Tundy, house and beetle build thread...and exploring.

If my four banger can do 80 I'm sure your 4 liter can!

 

Can.. but yeah I'd cry when I got less than last tank at under 12mpg because I tried to use cruise on some slightly hilly stuff.
(@65mph)

 

Messaged ya

 

What’s 12mpg?

 

Do you find cruise actually makes your fuel economy worse? I've always felt like cruise hurt my MPG's vs. driving the same without it.

 

Something i got less than earlier today. And i thought 15 was bad.

 

I've used it less than a handful of times before today since it's useless if there's any elevation change.

 

So maybe I'm taking function over form too far..

Found an Outback gift card in the truck so here I sit, at the bar, in my Crocs.

@Gramps @Star-Lord you'll just have to imagine a picture since I'll get strange looks if I put my shoe (ish) on the counter.

 

Do it.

 

I usually regret giving in to your influence.

 

They would admire you.

 

I would, but my hoppy beverage has since been depleted.

 

Lame!

 

Thanks great to meet you as well and looking forward for some wheeling for sure!

 

For those following wondering if I drove off into the ocean, I'm still around. Hung out at a friend's place in Oregon for a bit while pondering my next moves.

As much as I wanted to make it down to Baja this trip, I've decided to shoot back over to Colorado so I can get some work stuff started as well as work on getting a place established so I'll have somewhere to travel from. Perfect timing... Now that it's freaking cold.

I have a bunch more pictures to go through as well as a few more updates I can knock out, and I'm sure I may have videos and other stuff.. so don't go just yet! Although I'll likely be quite busy for the next week.

And the rumors are true... The next camping expedition trip will be in a new rig... Which I'm not sure of exactly what yet. But I have ideas as well as improvements and changes that I'll be building into that next rig.. whether it's a Geo Metro or a Honda Ridgeline.
The main criteria in the search, more MPG.

This was this morning, quite chilly!

 

What are you leaning towards for the next rig? Buying something else was always in the back of my head whenever I travel, having to fill up every 200 miles sucks and knowing that I could always skip some of the harder trails and stick to easier stuff in lieu of driving a more stock vehicle was appealing.

 

Dont want to let the cat out of the bag... but. Yes, I'm going to be fine with skipping the "harder" or narrower trails and do more distance and enjoyable stuff. On this whole trip, there were only a few places a full size would not have gone and I would've been fine with it.

Biggest issue is gas mileage for a somewhat capable rig is hard to get since I want to find something older and cheaper. I plan on getting a new GM for work and I'd rather put my money better places than a toy. I also typically go through vehicles more than underwear, so its not a forever rig.

So I am currently looking at 99-06 Silverado/Sierra/Tahoe, 3rd Gen 4runners. If FJ60/80/100s didnt get SHIT mileage at best, I'd be in. I thought about an H6 Outback (the most reliable engine as far as I've researched, then I saw that it needs premium... deal buster).

I dont like the looks of the 4th gen 4runners and the cargo space is actually less than the 3rd gen although I guess it could be a possibility as well with the v8 for the right price. GX470 now have the 'expo tax', so that probably wont happen and I dont think I like the idea of the full time 4wd. Cool for soccer mom driving in snow, but I wouldnt like it.

Negatives about the GM stuff is there isn't much suspension wise to do as far as upgrading. Which... is also good, so I wont spend the money.
Tahoe and 4runner can be had cheap and there are plenty. 4runner has aftermarket support, Tahoe has a ton more cargo room and engine bay room to put so much stuff. Will fare better with the added weight as well.

Pickups will have more space and possibilities for build-out. And I've seen quite a few full size Wildernest toppers going for very low prices, that'd be one quick solution.

I'd be interested in any other possibilities if anyone has any suggestions. A 4wd van would be cool, but usually pricey or beat to crap.

Depending on rig, could go RTT, Tahoe or 4runner, it'd be cool if I got bored and had a garage, could make a pop top that would be a fun project.

Would like to up the price range a little for better options, but again... I'd rather just spend a little bit of cash now and invest in property and a house. But an early 2000s Silverado running propane injection and getting 1000 miles per tank does sound nice.

GM stuff would be with the 5.3l V8. I've had good experiences with them so far. 4.8 seems like it would be bogged too much once I add weight.

 

I honestly do not think you'll see any improvment from anything mpg wise.

By the time you add all the gear you want to haul..everything will suffer and be 15 mpg average I bet. Or worse. It's the weight.

Only way to get around it is to live more like a back packer. Get a single cab and a tiny tent or tipi and hammock. Then your big weoght is still recovery gear and liquids.

Your boned either way.

Probably the only other option is a deisel something..which is full size trucks. Which won't work well for tight back country trails. Probably the only thing though that can haul all the gear be comfortable and get 20mpg

 

Well that settles that.



Wants better MPG, lists several options with worse MPG. You could pull off a lifted Subaru though. There's also a guy that bombs around town here in a lifted/expo build XC70 that's pretty awesome. He's got a CB, light bar, maxtrax, gas cans, and all the other expo accouterments.