Hello Everyone, Let me start off by saying that I recently entered the world of expedition vehicles. I have always been one to ride with my buddys down a trail. I have always been big into side by side mud runs and mud trenches.

But I recently saw a episode of Xtreme 4x4 when they were doing a jeep grand cherokee for a expedition rig. It started to get me thinking about building something that i could do stuff like that.

But the down fall is that i am on a bit of a tight budget. I will be getting a 1984 chevy fullsize reg cab long bed for free. But I am a little bit stand offish so to say about building that into a expedition rig and here is why

1.) The engine size being a 350 carb its gonna use alot of fuel

2.) The size of the truck being a 8ft bed and reg cab not being able to fit down tight trails

I got some ideas like swapping out to a custom made flat bed that i would make myself and a custom tool box. So I can store my tools straps chains extra fuel have on board air etc. The reason i like the 8ft bed it would eliminate most of the issues like a sleeping area which elminates my need for a tow behind which i dont have the money for.

Well anyways let me know your opinions and ideas would like to her them

You can get fairly decent fuel economy out of the engine you have. You can change the Carb, can, intake, and fuel type to balance power and economy. If you used a 2 bbl Carb it would help out and make the engine fell crisp. Plus fewer Carb parts equals less failure points.

Let me start by saying that when you are thinking in terms of an "expedition" or "overland' style rig you first start by changing your mindset.
Toss away your concerns about tight trails as you are planning to be out in a remote area so breaking your rig is bad. If the trail is too tight you turn around and explore somewhere else. The fun of an overland rig is the exploring, not the trail obstacles.

Another issue is range, now yes you will not be getting great mpg but you will have a simple and reliable setup and that is super important. Your platform can handle an aux fuel tank or lots of jerry cans easily.

An 8ft bed is golden as you mention since you can add simple topper and have a sleep inside setup with room for a fridge, water & fuel supply, tools, food/kitchen gear and all of it is safe & secure.

You don't mention where you are & where you want to explore and that makes it hard to offer info.

Most important is to just get out and go...most people spend WAY too much time & money in the driveway/garage vs actual trail time. Just start with the simple setup you have and get out there exploring. Add what you need as you learn you need it.

For me a fridge is item #1 as I don't need ice, food stays fresh & dry and the Arizona desert means a cool beverage is heaven.
Dual batteries come next to power the fridge.
Then good tires and a small/simple air compressor so I can air down & up to meet trail conditions. I love my Extreme Outback tire repair kit as I can fix almost anything tire related in a small package.

I am taking my current (3rd) overland build slower than all the rest partly due to the fact that I know what works for me and what doesn't and partly to enjoy the rig in various stages. Right now I am fairly stock & simple but more fun is in the works.

Please tell us where you are and where you want to go and how long you want your trips to be so we can offer more info.

Remember the golden rule to overland vehicle building: the last part modified is the first to break. My favorite expo truck I ever wheeled was an FJ cruiser on 33's, with stock wheels, a spacer lift, ARB bumper and winch. Otherwise bone stock. It has 200 miles on it the first time it went off-road, and was by far the most reliable thing I ever had the pleasure of taking on the trail.

The best overland vehicle is the one which is kept closest to stock. The Chevy doesn't have the features you want? Buy a truck that came that way stock.

I'd also be very hesitant to take a free truck into the middle of nowhere, in fear it would break down 100 miles from the next person.

A free '84 chevy is going to cost you 3 times as much as a $2000 Fuel injected chevy.

A free '84 chevy is going to cost you 3 times as much as a $2000 Fuel injected chevy.

3 times as much what?

fuel?

parts?

headaches?

All of it. It's an 84 chevy.

It's not like he is building a rock crawler and can just cut off the rusty parts and is going to replace all the drivetrain.

They are loud on the highway, ride like shit, have little creature comforts.....

It probably needs $1000 in seals, joints, wiring, fuel pump, water pump, radiator, oils, brakes, brake lines, shocks, wheels, tires, etc. etc. etc.

Now most trucks will need a once through just the same, but the actual vehicle will be a hell of a lot better to begin with. IMHO, one would be way ahead buying some mid 90's and up truck/suv and starting there for an expo rig.

Of course this is still current a free country so do as you want. I have built old chevy's and at the end of the day it's still an old chevy. Why not start with something a little more comfortable.

Sorry havent been on. Got alot of other things going on. I should have mentioned that for being a 84 chevy it really doesn't need that much. The truck was very well taken care of. My neighbor is taking the plow pump, plow piston and the transmission and tranfer case out of it, so that leaves me with any option of transmissions that I want to to put in. Found alot of them in my area that are inexpensive. As far a creator comforts go it isn't that hard to find cheap seats and modify the bunch seat bracket. I like the ride of the older trucks better then the newer ones. I dont feel like I am in a car when I am in a truck. I don't need alot of comforts lumbar and heated seats. and sound can be controlled by running roofing ice and water sheld threw out the cab of the truck. And a decent set of mufflers. But as for the bed that is coming off due to the fact that the bed has a wooden floor the wood is all good but i dont think it is going to offer the support on the bed floor that i am looking for. So I have an idea for a costum 4'X8' flat bed that will surve mulitpal purposes. Plus all my buddies have heavy trucks and I know I am going to get called for recoveries.

I live in New Hampshire so alot of the trails are wooded areas, so little concerned about tight trails

But keep the ideas coming really appricate them thanks!

Sorry havent been on. Got alot of other things going on. I should have mentioned that for being a 84 chevy it really doesn't need that much. The truck was very well taken care of. My neighbor is taking the plow pump, plow piston and the transmission and tranfer case out of it, so that leaves me with any option of transmissions that I want to to put in. Found alot of them in my area that are inexpensive. As far a creator comforts go it isn't that hard to find cheap seats and modify the bunch seat bracket. I like the ride of the older trucks better then the newer ones. I dont feel like I am in a car when I am in a truck. I don't need alot of comforts lumbar and heated seats. and sound can be controlled by running roofing ice and water sheld threw out the cab of the truck. And a decent set of mufflers. But as for the bed that is coming off due to the fact that the bed has a wooden floor the wood is all good but i dont think it is going to offer the support on the bed floor that i am looking for. So I have an idea for a costum 4'X8' flat bed that will surve mulitpal purposes. Plus all my buddies have heavy trucks and I know I am going to get called for recoveries.

I live in New Hampshire so alot of the trails are wooded areas, so little concerned about tight trails

But keep the ideas coming really appricate them thanks!

Ok, so you basically want and old shitty chevy to drive into the mountains with. Have fun.

I will have fun THANKS!!! See the benefit that I get is that I can put in any transmission and transfer case combo that i want without having to do the extra work of dropping the ones that are in there. And having to put another one in. Plus I can rebuild it before I put it in there. Secondly I like the fact that you don't know or can't read...I break it down for you....Notice I say "SOUND can be CONTROLLED by running roofing ice and water shield through out the cab and a decent set of mufflers" No where in that statement mentions ANYTHING about ROT.. The ice and water shield will take a lot of road noise out...
I also like the fact you think that New Hampshire is all mountains i think the flat lands are starting to get to your head

But if you want to send me money or a free truck that is up to your standards feel free I'd accept free money and another truck!!!

I will have fun THANKS!!! See the benefit that I get is that I can put in any transmission and transfer case combo that i want without having to do the extra work of dropping the ones that are in there. And having to put another one in. Plus I can rebuild it before I put it in there. Secondly I like the fact that you don't know or can't read...I break it down for you....Notice I say "SOUND can be CONTROLLED by running roofing ice and water shield through out the cab and a decent set of mufflers" No where in that statement mentions ANYTHING about ROT.. The ice and water shield will take a lot of road noise out...
I also like the fact you think that New Hampshire is all mountains i think the flat lands are starting to get to your head

But if you want to send me money or a free truck that is up to your standards feel free I'd accept free money and another truck!!!

Ok I get it I think,

The benefit of a truck with no drivetrain is you don't have to waste 2 hours taking it out to freshen it up. Got it.

And to help with the sound you're going to go to lowes and buy some sticky rubber sheets. Got it.

So you don't have a budget that would allow you to buy a $2000 trailer or a $2000 truck, but.....You have the budget to spend

$1000 on a tranny and tcase
$500 on drivelines
$300 on exhaust
$500 on some sort of 'lift'
$??? on a flatbed with tool boxes
$??? on surprises, tune up, misc, etc., etc.

And that is a very short list of what you will be buying.


I also like the fact you think that New Hampshire is all mountains i think the flat lands are starting to get to your head

I really don't even know what that means. I read it a couple times and can't figure it out.

But the part I am really confused on is if you're so fucking smart about what you are going to do then why did you start this thread and not a build thread?

And if you're so fucking confident in your plan why the fuck did you say. "But I am a little bit stand offish so to say about building that into a expedition rig and here is why"

And what exactly is your budget? Cause you logic doesn't make much sense.

The best overland vehicle is the one which is kept closest to stock. The Chevy doesn't have the features you want? Buy a truck that came that way stock.

This is the ignorance I hate among the "Expo" crowd. If it breaks because you modify it, then maybe you should learn how to work on shit better, or maybe use some parts because they are designed to do what it's intended for and not whats on a budget, on sale or marketed to the herd as.

cars where built cheaply 30 years ago and they are built just as cheaply today. And no, a carb will not be more reliable or easier to work on then an EFI vehicle.

Not to sound like I'm pointing this at you, but I'm just sick of hearing the keep it stock, keep it reliable BS.

Carbs work just fine. I went 100k on a Holley BBD clone. Probably had never been messed with by 174K when It got relagated to ayard truck. If I was going to run an expo truck with a carb I would choose a Factory 2bbl (flame away) Autolite rochester holley carter whatever. simple easy to work on, reliable.

I am not suggesting to turn away from a TBI or Multiport injection system.

A free chevy that used to have a plow. Unless its already got a D60F you will proably need to go through that front end Joints, seals BJs, all that jazz.
Your front frame rail around the steering box it probably all cracked. The brakes are probably wasted. The frame rails are probably rotted paper thin around the rear main Spring hangars. Is it a half ton? 44F 10b rear or a pir of 10s.
Did the truck have a manual or an auto?

My suggestion is this, put a decent fleetside bed on it, get a cap, change the transmission xmember to something that doesnt hang below the framerails put som 33-950s or 1050s on it an LSD in both ends (not lockers) some skids, some decent nerf bars, and drive smart. You arent going to be wanting to get all hardcore with 800lbs of camping gear (cooler stove, laundry bedding recovery stuff, Fishing poles, ect ect ect) in the bed.

If youre just going to be carrying a days worth of food&Laundry and a sleeping bag you can do that all in a beater ex cab toyota on 31s and the regular junk; lockers, 4.70 case, winch just fine.