LJ70 Build Thread!

[Paddler Ed]

Ben, why are you wanting up off the ground? And if you want up off the ground what about a DD or Henessey hammock?

The problem with lifting yourself off the ground is that you lose a shed load of heat, as the heat just escapes from underneath you; the best way of insulating yourself is to run a self inflating mat underneath you to insulate you from that cold (I used a hammock 3 times a week for about 2 months, so got used to using it that way...)

Have a look at the Black Wolf Turbo 210's as well; they pack down a bit smaller than the Oz Tents are; I had a look at both when I needed to cost up some replacements for one place I worked at; the conclusion was that the Black Wolf was the best option in terms of size:cost:ease of putting up:durability

For the space that you have in LJ I reckon that the Black Wolf is the best bet.

Also, thinking about your rear awning wish:
What about doing something like a boat canopy off of the swing away rear wheel carrier? My thought is to have something that swings out to 90* to the car, that then allows you to pop a pair of poles in to it that support an awning off of the back of the car/roof rack...

 

[TonyS]

I think Hannibal make a rear awning, friends have them on their landies.

 

[fridayman]

Could you put that bunker up in the rain without the inside getting wet?

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

I do like the idea of having an awning on the roof rack for shade and shelter, but I'd like it if I could some how mount it to the roof rack in such a way that the roof rack can brush against trees if need be and the awning not get damaged.

You could put the awning on offset hinges so it lies down flat on the rack away from the edge when not in use. That's what I did with the Fox Wing on one of my 100 series 'rack' versions and it worked quite well. Going to do that again on this 80 when I get chance. Don't know how Tony got on with the ones I made for his Hilux. Most of the time if you're going to contact a tree it'll be right at the edges won't it.

It's a shame the Oz tent has to go on the roof but that does keep it a fairly slimline shape for keeping out of the way of trees vs a shorter but much bigger diameter pack size and frees up space inside for the stretcher and self inflating mattress to keep comfy. If you were thinking roof tent you definitely won't want to keep one of those in the back of LJ

 

[Ben]

Ben, why are you wanting up off the ground? And if you want up off the ground what about a DD or Henessey hammock?

The problem with lifting yourself off the ground is that you lose a shed load of heat, as the heat just escapes from underneath you; the best way of insulating yourself is to run a self inflating mat underneath you to insulate you from that cold (I used a hammock 3 times a week for about 2 months, so got used to using it that way...)

Have a look at the Black Wolf Turbo 210's as well; they pack down a bit smaller than the Oz Tents are; I had a look at both when I needed to cost up some replacements for one place I worked at; the conclusion was that the Black Wolf was the best option in terms of size:cost:ease of putting up:durability

For the space that you have in LJ I reckon that the Black Wolf is the best bet.

Also, thinking about your rear awning wish:
What about doing something like a boat canopy off of the swing away rear wheel carrier? My thought is to have something that swings out to 90* to the car, that then allows you to pop a pair of poles in to it that support an awning off of the back of the car/roof rack...

Thanks Ed.

Will check out your links and do some more research in a min.

The reason I want to be off the ground is because I never seem to get a great nights sleep being on it. When I was doing some searching earlier I was reading on a forum about thin foil mats that you can put down on the stretcher that ensures you don't get cold from being off the ground.

If you're worried about the cold coming through, maybe consider one of the thin air cell silver foil blankets for under your mattress. They take up next to no space, and seem to do a good job at keeping the cold out. We have one fitted in our double swag.

Heres the thread and theres a link halfway down the page to a thread discussing the foil mats:

http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?1472-Jet-Bunker-by-Oz-tent/page3

I think Hannibal make a rear awning, friends have them on their landies.

Thanks Tony I will have a look.

Could you put that bunker up in the rain without the inside getting wet?

Probably not.

But if setting it up under an awning it might be ok.

Given how quick it is to setup though I'm not sure how wet the inside would get, obviously I'm thinking of the rain we get down here, not the impressive storms you get up in Queensland!

 

[Ben]

You could put the awning on offset hinges so it lies down flat on the rack away from the edge when not in use. That's what I did with the Fox Wing on one of my 100 series 'rack' versions and it worked quite well. Going to do that again on this 80 when I get chance. Don't know how Tony got on with the ones I made for his Hilux. Most of the time if you're going to contact a tree it'll be right at the edges won't it.

It's a shame the Oz tent has to go on the roof but that does keep it a fairly slimline shape for keeping out of the way of trees vs a shorter but much bigger diameter pack size and frees up space inside for the stretcher and self inflating mattress to keep comfy. If you were thinking roof tent you definitely won't want to keep one of those in the back of LJ

Oops missed your post John.

Good idea with mounting the awning/foxwing thanks.

I was really sold on the bunker idea but now you've made me think maybe a normal OZ tent might be the way forward.

Fortunately I've got quite a few months before the trip to make my decision and buy something, but I am quite keen to buy something ASAP as it would be nice to use it on the 2 trips which are coming up this month.

 

[TonyS]

You could put the awning on offset hinges so it lies down flat on the rack away from the edge when not in use. That's what I did with the Fox Wing on one of my 100 series 'rack' versions and it worked quite well. Going to do that again on this 80 when I get chance. Don't know how Tony got on with the ones I made for his Hilux. Most of the time if you're going to contact a tree it'll be right at

Works really well, Jon, keeps it well out of the way. You should patent the hinges! ;-)

 

[TonyS]

On my last Pyrenees trip I slept on an oztent stretcher, under the fox wing in an army sleeping bag, and it froze every night. Very comfy. The stretcher doesn't take up much room, awning gives excellent shelter, especially if you use the sides as well. Sleeping bags can pack quite small.
Oz tents are superb, but you still need to carry bedding/ mattress/stretcher.
Swags are all in one, but will need to go on roof, probably.
For all the trips you do, there are so many different options, maybe you need more than one. Decisions decisions! ;-)

 

[Ben]

It really is hard trying to decide what to get. I think I've decided against a RTT because it wont get used very often, will take up room storing it and it will make LJ even more unstable off road.

I like the bunker, and that would fit in LJ quite nicely and then all I would need would be a sleeping bag and pillow.

But then it only takes one person and its not ideal to setup if its raining as the inside will probably get wet.

OZ tent fixes those issues, but then I would need a roof rack/roof bars, and I would want to carry a stretcher in the car along with the sleeping bag and pillow. So I would need stuff on the roof + loose space inside.

Maybe I should just buy both!

 

[Ben]

OK having done lots more searching and reading online and thinking, its looking like I will go for the OZ Tent Bunker and an awning or 2.

Firstly the Bunker......................

They've bought a new one out that is called the XL which is 100mm wider and 100mm longer so I think that is the one I will go for.

I found a place online and when I realized they were in Victoria I thought great I can go and have a look at one. Then I realized there in Mildura which is getting on for an 11 hour round trip.

http://www.kulkyne.com/au/Jet-Tent-Bunker-XL_2.html

Thats the cheapest price I've found online, but I will see if my boss can get it me cheaper.

That company also sell an awning which would fit nicely on the back of LJ and give me some shade and shelter when cooking.

http://www.kulkyne.com/au/4WD-Side-Awning-1-4-x-2-0m_2.html

I'd also like an awning on the side of the truck but I'm struggling to find one thats about 1800mm long. Loads of 2 meter long ones but that would be too long to fit in/on the roof rack using JW's hinge idea which I'm keen to do as then the roof rack can brush against trees without risk of damaging the awning.

I've ruled out a foxwing as there 2500mm long so far too long.

I'm also keen to get one of the hammocks that Ed linked to.

I discovered the joys of hammocks over Christmas and now I think there great.
So I'd like to carry one in LJ and on certain trips it might be quicker and easier to just string a hammock from the bullbar to a tree rather than setting the bunker up.

The one below looks great and very versatile.



http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

 

[Ben]

Tiny update/pics then we can get back to the subject of tents if anyone has anything to add on that subject.

On my last trip I tested out 2 of the cb radio speakers I picked up from work. So after deciding which one was best I needed to fit it properly as I had just cable tied it in place.





Decided it would fit best here.





So I pulled the center console out.



And drilled and bolted the speaker bracket in place.



While the center console was out I decided to run the power for the fridge through.

I decided to use the wire and fittings that came with the fridge, atleast for now until we re-wire the whole truck.



Nice how its all prewired in nice thick cable.







Couldn't decide where to fit the socket to, but thought maybe I could fit it to the back of the water can holder. Then I got thinking and decided that it would probably be quicker and easier to make the holder for the water cans out of some of the ply I'd got left than making it out of aluminium.
I might still make an ally one but for now I will use a ply one.











Glued and screwed together.



I will get some straps from work to hold the containers in place, weve got a huge box full of ones we supply with our fridge slides that will be perfect.







There is just enough room to get the containers out with the fridge in position.





This is where I thought the socket could go.



Or even here.



Once I've worked out where everything is going I'm going to bolt some of these Toyota tie down points in place so anything loose, like the new tent can be strapped down.



The replacement back door thats fitted after the last one got dented by a tree is quite rotten on one corner.

Despite my best efforts to rust kill and paint the area the rust keeps coming through so I'm going to have to cut the rot out and weld new metal in.





The other thing that needs repairing is the bottom hinge is broken. So I will probably take the hinge off, drill out the old pin and fit a new one with a spot of weld top and bottom.



While the door is off being repaired I want to try and cut enough out of the inside to fit my gas stove in there.

So the plan will be to carefully cut out the center of the piece of aluminium that fits against the door and hinge it, so it opens up to reveal the gas stove that can then be removed and set up on the table.



That just pulls off.



To reveal the inside of the door that I want to butcher.







And finally I want to replace my 35" tyres before my Simpson Desert trip. These tyres have been great and I actually won my first Lincomb on them. But there quite worn now and I dont trust them for such a big trip.



So I've been pricing up a set of 35" x 15 x 12.5 BFG KM2's.

Now the cheapest price seems to be on ebay, certainly cheaper than anyone locally can do them for. The tyre place I went to today came back with a price of nearly $400 a corner. When I told them I can get them for $320 a tyre on ebay can they do them any cheaper they came back with $365 which is apparently the lowest they can go to, and they will fit and balance them for that price too.

They then went on to say that the cheaper tyres on ebay were probably parallel imports and so are probably not suitable for the tough Ozzie conditions.

These are the tyres/seller.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-X-NEW-..._Parts_Accessories&hash=item540309c5c0&_uhb=1

And after doing some digging I found some interesting stuff regarding parallel import tyres.

http://www.fjcc.com.au/f36/bf-goodrich-parallel-imports-736/

http://www.tyretrader.com.au/blog/general-information/the-parallel-import-myth/

So I cant really decide what to do about the tyres, but I'm thinking I will probably just buy them through the local tyre place. Atleast then I know they've been imported and sold through Michelin and so are fit for the Australian market and should I have any issues I should be protected.

 

[Paddler Ed]

I'm also keen to get one of the hammocks that Ed linked to.

I discovered the joys of hammocks over Christmas and now I think there great.
So I'd like to carry one in LJ and on certain trips it might be quicker and easier to just string a hammock from the bullbar to a tree rather than setting the bunker up.

The one below looks great and very versatile.



http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

Hang it higher than that... typically I'll hang mine at about 1.7m off the ground and then when I get in it I'm still high enough that a boar can run under me...

They're really comfy, and nice and small when packed up.

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

Works really well, Jon, keeps it well out of the way. You should patent the hinges! ;-)

Excellent, keep meaning to ask about them when I see you and always forget

That company also sell an awning which would fit nicely on the back of LJ and give me some shade and shelter when cooking.

http://www.kulkyne.com/au/4WD-Side-Awning-1-4-x-2-0m_2.html

Will that end up sticking out at the sides and be a clearance problem? Another thought is if the rain is at all sideways it will come in at the sides and you could do with something wider

 

[Ben]

Thanks Ed.

Good points John.

Just been out and actually measured the roof at the back of LJ and 1400mm is a little bit too wide, ideally I need one 1300mm wide.

Are there any other companies that make foxwing style awnings?

I'd love a foxwing but there just too long, it would stick past the windscreen and probably halfway out over the bonnet.

I wonder if theres companies making custom awnings or whether I could buy one and modify/shorten it.

 

[stumog]

make your own fox wing ben it would be a piece of piss. If you need pictures of the piviot let me know. then you can make it to any size you like. I am sure you can get the material sewn up somewhere.
stu

 

[Ben]

Thats a good idea, thanks Stu.

Always like to make stuff myself where I can, much more satisfying!

Thanks for the offer of pics that could be useful.

I'm pretty sure my boss has one on his 80, so hopefully if thats at work I can have a look at that.

 

[stumog]

you will be shocked at how easy you can make something even better i think.

 

[Strick]

This might be my first post however have been reading your thread for a while now mate. good on you for going into so much detail. I got interested in this thread as i have a RJ70 Bundera, cant post a link or pics yet! PM me if your willing to put it up for me.

Would like you to expand on your thoughts on Tigerz11 and Roo systems if you wouldnt mind.

 

[Ben]

Thanks mate, welcome to the club.

Just tried PMing you but it wont let me, I'm guessing you must have your profile set to not accept incoming PM's?

Have you had any experience with those companies?

 

[fridayman]

Tigerz11 provide affordable gear at an acceptable (but not great) quality. Unfortunately in some cases they do this by clearly copying ARB, TJM, etc. Is this our problem..? For each one to decide.

Someone on here had a very bad experience with Roo Systems, but Glenno's accelerate first and ask questions later approach is mildly amusing on the 4wd Action vids.