Driving a Tacoma around the world

Yes, the 2020 Pro wheels are available now at selected dealerships but the center caps are not in inventory yet. I just purchased a set online.

 

Wider tires are also silly, especially for RTW travel. OEM width, backspacing, etc. is the way to go for third world travel.

 

Question: Why your Taco? I haven't read the whole thread, so apologies if this has been discussed. Did you try getting vehicle sponsorship in exchange for documenting your trip? Around the world. That's monumental. ANY marque would jump at the chance of such inexpensive advertisement, and should provide stellar equipment for your use. Heck, I put out feelers for filming and documenting a boat adventure and three companies jumped at providing rigged boats for the journey. The last two of us going still have to retire, but as soon as we do, it's on. Around the world?! Man they oughta' be all over you!

 

I thought the same. This trip is crying out for a sponsorship deal.

 

I hate to say it, but for the few videos you see of sponsored people doing their thing, there are thousands and thousands who go around the world for years and years on end and you'd never know it because they don't spend the whole trip documenting and sharing. Some people love to, some don't. Fun either way!

IF you first get on the trip and start documenting and getting a large following and many eyeballs on your trip, THEN you can get sponsors.

I've been Word and Stateside Traveling for the last dozen years or more. No free stuff here haha. It's too much work and makes it no fun to try and get attention for it (just one person's perspective and opinion). I love taking photos and making videos of "portions" of our trips, but man, the work that goes into fully documenting day to day life on a trip of that magnitude, no thanks. Not worth it for a free bumper or whatever. Travel light and have fun, OP

 

I agree. I’ve been amazed that how well skinnies work in the deep Botswana sand, think Kalahari desert. Wondering about the SCS Ray 10 vs the 2020 TRD pro rims, which would be better? You’ll laugh but thinking of white powder coating them, seriously

 

mind telling me the damage amount??

 

I found mine for $196 each (center caps should be available in November).

 

yah, it was mentioned starting on thread #34 but fun to hear your thoughts. We are considering it. @BuzzardsGottaEat hits it on the head. Many people are doing this, but not that many can make money at it. We would like to do it just for fun and to encourage others to follow either in our tracks or vicariously through us. Very happy though to have some sort of sponsorship and have in fact received some help from long-range automotive for our 33 gallon tank and our Steel Mann seats. Considering we don’t have many people following us yet on Instagram or Tacomaworld, Haha we have our work cut out for us. We felt we needed to build a vehicle To show that we’re serious and then inquire about sponsorships. Right now both of us are still working and have not told our employers yet and won’t do so until January, they’re going to crap their pants when we tell them . We need to keep this under wraps until then.

From what I’ve been researching a Tacoma hasn’t driven around the world yet.

 

nice we’re those for the 16*8 rims?

 

@Round the world what is your instagram handle? You might consider putting it in your signature so you can get the word out. I'm sure plenty of people will want to follow your adventures.

 

Good suggestion and will do that after our big Reveal in January but need to keep it under wraps until then. Believe we’d like to do it now, holding this back from our employers is difficult, ethically

 

Totally understand. Can't wait to follow the adventure!

 

Understood, yours sounds like it should work well! We are blessed that a member of our circle has a video production company. He has done corporate pieces for almost forty years. His body of work opens the doors. It is his reputation and participation that gifts us the up-front legitimacy to attract the interest of sponsors. I fully understand that you may not want to be encumbered by additional personnel on your quest. In our case Wayne is a core life member of our "Hunter Thompson" gang of 60+ year old 20-somethings, so we probably wouldn't even consider going it if he wasn't included.

Our aim is not to make money but to live the dream, have a post-retirement adventure and still break even while enjoying the use of other's equipment that they would like us to feature. If Wayne can market it for profit, so much the better.

 

I used the part number above, PT946-35200-02; not sure what they actually look like as I am in PA and my truck and camper (being built) are in AZ. When I ordered them my Prescott, AZ dealer said there were 8 at Toyota in LA, they came in right away. I ordered 5 of them.

 

Nice and thanks for the link. Do you know what size the rims are (16”*8” etc)? I’m looking to downsize from 17” to 16”

 

FIFY

 

Some great guides for offroading and other info that may be helpful:
http://www.outbackcrossing.com.au/

 

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