Reportedly $25k less than the starting price of the outgoing model.

Although the dash does include two LCD panels they appear to be just business,  no silly animations or cell phone video game junk.

Actual center differential (lockable) for true AWD and 4WD

Base model gets selectable rear locker

Base model gets tow package with brake controller (no word yet on towing but I would be satisfied with 5000 lbs from a vehicle this size)

Base model is devoid of silly drive mode games...  it still has traction control naturally but it doesn't appear to divide it up into the half dozen questionable guesses with video game animations that seem almost universal now in the market.

I know everyone has engine/powertrain preferences and turbo 4cyl + hybrid isn't everyone's first choice but I actually like that idea.   I wish they had used an ECVT (scaled up Prius style) instead of a conventional transmission behind it but I expect that may not be compatible with extended regen/engine braking with a heavy brick and a trailer. 

Well it's all window shopping for now,  but maybe in 3-4 years I'll be in position to buy one - first new vehicle I've been excited about in many years and first Toyota I've ever been excited about. 

https://www.potentialmotors.com/adventure1

Picked up a 2005 crown Victoria police interceptor!

It is a K9 unit from the outskirts of Nogales, Arizona on the border of Mexico. It has rust on the roof a little bit and some paint chippage, but honestly I don't even care, it looks mint! 

Since I have the 4X Subaru Outback, I wanted to make sure it lasted as long as possible. Though this type of Subaru can last many many miles, I still moved on and dropped like $2K on a run around vehicle. Such a great investment this thing is it drives like a champ and there really is nothing wrong with it paid for 2000 bucks you would think that something will be wrong with it like the AC, or the tires, or the gadgets. But you would be mistaken. Not to mention these things can last over 350,000 miles. 

The backseat was replaced so I actually have a real backseat with buckles and everything, but there's still no inside door panels for the back seats but I don't really care about that. It also has the ram bar and it comes with the PA system and antenna. If you're looking for a runaround car that doesn't break the bank and ensure the longevity of your overland vehicle I would definitely recommend getting one of these. It literally comes with the stock couple inch lift so if you want to put off-road tires you totally could. 

Nothing like a fun drive around town where everyone moves out of your way!!

Alan:
On your 2017 3.6R you had the tow bar out the front bumper. How did you get the hike in the bumper?

Me:
Hmm… on the front of the car I have a brush guard and a red tow hook. The red tow hook is mounted through a hole that is covered with a plastic cover. Inside there, there is a place to mount that tow hook. Is that what you are asking?

Alan:
How did you get the plug out and fabricate the hole and put it all back together. I would use the OEM tow piece. Did you?

Me:
Thanks for the pic.

Yes, that hole cover comes off with a screw driver. Just pops out. Then, I used an aftermarket tow ring by Cusco.
Here is the link.
https://amzn.to/3AVF9qW

For the cover, I drilled a hole through the cover, snapped it back on and then threaded the Cusco hitch neck through that hole and screwed it into the same hole in the car frame…since the cusco is threaded.

See more on this page of my website:
https://4xpedition.com/equipment/off-road-vehicles/subaru-outback-overland-road-warrior/

Truck Specs again: 2002 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD 4X4 Crew Cab 8FT Long Bed. 6.6L Duramax Diesel, Allison 4 spd Automatic Trans.

Again I purchased this Truck new back '02. I've personlaly driven it most of the 280,000 miles I just reached recently. When I purchased it I always figured I would keep it forever, it will probably out live in fact. 

I like to do most of the work myself, that I can do. Some things Like Injector replacement I do leave to the full professionals.

This post I will show some photos of the complete front end suspension, and complete 4 wheel Brake Rotors, calipers, Master cylinder, hydroboost, and front bearing hubs. I had replaced the front CV axles just a couple years ago, so they are fairly new as well. 

I decided to go with the beefed up Kryptonite Upper control arms and ball joints. As well as the beefed up Kryptonite Death Grip tie rod ends, which you can see in photos are on steroids compared to the stock size tie rod ends. I also installed these Pitman and Idler arm supports which help reduce the slack in steering, and give extra support to those steering components. I reeally like the upper balls joints as they are boltled on, instead of pressed in like the stock ball joints, which I have had them push loose in the past. 

They upper control arm bushings also have grease zerks , and I found some stabilizer bars components with grease zerks as well, which the stock bushings do not normally have. 

So basically the Truck now has a completely new Front suspension and brake system.

 Next Post I will show the rear supension and new shocks.

I first started thinking about a SXS for overland style camping when I was traversing Engineer Pass in Colorado several years ago. It was there that I saw people with SXS on longer distance adventures. I had seen them often before, but rarely had I seen them used in a multi-day adventure. Mostly, it was just people running around for a day trip.

As time went on, I looked on Google to discover a very few had converted their SXS into an overland 'rig' of sorts. Outfitting them with rooftop tents, locked down refrigerators or roto-molded coolers, camp stoves, etc. The one that intrigued me the most was this one by UTV Planet Magazine (shown below)

Well, that was all before I bought the property here in Angel Fire. Thus, after renovating the cabin, selling off Ghost Cat (our RV) in Arizona, and purchasing a CANAM Defender DSP HD7, we are on our way to building this little but very capable rig.

We intend to use it for backcountry escapes and exploration into the high elevations around our cabin.

I've owned three Jeeps. I own a RAM truck (that I intend to turn into a longer range overland vehicle). But, I decided that neither a Jeep nor the Truck would be optimal for such adventures mentioned above. Mostly because the majority of the trails are ATV trails or very rugged overgrown, narrow Jeep trails. These explorations wouldn't be ideal for the Ram truck, and we just didn't want another Jeep. And, the way I see it, there really isn't much difference in towing a SXS to a jump off point and using it vs. driving a Jeep and using it. Well, a couple things:

1.) The Jeep is less comfortable getting to the dirt you want to explore vs driving the RAM truck and pulling the trailer.
2.) The Jeep gets filthy dirty on the dirt and you have to ride in it all the way home whereas with a truck you load it on a trailer and go home.
3.) The Jeep may be more convenient in some ways as your exploration may not return you to the same start point.
4.) Unless you enclose the SXS, the Jeep may be more comfortable in colder weather or rain (our SXS cab will likely be enclosed at times).
5.) The jeep may get better gas mileage than a truck pulling a trailer with a SXS.
6.) The SXS is much more agile than a jeep on off-road terrain.
7.) A Jeep doesn't lend itself as well to being a Ranch hand on our property.

And, maybe other reasoning...

Since purchase, we have added a 4500 lb winch, a street-legal kit, front glass windshield on gas struts, a RazorBack Offroad gear rack system for the rear dump bed, a plastic roof (SXS don't come with them standard).

I do intend to put a rooftop tent on it. Probably a compact one. Likey a side ladder. A lock-down cooler, throw in my cook system, probably cover it with LEDs wrapped around for good lighting.

Our first outting will likely be to one of the many alpine lakes in the area. For instance, Goose Lake above Red River (which some people do take jeeps up to but is more ideal with a SXS). And, also, right behind the cabin we have over 80,000 acres of remote NM State Trust land. Pretty epic really, and all of that terrain is ATV trails only. Trucks and jeeps can only get so far back.

Anyway, it is a tool for the ranch with an off-road adventure spin. Should be an interesting project.

I just had the Bilstein B6 shocks and struts with King overload springs installed, and the Primitive Racing 1.5” lift kit installed. I measured out 11” ground clearance from the rear main support. Pretty sweet. I did the entirety of Old Flowers Road and it got kinda sketchy but turning off traction control and just flooring it got me over the uphill off-camber climb. Here’s a picture of Ol’ Marge to celebrate!