Driving a Tacoma around the world

Many people touching on gear here...I haven't read every page in this thread but here it goes

I'd suggest making your truck look "friendly" in some way. Depending on region, any truck that could be construed as govt, military or police might draw unwanted attention. livery and decals can go a long way

Keep all vehicle documentation in a binder, include copies of plates. passes and passports and all other records.

keep some cash on hand in a very, very safe and hidden location in case you need to buy your way out of trouble with locals / police

Depending on region, your vehicle might be subject to a surprise search for food that is not to enter that region, drugs .etc. Keep any valuables safe.

If there are laws in place surrounding travel restrictions and or curfews, try to adhere to them even if local authorities look the other way.

First aid is a MUST, so is self defense training.

Fuel could be an issue in some areas. Lack of filling stations or them targeting you for more money because you are a foreigner. Also, contaminated fuel is a thing... I've seen dudes pack in a spare filter or two.

Also, bring an assortment of bolts for suspension, drive shafts .etc dont let a broken bolt leave you stranded. Added weight is added stress to your rig

 

Ah yes thanks for fixing

 

I would like to think that I know everything, but I’m sure I don’t. So thank you very much!

 

. Yes sir, am building quite a list of parts, tools sized for the truck, trying to get an online manual

wow! Lots of good thinking here.

 

All in good humor. . Hats off to your for the testicular fortitude to attempt this. And probably two hats off to the Mrs for doing it with you.

 

No problem! Although I had to look that acronym up making me feel old, man! Worst case realistic scenario is we abort the mission with our tail between our legs. Next week it's shots, gotta get the yellow fever vaccine

 

Don’t worry, I had to look it up 6 months ago.

 

If you are going to start a thread for your adventure, please post a link here. I look forward to living vicariously through you. I’ve spent a bit of time in developing nations, my suggestion; take some sort of hard candy with you, like wherther’s originals or something, it’s a great gift for children you meet along the way.

 

Thank you! I will post a link. Time for us is getting short, only 10 weeks until we come out and tell our respective employers.

I wonder about giving candy, I mean I love sweets esp dark chocolate. I wonder if it sets up expectations in the kids for future travelers, would make us heros in their eyes now though

 

It may not be in your budget or convenient for you to bring with, but I have a little Fujifilm instax printer (not the camera, the printer) and you can take photos on your phone and then print them (I use my fujifilm mirrorless camera, then to phone, then print), and in some countries kids don’t have a photo of themselves or of their families or friends. It’s a cool little gift to leave behind to say thank you.

The nice thing about the printer is you can have better image quality and print multiple of the same photo. The instax cameras aren’t good quality and you don’t have a lot of control of the photo turning out well or the ability to edit it before printing ha.

here’s the printer we use

Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2 Color Mobile Printer (Silver)

https://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-INSTAX-SP-2-Printer-Silver/dp/B01GTKG6RA

Just an idea!

 

Oh! now you're cooking with gas. That's a damn good idea!

 

GVWR := GVWR - 5.2lbs.

Probably well worth it though.

 

If you mean fabrication as if I am still putting the final touches on the truck then you are correct. As in I still have to put on a second set of S2 Baja Design lights as floods, put in the water purification system behind the driver's seat, and put on an ARB snorkel. Getting ready to do some new postings on the progress. sorry I've been slacking.

 

Oh on January 7th, I'm announcing my retirement to my boss.

 

On January 8th you’ll have short-timer’s disease, or 2 weeks paid off.

 

Yup! Either way I'm good. Most likely they'll realize that I'm putting them in a bind but that's the way it goes

 

Hi, I've been following your posts. How did it go with your bosses and how are things coming along

 

Thanks Hugh. A week ago last Thursday I told my boss not to bother with writing my annual job evaluation cause I was retiring in three months. He was shocked but quickly recovered and congratulated me. He was actually very into the details of our upcoming trip. I’ve also been pleased that our president (he’s my bosses boss) has been very cool about it, he even joked about me now cancelling my hair cut appointments; I wear my hair a bit longer than most people in my industry. Today, we met a realtor who we’ve known who’s going to list our house. He suggested we list the house in a month - its getting real! Last night we’ve started getting bids for shipping the truck to Rotterdam.

 

Have a couple extra seats? My wife and I are dying in this South Dakota winter haha.

 

Ha! That's why we bought the access cab and not the double cab. Didn't want to have to give an excuse as to why we didn't have room with the double cab.

I've only seen 7 above this winter for a low. But this week we've had 5' of new snow along my commute. I imagine its chilly there