Expedition Overland feat. 5th gen 4Runners - Central American Expedition - Episodes

[CharlestonFisher]

[MENTION=127069]ncflyer[/MENTION] I didn't ask them. They said they are adding sliders, changing lighting sponsors (possibly), and doing up a brand new Tacoma. Clay said 3 vehicles is the optimal fleet size. 4 is too large and 2 doesn't give enough room for gear. I would imagine if they weren't filming they would just have 2 vehicles.

Also, the fenders look badass but are superficial, Clay used his finger to pry it apart. However, he noted they were really helpful and that the TRD rim stuck out further than stock and he felt the fenders adequately protected the overhang.

 

[LawnDart]

[MENTION=127069]ncflyer[/MENTION] I didn't ask them. They said they are adding sliders, changing lighting sponsors (possibly), and doing up a brand new Tacoma. Clay said 3 vehicles is the optimal fleet size. 4 is too large and 2 doesn't give enough room for gear. I would imagine if they weren't filming they would just have 2 vehicles.

Also, the fenders look badass but are superficial, Clay used his finger to pry it apart. However, he noted they were really helpful and that the TRD rim stuck out further than stock and he felt the fenders adequately protected the overhang.

I'm sure they'll add snorkels when Safari Snorkel releases those. And the fenders are totally cosmetic, they'll add some protection and are easily replaceable at the very least.

 

[Jhalko]

What was the backstory that made it make more sense?

He talked about safety and distance, basically that the areas that got glossed over weren't particularly safe and all they really were able to film was the crossings for those areas as they didn't want to stop! It was also a pretty short distance to get across anyway so they just pushed through. Kurt mentioned they had seen the complaints about border crossings... he also commented that all the Jeep guys hated the episodes with Ivan Stewart and the toyota engineer, pretty funny.

Did you happen to ask if they have to give up the 4runners?

I never asked, a comment was made about them that I don't remember the wording but struck me that they definitely don't own the 4runners. If I were guessing they are leased with the understanding of what they are doing with them but it's likely that if they break anything it's out of their budget not toyota's. All my own speculation...

 

[ben550]

Is there a reason not to find a long term rental of a vehicle while you're there? The diesels are probably going to give you a lot more range in the remote areas.

I agree with you. For most people this would only be realistic by renting a vehicle once you get to your destination. I have done the rental thing and believe it is way more economical/less stressful. Buy the insurance and loss/damage waiver and you don't have to worry about anything. Someone posted that they would need their own vehicle to do a trip like this because of the emotional bond/attachment they would form with it in all their selfies during the drive... that is ridiculous. Rent a truck/suv and drive it. Take pictures. The experience/adventure is what is remembered not what clothes you wore or exact truck you drove.

@chmura I think there's about 100k of us that would love to roll with those guys, but not likely. I think they do speak at some of the expos....even that would be pretty cool!

Go do it! Its very doable. Why not Chile? It will allow you to drive a large portion of South America in a safe environment, no border crossings, huge variety in terrain/geography, etc... That is where I would go if it were me looking to do a trip like this.

1) Take a week off of work
2) Buy a ticket to Santiago, Chile $1600 per person
3) Rent a 5th Gen 4Runner for a week $1125.30
4) Pack only what you will use. (Air mattress, sleep in the back of the 4runner most nights, make friends and eat with the locals most nights in the rural areas, Pack gifts for your new friends... etc...
5) Drive 2,700 miles through mountains, desert, ocean views, gravel roads, river crossings, etc... and enjoy your adventure.

Scrap the GPS and use a map!

If you go with a friend, split the cost of the vehicle and it wont be too much. With food, fuel and some lodging costs when you want to shower etc, it would probably run you $3000 dollars per person. That's really not bad considering its a week and what you're doing.

 

[mattscott]

I would need the rental vehicle to has the following. , roof rack, roof top tent, winch, front bull bar, recovery gear, refrigerator, snorkel, lifted, rear bumper for jerry cans and spare wheel mount, etc, etc. Pretty hard to get a rental that has all that. It would be better to by a used vehicle.

Taking your own vehicle on an expedition like this makes for a much more memorable fun experience. When I am done with the trip I will have tons of photos with the rig. I will probably blow up one of the favorite pictures and hang it in my room and garage. Having a rental would make the trip less special IMO. I'm building my rig for off road overland travel, I sure want to use it for that purpose. Be it in the USA or internationally.



Not looking for a guided tour.

I just finished driving off-road, around Australia. You'd be hard pressed to find a 4X4 rental that wouldn't have all of the above to be honest. They're common as flies (which are really common).

You can get a fully-loaded Troopcarrier ready for anything in OZ in any major city.

You wouldn't have the range required for some of the longer tracks in Australia with a 4Runner. Some of the stuff we did in the Troopcarrier we bought and built tested the range of a diesel with two 90L tanks.

 

[mattscott]

Did you happen to ask if they have to give up the 4runners?

The 4Runners belong to the crew, they'll stay on for many more adventures.

(Matt - Marketing for XO)

 

[jdtaylor42]

I haven't been able to watch any of the older season stuff but I just finished watch the Central America series and I thought it was fantastic. Maybe because I hadn't seen the earlier ones to compare them to? Either way I was thoroughly entertained.

To be honest I would have actually preferred a bit MORE product placement/descriptions of the gear they used. Always nice to get an actual users view on installation and use. I did watch the supplemental video on building the rigs but it was too short and not technical enough for my taste. Overall a fantastic series and just now starting on the Alaska ones.

My wife and sister watched a few of them with me and really enjoyed them as well. They especially liked the episodes that showed the girls doing their race over in Africa!

 

[JEMP1003]

I agree with you. For most people this would only be realistic by renting a vehicle once you get to your destination. I have done the rental thing and believe it is way more economical/less stressful. Buy the insurance and loss/damage waiver and you don't have to worry about anything. Someone posted that they would need their own vehicle to do a trip like this because of the emotional bond/attachment they would form with it in all their selfies during the drive... that is ridiculous. Rent a truck/suv and drive it. Take pictures. The experience/adventure is what is remembered not what clothes you wore or exact truck you drove.



Go do it! Its very doable. Why not Chile? It will allow you to drive a large portion of South America in a safe environment, no border crossings, huge variety in terrain/geography, etc... That is where I would go if it were me looking to do a trip like this.

1) Take a week off of work
2) Buy a ticket to Santiago, Chile $1600 per person
3) Rent a 5th Gen 4Runner for a week $1125.30
4) Pack only what you will use. (Air mattress, sleep in the back of the 4runner most nights, make friends and eat with the locals most nights in the rural areas, Pack gifts for your new friends... etc...
5) Drive 2,700 miles through mountains, desert, ocean views, gravel roads, river crossings, etc... and enjoy your adventure.

Scrap the GPS and use a map!

If you go with a friend, split the cost of the vehicle and it wont be too much. With food, fuel and some lodging costs when you want to shower etc, it would probably run you $3000 dollars per person. That's really not bad considering its a week and what you're doing.

I actually did that in Peru, rented a Suzuki Jimmy, but eneded up with a Diesel Hilux. One thing to note, at least in SA, rentals don't included unlimited milage like most US rentals so that can potentially add up. Was it more convenient to rent yes, but more importantly, it was the fastest, go anywhere car.......in the world ound:

 

[ben550]

I actually did that in Peru, rented a Suzuki Jimmy, but eneded up with a Diesel Hilux. One thing to note, at least in SA, rentals don't included unlimited milage like most US rentals so that can potentially add up. Was it more convenient to rent yes, but more importantly, it was the fastest, go anywhere car.......in the world ound:

That looks awesome.

 

[98WhiteT4R]

Since the last season of XO finished I have re-watched all the seasons because I'm so bored

 

[Spenny]

I haven't been able to watch any of the older season stuff but I just finished watch the Central America series and I thought it was fantastic. Maybe because I hadn't seen the earlier ones to compare them to? Either way I was thoroughly entertained.

Definitely go back and watch the other two seasons. Way better than the most recent to Central America.

Their Alaska trip has me planning my own. Binge watch on the you tubes.

 

[CoolMax]

Expedition Overland: South America Ep1 S3

https://youtu.be/Qu3t0FsTMOA

 

[CoolMax]

Apparently they've been traveling and hosting viewing parties...only if you're cool enough to get invited.hwell:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Apparently they've been traveling and hosting viewing parties...only if you're cool enough to get invited.hwell:

Fwiw Toyota handled the invites for the premier, they invited many staff members as well as a large group of local 4x4/Overland enthusiasts. I see you're in Dallas, I wish you could have made it.


We do have a new season out, it covers our travels from Colombia to Ushuaia. Give it a look. Bounced through this thread a bit again today (and joined finally!) so I'm not sure we're going to appeal the vocal ones here but I'm optimistic many will find it enjoyable and entertaining.

 

[greatape]

Fwiw Toyota handled the invites for the premier, they invited many staff members as well as a large group of local 4x4/Overland enthusiasts. I see you're in Dallas, I wish you could have made it.


We do have a new season out, it covers our travels from Colombia to Ushuaia. Give it a look. Bounced through this thread a bit again today (and joined finally!) so I'm not sure we're going to appeal the vocal ones here but I'm optimistic many will find it enjoyable and entertaining.

Nice to see you take some time on here. The new series is ramping up right and look forward to culture experiences of the team South of Zero.

Scott B, I believe in 2005, he stated his personal definition of expedition vehicle dependent travel and overland travel was well spoken and thought out.

Nice to see the mixture of the two as it has came along thru the years.

 

[Big-Boy]

I've really enjoyed all the episodes, from the early days to the latest.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Nice to see you take some time on here. The new series is ramping up right and look forward to culture experiences of the team South of Zero.

Scott B, I believe in 2005, he stated his personal definition of expedition vehicle dependent travel and overland travel was well spoken and thought out.

Nice to see the mixture of the two as it has came along thru the years.

This the one you're thinking of?
What is Overlanding? | Overland Journal

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

mmmmm cat urine....... [MENTION=200287]RichardDup[/MENTION] :sniper: Jerk

 

[cruiseroutfit]

mmmmm cat urine....... [MENTION=200287]RichardDup[/MENTION] :sniper: Jerk

Hmmm, what did I miss?

 

[blanchard7684]

Great series. I've loved them all.