TheCochese's Project Con Queso

Now I have to decide to spend the roughly $100 or so and get these Open Country A30s transferred to the new wheels, or take that money towards new tires and try to sell the old as a set.

I would also have to decide which tires to get. I think I have an idea, but I could always bide time by making the smart decision and swapping.

 

Now that there has been some movement on the wheels, I have two trains of thought to keep this thread moving. I can share my love of underappreciated vehicles or I can discuss long term plans.

Long term wins for today.

I bought this truck to be utilitarian overall, but I also bought it with the intent to one day travel with it. I'm loathe to use the term overlanding, since it seems that once people got bored with #vanlife this was the next best thing. But it is as close to a simple explanation as I can make it. I have a great love for landmarks, both natural and man-made. I want to see the Rockies. I want to see the multi-colored hues of the Arizona rock walls. The Pacific Northwest. I want to drive that road in Mammoth Lake that is in movies. I want to see the desert, real snow, walk across the Golden Gate again.

To do these things I need a capable vehicle. One that can run 600 miles on the interstate and go on service road to reach a campsite. I'd rather not have to set up ground tents every night, so RTTs are a consideration. So is a trailer. This is very early stage stuff, though. I don't want to do extreme body or suspension mods. This still needs to look and function like a truck when not travelling. This will be a daily driver for 10+ years.

Just throwing things out there at this point.

 

I can't recommend sight seeing in Utah highly enough. The parks are amazing (and crowded at times) but with a 4x4 you can get away from that. Check out the Burr Trail and Capitol Reef. Hwy 12 from Bryce Canyon to Torrey is probably my favorite road in the US. The local Utah group has good info as well.

PS, Moab can be a expensive shitshow.

 

Yes, Utah as well. I also want to invade Canada.

 

Something we did two summers ago was a midwest road trip. Atlanta to St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, middle MN, and Chicago. I dreaded it for weeks, but it was actually so much fun. Stayed in hotels, which was appropriate for the vehicle we were driving and having the kids with us. I'm not sure that will ever happen again (and that thought brings some sadness), but we'll always have that memory.

I unfortunately don't think this is a good road trip candidate with five people. Hell, four either. Wife and I would probably be the only occupants.

 

I was hoping to receive word about the wheels today, but I doubt it. Which now really means Monday.

 

Tires ordered for whenever these things show up.

Going to start saving money for the TRD skid and some sliders next.

 

I think the ultimate long term plan will be to fabricate a trailer. This would be base camp with either a RTT on top, or sleeping quarters within. I'd prefer the usefulness of a kitchen and storage with sleeping above, but that's me. The trick is what the route is to get to this point, because I don't have anywhere to store it even if I had the money to begin immediately.

My concern with doing a bed rack isn't the fact that I'd have to take it down to explore, but the lack of weather-resistant storage I trade off with it. A topper is an option, but AFAIK I'd have to reinforce it for RTT use. It also doesn't get the bro points that a rack does.

Oh well, thoughts for down the road.

 

No need to make us all bored.

 

It was like that when I got here.

 

Missing one tire, have an appointment in the morning for the install. Was hoping it would be today, but I will have to be satisfied with getting the tint replaced.

Super friendly and professional, going to go back at some point and have either 50 or 70% applied to the rear to gain the UV and heat properties. Might end up with the back slightly darker again, but I'm sold on the stuff up front. Like looking through polarized glasses. I miss those.

 

Quote of the day:

Money might not be able to buy happiness, but it can fend off the crushing depression for a bit.

-Me

 

Not the best pic, but I was excited to get a good look shortly after I left the tire shop.

 

They look great, perfect color.