Biggest Toyota Tundra Road Trip Ever

The lure of the open road and the promise of adventure that a road trip offers is something that appeals to a wide demographic of car lovers. For many, the ultimate vacation would be a cross-country drive that provides ample opportunity to stop and explore the cities, places and sights that help to make America what it is.

For Steve Bouey and his friend Steve Shoppman (the Steves’), the dream of driving across the country didn’t stop when they reached the ocean on the other side. They chose to extend their journey into a 2 year odyssey that stretched across 67 different countries and a total of 66,000 miles – and they did it all from behind the wheel of a 2007 Toyota Tundra (and an 04′ Sequoia).

Looking across the Tundra's hood at a burned out Angolan tank.

While some might be surprised at their choice of vehicle, it was an easy decision for the two young globetrotters to embark on their adventure from behind the wheel of Toyota’s flagship pickup truck. The Tundra’s combination of power, off-road ability and all-around capabilities (the Tundra could haul supplies like extra fuel, spare parts and gear) made it an obvious choice to the Steves’. Along with a 2004 Toyota Sequoia, the two travelers were accompanied by a small support team who ensured that their trip would be free from incident.

The route taken driving the world in a Tundra

What better way to put your expedition on firm footing than by trusting one of the most reliable truck makers on the planet? Bouey and Shoppman were lucky when outfitting their mission in that a website that the two had designed in order to describe their planned trip had succeeded in attracting the attention of thousands of monthly visitors – not to mention sponsors. One such supporter was Stevinson Toyota, a Denver dealership who provided the pair with their vehicles.

Interestingly, a significant amount of their financial support also came from people that they met on the road. The epic nature of their voyage helped them to connect with the people they would encounter in each country, providing them not only with much needed cash but also a support network.

Toyota’s international support network of dealers and distributors was also a crucial factor when it came to the pair’s success. They knew that Toyota’s extensive worldwide presence would be important to them in the unlikely event that either of their trucks needed to be repaired. One of the main reasons the Sequoia and the Tundra were paired up is that the vehicles share many parts, making repairs and part sourcing that much easier.

Navigating an Angolan water hazard in an 07' Tundra

With nicknames like “The Thundra” and “Little Pepe“, the two vehicles served the pair well. The Double Cab Tundra was outfitted with the smaller 4.7 liter V8, as well as TRD’s Off-Road Package, in order to help them through some of the more inhospitable parts of their journey. The Sequoia featured the same engine, although it was rated at 240 horsepower – 30 fewer than the Tundra. It too had a four-wheel drive setup in order to fjord through the most difficult obstacles, be they desert, arctic or mountainous in nature.

In terms of aftermarket modifications, each truck featured Toytec gear – a lift kit on the Sequoia and extra leaf springs for the Tundra – in order to increase their ground clearance. These kits were paired with Mickey Thompson wheels, Thule roof boxes and a Warn winch. The Tundra also had an A.R.E. hard shell cap installed in order to help protect the supplies that were being transported.

Group pose at world famous Patagonia in Argentina

Steve Bouey and Steve Shoppman (and group) have proven that not only can the human spirit triumph over whatever difficulties might crop up when one is thousands of miles from home, but also that the Toyota Tundra is one of the most reliable, capable and rugged road trip vehicles ever built.

Visit TheWorldByRoad.com for more information.