What are your thoughts on this? Possible expo-rig

[wesfab]

I just stumbled across this forum. I instantly fell in love with the concept of Expedition Vehicles. It combines two things ive done my whole life, and i cant believe i didnt realize this before.

Here are my two candidates for my "expo-build"

First is my '71 Jeepster Commando. 101" wheelbase, 35"tires, AWD, 350/350/205. It has proven itself to be more than capable off-road.


Second, i have a '63 Scout 80 AWD. I recently got this home, my grandfather bought it new. Thus far i have swapped in the larger 196 4cyl engine, updated the starting system, and converted it from a 1-bbl to a 2-bbl carb. Front seats have been upgraded to buckets from a '02 Nissan X-terra. Future plans are mild lift and 31"x9" tires. If i chose this for my expo- i would make a rack for the roof, put some good bumpers on with plenty of lighting.

[Mo]

how many passengers do you need to carry?

[wesfab]

Normally two, including driver. I do have a rear seat for both, that would leave about 20-30inches behind the rear seat for storage.

edit: the Commando does not have a tail gate

[brained]

An 80 with a 196/t18/d20/d44's is the exact trail rig I'm building. Matched with some type of custom pop out/up tent trailer I'm aiming for running the OBCDR a couple weeks at a time regularly.

[wesfab]

[QUOTE=brained;10589023]An 80 with a 196/t18/d20/d44's is the exact trail rig I'm building. Matched with some type of custom pop out/up tent trailer I'm aiming for running the OBCDR a couple weeks at a time regularly.


QUOTE]

Ive seen this somewhere, most likely on one of the binder forums. With the 80 i would have to swap the stock axles out. No biggy.

I was contimplating one of those "roof tent w/ladder" setups. AND a Bantam/military style trailer.

[brained]

Originally Posted by wesfab

Ive seen this somewhere, most likely on one of the binder forums. With the 80 i would have to swap the stock axles out. No biggy.

I was contimplating one of those "roof tent w/ladder" setups. AND a Bantam/military style trailer.

Yep, I've still got the 27 front axle. I'd like a waggy 44 but even a 30 would be fine for the trail (It'll never be a serious rock crawler). Original powerloc in the rear and a lunch box locker for the front. I keep waffling between an actual roof top tent and something like this with a cargo rack/spare tire bumper on the trailer:


I have only seen a couple of the commando's compared to the 80/800's - Is it rare enough to save from the ninja trees?

[wesfab]

Truthfully, the only thing thats left of the base commando is the frame, the center section of the grill, and the steering column. Everything else is either hand made or swapped in. I made the body from 11ga. steel w/11ga. diamond plate floor. The Jeep is running AWD axles from a 800, 44 rear and 30 front i believe. Did a disk brake conversion up front. So if it was ever "rare" i fucked that up about 10 years ago

ninja trees?

On the other hand, im pretty sure the 80 is a Champaigne Edition. I say this because it came with white shift knobs, door panels, carpet, dash pad, chrome front bumper, head liner. What has me thrown is the radio delete, and the fact that the CE first came out in '64. My gramps DID buy this in '63 though, perhaps it was a '64 model sold in late '63?

[brained]

Originally Posted by wesfab

ninja trees?

?

Those are the ones that you see as you pass by but don't really notice till they're putting a wrinkle down the length of your rear quarter panel.

Sounds like the scout is the rare one How does the interior volume compare between the two? Legroom/Headroom?

[colorado_okie]

/Subscribed

Wesfab,
I'm actually going through a very similar process with my '62 Scout 80. I've scrapped the entire rockcrawler plan as I only plan to use the truck for hunting. Similar concept as yours, only a purpose built hunting rig.

If you end up building the 80 and don't document the build here, rest assured I will find and follow along your build thread! Good luck!

- Randy

[wesfab]

Well over night i've made my decision. Im gonna build the Scout. My Jeep is setup perfectly the way i want it to be, i would hate to change it all around again. That, and the Jeep has a soft top(which i've only used about 6 times in the past 10 years, never when its actually raining)

So the Scout it is! First step is getting the thing driving. Then bumpers and guards, and so on. The body itself will be the last to get done. I'll start a build thread on it. Im still new to this forum, where should i post the build? I doubt this falls into the "hardcore" section with all the flamers

Please, feel free keep this thread going so i can get some more ideas rolling in.

[brained]

Originally Posted by wesfab

Well over night i've made my decision. Im gonna build the Scout. My Jeep is setup perfectly the way i want it to be, i would hate to change it all around again. That, and the Jeep has a soft top(which i've only used about 6 times in the past 10 years, never when its actually raining)

So the Scout it is! First step is getting the thing driving. Then bumpers and guards, and so on. The body itself will be the last to get done. I'll start a build thread on it. Im still new to this forum, where should i post the build? I doubt this falls into the "hardcore" section with all the flamers

Please, feel free keep this thread going so i can get some more ideas rolling in.

I'd do the generic scout build on a different scout site and use this thread/forum for the expedition specific items.

[colorado_okie]

Originally Posted by wesfab

Well over night i've made my decision. Im gonna build the Scout. My Jeep is setup perfectly the way i want it to be, i would hate to change it all around again. That, and the Jeep has a soft top(which i've only used about 6 times in the past 10 years, never when its actually raining)

So the Scout it is! First step is getting the thing driving. Then bumpers and guards, and so on. The body itself will be the last to get done. I'll start a build thread on it. Im still new to this forum, where should i post the build? I doubt this falls into the "hardcore" section with all the flamers

Please, feel free keep this thread going so i can get some more ideas rolling in.

Originally Posted by brained

I'd do the generic scout build on a different scout site and use this thread/forum for the expedition specific items.

Agreed. Lots of info at www.binderplanet.com or www.justih.org.

My personal preference is the binder bench (justih.org).

HTH
- Randy

[wesfab]

Dually noted. I have started a build thread on JustIH.org, that place seems to get more traffic than the BB.

[brained]

I'd keep an eye open at IHOnlynorth.com too. In particular Michael Mayben knows his stuff.