$15k Buildup Recommendations for Security Contract

Invest the money in something that will grow in 5-10-15 years. If you really need something to play with, I would strongly urge you to buy a train set. You will thank me in less than 5-10-15 years.

 

Hmmmm

 

There is plenty of room once you take the doors off in the back.

 

Now THAT is badass.

 

SO MUCH WANT!!!!!

 

FIFY

 

Apparently a stock TRD with all the doors was good enough for one US Special Forces group in Afghanistan
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ors-charge-into-firefight-in-taco-trd.373368/

 

This is an odd thread.

I'm curious what type of company receives a request for bid like this.

Consider: having no apparent expertise in vehicle modification for offroad, no connection to any auto dealership or distribution network, no apparent connection to the company requesting the bid, very vague requirements: "armor" for a "security company," "in the US" (emissions controls and US model) and "capable of crossing an 18" obstacle" (how's that measured again?) and three feet of water (that's DEEP for a water crossing) and is described by the bidder as "BAD ASS." What type of company would undertake bidding on something like that? You're going to have to outsource everything at full retail, and take your markup on top of that and still have a competitive bid.

If I'm putting a contract out to bid like that - I'm soliciting bids from companies like 4 wheel parts that have at least some expertise and connections in the field.

Personally, I'm guessing this is research for a school project where the assignment is to write up the details of a contract proposal, where the teacher gives the students considerable latitude in what's being proposed.

 

2015 power wagon in the tradesmen msrp at around 45k. Big enough to haul plenty of gear, more than capable of going off road, plenty of range. Say another 5 grand for whatever else...

 

What he said !

 

Huh? All I meant is that I'd love to mount a few M249s on my truck

 

Full size GMC van with chrome truk nutz would be sweet.

 

Pelfreybuilt is a good TW vendor who offers Armor

All-Pro Offroad is another

Depending on the armor requirements, many vendors offer aluminum in addtion to steel which is more $, but you can save a few hundred lbs to extend the range

 

just buy the A-team van?

 

Here's another build that is driving through some terrible roads in Guyana at 70+ with limited repair options

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2005-extreme-tacoma-for-guyana-south-america.248610/

 

Thanks for yours (and everybody elses) thoughts/insights! After a few meetings yesterday, we are now looking at larger ('2500 type') vehicles. Several people have mentioned the Ram, so I don't want to waste anybody else's time with my questions. I still think the Tacoma would have worked well!!!

 

Hey, yeah I know it's a bit unorthodox. I said in a previous post that we normally just provide fleet vehicles to port and mining firms. Vans, trucks, etc. We would arrange for decals, install work computers or GPS, and then provide a ready-to-use product. In looking for new business, we thought we would try our hand at something outside the box, and since this contract is only asking for 4 vehicles, it's a nice small # to work with. Truth be told, we don't expect to be selected at all, but figured we'd get at least a few things on paper so we can learn from and try again in the future.

We obviuosly have other contacts we're reaching out to, but on the recommendation of a friend who said there was a big enthusiast community for vehicle modifications and upgrades, I made an account and asked for ideas. If it comes across as unprofessional, I apologize. Reaching out to the people who use their Tacomas every day made sense to me!

 

If in fact this is legit - you need to push back for clarification on those bidding requirements.

A three foot water crossing is pretty insane and would require a LOT of water proofing.

And an 18 inch high obstacle is VERY vague. It's pretty easy to set up a lifted 4x4 to be able to drive over an 18x18x18 block - as long as it's not perfectly cubed and there are "steps" up one side and down the other. Clearing an 18" high step that's wider than the vehicle crossing it - is a little more advanced. An 18" high wall type obstacle starts to have serious interference issues with the rear drive shaft unless taken at just the right angle.

Ask for photos or videos of the actual terrain to be traversed. Surely the company seeking bids has some idea of where they're planning on actually driving them, and what obstacles are actually present there.

 

Don't really know what to say here...
I came to a public forum as one part a larger effort to put together a (hopefully) viable bid. I was asking here because, in my mind, this is where a lot of knowledge resides... as well as some skepticism! But that's OK, and I understand I maybe didn't go about this the right way. Not trying to violate anybody's trust, and I appreciate all the input that was provided.

 

Check out this video. Some of the more insane crossings are *almost* three feet deep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcLJ3aEicOI