I ran part of Hells Revenge yesterday, it was unreal.

I went into the Escalator, did trail work with great people from Tread Lightly then turned around and came back out.
I was told my Jeep would have gone right through, doing all the drive arounds obviously.

AEV 2.5", stock Rubicon 32" tires, jeep didn't scrape once.

I'm extremely happy to have gotten the Rubicon now, the crawl speed of low range 1st gear is impressive.

Attachment 679394

-Dan

Glad you're getting know the new jeep. That is a great picture.

Hi all,

I had an awesome time at EJS in Moab, it really is a Jeep addicts dream.
I'm in Michigan now, getting closer to the coast to ship the Jeep over the Atlantic.

Living in the Jeep for a few weeks has promoted me to make all kinds of minor tweaks and adjustments for living convenience.

Space has always been at a premium, so I made a cutlery/tool holder on my Trailgator Tailgate Table, so I can leave often-used items there when the table is closed.

http://static3.theroadchoseme.com/wp...rd-720x480.jpg

Let me know if you would like me to write up a HOW-TO article so you can make your own.

-Dan

Just a suggestion... if you are going to be alone its best to use beadlocks and carry spare inner tubes. The environment there can eat up tires quickly.

Of the hundreds (thousands?) of Overlanders out there driving around the world, I know of very, very few running beadlocks.

I've got a spare stems and valves, a plug kit and an ARB compressor.
Hopefully they'll limp me to the next town which is guaranteed to have a tire place.

-Dan

Nothing in life is guaranteed. Ask me how I know :wink:

Oh, I agree 100%.

I would never have driven 40k miles from Alaska->Argentina if I thought it was.

I certainly wouldn't be setting out to drive 80k miles around Africa if I thought everything was going to run according to plan.

Unexpected events are expected, and I always like to say problems are just opportunities to make new friends.
Some of my best adventures on my last trip where when things went "wrong", like running out of gas in Argentina, or getting lost most of the time :)

-Dan

I lived in Africa for a combined 7 years. We always carried two spares on short trips into the jungle or desert. You sir are embarking on an excellent adventure, I am just giving you my experiences to keep it excellent. Odds are you will be good. But Murphy's law is a bitch.

Awesome man, you must have some stories!

Yeah, if I break something major (driveshaft, alternator, starter) I'll be sticking my thumb up and figuring it out from there.
Same goes for multiple flat tires I can't patch myself, or other major failures.

I can't carry spares for everything, so it is what it is :)

-Dan

Agree... slow and steady! Use the winch when it doubt.

Yep, and by running skinny tires hopefully the first thing I'll break is traction.

...

I spent a lot of time thinking about and researching wheel and tire choice for the trip.

I've written up a piece explaining all my thinking, and what I'm running.
http://jpfreek.com/wp-content/upload...17-300x200.jpg

I've also compared the stock Rubicon BFG Mud-Terrain in 255/75r17 to the BFG KO2 All-Terrain in 34x10.5r17
http://jpfreek.com/wp-content/upload...in-300x200.jpg

Read the whole article at: Tire Selection - BFG KO2 All-Terrain - JPFreek Adventure Magazine

-Dan

I was about to say...with a stock JK motor?!? haha

Actually, yes, my JK has a completely stock 3.8 gas engine.

That Mercedes diesel blew up, and I sold that whole Jeep and bought another JK.....

-Dan

Just had the most exciting meeting of my life at Chrysler HQ showing off the Jeep to some Jeep Execs :)

Attachment 643781

-Dan

Hi All,

Over the last couple of days I drove over to Nova Scotia, I'm organizing shipping to Europe now.

For 1000 miles I kept the cruise at 62 mph. Big rolling hills on the highway, some requiring 5th gear.
The Jeep is now at full expedition trim and weight with the top, tires, wheels, lift, full tank of drinking water and all my stuff inside.

Using GPS speed and distance I hand calculated 18.4mpg (US).

With the 13.8 gallon Titan Fuel Tank mounted to the tire carrier my total range is ~650 miles.
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...nk-720x480.jpg

I'm very happy with that!

(Metric: The Jeep is getting 12.8L/100km, with the 52L Titan Fuel Tank on the tire carrier I have a total range of 1050km.)

-Dan

Have you been on a scale with it? I'm curious what it weighs fully loaded.

Not yet, it's on my to-do list before it goes into a container.

I'll post up when I do.

-Dan

Finally got the completed Jeep on the scale today.

Final trim, with everything coming to Africa. 1/2 tank of gas, 1/2 tank of water and 180lbs of Dan in the driver's seat. (Titan fuel tank empty)

5980 lbs.

That's a few hundred heavier than I was aiming for, though it is what it is at this point.

Also I've been out camping around Cape Brenton Island, and it should be in a shipping container on Wednesday.

-Dan

https://i.imgur.com/eRilQ0x.jpg

Good luck. Look forward to watching this thread.

Good luck Dan
I will be following you in your epic quest around Africa.
Happy and safe jeepin ;)

Sent from my GT-I9100 using JK-Forum

The PR Team at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles filmed a short interview with me and my Jeep when I was at HQ near Detroit a few weeks back.

I'm pinching myself right now, and extremely excited to be working with them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoexwzN0VR8 -Dan

Hey Dan!

While you were in Michigan you stopped by my shop to put on these tires. Glad to hear that they are working well for you and can't wait to continue reading your adventure!

-Jesse

Hey Jesse,

Great to hear from you, I'm happy you found me.

The tires are brilliant, I'm extremely happy with them. I hadn't realized my Mud Terrains were slightly out of balance and causing a very slight vibration about 55mph.
These All Terrains are balanced perfectly, and the steering wheel never moves even a little.

Thanks very much!

-Dan

I've spent days editing together the first video for YouTube, all about my previous trip, upcoming trip and the Jeep build.

Here's a sneak peak:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waQGUz0Z97Y -Dan

Not bad

Thanks!

My adventures have caught the eye of Jeep, who just released my story as part of the #MyJeepStory campaign for their 75th anniversary.

I am extremely proud to know they are as excited as I am :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XKYjxig8PY

The Road Chose Me is now in video format!

I'll be filming the entire adventure, and this first video recaps my Alaska->Argentina adventure, and lays out the plan for Africa.

I hope you'll follow along!

I'd love to hear any and all feedback from you guys too - what do you want me to include, what do you want me to forget out?
What would you like to see in these videos?

Any and all feedback greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTjMp-kX7Ac -Dan

The latest issue of JPFreek Adventure Magazine features three articles from me, and a ton of my photos.

I'm extremely proud to be writing for this awesome magazine, it's been a dream for a long time to be a writer / photographer.

Check it out here (It's FREE!): JPFreek Adventure Magazine EJS 2016


http://theroadchoseme.com/wp-content...rica-prrep.jpg

-Dan

People have asked for years how I can afford to do these trips, and why they have to go to work and I don't.

To answer all of those questions, I've written my first book, called "Work Less to Live Your Dreams: a practical guide to saving money and living your dreams".

In it I describe exactly how I'm able to save money, quit my job and do these kind of epic trips.
It's how I paid for 2 years from Alaska->Argentina and it's how I am paying for 2 years around Africa.

You can read the introduction and see my details on my site here : Work Less to Live Your Dreams

and you can buy the book directly on Amazon here: Work Less to Live Your Dreams Amazon Link

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...er-371x480.jpg

-Dan

Hi All,

I've just posted all the details on how I shipped the Jeep from North America to Europe, including final price:

Shipping a Vehicle from North America to Europe | The road chose me

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...wn-720x480.jpg

Let me know if you have any questions.

-Dan

That is great information. So many aspects we on the outside looking in would not have guessed. What's your plan to get across the Mediterranean?

There are multiple car ferries every day from Southern Spain to Northern Morocco.

-Dan

Definitely following along on your journey! Funny I was just talking to the wife trying to figure out how to budget for a longer trip. Maybe not 2 years but a few months would be nice! Then the next day I saw your post about your book explaining the financial side of it and will definitely be picking that up as I find it interesting and it would be nice to see maybe somethings that you don't expect to be an expense to see really what would need to be saved. Thanks for documenting all of this I can't wait to see the progress!

Dan, I just went to buy your book on Amazon. Please note that it is $2.99 but it gave me an automatic $2.99 credit so the book was sold to me for free. You may need to contact Amazon and have them fix the error. Also please let me know how I can pay for it. I am excited to read it. Thanks Aaron

I can't wait to see this adventure unfold!

Love the tire/wheel combo. I did something similar, with a 2" AEV lift and the KM2 tire in a similar size, for the same reasons. What I found, though, is that the traction is outstanding in all conditions and surfaces except ice. I was especially socked at how these tall and narrow tires do in sand, too.

Godspeed and thanks for letting us live this adventure through you! I offer prayers for safe travel!

I hope you find it helpful! Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to know about.

-Dan

Thanks very much. I think Amazon might have done that because of your account - but it doesn't impact me at all, Amazon still pay me.

Thanks so much for the offer though, that's extremely kind of you.

Let me know what you think of the book!

-Dan

Thanks! The tires have been amazing so far, even in slushy snow/sleet in Canada and Michigan a few months back.
I'm looking forward to putting them to the test in sand :)

-Dan

Part 2 of the Jeep build is now live on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW0-sz2bRYY Let me know what you think!

-Dan

12,000 miles through the USA, Canada, Belgium, France and Spain has been an amazing preamble. Now it's time for AFRICA.

Ferry tickets in hand :)

http://static1.theroadchoseme.com/wp...nd-720x480.jpg

-Dan