Reliable rig?

[Notneb]

Main thing I could say is route the exhaust out the back or find a good muffler.
And line the whole cab well with a sound deadener.

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I was toying with that idea not 10 minutes ago, lol. I'm not a fan of the stock location. As for sound deadener, you're not kidding, it's on the list.

 

[cbf9703]

Be careful how you approach the topic of expats... There is a HUGE difference in those in retirement communities and those who live out so they can do what they want whether it be lack of zoning and oversight or business-wise since there are generally fewer regulations than in the US. The latter will not take kindly to the lack of distinction and they are good friends to have.

Our village got power ran to it around '05 and we regularly work with Mennonites and often stay in the community or out in the mountains. In the tropical areas the bush grows quicker than you expect and a property can go from D8 clear to so overgrown a machete doesn't help you make much progress in the matter of a few growing seasons. Many of us in-country avoid the tourist traps like the plague as well.

It sounds like an awesome idea for trip, best of luck on the build and the logistics.

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[cbf9703]

Other than the obvious limits the size of the vehicle will have for certain locations (narrow roads in the remote areas), you will have to be more patient for some water crossings. They still do a lot of hand-crank ferry crossings and with your size and weight you may have to wait a few rounds to get on which can eat up the better part of a day. Again, not an issue for your trip and a great way to spend some time talking with locals, but definitely a reality most don't face in the US.

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On edit:
Here's what I'm talking about
Open air.... Yep that's a Sprinter in all her glory LOL

These get a little tight...

Village road

In town

Decent highways

 

[cbf9703]

One of our rigs

Just for fun.... I love how creative folks get.

The rust belt isn't just in the North....

You never know unless you try it

Can't beat some of the views once you make it though

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[Vader's Fury]

Wow those views alone make me want to try a trip like this.

Nothing better than a beautiful country view.

 

[cbf9703]

Wow those views alone make me want to try a trip like this.

Nothing better than a beautiful country view.

Terrible picture, but I'm a sucker for it myself... I've got a few acres back there.

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[Atsah]

Looks like snake and spider land..

 

[cbf9703]

Looks like snake and spider land..

So I hear along with occasional scorpions, but I've seen three times as many snakes in TN in the same amount of time... :shrug: Now lizards, they're everywhere. Oh, and mosquitoes are horrendous in the rainy season, I try to avoid trips mid June- mid July for that reason. LOL

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[Atsah]

They probably have as many mosquitoes as we have black flies in May and June, terrible for sure.. I have ten bat houses, they pretty much take care of the skeeters..

 

[Notneb]

Be careful how you approach the topic of expats... There is a HUGE difference in those in retirement communities and those who live out so they can do what they want whether it be lack of zoning and oversight or business-wise since there are generally fewer regulations than in the US. The latter will not take kindly to the lack of distinction and they are good friends to have.

I didn't mean that as a bad thing, I just meant as far as the big expat places, where they live pretty much like they did in the states. I'm not saying they are bad people or in any way derogatory, just saying that's not the interest of this trip.

I'll PM you when I get some free time later, prepare for a novel! I'm also interested in the work y'all are doing down there, seems like my kind of thing!

 

[cbf9703]

I didn't mean that as a bad thing, I just meant as far as the big expat places, where they live pretty much like they did in the states. I'm not saying they are bad people or in any way derogatory, just saying that's not the interest of this trip.

I'll PM you when I get some free time later, prepare for a novel! I'm also interested in the work y'all are doing down there, seems like my kind of thing!

I didn't think you necessarily meant it as a bad thing, but there is definitely a negative connotation when you are out of country being lumped in with the retirees and tourists looking to recreate their gated community in the tropics... I meant watch how you approach the subject down there so you don't offend someone who could be a huge resource for you- I know very few that consider themselves "ex-pats." Thought I'd put that out here for anyone planning a trip like this.

Also, for those who purchase vehicles in-country and are driving through the area you may want to look at bringing a US plate to stick on over CA/SA ones for border crossings. We use our CA plate for customs/immigration, but slap a US plate on with double sided tape when we get through for the first couple miles. Learned real quick that there are some "agricultural inspections" and they spray your tires off with a water hose, but guess what, it comes with a nice little fee.... And it's only for vehicles with certain country plates on them even if you just left that country as well.

If you don't have their plate, you don't have to pay- it's just an easy way to target and make some extra money. Pull the extra plates off after you pass them and you save yourself the time and hassle. There's a lot of that kind of thing.

I have no issue paying for legitimate services and being in agriculture completely respect inspections and limitations especially across borders for biosecurity, but when you set up outside the customs/immigration area, only pick certain license plates and hassle them and don't make everyone leaving that country have the service (like when you go across the foot mats at the airport and EVERYONE has to if you've been to a farm) then I start to question the validity. Just one of those random pet peeves I guess. :shrug:

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[Notneb]

So here's what I've decided on, due to the guy's who build them have taken them places I wouldn't even dream of...

Basically what this is, is an M923 platform, but with the original cab removed, and a MK48 "HEMTT" style cab mounted in front of the engine. This free's up more space to build my "rv" part, and also removes about 1 1/2 feet of height. This truck sits at only 8'8" tall, which isn't bad. Also, fun fact, since I will be turning this into an RV, I don't have to worry about a CDL, weigh stations, etc., since it will be titled here in AZ, and them's the rules here

I will be going with a 600hp ISX Cummins and a transmission and transfer case that can handle the power in the most extreme conditions. This also allows me to get very creative with my exhaust and intake. I will most likely remote relocate the radiator and use a hydraulic fan.

Since the payload of these trucks is around 20k, and the curbweight is roughly 22k, I can get frivolous with weight adding, which was a HUGE concern for me, since I plan on almost 500 gallons of onboard liquid storage. 200 for fuel, 200 for water and 100 for extra *back up motor oil, ATF, coolant, gear oil, etc* which will add in it's self 4200lbs.

With the ISX and a proper transmission I'll probably be able to net 6-7mpg maybe more if I actually drive properly, since it won't be tapping on the rev limiter to hit 60ish mph like the stock 8.3 Cummins.

I'm still in the planning phase, but I'm looking to purchase the rolling chassis, engine/trans, and cab by the end of the year, and get started on the fab work soon after. I will post a link to the build thread over on Steel Soldiers once I start for those interested. If I get enough interest I can put a mirror thread up in the "Projects" section of PSA.

I will keep track of every penny spent so anyone who's interested in doing a similar project will know exactly what they're in for money wise!

 

[Rubenk]

Man that is some serious hardware!! Good luck, looking forward to the build.

I've heard of alot of problems with that transmission too, might rebuild it before the trip and get some miles on it.

 

[Notneb]

I'd be getting a brand new one, for that exact reason. I can't go with a full manual due to the cab height makes the linkage an engineering night mare, and a 7 speed allison won't hold up to the tq that ISX is going to be sending it's way, not to mention I'd still have to have a custom transfer case built to have a low range.

Now I'm stuck with clearance issues if I go with any of the more reliable auto-mans because they're wider due to more gears. So really my only option is a brand new 10 speed, so hopefully they've worked the bugs out!

 

[capt dong]

Eaton makes an ultra shift to fit up to 15 liter diesels. Ive seen Allisons on 13 liter engines.

 

[Notneb]

Yeah, it's all about width though, seeing as I still have to have 6 wheel drive, the front drive shaft gets in the way of the bigger allison's. Now that being said, you can always engineer around a problem like that, but that will be a cost benefit thing at that point. I guess it'll depend on how much the transfer case would cost, as I'm pretty sure it'll have to be custom built for the application.