Americas 2011 Expedition - Need advice/help/opinion
 

I am planning a trip across the three americas next year with my son, just bough the car for it (Rubicon) and although I'm not new to car travel, this is my first Jeep and the longest of all trips.
There are many items with brand and model options that I don't know which one is better.
So any input from you will be appreciated. This will be kind of a long post and I'm new to forums so I ask for you patience and excuse if it is not on the right place, I have numbered the items to make it easy to reply.

All of the pictures shown here (and many more) can be also seen in a larger format (800pxl) on a page I set up in my server at [joa150.com]Options[/URL]

So lets get started:

1- Tent: Rooftop for sure. Minumim width of 71". Brand are CarTopCamper (130lb $1680), MyWaySerengeti (?lb $2180), AutoHomeOverland (125lb $2600) and EeziAwn 2200T (242lb $2935)

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/01.jpg

Drawings with the fiting position of all these tents are in the link "options" above.

Things to consider:
1- I like the size of the EeziAwn;
2- I like the price of the CarTopCamper;
3- I am affraid of the quality/durability of the CarTopCamper (it is made in China);
4- I am ready to spent some nights at hotels in rainy situations.

2- Suspension: Do I need reinforced springs? The JK will be very close to its maximum load. I will change the shock absorbers to a Rancho 9000.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ns/400/08a.jpg

3- Roof rack: Things start to get complicated as the number of variables increase... Flat, Semi-flat or basket type? Fixed or lift & tilt? Top only or cage type?

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/09.jpg

4- Back Tray: This seems a pretty good idea if you need to carry extra stuff, especially if tent of choice takes all the space in the roof rack. Nice place to put the generator too and avoid flammable vapors inside the car.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/10.jpg

5- Sand Tracks: A must have! Besides the old style aluminum, there is also plastic and fiberglass to choose from. ARB even has a folding model made of heavy duty rubber.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/11.jpg

6- Snatch Block: Large variety of makers and huge differences in prices. Does it worth to pay for the brand name?

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/12.jpg

7- Air Jack: The concept is great and as far I could find, there are only this two options. The flat hose on the X-Jack appears to take less space when packed. Which one is better?

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/13.jpg

8- Winch mount: OK... If it is to change the whole front bumper, the options are in the hundreds.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/14.jpg

One of my main concern is to keep the overall weight as low as possible. A full metal front bumper is around 110 lb, I believe its much heavier then the original. I found a mount plate to be an acceptable (not pretty) solution but could not find any review on how good (strong) they are comparing to the whole bumper.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/15.jpg

9- Some extra horse power?: I had considered a turbo but I don't want to mess with the warranty on a brand new car. So a performance chip may be a good option to gain some HP and increase mileage. Many makers/models, I am trying to find reviews to chose the best one.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ns/400/15a.jpg

10- These are cool !!: Information is never too much. The option here is pay a lot for an awesome display or pay the right amount for the data only...

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ns/400/15b.jpg

11- Cooler or Fridge: I must say this one has been taking my sleep... Coolers are way cheaper and a lot lighter then fridges, a good quality one is also quieter and consume less battery. The bad part is they don't freeze and they depend too much on the exterior temperature, leave it on inside the car under the sun and it won't cool at all. As for the fridges, centrifugal or reciprocating compressor? Waeco uses the first, Engel the second and it comes with a heavy price tag, it has an advantage on start current draw. I tried to find witch one is quieter but could not find reliable data. It will run on an auxiliary battery during the day. Noise, weight, consumption, best interior size, form factor...

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ns/400/15d.jpg

While writing this page I came across with the model above. 30 liters capacity, drawer format and "movable" compressor up to 59 inches away from the drawer. Looks the best one! Why I have not seen this one used on any project???

(I compiled a huge list with almost all the fridge/collers models with pictures and data, it is in the "Options" page, link is here.

12- Emergency repair: I will definitely have one of these. Anyone can tell me which one is best, and why?

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ns/400/15e.jpg

13- Electricity: There are many options in this topic too. My idea is to run it at night to recharge AA and D batteries, run the laptop the fridge and recharge the auxiliary battery too. So I wanted the quieter possible, to my surprise Kipor have the lower Db but after reading the users reviews I understood why people pay almost the double for a Honda or Yamaha.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ns/400/15f.jpg

14- Extra fuel/water: After seeing this, that is not much to say about the old, bulky and heavy Jerry cans.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/16.jpg

15- Lights: Also hundreds of options. I liked this one particularly because of the filters that you may add to narrow or wider the beam. The Nbr1 in Brazil is Hella, it this LightForce a good brand?

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/24.jpg

16- Spare tire: I really don't want to get caught in the middle of Central America or the Atacama desert in the need of second spare tire/wheel. Besides of maybe not having the space for it on the roof rack (because of the tent), I would like to avoid having the extra weight that high, increasing the center of gravity. I've seen these on Land Rovers but did not find any for the JK so I started to develop my own, with extras!.
Now I just need to find someone to make it.

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/25.jpg

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/26.jpg

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas201...ons/400/27.jpg

The chambers are to avoid the water from shifting side to side on curves, the equalizing holes to make it possible to fill all the chambers from one opening, comments?

So, this is it. I will apreciate any input that helps me get the best stuff to my trip.


Renato Costanzo
americas2011@yahoo.com
Expedition Main Page

WOW...you're not playing around, that's gonna be a serious trip.

First, I wish I had your budget! For what you're planning on doing, I'd take a look at one of the sponsor sites, alphaexpedition.com. They have a bunch of the overland/expedition/base camp type stuff on their site.

Here is just a list of things I would look at initially.

1) ARB Simpson III Tent
2) Gobi Ranger Roof Rack with front insert panel.
3) LoD Signature Series Gen 2 Rear Bumper/Tire Carrier


I didn't see mentioned in your list of tents, but I believe the picture you have is actually of the ARB Simpson III and it's within your price range for a tent. If I were going to be doing that, I'd put that tent on the Gobi Ranger roof rack. You'll find multiple threads on here about the Gobi Rack and while pricey, is definitely the best on the market in many peoples opinion.

The LoD Rear bumper/tire carrier won't let you carry two spares (you may have to throw one up top on the roof rack) and Gobi makes an insert to add more top storage space, but will carry your roto's or Jerry Cans, and can has a basket like what you're looking for all built into one (again, similiar to your pic with the red Jeep).

For the amount of weight you're going to be carrying, I'd consider the Teraflex 2.5" coil lift and some good shocks.


Post pics up of your build!

Don't need to have all that budget, just tag along for half tank and you will still have the other half to get back home :-)

Had already been at alphaexp. great online store, nice pictures I may get some of the stuff there, too bad they only carry winches from Warn (I know they are probably the best, but way too expensive and "nice one" or "very good" is enough for me) I really would like to know is what are "NO GO" brands in all those items.

1- ARB Tent, they only go to 71" I am very much considering the EeziAwn 2200 with 87". Did you see the drawings of them on the top of the car?
2- Gobi, yes, that is one item I think worth paying an extra buck, I like a lot the Stealth model.
3- LoD, alphaexp. does not carry it but is a pretty neat one, I will first see if can find someone to help me fabricate my design.
4- Teraflex, Hummm help on this, an elongated coil does not means that it will sustain more wheight right? I think I should look for a harder one not a lifted one... Do you agree on the Rancho 9000 shocks as the best choice?
5- I sure will. Just bought the Rubi 2 weeks ago, was waiting for it to go from TX to Miami, I am in Rio de Janeiro now, will fly to Miami Nov. 1st to get the car and then start finalizing the decisions on items, brands etc. I hope to have the car readyy in April.

I second the Gobi rack. It is the best made rack out there. It will fit pretty much any rooftop tent you will need and it has the lowest overall height. No drilling required, and you can tilt it back when needed. I really like the rear bumper. I saw one like it on a Landcruiser, and thought it would look great on a JK.

Front bumper
 

If you want to replace the front bumper look at icelandoffroad.com they make a fiberglass winch bumper that only weighs 65lbs.

Yes, Landcruiser is the only car I found to have one like that. I need to find someone on my area with skill to help me build mine.

Just looked at their site, but the images are too small, seems like they don't want us to see the details :synister: I sent them a message asking for detailed pictures.

being that i have travelled around most mexico, central america, and south america. im really wondering.. are you planning to hit the off-road spots in this different countries , or you are building your jeep thinking that they dont have roads or that they will be in really bad shape ????... also camping i would really advice against it, since from central america to peru is not very safe for you to sleep in a brand new flashy Jeep if you dont want to be rob or killed. instead invest in security messuares , lowjack, weld a lock in the pedals, chain welded hood, etc. in Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Ecuador and some parts of Peru you will be safe, and always remember to travel during daylight only, wake up early and go to sleep early. if you get to Chile you will definitly enjoy the culture is a very off-road oriented, you have sand dunes, ice fields (depending on the date you go). also try to get as better gas mileage as you can because just to fill the tank in Venezuela it will cost you like 4 bucks, but in Chile it will be 85 bucks. Atacama dessert is not that bad, it will be good if you go during the flowering season since its beautiful. also if you want more info in certain countries let me know :)

i just saw your expedition page... i guess you are more than prepared :yup: need a second jeep???????????? :cheers:!! lol

im planning the same route but with a motorcycle.. i want to do it in 3 years :D

Something to consider if tents, weight, and amount of gear to take is an issue.

ajeepthing.com/off-road-trailers.html

Having been to 23 countries I would ask this first. Have you checked and made sure refueling wont be an issue once you are south of the boarder? Almost every place I have gone is all diesel. For your one off bumper try contacting the guys at AEV
They have a bumper similar to what you designed with the exception of the double tire setup. aev-conversions.com

I saw a lot of things you are considering for this trip and having planned some similar to this have you looked at the SPOT? It is a wonderful device for when you are in remote areas that cell signal is gone, CB has no one around, and HAM isn't cutting it for what ever reason. findmespot.com

If you want send me your FULL packing list and I would be happy to take on the project of ripping it apart to help out for gearing. It does seem you are making sure as much as possible is multi-purpose, that's really good.

Add this to your list too. Pull Pal pullpal.com

If you don't want to announce to everyone or don't find it to personal what is your budget for the entire trip? How long is the trip to be? What specific locations are you intending to hit? This is what I love to do and can't wait for the kids to be old enough for me and the wife to hit the road.