billharr
Senior Member
Turtle III 1987 F350 4x4
The Ford F-350, with its International Diesel engine and the Four Wheel pop-up camper, were the perfect combination for our 14-month/50,000-mile South American adventure. The Sacsayhuaman ruins in Cuzco, Peru are in the background.
Ongoing reliability problems with The Turtle II made it a poor choice for extensive travel in Central and South America. In 1987, Ford became a sponsor and supplied us with an F-350 4X4 truck, powered by the International 6.9 L diesel. The Turtle III was born. All the problems normally associated with engines--carburetors, ignition systems, fuel quality,--suddenly became a thing of the past. We added a Banks turbo and basically never touched the engine for the next 160,000 miles. A 14-month/50,000-mile exploration of South America was proof enough. Fording rivers in Ecuador, climbing mountains in Chile (over 16,710 ft.), and slogging through the mud of the Amazon, we seldom got less than 12 to 14-mpg on whatever diesel was available. The 4-speed manual transmission was bulletproof. Later we added a Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive, giving the 4.10 gears a longer leg.
The Four Wheel Pop-Up Camper served us well throughout South America, and later in Mexico and Canada, but as any pop-up with soft sides, it was a tent, and tents, by nature, leak and are hard to keep warm. It was a good compromise for the weight and low profile, and we would later use it in Russia.
The track from Manaus to Boa Vista near the Venezuelan border was a tank trap of deep mud and washed-out bridges. We needed special military clearance to attempt this route.
By now, we were starting to figure out what worked on the road. Little things like German seats, a custom walnut center console, Auto Meter mechanical gauges, BFGoodrich tires, PIAA Professional Driving Lights, and ARB Locking differentials would become standard on future Turtle Expedition trucks.
In 1994, already thinking about Russia, we took International's offer to upgrade the 6.9 L engine for the improved 7.3 L Turbo, and The Turtle III got a new lease on life. Still, driving across all of Eurasia, including a winter crossing of Siberia, would be a tough adventure for an 8-year old truck. Could it make it? Undoubtedly! Would we prefer an all new F-350? Of course! The Turtle IV was delivered in 1992.
Specifications in a Nut Shell
Base Vehicle -- 1987 Ford F-350
Design and Assembly -- The Turtle Expedition, Unlimited
Engine -- International 7.3 L Turbo Diesel V8
Torque -- Tons @700 RPM
Horsepower -- Lots@2,500 RPM
Transmission -- Factory four-speed with Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive
Transfer Case -- Factory two-speed
Locking Hubs -- Mile Marker
Suspension -- National Spring packs
Rear Differential -- ARB
Front Differential -ARB
Tire mud tires
Wheels -Alcoa hot forged aluminum
Weight -12,000 lbs. fully loaded
Fuel Capacity -- 50 gallons
Camper -- Modified Four Wheel Pop-Up
Details
GENERAL HISTORY 1987 to 1996
Refreshed from its South American adventure, The Turtle III shows that even a fully loaded F-350 has ample wheel travel to keep all four feet on the ground.
The Turtle III was designed and built to be a comfortable international backroad travel and camping vehicle. Its modification and construction were an ongoing project for nine years. Based on a 1987 Ford F-350 one-ton 4X4 pick-up, every system was built to reflect the final goal of reliability. Cost was never a factor. Our sole responsibility in choosing each piece of equipment was simply to find the best!!
During all modifications, we were able to maintain the underlying basic reliability of the Ford F series truck and its international availability of parts and service. This would have proven especially important in South America if we had had any problems. We didn't.
The Ford F-350, with its International Diesel engine and the Four Wheel pop-up camper, were the perfect combination for our 14-month/50,000-mile South American adventure. The Sacsayhuaman ruins in Cuzco, Peru are in the background.
Ongoing reliability problems with The Turtle II made it a poor choice for extensive travel in Central and South America. In 1987, Ford became a sponsor and supplied us with an F-350 4X4 truck, powered by the International 6.9 L diesel. The Turtle III was born. All the problems normally associated with engines--carburetors, ignition systems, fuel quality,--suddenly became a thing of the past. We added a Banks turbo and basically never touched the engine for the next 160,000 miles. A 14-month/50,000-mile exploration of South America was proof enough. Fording rivers in Ecuador, climbing mountains in Chile (over 16,710 ft.), and slogging through the mud of the Amazon, we seldom got less than 12 to 14-mpg on whatever diesel was available. The 4-speed manual transmission was bulletproof. Later we added a Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive, giving the 4.10 gears a longer leg.
The Four Wheel Pop-Up Camper served us well throughout South America, and later in Mexico and Canada, but as any pop-up with soft sides, it was a tent, and tents, by nature, leak and are hard to keep warm. It was a good compromise for the weight and low profile, and we would later use it in Russia.
The track from Manaus to Boa Vista near the Venezuelan border was a tank trap of deep mud and washed-out bridges. We needed special military clearance to attempt this route.
By now, we were starting to figure out what worked on the road. Little things like German seats, a custom walnut center console, Auto Meter mechanical gauges, BFGoodrich tires, PIAA Professional Driving Lights, and ARB Locking differentials would become standard on future Turtle Expedition trucks.
In 1994, already thinking about Russia, we took International's offer to upgrade the 6.9 L engine for the improved 7.3 L Turbo, and The Turtle III got a new lease on life. Still, driving across all of Eurasia, including a winter crossing of Siberia, would be a tough adventure for an 8-year old truck. Could it make it? Undoubtedly! Would we prefer an all new F-350? Of course! The Turtle IV was delivered in 1992.
Specifications in a Nut Shell
Base Vehicle -- 1987 Ford F-350
Design and Assembly -- The Turtle Expedition, Unlimited
Engine -- International 7.3 L Turbo Diesel V8
Torque -- Tons @700 RPM
Horsepower -- Lots@2,500 RPM
Transmission -- Factory four-speed with Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive
Transfer Case -- Factory two-speed
Locking Hubs -- Mile Marker
Suspension -- National Spring packs
Rear Differential -- ARB
Front Differential -ARB
Tire mud tires
Wheels -Alcoa hot forged aluminum
Weight -12,000 lbs. fully loaded
Fuel Capacity -- 50 gallons
Camper -- Modified Four Wheel Pop-Up
Details
GENERAL HISTORY 1987 to 1996
Refreshed from its South American adventure, The Turtle III shows that even a fully loaded F-350 has ample wheel travel to keep all four feet on the ground.
The Turtle III was designed and built to be a comfortable international backroad travel and camping vehicle. Its modification and construction were an ongoing project for nine years. Based on a 1987 Ford F-350 one-ton 4X4 pick-up, every system was built to reflect the final goal of reliability. Cost was never a factor. Our sole responsibility in choosing each piece of equipment was simply to find the best!!
During all modifications, we were able to maintain the underlying basic reliability of the Ford F series truck and its international availability of parts and service. This would have proven especially important in South America if we had had any problems. We didn't.
