Full list of travel gear that you've got with you

[aleksandrc]

Hey Nick

Greetings from the cold New York!!
This is Alex (I emailed you not so long ago about your little fridge)

Since I'm currently planning to build an expedition 4Runner similar to yours, I would love to know how much stuff (clothing, camping/hiking gear, tools, kitchen stuff, etc ) you've managed to squeeze under the sleeping platform or elsewhere in the truck. Is 1st gen 4Runner bigger (longer) then 3rd? I'm planning to have the rear passenger seats removed...

[Rochelle]

Hi Alex,

It's Rochelle here. I posted a picture of all of our items before we left at the this blogpost: http://ramblewriter.com/ramblings/?p=154 (which is also attached to this post). Most of the items are labeled. However, we added a few items before we left the States, such as:

-- 3 water containers that were stored on the roof rack
-- 2 gas tanks were also stored on the roof
-- Our food bin is not shown here - it is about the same size as the kitchen equipment container.
-- Our medical kit increased in size
-- Nick's tool bag is not shown in this picture
-- We stored a car jack in our bottom storage space as well

For Organization:
The covered plastic storage bin that holds our kitchen equipment worked very well. We also traded the black bin you see in the picture for a metal mesh container that was almost exactly the same height as the bottom storage space (this seems trivial, but will be very important over the course of several months!).

I would strongly suggest that you take enough to only fill your bottom storage compartment. It is important to keep the back of your truck (the top portion that can be seen by outsiders) fairly organized and uncluttered to deter thieves. Also, you are sure to pick up more equipment and stuff along the way, so you might as well be ready for it

And a Few Thoughts on Saving Space and Clothing:
-- Keep the clothes you bring at a minimum, and only bring items that can layer / be worn with any combination of outfits. My silk long underwear worked wonders in cold weather, which was much smaller to pack than numerous sweaters, etc.
-- My only pants were: 1) my cargo pants 2) exercise pants which doubled as "fancy / going out" pants 3) a pair of shorts with multiple pockets 4) a pair of light pajama pants.
-- Buying extremely light, fast-dry underwear will save you a lot of drying time in humid climates (think Central America).
-- Hiking boots and my black Mary Jane Crocs (see Travel Gear posts) were my only shoes

Nick will need to answer the question about the 4Runner size difference, but I hope this helps!

Rochelle

[Nick H-J]

Hey Alex,

I think the 3rd Gen is actually a little bigger than the first. I left the seats in mine, and I could fit everything Chelle listed in there. I also used the rear quarterpanel (where the stock jack is stored, as well as the other side) to store a bunch of spare parts and other bits and pieces. I decided it would be easier to leave my seats in since I don't have access to the under platform area except through the tailgate. with the seats strapped down I have a flat surface to slide things in and out. Also, I wanted to keep them in case I wanted to use them or sell the truck. If it's just you, and you pack smart, you should have NO trouble bringing everything you want without removing the seats. But that would give you move room if you need it.

[red87runnerATX]

I also used the rear quarterpanel (where the stock jack is stored, as well as the other side) to store a bunch of spare parts and other bits and pieces. I decided it would be easier to leave my seats in since I don't have access to the under platform area except through the tailgate. with the seats strapped down I have a flat surface to slide things in and out. Also, I wanted to keep them in case I wanted to use them or sell the truck.

Greetings from Austin!

Nick, I'm running a nearly identical setup as you guys with an '87 4runner. I was wondering if you had a better picture of where you bolted down the pipe flanges for the platform (interior view). My platform is exactly the same (I think I copied you from a goole search months ago),it works great but I haven't decided on a good way to secure it in case of an accident. I find that the storage bins I have all the way near the front seats are a pain in the butt to get at...I end up crawling half way under the platform to reach these far bins. Over the year you guys spent traveling with yours, please tell me you figured out a trick to make this easier!

When you removed the factory bottle jack, did you replace it with a large floor jack for the trip? I'd figure that's the only practical option for use, but it'd just be so dang heavy for my loaded down 22RE...Last question, what kind of spare parts did you carry for the trip and what did you learn you needed, or didn't need? Obviously that can vary from vehicle to vehicle, preventative maintenance and what not, but I'm very curious. Especially since I'd imagine you have a good idea of what parts for these trucks are nearly impossible to find in Central & South America.

I'm loving the website. You guys have inspired me to prepare for a trip thru the Americas...we'll see what happens.

[Nick H-J]

I find that the storage bins I have all the way near the front seats are a pain in the butt to get at...I end up crawling half way under the platform to reach these far bins. Over the year you guys spent traveling with yours, please tell me you figured out a trick to make this easier!

I don't have any other pictures of the underside of the platform. But I did in fact choose to crawl in and pull stuff out all the way down there. It was a question of security for me. I decided I'd rather have the security of having the whole platform bolted down instead of the convenience of having hinges somewhere. I used four points on each of the two pieces of the platform. The front two flanges on the forward piece were bolted to the floor of the back seat area.

When you removed the factory bottle jack, did you replace it with a large floor jack for the trip?

I replaced the stock jack with a High-Lift Extreme that I bolted to the bottom of the platform. I used carriage bolts (secured through the platform with nuts on the bottom) and wing-nuts to hold the jack in place on the bolts.

what kind of spare parts did you carry for the trip and what did you learn you needed, or didn't need?
Especially since I'd imagine you have a good idea of what parts for these trucks are nearly impossible to find in Central & South America.

You can see a list of the parts I took here: http://ramblewriter.com/buythetruck.htm

Parts are easy to get in central america, and in SA too, though less so. They are HELLA expensive the further south you go. The only thing I had to replace was an alternator, so it was all just for piece of mind in the end. I will take all the same parts though when I go again.

Thanks for the kudos, keep us abreast of what you get into. I miss the road right now.

[red87runnerATX]

Gotcha. That totally makes sense...I might actually go ahead and bolt my platform down the same way then. The only thing that worries me is if the battery drains and I can't get the rear window & tailgate down (recently happened). Now I know not to keep my jumper cables underneath the platform! Real pain in the ass. I guess once by dual battery setup is finished I shouldn't need to worry.

The cost of parts farther south makes me wonder if it would make sense for me to ship my vehicle down first, then drive back to the US from South America...is there a reason you guys drove South, then shipped North? Most likely, parts and maintenance for me wouldn't happen until I get further North which would be cheaper, right? How much did it cost you guys to container ship your rig from South America? Thanks for the quick reply, and the great info! It's really appreciated.

[Nick H-J]

It might be easier to drive north and then you wouldn't have to deal with shipping north which was a bit tricky. It was about $3000 all said and done to ship north (that was splitting a 40' container with another vehicle). It might be cheaper to ship south as some of that was US Customs clearance. Though shipping in a 20' container by yourself will be somewhat more expensive. I recommend you look at the shipping info on the blog and contact the company we used in B.A. for shipping. They were great. We just decided to drive south, we were trying to sell the truck down there. We ended up selling it to a US resident and shipping it back to him. If you are planning on shipping one way, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Though there are more people driving south than north as far as I can tell. That might mean you could find someone to ship around the Darien with.

[red87runnerATX]

So it cost you guys around $3000 to ship from Argentina to where in the US?

[Nick H-J]

That was B.A. to Norfolk VA. But that would get you to any major port of call on the eastern side of the Canal. That was including all the port costs that the shipping companies don't quote you for and you have yo pay out of pocket.