Driving a Tacoma around the world

I agree. I think that fellow taco drivers who have loaded there truck up with 600+ lbs of cargo would really benefit from a rear sway bar

 

I’m mostly bummed about the timing. But looking at it the other way, this could have been 3 months later and we’d be totally stuck somewhere overseas. Yeah, our “travel-erable” world is certainly shrinking quickly, but the USA has tons of places to explore!

 

You’re right, what they do is mostly entertainment. I’m roughly 3,000lbs up front and 4,000 lbs on the rear

 

Hey @Round the world this is a small thing but have you considered putting rain/wind deflectors on your windows? Not something I’d typically put on my vehicle but if I was gonna spend months in it would probably want. Anyways just a thought. Hope all this craziness blows over before too long and you can get on the Ol dusty trail.

 

Really good post here. I worked in Europe for 12 years, and have traveled extensively from Bremerhaven to Israel and Gibraltar to Ankara. It's challenging. I've been handed my ass in a few Cities, both big and small...lol. I don't know the OP and have not read all the post, but having a outstanding vehicle will greatly enhance the journey. Completely disregarding everything you now appreciate and adopting a new life is required. If you found it necessary to go to Walmart in the last week, you will have severe problems. Sorry, just the facts.
Zim

 

Thanks for the suggestion! No, I haven’t thought of installing them. Is the idea that you can keep our widow Dow without rain getting in? They soun like nan easy and light! Install.

We’re hoping to hit the trail in May but stay in the USA until the virus settles down overseas, hopefully we’ll be able to head out this fall.

 

I thought so as well. Much as I’d feel better packin’ i don’t think it make sense at least overseas. Luckily i haven’t been in a Walmart in months I’m trying to keep a low profile and stay away from medium-sized and bigger city’s and crowds of people for the next couple of weeks, at least.

 

Yeah you can crack the window while raining without getting as wet inside. Might be helpful if you’re fogging up in some torrential downpour. Also blocks light and you can leave your windows cracked while parked more inconspicuously, although that may not be recommended.

 

I see that coming in handy on those steamy jungle areas. Yet another mod to do, thanks @HighCountryTacoma!

 

No guns are not even a option. I left the area in 2000 so a lot has happened there since. The biggest thing is the influx of migrants from Africa and the mid east. That is the real problem. I'm sure you'll do fine. Avoid the bigger towns and cities but learn as much language as you can. French is the best option. 99% of Europeans understand, or speak French. The rest will be hand signals and note pads...lmao.
Zim

 

Thanks for the heads up. Boy, my French is terrible, a whole year of high school French over 40 years ago, but my wife has a better ear for languages

 

Make sure you hit Sardinia and Corsica. Both are just beautiful, easy to navigate, they love people and 30ft visibility water. Ferry traffic is awesome, and departs from Civitavecchia between Rome and Naples. Corsica may still have the last outpost of the French Foreign Legion.
Zim

 

Nice! How could I have forgotten them? I will add them to the list. Thanks!

 

One of the minor mods I did was to install Xpel on the headlights. I was thinking i could try this out first and possibly install a clear wrap over the front half of the truck with a the countries and continents outlined and then draw our actual route in permanent marker.


But installation of just this was quite challenging to get it completely laid flat especially around the outside corners.

We’re to leave the vehicle wrap to the pros!

 

That sounds like a pretty cool idea

 

Thanks, when we get it i’ll post some pics of course

 

If, a few months down the road or whenever we get into a stable state, you want to check out SE Oregon or roughly from Millican east, hit me up. I've family in Burns and have been going out there all my life. Steens Mtn is roughly open July 4 - Oct due to snow. I have accumulated enough over the years to keep someone busy for weeks or months.

Was in Baja for the latter half of March and was considering wandering into an isolation area (La Paz and south at the time) to strand myself, but figured ultimately the US should have better medical resources if I needed them, and returned home. Most the people I knew and met down there were planning to stay in place. Some have recently crossed back into the states. I think it is an easier and cheaper life for the next month or two *if* you didn't get sick. Gas is cheap, the dollar is really strong. So while it was tempting, I think staying home and potentially bored is the better choice than yolo.

(agua verde, worth a visit)

 

So hitting the road when all this is over. A friend is having a wedding party in Ecuador in a year and was hoping to drive down for it. Not sure if that's happening at this point.

 

Definitely! I was hoping to retire April 15th but I’ve stayed on with my company part time but can work remote. My wife is retiring hopefully Sept 1 and I’m hoping we can hit the road then. I really want to get back to the Steens.

Baja sounds like a pretty good spot to be quarantined. Do you have a Habitat?

 

I hope the world opens up by then! I’m still hopeful that we can be in Europe Oct 1, but we’ll see. The X Overland people did a great series on driving down the Pan American highway, quite entertaining.