Driving a Tacoma around the world

Darn good question. Is the required

$52 0W-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0W-20 oil synthetic?

 

Yes, but maybe you can find out from Toyota what other options you might have. I mean its not like you will have to worry about voiding your warranty or anything like that.

 

Thanks for that tip, I was not aware of the fob thing. As far as I'm aware you have no options other than 0w20 synthetic. The good news is the interval is every what... 16000km? What is that like 9000miles?
That's not too many oil changes. Maybe 8 or so. You oughta be able to space them out to do them in major cities, buy some extra oil if you think you won't make it to the next one in time.

 

I assume you’re thinking that it will already be voided??

 

No, I was going to do it myself. So much stuff to think of. Looks like lube, oil and filter every 5000, diffs every 15000, tranny & transfer case oil every 30000, and plan on engine air filter every 20,000 and cabin air filter every 30000

 

I might be beating a dead horse here and I applaud the BALLS that you have willing to take 3rd gen taco to remote areas of the world. I love my truck, I really do. But the design, durability and build philosophy is obviously not the same in this truck as in world models such as Hilux and Land cruiser. I dont want to upset you but owning a taco and both a Land cruiser 80 and 100, the taco is built like a toy.

There is no need to buy a 70 series or hilux out of the country. There are plenty of 80 series land cruisers for sale here in the states. It has more favorable dimensions, is completely covered, spacious with rear seats removed, has solid front axle (huge plus very tough), strong gutter rails to mount racks, baskets and load them up with gear, and too many other advantages to list for a trip where the vehicle might be in a well used and rougher state once the trip is over. Land crusiers do command a premium when in good physical shape with lockers etc. But a non showroom quality 80 meant to travel the world is still affordable and readily available in the states. A good baseline and it is just as dependable as a taco with 3x the durability and way more simplicity.

There are parts for these world wide, the gasser 1FZ engines wont win any races or be very efficient, but they can pretty much run on the shittiest gas available and any grade of oil up to the 20w50s which are common more remote areas. Also again, simplicity vs that 2gr-fks which is a space ship in comparison.

Just food for thought as there is no need to buy a hilux or a 70 series when we got plenty of 80 series in the US of A.

Regardless of what you do, I will still be following this trip of a lifetime.

I love my taco and was willing to part with 40+k to enjoy it. But in a situation where I can only count on 1 vehicle, I will with no doubt take the 80 series.

 

Sounds like you’re got it covered, and if you do need to find synthetic oil, uou could bring an extra case of it just for when needed. Sounds like a great trip!

 

Ideally my favorite would be a hilux. Simply because it can haul a toilet and a shower that my wife stated that she wants. 70 or 80 series just can't do that. I've looked online at Hiluxs in Germany, some of them even have pop up campers on them. A new one with camper on it is over a $100,000 and that's without their massive taxes. They run on ultra low sulfur diesel with a particulate filter. This fuel simply isn't made in Africa. I would have to buy a gas Hilux. Might as will buy a new Tacoma and take a low risk on the lack of parts. If I have a breakdown, while waiting for parts we'll make lemonade. Who knows maybe we'll make some friends, after all we'll be retired.

After all aren't Tacoma's, especially new ones supposed to be tough and reliable??

 

I think a 70 series would be much easier to put a camper with toilet and shower on. No need to buy new as they are plentiful in many countries used. They are built to handle the rigors of 3rd world driving and the new Tacoma is certainly a 1st world vehicle. Tough and reliable yes but also complicated.

 

Have you read this trip report? Definitely worth browsing through

https://www.expeditionportal.com/fo...public-of-congo-lubumbashi-to-kinshasa.50799/

 

Props on planning to take Tacoma around the world! There is nothing wrong with doing that, this truck can handle everything if you do it smart. Take only essential gear and don't overbuild truck with steel bumpers/skids/fancy gear. I've taken mine solo around USA once recently doing over 11,000 miles of all kinds of terrain as a test run, where I learned what kind of gear is essential for me and I ended up with a very short list leaving 350lbs of payload left before even reaching max GVWR of my truck.

I will be doing another shake run in the Northwest Territories of Canada to finalize my list, and in the future shipping to Europe and driving across all the way into Asia.

Looking forward to learn from your travels

 

I mean I think your half right. The third gen isn't supported necessarily, but you would be surprised how many parts are shared between Hiluxes and Tacomas. And there are alot of guys out there with 100000miles on third gens already with no issues.

I mean know some guys have had problems too don't get me wrong. However, people seem to forget that the worldwide package network is actually pretty good. And barring being stuck 100miles from any town, (I assume he'll have a satellite phone) he's realistically only a week max from essential parts if something breaks.




This also reminds me @Round the world , your balljoints are going to take a beating. Same with your tie rod ends. You might want to upgrade your upper control arms to something that's easy to swap a balljoint out of. There's a vendor here that makes some that use bolt in... Chevy ball joints? If I remember right. They're heavier than stock ones and replacing them is cheap and easy. Might be worth looking into.

 

100k on a relatively stock vehicle is very different than on a fully built overweight expedition type of vehicle. I think weight will be the largest issue with this build. It will be one heavy pig

 

But what do you think will be the breaking point then? Axle bearings? He's already going with heavy duty dakars or custom springs in the rear. And 4.88s. The 4.88s will significantly reduce the engine strain of the added weight, so now were just talking suspension and rolling components right?

 

There is a chance nothing will break but every single part of the drivetrain will be under extra stress. He has approximately 50k miles of off pavement and potentially rough terrain planned so I would think something will give and most likely a few things. When adding up a quick list of necessities it gets heavy really quick.

Camper with toilet and shower
Bumpers & winch
Skids & sliders
Extended range fuel tank
Water storage
E rated tires + spare or two
Tools
Recovery gear
Spare parts & fluids
Food

 

Did you read his first post? I think pretty much all that stuff is on there.

I think the 4.88's will compensate for alot of drivetrain strain.

I'm thinking the wear and tear things will be an issue, ball joints especially, and the rear axle bearings.

The other thing is that since this is a manual it would be a good Idea to upgrade to the URD clutch right off the bat since a number of TW members have had to replace their clutches under 40000 miles.

Also to do the accumulator delete.

 

Of course I read his post. I was simply stating the list of mods he is planning will add lots of weight and fast. Most underestimate how fast it adds up and the negative effects it has on a vehicle. I’m far more of a minimalist than most though

 

I don’t see any posts asking about comm’s. What do you plan to use for Nav and radio? Backups?

 

That’s a good point. I run a garmin inreach but if I was traveling globally I’d be inclined to add a sat phone on the iridium network.

HAM radio with a a mounted antenna and a larger antenna in storage for emergency would probably be good as well. Plus if you link up with anyone along the way you’d want a way to communicate vehicle to vehicle.

 

Super pumped to follow this adventure. Check out Xoverland and their Tacoma build and the trip they documented to the tip of South America.
Don’t forget to carry Maxtrax (4). They will save your butt!