Dreaming.... miss my trucks...

[TheOtherSide]

Woke up this morning missing my trucks...

My ZJ... TONS of memories... and the kids constantly talk about "Daddy's Jeep"
http://www.overlandcanada.com/net/94zj/now/004.jpg

And my Burb.... only had it a few short months, but had great memories... and the kids played in it like a jungle gym.
http://pics.overlandcanada.com/vac2009/031.jpg

Problem is we sold it all to prep to sell our house and maximize our finances so we can buy another house with max downpayment etc... want to downsize the mortgage. So I can't buy another truck until that all pans out.

However... we have our campsite booked for Summer 2010 and don't have a tow vehicle for the trailer:
http://pics.overlandcanada.com/vac2009/022.jpg

So I'm currently in negotiations with my dear wife... who is now open to selling the minivan in exchange for a 1/2 ton Suburban. (last one was 3/4 ton and rode like a work truck). The 1/2 ton should still be able to pull the trailer with ease... just have to make sure we get the right gears (4.10's)... and will have a small block instead of a big block!! It would be the family daily driver.... and just barely fit into the garage. This would possibly happen before the house selling/buying.

Our screen saver keeps running through photos of our camping trips... and 4 wheeling trips with the kids etc... so I'm really missing our trucks...

Bonus besides the van-suburban trade in the near future is.... I can plan my next truck. It may be a Jeep... or it may be a full sized Blazer or something to be able to maximize space as I have 3 boys. My wife may or may not join the wheeling team... but if she ever does even for one trip, I want the space... which means full size. Otherwise I'd be interested in another ZJ. This time I'd long arm it right off the bat! :D

Anyhow... just thought I'd share my current state of dreaming.... wish I could spend big $$ for ME right now... but have to put my awesome family first. (guess some of you didn't know why I sold off the trucks and a bunch of parts/equipment... family before toys.)

Cheers...

:4x4:

[Sero]

The Yukon is basically the same thing, just a bit shorter, 199" for the 4 dr, it also shows a diesel as an option...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Tahoe#1992_-_1999_.28GMT400.29

The Suburban is speced at 220"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Suburban#1992_-_1999

[TheOtherSide]

The Yukon is basically the same thing, just a bit shorter, 199" for the 4 dr, it also shows a diesel as an option...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Tahoe#1992_-_1999_.28GMT400.29

The Suburban is speced at 220"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Suburban#1992_-_1999

Are you suggesting the Yukon/Tahoe for the van replacement or the wheeler?

It may be a good option for wheeling with the 4 door and diesel... but did they have the diesel in Canada? Seeing what Jordy's Burb can do on 35's and IFS... can do a Yukon/Tahoe and have a shorter wheel base. Good Overland Rig I think!!

It wouldn't work for the family daily driver as we want the space for family camping etc. Tahoe/Yukon can have the 3rd row, but then there is no space for extra stuff. Also want the Burb for the family tow vehicle as when the kids want to bring friends, there is more space for friends and their gear too.

[Sero]

... but did they have the diesel in Canada?


Don't know about that, maybe have to buy a US model.


Seeing what Jordy's Burb can do on 35's and IFS... can do a Yukon/Tahoe and have a shorter wheel base. Good Overland Rig I think!!


Agreed


It wouldn't work for the family daily driver as we want the space for family camping etc. Tahoe/Yukon can have the 3rd row, but then there is no space for extra stuff.

That's why you have a trailer...:confused: Or maybe a roof rack or one of those roof cargo box's like this (http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10311351&whse=BCCA&Ne=4000000&eCat=BCCA|20483|20738|22376&N=4009806&Mo=17&pos=1&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&cat=22376&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-CA&Sp=C&ec=BCCA-EC12902-Cat20738&topnav=)

Also want the Burb for the family tow vehicle as when the kids want to bring friends, there is more space for friends and their gear too.
How often is that going to happen?

Just some options...selling your wife on a shorter truck will be easier and it'll fit in the garage better

[TheOtherSide]

Here is an awesome option... Power Stroke Excusion for an Overland Rig... but I'd have to empty the bank to put one like this together not to snag on every bump in the trail (check out page 2 with his seat organizers... cool):
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30805

On the same link as above.. check out the Overland Van on page 3... beige one. $$$$$$

Or a project like this... Old School Suburban with a dodge diesel swap:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27847


In response to Sero...
A trailer has a max load capacity... have to be careful how you load them up. The Burb itself has a larger carrying capacity... and you're not supposed to overload the trailer. However... the roof rack idea is a good one. Have to check towing capacities of the Tahoe/Yukons to see if they can tow the same. True how it would fit better in the garage... no question about that... and wifey would likely be happier driving it.

More things to consider!!

[RedApe]

Ooo, I hear ya. I wake from nightmares about my 82 Toy...

Campsite 2010: appears to be one of the lake side sites on either Okanagan or Skaha?
We are in the OK. every season as the in-laws are in Peachland :)

[TheOtherSide]

Ooo, I hear ya. I wake from nightmares about my 82 Toy...

Campsite 2010: appears to be one of the lake side sites on either Okanagan or Skaha?
We are in the OK. every season as the in-laws are in Peachland :)

Cabana Beach Campground in Osoyoos.... we love it!!

[240 Jordy]

Yukon or Burb you'll want to consider swapping the rear diff to the 14 bolt 9.5" semi floater. I have 2, both will be available next spring.

As we've talked about before, the IFS lift will also be available. but I still recommend going for new if it can fit in the budget.

Did some snow wheeling today up to Kenyon Lake, Twin Lakes, Salisbury lakes. Grabbed 5 Geocaches 4 of them were first to finds. It was a good day!



:canadian:

[Jeremy]

I would look very closely at a 7.3L Excusion, they have a solid front axle to start. The 7.3L Power Stroke is a very good engine, much better than the following 6.0L POS. Lots of room for the kids and power to tow a trailer. If there is not enough power lots of mods to make a smoke snorting 40" tire shredding monster :D.

The Yukon would be much easier on your wife driving it daily I'm sure.