4x4 Rigs - Long Haul - Photos??

[sparg93]

So I'm thinking of morphing my truck from it's current stage to a 4x4 rig that could disappear in the woods for a few days of camping and 4wheeling and not need to come back out until I was good and ready.

I picked up a 300+page "4wd Action" (Austalia) magazing at Barnes & Noble over the wkd and i'm seriously hooked on the idea. These guys take there small block turbo diesels and literally disappear into the bush for a few weeks!! These trucks run through sand, water holes, etc and camp and check out nature.

These guys have coolers (run off the truck), lights bars, tents (that utilize the roof), etc...IMO, very cool.

With that in mind, I'm looking for a few things:
1) Pictures!! (anyone on this site run a similiar configuration)
2) Any good 4x4 websites?
3) Where can I do this in the EASTERN part of the US??


I'm hoping this new interest if mine will pass soon...i priced out a new bumper + winch and it was $2k+ But it seriously looks like a lot of fun.

 

[19Yukon97]

I recently bought a subscription for 2 4x4 magazines... i cant remember what they are off the top of my head, but pretty much all of the 4x4 magazines are doing these kinds of write-ups. one of my issues that i read specifically talked about the tents and stuff like that. and they give a huge list of these tents. and they had an article on a new tundra and hwo everything worked and stuff. might check out the walmart magazine rack, thats where i got the mags.
Hope that might help a bit,
Nick

 

[skyhighsami]

Get a larger fuel tank. Maybe Titan makes one for your truck. Then the rest is just like any other standard 4x4. Good body protection, winch, dependable drive line and etc. If it were me I'd prep the truck and put all my survival materials in a small lightweight off road trailer and camper. Unless you insist on a tent then a rack on the roof and the cargo area will be your best bet to keep everything you need on hand. With an off-road trailer all your survival stuff could be in there and your cargo area could carry fishing poles, guns, clothes or whatever else. Off-road campers are nice and I seriously doubt you'll be doing extremely hardcore wheeling just more exploration type of wheeling and a camper wouldn't really be that big of an issue

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

thought about the roof top tent a few times myself. still questioning how to go about making it sturdy enough though. not impressed with the factory rack and most aftermarket racks bolt to it.

Exoframed Hoe would be ****!

check out http://www.tacticalarmorgroup.com/ for bumpers. my front bumper came from them (formerly known as kennesaw mountain) and im pretty impressed with it.

Heard some decent reviews on the Promark winches, planning to try one out when im not broke. http://www.promarkoffroad.com/

as far as magazines go, 4wheelparts.com puts out a free subscriptioned magazine that usually has some good articles in it.

if your looking for something online try hitting up some landrover forums (or something of that sort), someone had a crazy awesome link to a couples trip in africa IIRC with a ton of pictures and good info. think it was in the members section.

 

[Popeye]

I hear ya loud and clear, below are something’s u need to know.

The Tahoe does not do well off road, it is too big, too heavy and if not well equipped will not mechanically survive the terrain. Hence, I do not recomend off roading the Tahoe. Personaly, i have a Jeep for that and the Tahoe as the support/camp/expedition vehicle. Useful items that i have on mine are aftermarket Hood rack, dual battery setup, a vehicle extender tent, extra fog/driving lights rear and front, a dual (pintle hook/ball) for towing needs, Water cans and Gas cans (clearly marked), Winch (i have a portable that i use on the Jeep and occasionally on the Tahoe), CB radio, GMRS radio, GPS, a First aid kit, 12v portable air pump, additional 12v outlet (wired to the rear) together with a 110v inverter and fire extinguisher. I also carry a blanket and 12v pluggable flash light. Most of these things are tucked away in to the different Tahoe compartments. On a dime, I can drop the rear seats down flat, inflate a mattress and sleep in the back of the Tahoe. This was in mind when I started building it.

As future mods I am looking to get a Bumper-Dumper setup and add a receiver to the front bumper for emergency front pulls. Mechanicaly, I have also added a leaf in the back for better load capacity and installed 285 ATs for good traction. I am not a believer of after-market bumpers as I am not driving through thick bush.

My buddy has designed two, can carrying racks to clip on to the roof rack and hang 2” away from the rear side windows. Looks mint on the CAD diagram and when I get them done will post some pics. We are planning on doing an expedition on the longest road up north Ontario and we are getting ready. Most of the above mods can be done by yourself with help from write-ups on the web.
See pics in my build thread. Hope this helps.

 

[bigred97]

nice write up

---------- Post added at 11:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

oops

 

[purple 'hoe]

I hear ya loud and clear, below are something’s u need to know.

The Tahoe does not do well off road, it is too big, too heavy and if not well equipped will not mechanically survive the terrain. Hence, I do not recomend off roading the Tahoe.

I don't want to flame you, or clutter this with a childish argument, but I have to disagree with you. With my 2 door, I've never felt where I was in a situation where "I could not handle the terrain in my vehicle, and it would not make it". My Tahoe does great on trails, in mud, snow and other situations. Sure, it's not the "best", but it does it's job like it's suppose to.

 

[sparg93]

I'm seriously considering this rear bumper...what do you guys think? any others you can recommend?
http://www.tacticalarmorgroup.com/T...75/List/1/Level/a/productid/1697/Default.aspx

This is what it looks like on a NBS
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2183/1921/30455960036_large.jpg

I would go with a single gas can (as pictured on tactical website), hi lift holder, LED backup, D rings

I just found a place to play in NJ (pine barrens)...!
http://www.pineypower.com/offroading.htm

For the front winch bumper & roof rack I'm still up in the air over which manufacturer.

 

[SunlitComet]

Good fit four you but maybe have them option some more holes for better lights for different uses.

 

[sparg93]

Good fit four you but maybe have them option some more holes for better lights for different uses.

What did you have in mind??

I also have a set of rectangular white lights that sit below the bumper...they are activated when I shift into rear. (i would keep them there with this bumper as well)