hi guys, looking for abit of advice as im abit out of my depth.
we live in central america and own a off grid jungle lodge, we are in the process of reopening after all this covid stuff passes and are looking to build a awesome 4x4 to transit from the pacific coast to the Caribbean coast. i have owned everything from suzuki jimnys to landrover defenders, toyota hiluxs and 4runners. this is going to be a completely different build , our idea is more of a open safari like vehicle that is very very capable off road. am i being naive in thinking that the excursion would be a good platform, we would be stripping all non essential things, and most likely going with the v10. is the excursion decent off road or is it just to heavy, i have a f150 presently and its a good vehicle with few issues, we like the idea of the excursion as we can easily fit 37s, lockers, 8 or more seats and has a very distinctive look about it.
looking for all opinions and things i should consider.
thanks

 

What kind of roads/trails will you be traveling over with the tourists? Graded? Gravel? Mud tracks?

The Ex won't flex as much as a smaller SUV in stock form. But on moderate trails it'll do just fine.

If you don't need much flex but need to transport 20 people, just use a modified mid sized bus. I'm guessing the more people your transport, the more $$ you'll make.

Sure, the Ex will work fine, but it you get into some nasty mud and hills, put a winch on the front of whatever you use.

For some reason I'm imagining this type of off roading, other than that crazy suspension bridge, the Ex will work fine.

 

Love the movie reference. Im kind of a movie buff, mainly car movies and this is one that nobody seems to know.

As for an EX in the jungle, built right, it'll do the job. Theres plenty of upgrades that can make it a monster.

 

Ha me too. The score from Tangerine Dream makes this one a classic. The entire movie used to be available online.

 

Yeah so the roads are non existent, we arent talking gravel or even graded. Some parts are horse tracks others are so called roads used periodically but when it rains it turns to 4ft of mud, rivers etc. We would strip atock suspension and put on 3 link front and rear. Winch front and back. Snorkel, 24v system etc. I think what concerns me the most is its weight and that despite being a large suv with solid axles you dont read abkut many off road

 

I own the DVD. I also own "The Wraith", "Two Lane Blacktop" and the original H.B. Halicki "Gone in 60 Seconds". Not that new piece of garbage with Cage.

Sorry....

As for the off roading you want to do....sounds like you need a custom lightweight machine or several Sherpas.

 

Google up fordzilla excursion. Maybe that will give some ideas...

 

Link it, 6 inches 37s, arb air lockers or e-lockers front and rear and it'll run lots of deep ruts and mud.

 

Grew up mudding in florida
back before coilover trucks were common
Plenty of leaf spring trucks running four foot deep mud on 49 inch boggers back in those days

we built our trucks for one purpose, to drive accross duck lake

 

I am familiar with Central America mud "roads”

I like the excursion for your usage if you have the means to replace the stock front Dana 50 axle with a Dana 60 out of the F250.
a f250 axle runs about $1000, you can get them for leaf springs or easily convert to coils which give a bit more clearance for 37s or even 40s
the newer 05+ f250 dana 60 has several advantages you want for your purpose. most important is 35 spline axle shafts, larger ring and pinion, bigger unit bearing, stronger hubs larger brakes.

next is lockers, you mentioned it but will add a front locker.
locking hub. the stock vaccum hub is going to fail quickly in that mud, get manual locking hubs
winch, warn 16,000 winch or foirget it.

parts being difficult to get in central america I would consider upgrading your nw dana 60s unit bearing with the Dynatrac Free spin kit and Dynatrac locking hub.
this way you can take the wheel bearing apart and greese it after you submerge the hub. otherwise the stock ones are short lived when submerged.

to fit your 37's. ( i would go 40's). change the suspension from a short travel to Mid travel by using Procomp 22210/22415 springs, this will increase ride height by 4" and allow the desired tire with some trimming.

Not sure what your budget is or you are having build it but I can advise accordingly.

have a link to your lodge ? I take yachts from west coast NA to east coast NA through the canal frequently, always looking for new places to explore