Overlanding with older vehicles

[armyRN]

I enjoy overlanding. I enjoy the camping and such. And I enjoy having a well set-up vehicle with PS, PB, heat and air, fuel injection, radio/CD player, etc. I've got a nicely set-up Jeep TJ that'll pretty much go anywhere, and a trailer to take what won't fit in the TJ. If I were taking my wife (who isn't into overlanding) this is the vehicle I'd take.



But I dunno; maybe I'm tired of all the modern, well-equipped vehicles. All you see in the magazines are built (with a long laundry list of added-on accessories) Toyota Tacoma's, 4-Runnners, JKUs, new Jeep and Chevy trucks, etc. Don't get me wrong - they're nice, but... I dunno. It just seems so... vanilla.

How about doing some overlanding with something older? I'm not talking 1996 old (my Dodge truck is a 96); I'm talking pre-1970's. Vehicles from the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Things like old Willys, Scouts, Bronco's, Land Cruisers; things like that. This link below got me thinking about it (we'll see if the link works):


I've got a modified 46 Willys CJ2A that I used to four-wheel a lot. But when I got my TJ (in 2008), the Willys got even less wheel time (but was always well taken care of, driven occasionally, and always garaged). So now I'm doing some minor sprucing up on the Willys (bushings, converting front drum brakes to disc brakes, etc.) and want to take it on a little trip.



Would anyone be interested in an actual "overlanding" trip with older vehicles? I'm talking a multi-day trip where we actually travel during the day and spend the night at a different place every night - not meeting & staying at a central place and doing side trips during the day. Anyone out their got an older 4x4 they could/would take on such a trip?

Let me know what you think. I'm in the PNW.

 

[M Rose]

I enjoy overlanding. I enjoy the camping and such. And I enjoy having a well set-up vehicle with PS, PB, heat and air, fuel injection, radio/CD player, etc. I've got a nicely set-up Jeep TJ that'll pretty much go anywhere, and a trailer to take what won't fit in the TJ. If I were taking my wife (who isn't into overlanding) this is the vehicle I'd take.

View attachment 145263

But I dunno; maybe I'm tired of all the modern, well-equipped vehicles. All you see in the magazines are built (with a long laundry list of added-on accessories) Toyota Tacoma's, 4-Runnners, JKUs, new Jeep and Chevy trucks, etc. Don't get me wrong - they're nice, but... I dunno. It just seems so... vanilla.

How about doing some overlanding with something older? I'm not talking 1996 old (my Dodge truck is a 96); I'm talking pre-1970's. Vehicles from the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Things like old Willys, Scouts, Bronco's, Land Cruisers; things like that. This link below got me thinking about it (we'll see if the link works):


I've got a modified 46 Willys CJ2A that I used to four-wheel a lot. But when I got my TJ (in 2008), the Willys got even less wheel time (but was always well taken care of, driven occasionally, and always garaged). So now I'm doing some minor sprucing up on the Willys (bushings, converting front drum brakes to disc brakes, etc.) and want to take it on a little trip.

View attachment 145264

Would anyone be interested in an actual "overlanding" trip with older vehicles? I'm talking a multi-day trip where we actually travel during the day and spend the night at a different place every night - not meeting & staying at a central place and doing side trips during the day. Anyone out their got an older 4x4 they could/would take on such a trip?

Let me know what you think. I'm in the PNW.

Sweet ride... I think it should do great... I used to have an Old Wagon.... I miss her and IF I ever get another “Jeep” it will be another <1960 Wagon L6-226

 

[armyRN]

Sweet ride... I think it should do great... I used to have an Old Wagon.... I miss her and IF I ever get another “Jeep” it will be another <1960 Wagon L6-226

I used to have a sweet 1956 Willys truck with the Super Hurricaine 6-226. Had to sell it when I got divorced years ago. Always said my next Willys would be the old Willys wagon.

I think my little flatty would do great. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there is thinking the same thing with their older 4x4s.

 

[Big G]

I enjoy overlanding. I enjoy the camping and such. And I enjoy having a well set-up vehicle with PS, PB, heat and air, fuel injection, radio/CD player, etc. I've got a nicely set-up Jeep TJ that'll pretty much go anywhere, and a trailer to take what won't fit in the TJ. If I were taking my wife (who isn't into overlanding) this is the vehicle I'd take.

View attachment 145263

But I dunno; maybe I'm tired of all the modern, well-equipped vehicles. All you see in the magazines are built (with a long laundry list of added-on accessories) Toyota Tacoma's, 4-Runnners, JKUs, new Jeep and Chevy trucks, etc. Don't get me wrong - they're nice, but... I dunno. It just seems so... vanilla.

How about doing some overlanding with something older? I'm not talking 1996 old (my Dodge truck is a 96); I'm talking pre-1970's. Vehicles from the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Things like old Willys, Scouts, Bronco's, Land Cruisers; things like that. This link below got me thinking about it (we'll see if the link works):


I've got a modified 46 Willys CJ2A that I used to four-wheel a lot. But when I got my TJ (in 2008), the Willys got even less wheel time (but was always well taken care of, driven occasionally, and always garaged). So now I'm doing some minor sprucing up on the Willys (bushings, converting front drum brakes to disc brakes, etc.) and want to take it on a little trip.

View attachment 145264

Would anyone be interested in an actual "overlanding" trip with older vehicles? I'm talking a multi-day trip where we actually travel during the day and spend the night at a different place every night - not meeting & staying at a central place and doing side trips during the day. Anyone out their got an older 4x4 they could/would take on such a trip?

Let me know what you think. I'm in the PNW.

Wow, for a brief moment I got excited when you mentioned going out in older vehicles, but then, you went to the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Bummer, bubble burst, I drive an 88 Silverado. Liked the video though. Have fun.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

I used to have a sweet 1956 Willys truck with the Super Hurricaine 6-226. Had to sell it when I got divorced years ago. Always said my next Willys would be the old Willys wagon.

I think my little flatty would do great. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there is thinking the same thing with their older 4x4s.

I love the oldies but cant see doing it for long distance excursions. It would be great for exploring your own state but multi state would be a real challenge on both driver and equipment unless you trailered it to where you want to overland. That not fun. IMO

 

[armyRN]

I love the oldies but cant see doing it for long distance excursions. It would be great for exploring your own state but multi state would be a real challenge on both driver and equipment unless you trailered it to where you want to overland. That not fun. IMO

I was thinking something like the OR or WA Overland Route. Either one of these would be reasonably local (for me anyways). Yeah, for me to do a CO trip I would have to tow it a couple days to get to the jumping off point.

Something like this: Overland Routes | Pacific Crest: Oregon Segment - Expedition Portal

 

[armyRN]

Wow, for a brief moment I got excited when you mentioned going out in older vehicles, but then, you went to the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Bummer, bubble burst, I drive an 88 Silverado. Liked the video though. Have fun.

Ok... up to early 70's.

 

[Correus]

I love the oldies but cant see doing it for long distance excursions. It would be great for exploring your own state but multi state would be a real challenge on both driver and equipment unless you trailered it to where you want to overland. That not fun. IMO

A 1950s SI Land Rover just finished up a cross-country jaunt from Singapore to London.

 

[Correus]

My rig is a '63 SIIa 88 SW Trop Top - perfect for overlanding.

 

[Big G]

Ok... up to early 70's.

Closer but still a long way from 88. :)

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

A 1950s SI Land Rover just finished up a cross-country jaunt from Singapore to London.

Hows your spine. LOL
How much ocean time was involved ?
Were you on paved roads ?
How fast did you drive ?
How long did it take you ?

 

[Big G]

Wow, for a brief moment I got excited when you mentioned going out in older vehicles, but then, you went to the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Bummer, bubble burst, I drive an 88 Silverado. Liked the video though. Have fun.

Ah, thanks Lanlubber.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

My rig is a '63 SIIa 88 SW Trop Top - perfect for overlanding.

View attachment 145269

So, you own two Landies ?

 

[Correus]

So, you own two Landies ?

Just one at the moment.

I am considering either a late '50s SI or late '50s early '60s SII though.

 

[armyRN]

Closer but still a long way from 88. :)

Gotta draw the line somewhere and still be considered "old". : )

I guess you could get an "old" truck and put your 88 running gear under it.

I turn 60 this year. Does that mean I'm old?

 

[armyRN]

Ok, I'll redefine old a little bit. Any CJ series Jeeps (that goes to what... 1986?). Any "classic" Ford Bronco (don't know the last year). Any "classic" Toyota FJ 40 Landcruiser. Any International Scout. What am I missing while still keeping the flavor old? Soft top is a plus.

 

[Correus]

Hows your spine. LOL
How much ocean time was involved ?
Were you on paved roads ?
How fast did you drive ?
How long did it take you ?

Do an internet search for "Land Rover Last Overland". They recreated, in reverse, the original trip conducted in the '50s.

I don't think any ocean time was involved. No spinal complaints. Some paved roads and non-paved. Speeds varied for the most part, but I belive the average was 55mph. Speed isn't everything, why should it be? Besides, it's not a race, why not enjoy the trip, slow down and enjoy it. It took them 111 days to drive 11,806 miles.

IIRC one of the main contributors here did something very similar, in a '50s SI, with his wife and 3 sons.

Many people have done trips in old Rovers for extended times. There's a couple going around the world at the moment, another going from the arctic circle to the southern most tip of South America. I know of another couple whose out from London, drove down the western coast of Africa to Cape Town and then started up the east coast towards Cairo. Last I knew they were in the Kenya area.

 

[Big G]

Gotta draw the line somewhere and still be considered "old". : )

I guess you could get an "old" truck and put your 88 running gear under it.

I turn 60 this year. Does that mean I'm old?

LOL. Well now there's a thought. However, there is no way this 70 year old is going to call you "old!"

 

[leeloo]

Even if it is in a mint condition, reliable etc.. for me anything that does not have AC is a non starter... might be the age maybe, or I am just too spoiled. I had older vehicles that I loved,( a 91 BMW 525i, even a Mazda 323 from 88) , but all had AC..
If you talk about an FJ40 with a retrofit AC.. I am on .. :)

 

[Billiebob]

I'm a big fan of older vehicles. I know I'll never buy anything newer than my current '05 Rubicon. I long for anything with a carburetor.