My new overland project

[moggy1968]

mine is going to have some gullwings fitted, had exactly the same idea as you for what to use them for. Where do the elastic retainers come from for plates etc?

 

[moggy1968]

So have now completed the initial drawings for the 24v electrics. I haven't decided whether to stick with gel batteries (and the huge weight issue) or go for Li ion (cost ) but almost 100kg weight saving. If anyone know of a discounted supplier of Li ion batteries, please shout. Solar panels will be upgraded to 4x 190w to cope with European and Alaskan winters.

View attachment 134376

The top tip from a guy that built his own was fork lift truck batteries. They have very thick plates so tolerate discharge well, are immensley robust and last for years. The other top tip was don't go for gel. They aren't designed for being leisure batteries despite what the sales patter may tell you. I don't reckon 4x190w panels will be adequate for winter time use. MY cousin lives in a hymer motorhome and has slightly more solar than that, and it's not enough! Does OK in Spain, just, but in the UK in winter it's inadequate. I used to install domestic solar systems and a 4kw domestic system will produce less than 1kw a day in winter. He's had to revamp his domestic electric arrangements. Currently he has 3 leisure batteries, but there are issues with running large banks of batteries (3 or more). I don't understand the ins and outs of it as it's a very specialised area.

Also, there is no point mixing solar panels, you need them to match otherwise the output will be pulled down to the performance of the worst performing panel (so your higher output panel will be pulled down to the output of your lower output panel). When installing domestic systems this took careful planning, or you could end up with a 4kw system putting out less power than a 3.5kw system because one of your panels was badly placed and getting shaded by a chimney or somesuch.

 

[moggy1968]

Just checked with my cousin, he gets 2-3 amps on a sunny winters day in UK, but only around mid day

 

[Olazz]

Where do the elastic retainers come from for plates etc?

Its 2mm bungee cord. Ebay is your friend.

 

[Olazz]

I don't reckon 4x190w panels will be adequate for winter time use.

Thanks Mog, been woking on this whole system with the Belgian company that installs these systems.
The initial drawings were based on the truck being used mainly in Africa, but have since decided that we probably need 4 x 300w if we will uses in Europe/Alaska etc. After speaking to many truck owners, have now included under floor heating in the box!!! Will carry a Honda eu2.0 for emergency charging and such.

 

[moggy1968]

Its 2mm bungee cord. Ebay is your friend.

How did you fix it, looks like you have some sort of clips there?

 

[moggy1968]

Thanks Mog, been woking on this whole system with the Belgian company that installs these systems.
The initial drawings were based on the truck being used mainly in Africa, but have since decided that we probably need 4 x 300w if we will uses in Europe/Alaska etc. After speaking to many truck owners, have now included under floor heating in the box!!! Will carry a Honda eu2.0 for emergency charging and such.

1.2kW sounds nearer the mark

 

[Olazz]

How did you fix it, looks like you have some sort of clips there?

Riveted small plastic hooks on and then loop threaded the bungee and fixed ends together. If you look closely at the bottom glass, you will see the end join of the bungee.

 

[Olazz]

You really don't fuck about when kitting a vehicle out do you

Thanks Karlos..... if you're gonna do it, might as well do the whole grocery list hey !

 

[Dave_S]

Gotta say - lovely job - but given the cost of the gull wing conversion I am struggling with the CBA for a plate and wine glass rack... ;-)

 

[Olazz]

Gotta say - lovely job - but given the cost of the gull wing conversion I am struggling with the CBA for a plate and wine glass rack... ;-)

It holds plates, bowls, glasses, cups, cutlery, and below in the drop bin , 10l water, MSR reactor, tea, coffee, milk, etc etc. No need to open up the whole rear to stop for a break or a light lunch/tea stop.
It's all about making travelling life more convenient and as hassle free as possible.

No amount of CBA works for an overland build!!! You could use a std cruiser and chuck boxes in the back and set off. Would cost very little and you deal with the inconvenience and hassle as you travel.

I prefer easy, hassle-free travelling.

 

[Dave_S]

Fair enough - though I disagree on the CBA part - all of this "stuff" (trucks, bikes, travel, whatever) works as a CBA - the fun/benefits/convenience/rewards or whatever justify the costs - else we wouldn't do it?

But your point on choosing how you travel and what you do is well made.

 

[moggy1968]

It holds plates, bowls, glasses, cups, cutlery, and below in the drop bin , 10l water, MSR reactor, tea, coffee, milk, etc etc. No need to open up the whole rear to stop for a break or a light lunch/tea stop.
It's all about making travelling life more convenient and as hassle free as possible.

No amount of CBA works for an overland build!!! You could use a std cruiser and chuck boxes in the back and set off. Would cost very little and you deal with the inconvenience and hassle as you travel.

I prefer easy, hassle-free travelling.

Totally agree. Organisation is everything when travelling. Ease of access, everything where it can be got to easily. I was the same when I had a van for work, all racked out with a place for everything. It saves time hassle and stress. Cracks my wife up no end because at home I’m an admin vortex!

 

[oldcarsmaniac]

New subscriber here!

 

[PedroAraujo]

Well after the extensive development of my HDJ81 and with a desire to spend more time in a vehicle exploring the world, I've come to very, very difficult decision that (we) need something bigger. More space, but equally as capable. This last requirement is almost an impossibility, as it is doubtful that I will replace the terrain beating capability of the 80 in its current form.

My initial interest began last year, when along with "Jerman" and "Stockton" we visited the Abenteur Allrad
show in Germany and saw the many different ( and some spectacularl, but eye-wateringly expensive) overland vehicles.

During our last drive from Cape town to Kilimanjaro earlier this year, we met several travellers with different vehicles and solutions, but none of them were what I felt were suitable as a base vehicle.

After a chance encounter in Botswana with a chap nicknamed "Mr Dakar"... ( he'd completed in 17 Paris-Dakar races), I decided after hours of discussions with him, that perhaps a vehicle made for serious off-road rallies would be a good base, from which to start a project. It has so very many advantages, and few disadvantages.

So after weeks of searching and many visits to Europe, these are my new Overland wheels.

View attachment 132738

MAN 18t.
Professionally built by MAN for the rally. Extensively uprated and improved with twin shocks all round, Full roll cage, special diffs with lockers, gearbox, H/L range, parabolic springs, and a host of other super- technical stuff including a 6,000km range. (expensive to fill up!)

16 speed manual; central tyre inflation system, ( 12 settings which allow inflation and deflation of all tyres simultaneously while on the move from 0.5bar to 5 bar)

520HP & 2900NM torque

Top speed limited to 220 kph scary stuff !!!

The idea is to build an overland truck (motorcaravan) with comfortable living accommodation at the rear. Final goal for the weight is 11t wet, with a GVM of 14t

As this is not a TOYOTA, there may be little interest in a build thread on here... but if there is, shout and I'll post more.

Lazz

Nice one! Good to see another Zimbo on here!

 

[PedroAraujo]

Howzit Tim,

Yep born and grew up in Salisbury (Avondale). Went to Saints, then varsity and other stuff in SA. Now in UK.

Lazz

Hi Lazz, I am ex Zim and in UK too, where abouts are you?

Pedro

 

[Olazz]

Hi Lazz, I am ex Zim and in UK too, where abouts are you?

Pedro

Howzit Pedro, sent you a PM

 

[Olazz]

Sorry, it been a while since I posted, However much has been going on behind the scenes. After all of the wiring bits were sorted, the truck went to MAN to have a full electrical shakedown and to try and resolve the Alternator issues. That was 9th February !

On 6th March I got a call to say the truck was sorted and that they had found the cause of the problems. They installed a new main electrical loom and various new couplings etc. I collected the truck and drove it out of the yard with everything sorted, or so I thought. On to the M25 it was bellowing black smoke and wouldn't do more than 56mph. I couldn't use high range and the spitter box was virtually inoperable. So turned around and back to the dealership.

Now it would appear that when the work was done, they had reset the ECU and the speed limiter.... but it transpired, they had also installed the incorrect loom various other connected bits that were not wholly compatible. 2 days later as they were testing the truck, an electrical fire burnt out the new wiring and ECU and fubar'd the new batteries.

7 weeks later, I just got the truck back and having driven it yesterday for the first time, it appears to be running sweetly... fingers crossed.

All of the delays have had a knock on effect on the build and thrown out all of the scheduled slots that I had sorted. It seems that everyone is now busy till August, so I may not get much else done now until then.

The box build has also hit a bit of a snag, both pricing and delivery dates, so we are exploring additional avenues to sort this out.

Although the motor has only done 100,000kms, I am considering a full top-end overhaul (for my peace of mind), an since I've virtually bought a new garage of BIG tools, I may use this extra time to tackle that job.

I was at the AO show today and heard a very, very sweet running old Bedford truck. "twas a thing of beauty for sure !

I did say this would be a slow build !!

 

[Chris]

Hey Lazz, what's this I hear that you're buying a caravan?

 

[Olazz]

Shhhhh...... or they'll all want one now... I'm first in the queue!