning around and theres often not room to use an elastic strap. just something to chew on.

First off, hell yes! Sounds like you have the ideal situation to pull this sort of thing off and I will for sure be following along and rooting for you. I'm sure there are plenty of us, myself included, that chose a different path in life and are curious to know what it would have been like if we had chosen differently.

I don't want to derail the conversation too much (as this thread and it's purpose are awesome) but if the goal is availability, are 315s that much easier to source down in Central and South America? Genuine question, any of my travels down that way have been vehicle-less so I have never paid attention but I'm curious to know if 315s are the more practical size.

 

[Jeepinaaron]

I saw you were interested in inflatable kayaks.

Look into Aquaglide. I bought their Chinook 2 as I wanted something for easy white water and also flat water. I was reluctant to drop the extra coin for one of their cross stitch hard bottom boats, but if I did it over again I would go all out for a hard bottom. I think the construction is excellent and like the fact that the air chambers are inside of the boat material, making them well protected and easy to replace. Just make sure and get a paddle longer than you typically use, as you will have a deeper stroke to clear the air chambers.

 

[RMP&O]

I saw you were interested in inflatable kayaks.

Look into Aquaglide. I bought their Chinook 2 as I wanted something for easy white water and also flat water. I was reluctant to drop the extra coin for one of their cross stitch hard bottom boats, but if I did it over again I would go all out for a hard bottom. I think the construction is excellent and like the fact that the air chambers are inside of the boat material, making them well protected and easy to replace. Just make sure and get a paddle longer than you typically use, as you will have a deeper stroke to clear the air chambers.

I already have an Aire IK. What I am looking at getting is collapsible sea kayaks.

Cheers

 

[RMP&O]

Gutted the back of the truck the other day. Running power to back of truck to a Blue Sea fuse panel. From that running fridge, camp lights, power ports, ect. Lights are Baja Designs, I am going to add more that are clip on and will be run off the power ports. I think I am going to add some more power ports, in particular up in front on the console-trans cover. All interior panels cleaned today, carpet too. Washed inside of the truck as well. Replaced the busted RHS wing window motor with a good 2nd hand one. Also installed a new weather stripping on the window on this side. Installed a couple power ports at the back of the truck in the interior panel. Also ordered an LED interior and back up light kit yesterday.

Might add a rear ARB locker, debating that. Doing sliders fairly soon, rear bumper and drawers. Fridge slide at some point as well, I have an Engel45 with a slide but will be needing a drop down slide with the drawers.









Cheers

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Nice work Ian. That little light is cool, that is Baja Designs too eh?

 

[RMP&O]

Nice work Ian. That little light is cool, that is Baja Designs too eh?

Ya it is a Baja Designs. Not many out there like it, with a switch built in. I like them, first had them in my Taco.

Cheers

 

[RMP&O]

Driving around with the back end torn apart last week I noticed the LHS cargo window is leaking, not much but it leaks behind the panel, couldn't see it with the panel on. So today I ordered up a new weatherstripping for this side. Going super slow on my wiring because, well, I am busy and dislike wiring a lot! Plus I am doing it right the first time so I never have to touch it again! It is coming along nicely but I have plenty more to do.

Ordered up Front Runner drawers. Stoked on that!

Cheers

 

[BJ'sFJ]

Gutted the back of the truck the other day. Running power to back of truck to a Blue Sea fuse panel. From that running fridge, camp lights, power ports, ect. Lights are Baja Designs, I am going to add more that are clip on and will be run off the power ports. I think I am going to add some more power ports, in particular up in front on the console-trans cover. All interior panels cleaned today, carpet too. Washed inside of the truck as well. Replaced the busted RHS wing window motor with a good 2nd hand one. Also installed a new weather stripping on the window on this side. Installed a couple power ports at the back of the truck in the interior panel. Also ordered an LED interior and back up light kit yesterday.

Might add a rear ARB locker, debating that. Doing sliders fairly soon, rear bumper and drawers. Fridge slide at some point as well, I have an Engel45 with a slide but will be needing a drop down slide with the drawers.

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Cheers

Nice choice on the lights. Running the Dome Light w/Switch right now and will be getting their new version when released. Currently testing a prototype