Driving a Tacoma around the world

Thanks!

Nope, those are all in the past, but definitely not forgotten!

 

Hi Jeff! Thanks for following, I'm honored.

Here's what my son, please realize he's been building Legos since he was three and he's now a computer engineer, so it may not be easy. Here's a quote: I used Lego Digital Designer to build the truck, then exported the BOM (parts list) to Bricklink.com and ordered the parts.

 

I agree! I looked long and hard at trying to figure out how to buy a Hilux, import it to the States and then modify it for the camper. But the stumbling block was where to register it as it cannot be it in the US. Being a US citizen driving a car registered to some other country while in a third country scene is to me problematic

I still drool over them when I see them

 

My dream has always been to arrange secure, dry storage at certain points and fly to "visit" and continue in the truck. It can make ownership both better and worse, and also not necessarily US registration dependent. Since 70 series troopies are now in range for import, that's the current dream (as I look at my FJ62 outside with the 1HZ diesel swap and 50G tank in it). I'm also enjoying the 2nd gen Tacoma for trips and especially long driving legs, but it has a lot more technology and complex system dependencies to make certain things, that I find useful, function. Like 4wd.

 

That dream sounds very doable, when’s it going to happen? I love the 70 series double cab pickup version. I looked long and hard on doing a diesel swap into the Tacoma from Diesel Toys but couldn’t justify the $26,000 cost.

 

Not all is easy peasy. During the cool to cold nights we usually wake up to moisture on the plastic wood strips which are on the ceiling and developed mold



While I have been using bleach solution to wipe it off with occasionally it’s gotten worse so now we painted the strips



Even though we applied an anti-mold paint and let it stay warm for 24 hours the paint is now starting to flake off…

 

Did you scuff it with a Scotchbrite pad or sandpaper first? If not, I'd try that next time, need to give the paint some roughness to cling to. And thanks for sharing your adventure.

 

See if you can get your hands on a box of TSP (trisodium phosphate). It's usually sold in hardware stores as a paint prep chemical.

Mix a gallon container of 1:4 bleach solution (1 quart bleach, 3 quarts water) and mix in one cup of TSP.

It's a known mold killer, inhibitor, and will also clean/prep your flaking paint.

 

NO, I DID’NT!!

I kick myself as I know better. So now I have to scrape it off and start over, oh well.

Awesome! We'll give it a try and I'll let you know how it goes

 

Swaps are rarely worth it unless you have a very specific purpose. Mine was extending range to 1000mi. (ok and the little turbo boost to help on passes and at altitude, but that was a pretty easy add overall). I also had some convenient access to decent components and a good friend motivated to start a business. Valley Hybrids in Stockton is another good source for things like this as an aside. Georg has made conversion components and has been swapping vortecs and Toyota diesels for decades.

To me, having a platform that you can reliably get major parts and consumables trumps a lot of the pushing for fuel economy or less complexity of a mechanical diesel system. 26k is a lot of gas you can buy (and border crossing fees!) and not have to go to Japanese oem sources for parts. I try to lay it out to a lot of 80 series owners that want diesels, advising them to just get a LRA tank or rear bumper for cans and go have fun. That's been my Tacoma approach- 34G tank and 10G on the rear bumper if I need 500 miles offroad.


Some day... I do like the 75/79 series build, like what maltec does.

 

I didn’t realize that Valley Hybrids did engine swaps although that makes he’s into pretty much everything Toyota. He installed our LRA tank, a first in a long bed access cab. I to need at least 500 mile range so to augment the 34 gallons we have 8 gallons capacity in two installed rotopax



We’re now averaging 15 mpg puttering around Ireland on mostly back roads

 

Conwy Castle, Wales

Although, as expected, there’s an almost unlimited number of castles in England/Wales/Scotland/Ireland, we’re finding out our favorites are the ones that are unrestored which allow us to use our imagination.




Snowdonia National Park in northeast Wales, quite beautiful!


My wife, Dawn found out there’s no bottom to a Welsh peat bog. Temperatures in the mid 40s. Must not step on the bright green moss

 

here’s something on Expedition Portal classifieds:

https://expeditionportal.com/overland-classifieds-2012-land-rover-defender-td4-with-globe-camper/

 

Only a hundred grand! What a deal!

 

Unfortunately long duration, as opposed to week-ender rigs, expedition builds are always very expensive that's why we sold our house to buy ours.

 

It's unfortunately british.

 

Took the ferry to Ireland!

Beautiful Rock of Cashel




The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's most spectacular historic sites with multiple castles built on the site starting in the 4th century. This one is only from the 12th century, haha! It’s a must-see if you go

 

If you get a chance, check out New Newgrange it's pretty awesome.

 

Thanks Dirk! Yes, we did check out NewGrange! So much history there! The site which is a burial tomb is over a 1,000 years older than Stonehenge or the pyramids!

 

I love that you guys are back on the road! Looks like you’re having a blast as always