To cope with the heavy load in the car as well as the difficult terrain in Africa and Central America, I knew I had to get some better suspension than the stock ones. I went wit Old Man Emu nitro charger shocks and heavy duty coil springs. This is some serious Australian equipment you need for a year of driving on rough roads. An Oregon company, metaltech4x4, import and sell OME shocks and springs in the U.S.
They shipped it to me and Mike from New BK Shop in Brooklyn took care of the installation. Count a grand for the complete setup.
The Land Cruiser I'm planning to take around the world, parked at home, in BrooklynBuilding drawers
I spent more time this weekend to get the car ready. I can’t count the hours I spent on it anymore. But things are getting closer to completion now. I am almost finished with a drawer system in the back, and planning to be done with the electrical system by the end of next week.
Anyhow, I chose to do this trip with a Toyota Land Cruiser. There’s not many choices when it comes to choose a car for such journeys. Only two vehicles in the world can make it. The Land Cruiser, and the Land Rover Defender. The Land Rover is easy to fix, and the Land Cruiser doesn’t brake down. Both vehicles are tough, and you can find spare parts on all continents. Lot of other vehicles, including american makes are very good quality, but you simply can’t find parts in all areas. The Toyota LC is the car used by the U.N. and other NGOs around the world. The Defender is very hard to find in the U.S., and really expensive, while you can find a LC for less than ten grands.
At the end of July, I was able to get a very clean 1996 Land Cruiser with 92,000 miles for less than $7,000. I upgraded the suspensions so the truck would be able to carry all the equipment, including tools, extra battery, spare parts, cooking equipment, roof tent, water and gas cans, books and luggage, etc…
