Getting my ride ready

The Land Cruiser I'm planning to take around the world, parked at home, in Brooklyn

Building 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…

Installing extra power outlets

The long way around

This is a rough map showing the route my trip will take me. It is not definitive yet, and my path will adapt as I study more the places I want to see, the climate, where I can catch a boat, etc… Also the driving conditions, and the visa situations, especially in Africa, are strong factors of changes.

I hope to be in Buenos Aires in February 2010, in North Africa in May, cross Iran in July, in Asia in September. But obviously, this is just ballpark estimates. Some countries I want to cross pretty quickly, like Nigeria or Pakistan. Others should be more pleasant, and I hope to be able to take some rest in Argentina, or Thailand.

View Around the world in a larger map

Anyhow, if you have intimate knowledge of some of the countries I will cross, please post some tips here. I will also be looking for some places I can spend the night, occasionally, so contacts are welcome.