Expedition Vehicle

[Di0n]

So early next year I am looking at building an expedition vehicle. I am a toyota guy through and through so I will be staying true to my roots. What I can't decide is what vehicle to choose. I previously has a 4x4 Toyota Hiace camper which I loved, but it lacked ground clearance particularly in the front with the IFS. A Landcruiser Troop Carrier would also be nice but they are very expensive and not very roomy inside compared to the Hiace. My third option I'm considering is a Dyna Van (which I asked about in another thread) with a front diff installed where the 'I' beam axle currently sits.
So my options are:

A Landcruiser.
-Can they be found for under $10000 in good condition?
-How much would a pop top conversion cost?

A Hiace.
-Is there a way to get a significant lift from the IFS?
-Is a SAS possible?

A Dyna.
This is my favourite because they are very roomy and built tough. Pretty sure most of the mechanical parts are landcruiser so should be widely available. But
-Does anyone know if the 4x4 Dyna truck had low range?
-Would putting a front diff in this be harder than an SAS Hiace?

[nzlux]

Have you thought about a Hilux ute, either with a camper or frame and tarpaulin (depending on how comfortable you want to be) on the back?

Im thinking about something like this for my single cab hilux http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 158062.htm

[IcedJohnno]

I drive a mid 80's 4 x 4 Dyna 400 light tipper on occasions. Belongs to my Ski Club, Broken River.
Yes it has low range, yes it is very low in 1st lo! Will climb the side of a house, even with 3 tonnes of shingle on board!

Not sure that they would be that great as a true off-road expedition vehicle. They are not light, do not have a great deal of ground clearance up front, and whilst reasonable flexible in their suspension for a light truck, they do not have great articulation.
This style of Dyna cruises at 80km/h and is all over at 105. It has much heavier diffs than an 80 series.

I have always thought that getting a KZJ-78 Landcruiser Prado Chassis and putting a Hiace van body on it would make a good off-roader camper. Would have great up-front vis as well.

Edit; they have a solid axle in the front, again beefier than the 80 series.

[rokhound]

Get a flatdeck ute and a pop-top camper .Peel the wheels off the camper and bang it on the back of the ute. Easy

[skid]

a thought thats been running thru my dreamy mind a few times is to get a 4wd truck and build a camper/expedition vehicle

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trucks/ ... 260924.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trucks/ ... 786122.htm

[Di0n]

a thought thats been running thru my dreamy mind a few times is to get a 4wd truck and build a camper/expedition vehicle

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trucks/ ... 260924.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trucks/ ... 786122.htm

I love this idea, but because of the sheer size of these trucks it makes shipping them very expensive, as well as maintenance and parts.

[skid]

or just get a simple hilux or landcruiser flatdeck

then hook up with the manufacturers of these tents and get it made to suit your deck height

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/camping ... 932535.htm


could even put drawers etc under tent on deck for kitchen stuff etc etc

[Fakey]

Where are you?
Have you checked out the expedition forums on ih8mud.com or pirate4x4.com
Or even any of the ozzy sites, there are some great camper setups/conversions over here.

[Di0n]

I'm currently in Europe backpacking but I usually live in Whangarei, NZ. I'm signed up on expeditionportal.com I haven't looked on ih8mud or pirate 4x4 yet.

As for the tents I prefer to sleep inside the vehicle for a few reasons; in an emergency you just hop into the drivers seat and drive, no need to leave the vehicle. You have more security. You can sleep in the vehicle in a city without drawing attention.

Slide on campers are another thing a looked at but without some cutting of the cab you don't get access between the camper and cab.

[KIWI_TERRANO]

There was a few converted troopy campers in new zealand, i know they still do them in auz, i got photos somewhere of a singlecab landy that he had built a box on that you could go through cab to get into or via rear door had pop top on box, fold down double bed and then a wee kitchen and fridge etc

[Ralfie]

http://www.earthcruiser.com.au/

Don't come cheap but have everything including kitchen sink.

[Di0n]

http://www.earthcruiser.com.au/

Don't come cheap but have everything including kitchen sink.

These are possibly my favourite vehicle in the world! If I had the money I would be all over this!

[skid]

Check out build thread on here for Diesel Boys landrover 110

[NJV6]

What about a 4WD L300 Van like this styles

[Di0n]

I really like the look and idea of the L300's but I have heard nothing but bad reviews of their reliability, particularly when compared to a Toyota (no offense to any Mitsubishi owners out there). Basically this is the vehicle I want but with toyota parts.

[mercutio]

i reckon the L400 are better looking with pajero running gear just make sure you avoid 2.5 diesel the 2.8 litre diesel has the same reliability as toymota of the same vintage

[mercutio]

http://www.earthcruiser.com.au/

Don't come cheap but have everything including kitchen sink.

If money was no object I would prefer one of these
http://www.mercedes-g-entdecker.com/images_shen/pdf/ENTDECKER_en.pdf

[mack]

earthcruiser you say how about the earthroamer http://earthroamer.com/

[bang-thud-thump]

earthcruiser you say how about the earthroamer http://earthroamer.com/

The missus says we can have one!

Well she said we can sell the house and live in the fkn thing - thats a yes isnt it??

surely?!

[meatc]

When you get back to Whangarei get hold of Mudcamper (or if you cant get hold of him PM me, and I'll put you in touch) this is his

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/oreforums/download/file.php?id=3137&t=1

Custom ali frame and ali cladding, cant remember what it weighed in at but wasn't as bad as I guessed. Powered by Old chev V8

[nzhunter]

http://www.earthcruiser.com.au/

Don't come cheap but have everything including kitchen sink.

These are possibly my favourite vehicle in the world! If I had the money I would be all over this!

Holy Crap I want one, they would be so wicked to travel the world in!!

I drove this through Africa, but a truck of this size to too big to drive down tracks cars/4wds go on.



Otherwise the Pinzgauer trucks the army has could be made into an awesome machine as they fit in car tracks