Tom and Matt are no stranger to adventure - expedition style. They are embarking on a route very similar to the EA Phase I route, but will be tracking from North to South.
The expedition team:
TOM HISER
Age 63
Profession: Retired from the BNSF railroad as a locomotive engineer
Current professionsDeputy Director of Emergency Management for Seward County in Nebraska….part time
Red Cross instructor
Military service: Navy, Navy Reserves, Army and Army Reserves Enlisted in 1966 and final ETS in 1996. Saw active service during the Viet Nam war, the Cold War and the liberation of Kuwait.
MarriedWife Vicki-We’ve been married for 42 years
3 sonsEvan 35
Troy 34
Benjamin 18
We live in Seward, Nebraska
Vehicle description
2002 Jeep Wrangler X
4.0 in line 6 cyl
5 speed
Soft top/Bestop Sailcloth
Soft upper doors - Sliders for winter
Zip in windows for summer
Windjammer cab curtain
Modifications
3” lift
5 tow points-2 front and 3 rear
Front bumper/stinger/light tabs-Rock Hard 4x4
Rear bumper/swing out tire carrier/can racks-Rock Hard 4x4
Rock Rack on swing out-Rock Hard 4x4
Rock sliders-Rock Hard 4x4
Tires-32x1150x15 ATs
Rims-Soft 8 steel
Engine skid plate-Teraflex
Steering box skid plate-Warn
Radiator skid plate
Adjustable front track bar
ACOS adjustable rear bump stops
Rancho 9000 shocks
ZJ front coil springs/ 2” spacer
3” lift rear coil springs
Extended brake lines
XRC 8 Smittybilt winch
5 lb CO2 bottle
3 fire extinguishers
Hood mounted shovel
KC Hilights driving lights and fog lights
Rear flood lights
Rock lights underneath front and back
Kenwood TMD 710 A dual band amateur radio/ ¼ wave Comet antenna
Call sign KD0FSU
Radio Shack 40 channel CB/ Fire Stick antenna
Yaseu FT 60 handheld dual band amateur radio
Tom Tom navigation system
600 amp inverter
MATTHEW HICKEY
Age: 39
Profession: Facility operations and management
Military: Officer in Nebraska 1-134 Cavalry Squadron, deployed to Afghanistan 2010
Single/no kids
Vehicle description
Vehicle: 1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ SE
Soft top; 4.6L “stroker”; AW-4 auto (95 Jeep Cherokee XJ); HD NP231 transfer case; YJ Dana 30 with OX locker and one piece shaft with 4.10 gears; Ford 8.8 rear axle with Eaton ELocker and 4.10 gears; mixed suspension with Fabtech springs yielding approximately 4.5” lift; and 33” Mickey Thompson MTZ tires
Modifications
SwayLOC air actuated sway bar disconnect; Rock Hard supplemental roll cage; off road lighting system; custom front and rear bumpers; custom rock rails; Bushwhacker 6” flares; custom skidplate crossmember; JKS telescoping track bar; ARB snorkel with Turbo II precleaner; high output alternator; dual AGM batteries; upgraded brakes; and upgraded engine, transmission, and hydraulic coolers
Overland and Maintenance Equipment- engine driven York air compressor; Mobi-Arc onboard welder; onboard hot water heater; hood mount for shovel, twin “jerry can” carrier; custom rear tool storage chest and Bestop fender storage boxes; Yaesu FTM-350R dual band transceiver; Garmin GPS; Prodigy trailer brake controller; 5 pound ABC fire extinguisher; field medical kit; field service tool kit; Warn 9500i winch with Viking synthetic rope; recovery kit; pneumatic tool kit; and terrain tools
Lightweight Overland Trailer is custom built with an Adventure Trailers 3-axis hitch, 2000 lbs. axle equipped with electric brakes and matching 33” tires, OME Suzuki Samurai springs and shocks, pivoting lid with aluminum roof rack, Tuffy storage box on tongue, dual water can carrier, LED lighting, Hi-Lift Extreme jack, Pull-Pal anchor, camping equipment, and custom BOXXX field kitchen
