1978 Jeep Expedition of the Americas

From the bottom of the world to the top in a fleet of Jeeps. S136

[@Follett2121]

Absolutely amazing documentary! These older ones hit differently.

[@driveman6490]

"That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little drive. So I drove to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd drive to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just drive across Greenbow county. And I figured, since I drove this far, maybe I'd just drive across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I drove clear across Alabama." ~ Fourwheeler Gump

[@michaelmyers3892]

And the best part of these older movies expeditions is these vehicles we're not driven by computers in satellites, no cell phones nothing, no sponsors just a group of men awesome and a desire to do a dream

[@daveconaway4028]

It’s a jeep thing. Some people wouldn’t understand, but it made me envious.

[@DeanMk1]

This journey was taken several times. This was one of the last. I remember an early issue of PV4 magazine, from about 1972, where a group of Range Rovers took this trip. I figured if I looked hard enough, I'd find some kind of documentary on someone making this trip.

[@deepbludude4697]

Camel Trophy was a similar competition in Discoveries I was invited to compete for a spot on the 92 team, I actualy did really well and was selected for the primary team, but my jreal ob required me to deploy to Africa so I turned down the trip from Manus Brazil to Gtown Guyana. No regrets really.

[@truthhurts5379]

Sweet looking Jeeps! This is proof that anything can be achieved if there’s will and passion!

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

these guys are legends. for that time period this was quite an expedition. and in stock jeeps

[@YankeeCherokee]

Glad to see that full-size Cherokee being the support anchor of the group. This is now on my bucket list

[@chickensfloat7427]

Wagoneer. Not cherokee

[@TozziWelding]

I had a 78 CJ5, I took that little Jeep more places than all of the built Ford and Chevy trucks and always amazed people with what it could do

[@alexisvillaroman]

Thumbs up Jeep Expedition 1978

[@pleasantlakepirate1832]

5 flat tires and 1 broken axle shaft is almost as unbelievable as soft doors in alaska! awesome

[@theproudicelander]

Softtop is also a option in Iceland

[@branon6565]

Pleasant Lake Pirate....I lived in Juneau for 2 years, then Eagle River (north of Anchorage) for another year, and the whole time I lived in Alaska I daily drove a 1958 Willy's Cj-5 with only a soft top, soft doors, and no heater...I was running a Ford 289 K-Code out of a 66 Mustang so a heater core wouldn't fit under the hood...the only thing kept me warm were the Hedman Headers underneath the footwells....

[@horstebreedow8608]

Us Government has only Ford's on its Scientific bases in Antarctica. Nuff said. I drove a Ford Ranger on my 13 month stay at Mcmurdo

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

@@branon6565 that's dumb

[@abjeepify]

horste breedow ahh yes the lowest bidder!

[@geoffballe8766]

Great show men, thanking you all

[@TommyRibs]

There’s a spot that finds its wayinto a special kind of manthat lights a fire deep in his soulthat tells him “yes you can.” He can get out from behind his deskAnd go try something newDriving up the side of the worldIs just the thing to do. Cause he’s driven by a dreamA rainbow is his guideHe get’s his strength from mother earthAnd a billion starry lights He’s driven by a dreamCrossing rivers, climbing treesTo turn the heartaches and the joysInto treasured … memories. This spark becomes a torchAnd is passed from man to manYou can see it in their facesAs they go lend a hand Each step makes him tallerAnd fills his heart with prideWhen your driving up the side of the worldYou take it all in stride

[@175IQLOSERS]

Man what a dream trip..!!

[@chickensfloat7427]

If i was diagnosed with somthing thats gonna kill me id spend my last days living life this this. Fricking cool

[@rondyechannel1399]

Just came up from the barn, working on my CJ7. Installing a Ford 5.0, c4 in place of the trusty old 258. My 8th CJ!!!! since I bought 1 new in 1976.

[@deifor]

That's long ago, the year I was born! When I was a kid I had a toy green CJ, with exactly the same white wheels and probably the same tires these ones have. I have a JKU now, my second, as well as I had a Patriot and a Grand Cherokee, but nothing like the Wrangler. I'd love to have a CJ.

[@dansears9204]

I love this ole stuff , I was 18 when this was made. REAL WHEEL"IN.

[@justinsmith623]

I was born almost a month before they set out. Really puts things in perspective.

[@jphalan]

Would love to do this in my lifetime.

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@Prepper007 Fiat wouldn’t allow it

[@jimvargaco.6344]

@@deborahchesser7375 Why not?

[@diekatzefliegt]

@@jimvargaco.6344 cutting through a rainforest for posterity's sake would probably not be a good look

[@jpetton]

I was with my client, Al Grim, a few years back before he pasted away and he still had his Jeep he used for the trip. Only had 1 dent in the hood and he refused to repair the dent.

[@MarkBradfield]

If someone wants to put together an expedition, this guy's all-in!

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

You sound gay

[@AndrewBrowner]

start finding some sponsors chief, ill be the trips mechanic and welder

[@sacjusticeforyou]

@@jeffreymccarty1388 what is your deal?

[@crelark]

The real hard work is done by the native cutters!

[@DECDEC1220]

This was such a great video. What a cool adventure

[@MrAdrianojujuba]

awesome , this trip was amazing, Hugs from Brazil

[@trevnti]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the vibe, narration, and music combo on these old documentaries. (also, jeeps + adventure = amazing) Why doesnt Jeep sponsor something like this?

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

Why dont you sponsor it dweenus

[@mcearl8073]

I’d say they kind of did here a little bit. They say it’s all financed by the people doing it but that is being a bit dishonest. They bought the Jeep’s for a dollar, the tires were given to them for testing purposes as I’m sure a lot of other supplies were as well. My guess is the reason Jeep didn’t and wouldn’t officially sponsor something like this is because it’s quite dangerous, if they end up kidnapped and killed or just killed in an accident that’s a bad look. I’d imagine the whole thing of selling it for a dollar is for some reason like that.

[@trevnti]

@@jeffreymccarty1388 Waiting to buy Jeep first, then I can afford sponsoring people for great content

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

@@trevnti I'll sell you mine

[@codyowens7412]

You know with a little dramatic flare and with the love for older vehicle movies like Ford vs. Frerrai being so popular now it would be a great time to make a movie of this documentary

[@southwestxnorthwest]

I could never complain about the music from videos in the 70s and 80s

[@Live2Crawl]

This is awesome! thanks for sharing!!

[@gerardtrigo380]

Not quite true about the lack of sponsorship, AMC provided them with brand new 1978 Jeep CJ-7 vehicles. and I can't remember if it was Ramsey or Warn who provided the winches. I was working for AMC at the time and applied to go on the expedition, but was one of many who were not accepted, due to the fact that we were affiliated with AMC.

[@nategcole]

I know right! Look at the all sponsor stickers on the tubs lol

[@jhgeetars1172]

Can't sleep...Getting my first Wrangler in 2 days! I hope to have many epic trips with it :)

[@etwanfredrich9514]

JH Geetars hows the Jeep been?

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Well! Did you get your jeep?

[@tehallanaz]

Well?????? We need details

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

You probably crashed it first thing.... loser

[@jhgeetars1172]

@@anibalbabilonia1867 hell yeah. Still have it and it's perfect!

[@ssexpress4798]

This needs to be accomplished again!

[@Jake2670]

ppl do it all the time now

[@markmiller6844]

@@Jake2670 Nope. Not on four wheels they don't.

[@ShnitzlHaus]

epic adventure.

[@motherlovinsnuffstar]

Cool video, thanks for sharing!!! The Explorer Alby Mangels had a series of shows on his exploits some of which featured a jeep.

[@simplytao]

Wow I know it's an older video but very impressive.

[@JeepV8El19]

Thank you!

[@Aaron-ge1hy]

Brad from Trail Recon brought me here. Awesome documentary! 👌🏼

[@andyrod0077]

Fantastic!!!

[@Kickinpony66]

I truly "Love" this Evolution!

[@SondreForsell]

Fantastic!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Bealieve it or not! This is actually the first camel trophy! It was started with jeeps the first year. Then land rover took over. Awesome footage from jeep!😃👍

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

It says they arent sponsored

[@Jake2670]

@@jeffreymccarty1388 they were, one of the drivers did a interview, said jeep sold em the rigs for dollar each n goodyear did the tires - ramsey did the winches

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

@@Jake2670 it said in the video they are NOT sponsored

[@AndrewBrowner]

@@jeffreymccarty1388 ive seen a few videos on the trip can confirm that ramsey supplied the winches for free both electric ones and PTO driven ones, and goodyear supplied the tires for free to showcase their new design at the time.. cant confirm if jeep actually supplied the vehicles for a dollar or not but the guy had the other facts right so id believe him on that one too

[@sacjusticeforyou]

@@AndrewBrowner the jeeps were bought for a dollar. Read “31 days in the Darien.” Kevin Arnold, son of Mike, who was on expedition, describes in detail. Awesome read man

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Awesome thanks

[@Blackevilmisanthrope]

Any of us who’ve driven to Prudhoe Bay would likely chuckle when the narrator says “the last miles rush by”.

[@rednecksuburbanidiot3230]

Chevrolet done this in the 60s with 2 wheel drive cars

[@stevenharden803]

Love the 1978 jeep cherokee.

[@d.t.o.r4x4dovi83]

Im happy to watch my cj over here

[@clintonh.8847]

@ExpeditionOverland you guys have probably seen this but wow it's be awesome!

[@nashonnashu7244]

its an thrilling journey supreb 👌..

[@alvinkong6528]

Back when Jeep was built tough!!

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

well that is impressive. not sure what else to say! would have loved to be part of that.

[@Satchmojones]

16:30 is a special moment for every jeeper, lmao

[@4x4ManiacBadTimeGarage]

AWESOME

[@sixpest]

Jeeps are total badasses!!!!!!! who agrees.

[@TheKnightsShield]

Hell yeah!!

[@TheKnightsShield]

Hell yeah!!

[@texaskidzuk]

Tforce Sims Almost as good as the mighty Suzuki Samuria. Almost.

[@mrcvry]

Range Rover have done it 1971. 😉

[@kg0173]

@@mrcvry Not from bottom to the top.

[@daveybernard1056]

Now I want to see a military 6x6 or 8x8 do this challenge.

[@2K-Tan]

Now THAT would be sick.

[@user-lu9ey2ce8j]

I just found this - I knew Mike and Kenny Arnold - Kenny and I ran track together and double dated. He died way too young. What an adventure4

[@snarlsbarkley5083]

10:20. False. Some Americans crossed this same Darien gap in 1960 in three stock 2wd Chevrolet Corvairs with two 4wd support trucks. These Jeep guys probably saw the rusted remains of one of the corvairs left behind because it ran out of gas. Incredible story that is even more impressive than this one.

[@joejoe-qn4hu]

I had those tires on my 1978 cj5 that original owner i grew up with had put on there in 1982. i got the jeep in 2006 4th owner those tires had very very little dry rot and 85% tread they would go thru anything and beyond durable.

[@ianmanning850]

joe joe what size and width are they? They look awesome.

[@aired-downdisconnected4125]

These guy's made it look easy.

[@dougharitopulos7694]

Cool story

[@LUTHERJ304]

Any1 ever feel like there old soul trapped in younger body. I belonged to this era

[@michaelwier1222]

I've got a young soul trapped in an old body.

[@gerardtrigo380]

@@michaelwier1222 Me too. My mind keeps telling me I am in my twenties but my body proves otherwise.

[@michaelwier1222]

@@gerardtrigo380 I keep telling myself...I'm still young, it's just my body that's old.

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

Delusional psychopaths commenting here

[@sacjusticeforyou]

@@jeffreymccarty1388 speaking about yourself. Have you tried therapy msn? Would really help you

[@puma1304]

the Darien Gap has attracted many expeditions, in 1959-60 the british crossed it aboard the legendary Land Rover (the real one, not the junk produced today), this piece of jungle is one biological hotspot that should be preserved at all costs, so a road is not the best of arguments when you want to achieve such thing...

[@badgerpa9]

with 250 soldiers.

[@RockNRoll-wb8fn]

JEEP I LOVE IT

[@xadavalu]

Who would dislike this video!?

[@dweaver1805]

Im surprised JeeP didnt give them money this is the longest running JeeP add there is lol

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Read Road Fever by Tim Cahill, in which he and Gary Sowerby take a GMC 4x4 pickup the length of the Americas, albeit bypassing the Darien Gap and Nicaragua.

[@hardboy1864]

Im sure they went through Nicaragua. They did not go through El Salvador.

[@roguedalek900]

There was a book written about this . Its an awesome good read

[@Psychli]

What is the book?

[@sscbkr48]

Quite the adventure.. the hardest part was enduring "driven by a dream" arrrrgh!

[@robroche6483]

Found out about this on Dirt Everyday!

[@truthhurts5379]

This can only be done by groups. A loner would get stuck fast somewhere in the beginning. Cooperation!

[@Abdulhakeembennette]

Great, thanks for posting. I use a Jeep in the desert, I think it's a lot easier than this.

[@EmeraldEnchantments]

Where are these jeeps now. Wouldn't that be awesome to own one.

[@calsurflance5598]

Several still show up at Jeep rallies and have actually even had a 6 week reunion trip from Lima Peru to Santiago Chile back in 1999. Rumor has it another reunion may be in the future.

[@thedudefmcdh6719]

Jeep just eats every path

[@turdferguson74]

Those ladders were pretty cool. But where does the fuel come from?

[@johnrobinson5156]

Three New Stock Corvairs and two 4x4 Chevy trucks hacked the jungle and bridged the Darian Gap after driving from Michigan in 1960. No lie!

[@phasechange5053]

With modern Snorkels and Sealed Plugs/EFI @ 18:20 Ish guys would just drive across that waste deep river with their snorkeled Wranglers..

[@teop7887]

Back when it was safe to travel across S America...

[@smashmasterjohn]

Cool

[@jcg8675]

i wish more people would do these sorts of expeditions

[@billynunns]

Jesse Garcia check out expedition overland on KZbin. great videos

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

The Story Till Now. Ozark Overland Adventures There’s a good bit of good overlanding channels

[@mprintz5777]

I’d be happy just going coast to coast. The question for me would be do I take the Wrangler or the Cherokee?

[@anthonygodoy8562]

M Printz my girlfriend and I were planning on doing Los Angeles to the Florida keys than COVID-19 happens ..

[@davidgarcia6095]

This great adventure can’t be done today on 2021, guerrilla paramilitary,drugs cartels,bandits etc,too risky and dangerous.

[@myopicchiwawa]

The Darien Gap is the only reason why America's population is not 700 million. Har 😂😅😊

[@michaelharris1455]

wonder where those jeeps are now, be neat to have, or even just see one of them.

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

Crashed.. all of them

[@melsando1131]

Mark Smith's jeep from this expedition is on display at the Museum run by the Jeep Jamboree USA people in California.

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

@@melsando1131 jeep jamboree=sierra club

[@clintppalmer]

Has anyone done the Darien since these guys? I don’t think so.

[@albertodonn8581]

Look at these simple gringos playing their banjos and having a great time with locals in Chile! The good old days when Americans weren't scared of people who spoke a different language.

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

Unfortunately, there have always been Americans that did not like people that spoke diff languages. I’m from Mississippi and it’s literally black and white down there. 😂

[@jamesparks3504]

I wonder if they followed the same trail through the Darien Gap the Chevrolet Corvairs used in the late 50's when they went through?

[@chrissmith7364]

122 days, 21000 miles!

[@ashleymarie7452]

Jeeps are cute. Barbie has one!

[@xmo552]

Is it me or is the audio messed up?

[@Danny-sp9yu]

In todays world you need 37s just to go shopping

[@_paramedik976]

real Darien gap movie?

[@jordancivic96]

anyone know the name and artist of the song at 16:11

[@ArmpitStudios]

Ack, the audio channels are out of phase, making the audio hard to listen to. Luckily I can flip one channel on my Mac to correct it.

[@trailstomper93]

Dirt everyday got me curious. Lol this is the trip if a lifetime.

[@leftystrat62]

simpler Jeeps,simpler people,simpler times

[@jeremy8715]

JL Rubicon would probable break on the first day.

[@bobbybrady7872]

Probably not

[@kg0173]

This is how Camel Trophy idea came about.

[@jeremy8715]

What size tires on the CJs?

[@badgerpa9]

Stock tires.

[@AndrewBrowner]

@@badgerpa9 didnt know "stock" was a measurement.. is that metric or imperial

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

@@AndrewBrownerit’s Canadian 😂

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

@@AndrewBrownerjust trying to poke some fun

[@anthonystrohmayer7462]

Make the Darien Gap Great Again! In 2021

[@jacobhalo4526]

and 2022

[@christianzaccone4347]

Wish the volume was a little louder can barely hear it.

[@Intentsrig]

Anyone see the shotgun at 13:07 ? Try having that through those countries nowadays!

[@bryanphelan1104]

All I saw at 13:07 was a white steel wheel.

[@Billhatestheinternet]

Funny, you can't have one down there now (they probably had that and the 6 shooter for critters that assume eat them). Yet all the drug lords and crooked cops that work for them have arsenals (even more reason to have a gun there now than before).

[@jmccracken491]

JEEP THE TOUGHEST FOUR LETTERED WORD IN THE WORLD.

[@Jake2670]

my 77 wasn't, what a piece, rebuilt it twice then traded it off for a K5, still have it :-)

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

Fun is a three letter word, and it’s spelled: J, Double-E, and P.

[@drivetilldeathilovefullthr9078]

26:35

[@hockeyfamily3783]

believe they purchased the Jeeps for a penny each...

[@SkyPilot2012]

I see where Camel atrophy got its inspiration