Driving a Tacoma around the world

Awesome! Do you have a date when you’re leaving. I’ll be starting in Europe next summer after testing it this summer in the USA

 

That is an absolutely crazy thing they did. We will be staying away from the democratic republic of Congo, plan on crossing only the extreme western portion in a day or two. Sudan has the same problem, blast through it in a convoy or ferry around it

 

Good thoughts. I’m planning on replacing the upper control arms and installing some easily replaceable ball joints. I’m open for suggestions on specific parts. Oh yeah, will be carying a Sat phone

 

No sliders and only a front skid plate. The skid plate and the front bumper will be aluminum. Will be a total of three batteries; one up front and two in the camper, all of which will be lithium ion for weight. Also planning on boxing in the rear frame aft of the rear axle for strength.

 

Damn good question which I haven’t figured it out fully. Definitely will be carryng a sat phone and using a Garmen GPS. In Africa at least there is a program called Tracks for Africa, which is I’ve used and was good. Probably not carrying a ham radio due to the weight. Also planning on only bringing one spare tire and doing a five tire rotation. If they start getting flats then I’ll buy a new set of five

 

Yep, Land Cruisers Direct is a good company to get older Diesel Toyotas that can be registered here. It's where I got my diesel Hilux from. The parts availability are world wide so you won't have any issues finding parts overseas. I would take a look at their website at www.landcruisersdirect.com

 

I was thinking of only bringing two maxtrax to save weight, pennywise?

 

No set date, but the way I work/live can be anytime
I will certainly be keeping an eye on your travels and maybe two tacos can meet across the world

 

Absolutely! Two tacos are better than one

 

How much is everything gnna cost lol

 

Two is better then none, but I do see a lot of recoveries that needed one under each wheel. That said I understand your thoughts about weight.

Earlier you mentioned no Ham radio, just keep in mind that Ham radio covers a heck of a lot more ground then CB and not many folks or using CB anymore.

 

I noticed you said OR sport. So you bought a sport to go around the world instead of an OR?

 

I had 2 with me this weekend above the snowline. I wish I had 4. And I would highly encourage HAM.

Those 2 things and a shovel have gotten me out of a few binds that I wouldn't have been able to solo otherwise.

 

I know what mine cost to build to the point it is...and I just have a simple rack + RTT. The answer is A LOT. But it isn't always about the money...

 

My guess is $85k including vehicle purchase

 

The OP said earlier he didn’t want ham because of weight. I thought the ham radios weren’t much more weight then a cab radio. Can some one who has a ham verify weight?

 

It depends on the radio. If you're talking a simple handheld 2m radio then it weighs about the same IMO. Ham has more capability which would be, IMO, preferable to a cb radio

 

I would confidently say my ham and antenna are less weight than a basic cb. Yaesu 7900 and Diamond NR770hb. I would add a cheap HT as well for mobile / spotter use.

Radio 2.2 lbs, speaker prob also 2.2, antenna and cable are about 3 pounds total. So 8 pounds-ish all in. HT is probably another 2.

 

That’s what I thought. I haven’t been to Africa or South America so I don’t know which option would be better. If it was me I’d have both.

 

Good question regarding a radio. Hadn't really thought of it. Not too impressed with the range of a CB. Not that I've been everywhere but I've never seen them overseas. If a ham radio isn't too bulky or heavy then I'm not adverse into carrying one.