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Planning an adventure

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by kbenoit001, Mar 24, 2010.

  1. Mar 24, 2010 at 5:56 PM
    #1
    kbenoit001

    kbenoit001 [OP] Active Member

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    Every year I go on a trip with two of my best friends. We have gone to Europe a few times, Costa Rica, etc. Every year our trips get a little more crazy as we get braver and our careers allow us more time and money to get away. Lately we have been talking about the biggest one yet. We are planning to take a road trip from where we live in Louisiana all the way to the tip of South America down the west coast of the continent and back up, stopping in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

    This trip is obviously going be a huge undertaking and will take quite a bit of planning. The South American portion is over 30000 miles alone not including Central America and the states. I figure about a 4 month trip in total.

    I think my 2009 Tacoma Sport 4x4 access cab would be a great for this trip (with some modifications of course). I own a mechanic shop so I can do this "outfitting" for pretty cheap in my spare time over the next few years. Without getting too specific just yet, what do you guys think about a Taco for a trip like this?
     
  2. Mar 24, 2010 at 6:00 PM
    #2
    TexasIslandBoy

    TexasIslandBoy THE RED DRAGON!!

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    i think it would be great as long as you take some spare parts and fuel it would be eazy
     
  3. Mar 24, 2010 at 6:02 PM
    #3
    tacovic

    tacovic Well-Known Member

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    stock for now
    i would choose a 1st gen to go on an expedition trip over a 2nd gen.
     
  4. Mar 24, 2010 at 6:05 PM
    #4
    rick

    rick `

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    like you said. LOTS of planning. thats alot of driving. I'm sure your taco can handle it. but 3 of ya in an access cab? sounds like a blast though.
     
  5. Mar 24, 2010 at 6:10 PM
    #5
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut Captain

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    You are looking at ~15,000 miles. Assuming a very optimistic 60 mph avg (wouldn't count on that in South America, they dont have nice highways like we do) that is 250 hours. Assuming 8 hours of driving a day, thats 31 days of driving! That would be insane.
     
  6. Mar 24, 2010 at 6:31 PM
    #6
    nvdeserted

    nvdeserted Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like a good plan. I've got a similar trip in the works on my dualsport in 2012. Plan on taking a boat between Panama and So.Am.

    Keep your rig somewhat average looking so you don't attract any unwanted attention... leave the 20" wheels at home.
     
  7. Mar 24, 2010 at 8:25 PM
    #7
    Timber

    Timber Crankey Old Yacht Jockey

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    just a couple comfort items.
    Pick up a nice 80 series land cruiser, outfit it and go for it. I think you will be able to find parts for it all over S. America. Its the standard land yacht for expo type traveling.
     
  8. Mar 24, 2010 at 9:23 PM
    #8
    kbenoit001

    kbenoit001 [OP] Active Member

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    I actually have a double cab. Not sure where I got that from.

    I have considered a Land Rover. There is certainly something to be said for an easily repairable, reliable diesel. It is just a cliche' by now though. Wanted to do something a little different.
     
  9. Mar 24, 2010 at 9:30 PM
    #9
    kbenoit001

    kbenoit001 [OP] Active Member

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    It is far more than 15000 miles. See this guy's trip http://www.gonomad.com/transports/0604/to_the_end_of_the_world.html

    He did 25k miles and didn't drive all the way home. I traced it on Google Earth and come up with about 35k miles total. That is not taking the most direct route of course but following the coast and hitting some major points of interest here and there. As for the time frame: I'm thinking about 4-5 months.
     
  10. Mar 24, 2010 at 9:53 PM
    #10
    Plinkerton

    Plinkerton Well-Known Member

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    I've never heard anything good about Land Rover reliability.

    Though I've always loved the Discovery's.
     
  11. Mar 24, 2010 at 10:57 PM
    #11
    Timber

    Timber Crankey Old Yacht Jockey

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    just a couple comfort items.
    Toyota Land Cruiser not a Rover
     
  12. Mar 24, 2010 at 11:00 PM
    #12
    08pretaco

    08pretaco Well-Known Member

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    not only that but optimistically averaging 20 mpg at 15,000 miles and gas estimated at $3 a gallon thats $2,250... :eek:

    edit: just saw v6 so i changed 20 mpg to 16 mpg and cost is now $2,812.50
     
  13. Mar 25, 2010 at 7:27 AM
    #13
    kbenoit001

    kbenoit001 [OP] Active Member

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    If I do something like this, gas cost is going to be the least of my worries.
     
  14. Mar 25, 2010 at 7:31 AM
    #14
    kbenoit001

    kbenoit001 [OP] Active Member

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    3 Inch Toytec Lift, Real AAL, Wheels and tires. Working on more

    It is not the reliability that is the kicker but the the rebairability, if you will. A 4 cylinder diesel is almost bulletproof and quite easy to repair on the side of the road in a pinch if you have the right parts. Generic parts will work on a engine like this and may be easier to find in rural Bolivia than, for instance, a CV shaft for a 2009 Tacoma. Landys are also built specifically for extended off-road driving. Much more heavy duty and durable.

    That being said, I wanted to try something a little different.
     

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