FG's in Action [Archive] - Expedition Portal

whatcharterboat

12-23-2008, 11:33 AM

Hi Guys. I'm hoping that the moderators will see fit to make this a "sticky" thread if it takes off. Some of the pics that have come out from Tony and Michael recently prompted me to maybe start a thread just for FG's in action rather than just putting them in the "camper examples" thread. Not necessarily doing radical offroad things but maybe showing FG's with awesome scenery or just good photography. I know Bajaroad had some good pics awhile back too, That sort of thing.

Up to the moderators but I'm going to try and kick it off anyway and see what they think.

whatcharterboat

12-23-2008, 11:57 AM

Of course, these I have transfered over on behalf of FGcrazy. Hope that's OK Tony. Should have done this to start with.

The Oonadatta Track. On top of the silos at an old rail siding, SA.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3115920224_bbb28a1a9f.jpg

The Flinders Ranges, SA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/3115911894_028daa0269.jpg

At the Mitchell river crossing on the way through Kondapriga Station QLD
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/3115077395_2b8b02401b.jpg

Cypress Crossing, Cape York.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/3115069791_e74eb286e5_b.jpg

jhrodd

12-24-2008, 01:09 AM

Here's a 1957 FG (not really) barging off Waldron Island in the San Juans.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk103/jhrodd/FC170-1.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk103/jhrodd/fc170-2.jpg

Sleeping Dog

12-24-2008, 02:23 AM

Here's a 1957 FG (not really) barging off Waldron Island in the San Juans.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk103/jhrodd/FC170-1.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk103/jhrodd/fc170-2.jpg

I want one. Can Santa get it down the chimney?

Jim

kerry

12-24-2008, 02:31 AM

Someone has put a MB 5cyl 617 diesel in one of those and a Trillium camper on the back. Nice unit.

kerry

12-24-2008, 02:43 AM

I know this is off topic, but a Forward Control Jeep is pretty close to an FG:

http://bb.bc4x4.com/showthread.php?t=123204

It's the build thread on the vehicle I mentioned above.

4Rescue

12-24-2008, 03:57 AM

Dude, I'm pretty sure we've been to exactly the same wheeling places/same trips in OZ cause all of thsoe pics look REAL familliar (espescialy Frasier adn the Flinders Range ones)... Great pics and just another thread that makes me REALLY miss OZ.

Cheers

Dave

jhrodd

12-24-2008, 09:15 PM

Not too rare around here although nice ones are hard to come by. I bought 4 of them in the last year for $100, $300, $600, and $2000. The one from Waldron was $600 and runs great with a 292 Chev 6 in it. Here's one that followed me home from Oregon :

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk103/jhrodd/IMG_0145.jpg

4Rescue

12-24-2008, 09:56 PM

There's an FC right down the street from my old appt. here in Portland. Neat trucks. Still want the FG ;)

Cheers

Dave

engineer

12-24-2008, 10:06 PM

I love the fg's, i've put them through hell and back in all sorts of configs and they always come through. (except for the time i cracked a chassis, bloody 4.5 mm)

4Rescue

12-25-2008, 07:45 PM

I love the fg's, i've put them through hell and back in all sorts of configs and they always come through. (except for the time i cracked a chassis, bloody 4.5 mm) "Billy Tea Expeditions..." I love it, swing that billy mate ;)

Cheers

Dave

whatcharterboat

12-27-2008, 06:23 AM

Southern Highlands. NSW.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/3140424040_8cd86daed7.jpg

Billabong sunset. NT.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3140398996_7abaf286c5.jpg

Shorty.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/3140405184_8881ff60ed.jpg

Havin’ fun on our test track.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/3140423058_6f6b75da28.jpg

kerry

12-27-2008, 08:50 PM

Jeffery,

Nice picture of the FG in Towing action. That will be me when I get an FG, but I'll probably be towing a c303.

Is that a SWB FG you have?

I found an FC Jep website that listed the overall production numbers, and they were very low, so I never even thought to try and find one. Good scores. You must be one of the main FC collectors?

Thanks for the enlightenment.

If I'm not mistaken, that's an FE and not an FG????

jhrodd

12-27-2008, 09:21 PM

If I'm not mistaken, that's an FE and not an FG????
That's why I need the FC. Do the math:

FE + FC = FG

DontPanic42

12-28-2008, 02:02 AM

Not an exotic local (unfortunately) just a typical place where my FG was designed to go - a hunting camp 12 miles south of Dryden, TEXAS about a mile from the Rio Grande. Starting the breakfast biscuits about 0430 hours. Have already been up for 1 1/2 hours. The FG is back of the chuck wagon on the right in the shadows.

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/41192/2704025950101252971S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2704025950101252971hbBUJz)

dhackney

01-05-2009, 01:34 AM

Here's some shots from SA:

Southern Argentina, just north of Ushuaia
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-02-13-1D%20Mark%20III-IMG_0956-crop-800.jpg

Southern Chile, near Torres del Paine National Park
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-02-26-30D-IMG_2961-crop-800.jpg

Southern Chile, with guanacos
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-02-27-1D%20Mark%20III-IMG_1624-crop-800.jpg

Southern Chile, near Torres del Paine National Park
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-02-28-1D%20Mark%20III-IMG_1938-crop-800.jpg

Southern Argentina, Puerto Moreno Glacier
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-03-13-SD870%20IS-IMG_2772-crop-800.jpg

Southern Argentina, Puerto Moreno National Park
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-03-21-30D-IMG_5799-crop-800.jpg

Southern Chile, near the southern end of the road
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-04-04-SD870%20IS-IMG_3766-1200-800.jpg

Northern Chile
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-07-06-SD870%20IS-5374-1200-800.jpg

Northern Chile, The Hand of the Desert, Atacama Desert
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-07-07-SD870%20IS-5413-1200-1200-800.jpg

Northern Chile, near San Pedro de Atacama, the Salt Mountains
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-07-10-1DMk3-5025-1200-1200-800.jpg

.

dhackney

01-05-2009, 01:38 AM

Peru - Cusco
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-08-03-SD870%20IS-6284-crop-1200-1200-800.jpg

Peru, sacred valley, the Salinas
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-08-13-SD870%20IS-6593-1200-1200-800.jpg

Peru, a pretty good chicken bus road
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2008-09-12-30D-5458-1200-800.jpg

.

d0va

01-08-2009, 01:13 AM

those last ones are just beautiful man... Post some more :lurk:

dhackney

01-13-2009, 01:45 AM

I'm both envious and inspired.

Overseas travel, be it by motorcycle or overland expedition vehicle, is a lot easier than you think.

The biggest challenge is overcoming the psychological hurdles you erect in your own mind.

South America, in particular, is almost as easy as sub-Saharan Africa.

Come on down.

:)

dhackney

01-13-2009, 02:25 AM

I don't want to turn this into the Hackney Fuso photo album, but I couldn't leave without putting up this shot by Scott Brady:

http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2007-07-30-FUSO_Crossing-flood-crop-800.jpg

The full collection of photos of our Fuso in action around the world is here:
http://www.hackneys.com/gallery/v/travel/fuso/

I'll try to keep it updated this year.

whatcharterboat

01-13-2009, 02:58 AM

http://www.hackneys.com/photos/fuso/2007-07-30-FUSO_Crossing-flood-crop-800.jpg

ey I don't want to turn this into the Hackney Fuso photo album, but I couldn't leave without putting up this shot by Scott Brady

Doug, The "FG's in Action" album would never be complete without this shot and as for the "sacred valley" pic....... well 'nuff said.

Just need to get some more from the others. I'm pretty sure there's a few more to come from Oz when everyone here recovers from New Years Eve. Haha.

whatcharterboat

02-15-2009, 10:29 AM

Well this is definitely action. Country Fire Authority FG in the Victorian Bushfires last week. Fuso and Isuzu’s are the main 4x4 heavy vehicles used by rural fire brigades Australia wide. Some Hinos in the mix too.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3281222764_bd4921316c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3281223026_6b7d5e8d47_o.jpg

CFA strike force.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3281223226_4b1cfcd01d_o.jpg

In the thick of it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3281223376_e718f941c7_o.jpg

Definitely need reliability here. An Isuzu hightailing it out of there.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3281222652_a5c557a624_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3281224370_8b13c94d3f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3381/3280404209_2acdfb93c5_o.jpg

whatcharterboat

02-15-2009, 10:31 AM

A couple of other pics while we are on the subject.

That spec in the middle of the shot is a 737.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/3281223554_4fe908598c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3280403569_7870705187_o.jpg

Still hanging on by a thread.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3281224750_ca4efc3989_o.jpg

taco2go

02-15-2009, 01:31 PM

Wow! Those are some compelling images. The one with the 737 is unbelievable. Prayers for the rebuilding efforts.....

Tree

02-15-2009, 03:56 PM

Wow! Those are amazing and sad pictures! Thx for the pictures

whatcharterboat

02-15-2009, 10:23 PM

Sorry for the hijak but this gallery (see link below)is a must see. Those pics all came from there. Start from the last pics and work your way back. That’s the right timeline. So many tragic scenes. One shot with an ash background and a Viet Vets blackened hands opened showing what’s left of his medals. I just about lost it right there.

If your into choppers there are plenty of incredible shots. Those guys were amazing. Everyone was amazing. If you watch these galleries. Grab a cup of tea, sit down and look at every one. Nearly 400 pics and more added daily but please take the time to do it.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/gallery/0,23816,5037336-17382-293,00.html

Another gallery of readers “on the spot” pics
http://www.news.com.au/gallery/0,23607,5037340-5006020-2,00.html

I know this is isn’t the right section / thread to put these extra photos but I might try and put together some of them in thread in the “Photography” Section in a couple of days.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3282230215_b950a9bffc_m.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3282228309_495b967e8f.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3282228839_4c91f45d00.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3283048896_1c5ebdea51.jpg?v=0

The last one shows the hopelessness of it all as these guys have turn their backs on a scene. Just look at the equipment going up in the background and I haven't even mentioned the human toll overall.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3283050224_c6dd27a457.jpg?v=0

Great pictures John.

Did ATW build any of the fire trucks shown?

Hi Leon. No. We don’t do Firetrucks. ( Yet )

93Canter

02-24-2009, 11:08 AM

Here are a few more pics from our travels around some of the eastern bits of Australia.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3306374418_b3309bfdee.jpg
Camp site Between Canberra and Braidwood

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3306344530_ecf6b6244b.jpg
"How Low can you go?" Fire trail between Batemans Bay and Araluen. We had no cutting equipment, so we had to figure out how to lift the log a little and creep through underneath it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3306314996_0bae54c2e2.jpg
View of the roof, in the hills between Ulladulla and Morton National Park

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3306314998_fe04cf1a5f.jpg
Crossing the Mitchell River - Cape York / Gulf Country.
Always take a Pajero, and throw it in first. If it sinks in the mud it isn't safe to follow in the Canter.
The Pajero broke through a reasonably firm crust and was stuck, we managed to pull it out after the carpet was washed.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3306374402_bc9c63c7c9.jpg
Flat Tyre - Heading home from the Cape.
No trip would be complete without a pole dancer.
The supplied bar became bent, I have since bored out the socket to take a 3/4 inch bar.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3306315000_17f0969b61.jpg
Camper Kitchen, somewhere at the Cape.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3306315002_3e50bb36d4.jpg
Cape York - Our Canter likes to stop and play in the sand.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3306315004_643d7cff08.jpg
A Canter in the sand is worth 2 on the track?

Thanks go to John (WCBoat) for explaining to me how to make pictures work on this site!

Tree

02-24-2009, 11:51 AM

Love the pictures. I should get some pics of our fg. Although we dont take it on expiditions, we just use it for work so I assume that qualifies for action.

whatcharterboat

02-24-2009, 12:20 PM

Wow. Michael You're on a roll now . Well done. That must be Tony's truck at the bottom , heh??

I bet there's a few crocs at that Mitchell crossing. Stilll have to get up there. My family are all in the Daintree so I have no excuse but you know I 've not actually driven up past Cooktown. So a dry season on Cape York is definitely on my bucket list.

Thanks again Michael for taking the time to post the pics.

Tree > Do it. That trip you did the other day with the overloaded trailer would be a perfect subject.

John

kerry

02-24-2009, 01:27 PM

Here are a few more pics from our travels around some of the eastern bits of Australia.

[

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3306374402_bc9c63c7c9.jpg
Flat Tyre - Heading home from the Cape.
No trip would be complete without a pole dancer.
The supplied bar became bent, I have since bored out the socket to take a 3/4 inch bar.

So I'm not the only one to have problems loosening lug nuts on an FG! I had a bar that long on a 4:1 torque multiplier and only succeeded in breaking a 3/4" adapter. For people who change these tires routinely, does it typically take that much effort to loosen lugs? There's a lot of foot pounds at the end of that bar, seemingly more than the 380 foot pounds required on the lug nuts.

93Canter

02-25-2009, 05:59 AM

I put that picture up because it seemed worth letting novices know what can be involved. This is my first truck, and I am lucky to have had a mentor, Pete (the pole dancer), show me the ropes. Pete made sure we packed that extra bit of pipe, not sure what we would have done without it!

The tight nuts probably relate to leaving the truck at the tyre shop unsupervised. I think in future I will take the wheels to the tyre shop on a trailer so that I can re-fit them myself.

There is a happy ending, despite the bent bar:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3306374416_155500974e.jpg

engineer

02-28-2009, 08:21 AM

HMMM.... I've been there, after this incident, a steering wheel attendant, who i wont identify as he lives close to some of us, was impatient and wrote off a perfectly good bus............ Very hard to remove wheels 1 week after incident!!!!
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/sc001a1125.jpg

alan

02-28-2009, 09:17 AM

May be he was just confused, between off road and off shore !

whatcharterboat

03-01-2009, 01:17 PM

This was scanned from the article in the magazine last year. Tony's (FGCrazy) Twincab

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3319383964_c07fcc145d_o.jpg

Tree

03-03-2009, 08:13 PM

Im curious whats inside the green cover?

Tree

03-23-2009, 10:18 PM

They are definetly not action shots or even camper related but here is our FG:

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp274/mvx_8/DSC00054.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp274/mvx_8/DSC00055.jpg

whatcharterboat

05-18-2009, 02:19 PM

There is a good explanation this. Well ....................
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/3542168284_a23196f01d_b.jpg

dzzz

05-20-2009, 02:57 AM

I have an American friend who spent several years as an I.T. consultant in Australia. He worked six long days each week, and swears he was hired so that the office could take more holidays.
I've now come to understand where Aussies put their energy :) I've also learned I'm an Aussie at heart.:safari-rig: :friday:

kerry

06-08-2009, 04:51 PM

So I'm not the only one to have problems loosening lug nuts on an FG! I had a bar that long on a 4:1 torque multiplier and only succeeded in breaking a 3/4" adapter. For people who change these tires routinely, does it typically take that much effort to loosen lugs? There's a lot of foot pounds at the end of that bar, seemingly more than the 380 foot pounds required on the lug nuts.

As a follow up, I ended up taking the truck to a truck tire shop. They first tried with their 1" impact. 30 seconds or so on each lug made no difference. They then got a sledge hammer and a second guy hit the impact socket with the sledge while the other operated the impact. No go. Finally, they went and got 'Big Bertha', must be their most powerful 1" impact (Central Pneumatic no less), waited until their compressor was at full capacity and let them have it (1800 ft lbs I think). After about 30 seconds on the lugs, it finally loosed them. No way I would ever have broken them loose by myself.

whatcharterboat

06-09-2009, 12:18 PM

Finally, they went and got 'Big Bertha', must be their most powerful 1" impact (Central Pneumatic no less), waited until their compressor was at full capacity and let them have it (1800 ft lbs I think). After about 30 seconds on the lugs, it finally loosed them.

Wow. Incredible Kerry. Sounds like you did the right thing taking it to the shop. Were they rusty at all? Not the threads but the countersunk surface?.

kerry

06-09-2009, 01:01 PM

Wow. Incredible Kerry. Sounds like you did the right thing taking it to the shop. Were they rusty at all? Not the threads but the countersunk surface?.

Yes, there was rust on the countersunk surface, but not a lot.

whatcharterboat

06-09-2009, 02:23 PM

Yes, there was rust on the countersunk surface, but not a lot.
Yesterday 10:18 PM

Yeah, Not pitted rust . Just like a thin film. That's why I like using an antisieze compound. Can help prevent them from "freezing" on if they've been on there for a long time. Oh, and especially if some one else went crazy with a rattle gun putting them on.

kerry

06-09-2009, 02:41 PM

Hmmm? When I got back from the tire shop I put anti-seize on the threads but not on the face. On some other forums, there have been heated discussions on anti-seize. There is disagreement on whether it should be used on the threads of lug nuts and a lot of disagreement about putting it on the face. I compromised and put it on the threads but not the face. Perhaps I should have compromised the other way.
I definitely don't want them that tight again because there is no way anyone was getting them loose without a mighty impact wrench. The front tires were pretty new when I bought the truck so they can't have been on there that long.

whatcharterboat

06-16-2009, 12:38 PM

I've posted pics of this truck before but not with the SRW setup IIRC. I was talking to the owner earlier in the week and asked him if he had any pics I could post here. This is what he sent. Mick's one of the best outback operators in the business.

Hall of Fame - Inland NSW Tourism Awards 2008
Silver Medals - NSW Tourism Awards 2008; Significant Tour & Transport Operator, Adventure Tourism
Winners - Australian Tourism Awards 2007/ 2006 - Adventure Tourism & Significant Tour & Transport Operator
Winners - NSW Tourism Awards 2007 - Adventure Tourism & Significant Tour & Transport Operator, Adventure Tourism 2006
Winners - Inland NSW Tourism Awards - Tour & Transport Operator 2007,2006,2005
Distinction - NSW Tourism Awards 2004 - Adventure Tourism

Impressive resume as you can see.

He's only recently (Jan '08) added the FG to his fleet of Landcruisers. He thought he would only use the FG when the cruisers were too full up, however after doing the math over the last 18 months he now says the FG is cheaper to run than a Cruiser no matter how many patrons he has to take.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3632455834_939e45fb2c_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3632455332_0af7ce6e32_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3631641123_8acd1e7b01_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3632454512_f1b72ed9d4_o.jpg

whatcharterboat

06-16-2009, 12:42 PM

On some other forums, there have been heated discussions on anti-seize.

Hi Kerry, haven't we been down this road before. Lol. I just anti sieze everything in sight.

Regards John.

kerry

06-16-2009, 02:41 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3632455834_939e45fb2c_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3632455332_0af7ce6e32_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3631641123_8acd1e7b01_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3632454512_f1b72ed9d4_o.jpg

There doesn't seem to be any twist in that bus body relative to the cab. How is it designed and mounted?

whatcharterboat

06-16-2009, 10:00 PM

Hi Kerry, Mounted the same way we do everything but cause it's a SWB it's not so noticeable. They don't move as much as a MWB but I can assure you if you looked underneath you would see considerable separation between the body and the chassis on one side behind the cab. Nothing really to line up accurately on the outside so it's deceiving. Mickldo took this pic at the show of the sock (flexible coupling between the cab and body). Shows the effect of "twisting" inside. Not at full articulation either.

BTW this SWB has had some considerable suspension mods too.

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/44293/2695488020103919311S600x600Q85.jpg

outbackjack

06-17-2009, 09:00 AM

Are the 19 Inch and what tyres are they?

Cheers

engineer

06-17-2009, 09:08 AM

That is my style of truck, love the shorty!!!!!
Call you soon, if I ever get time!!!

whatcharterboat

06-17-2009, 11:52 AM

Are the 19 Inch and what tyres are they?

Hey, yep. Hankook AM02 265/ 70R 19.5.

Rather than hijak this thread I'll dump a couple of tyre pics in the "Allterrainwarriors" thread.

kerry

06-23-2009, 02:16 AM

Some recent pictures of the FG on the way/return from running the North Platte river in Wyoming:

Isuzu 4x4 Bus

07-24-2009, 08:57 PM

These are our latest pics, will post more soon.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3752492241_6cdeca3dcb_m.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3752497345_5dd48688c8_m.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3752517181_bf47335f71_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/3752510329_b1fb8c17b3_m.jpg
shes not perfect as we brought an existing bus and converted it to a motorhome, it use to do a tour across farm land then over sand dunes, axel travel is limited and its 3.7 mtrs high..

Isuzu 4x4 Bus

07-28-2009, 04:27 AM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3763945703_e86707a518_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2634/3764733432_ee2d1b9529_m.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3764751174_1d3b0eed49_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3764724710_4cd384670a_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3763893999_d8642bf7f5_m.jpg
We took the truck on a 2 day trip to the next town, our roads are reasonably good around us but will be heading south in a few weeks and expecting to use the winch abit then..

whatcharterboat

08-01-2009, 11:05 AM

These guys have just a 18 month / 20,000km trip round Oz. Most of it in the centre. All the great inland tracks. They are writing a report so that I can post a thread on it in the next couple of days. Gunbarrel Hwy, Anne Beadell Hwy (this was last graded in '62), Connie Sue Hwy, Gibb River Rd. Should be good.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3777749884_c56291cdd0_b.jpg

engineer

09-15-2009, 11:18 AM

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Cape%20York/DSC01935.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Cape%20York/DSC02011.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Cape%20York/DSC02039.jpg

engineer

09-16-2009, 08:38 AM

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/DSC03620.jpg

4X4 Canter from National Parks at Chillagoe.

engineer

10-15-2009, 09:50 AM

For the bullbar lovers,
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/DSC04311.jpg
Worn out at Lakeland Downs, well not quite, but well on it's way!!

MotoDave

11-14-2009, 06:16 PM

I came across this truck a few months ago, it was parked outside a stoneworks company, no clue what they use it for.

kerry

11-14-2009, 09:11 PM

that is bajaroad's truck. I hope he is doing well.

Me to. Life dealt him a very harsh blow.

DzlToy

11-19-2009, 10:22 PM

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=34602&d=1258226149

looks great with those wheels/tires and lift. In a previous post I found they are about 35" tall and it looks like they are on Stockton or ATW wheels.

whatcharterboat

01-04-2010, 11:23 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4244576410_cb4920eddd_o.jpg

Just found this pic on ebay.com.au of all places when I was looking at secondhand trucks. We used to call it the moon bus. Now for sale by the owners in Cairns, Far North Queensland. Anyway I thought it was a good action shot anyway. John.

oka boy

01-04-2010, 12:32 PM

A TOTALYY UNRELATED QUESTION for engineer are you really still cooking the billy tea? I had a discussion with some South african friends and they seem to think that the name is just a commercial gimmick,needless to say my reputation balances on you're answear.....
Thanks
Joe

engineer

01-05-2010, 10:30 AM

Sure do!!! Tell your South African mates it's no gimmick.
Mick Barnes is from Longreach and he started the company 29 years ago.
It is tradition that we do it everyday, somewhere on our tour.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Cape%20York/sc0002a742.jpg

whatcharterboat

01-16-2010, 10:55 AM

FG up on Cape York at the start of the wet season.

http://www.doubledutchworldsafari.com/ddws100/photos/p3/Telegraph%20Track%201%20(5).jpg

http://www.doubledutchworldsafari.com/ddws100/photos/p3/Old%20Telegraph%20Track%201%20(17).jpg

1Engine

03-14-2010, 10:02 AM

38731

This rig is found at Cooktown Crossing near Mt Carbine FNQ.

The steel frame is one way of making the accommodation area difficult to remove & therefore meets the requirement to register it as a motorhome.

Bajaroad

03-16-2010, 12:58 AM

looks great with those wheels/tires and lift. In a previous post I found they are about 35" tall and it looks like they are on Stockton or ATW wheels.

Yes, those are 35" Toyo M/T on Stockton's. No lift (stock suspension). The plywood deck was for the White Rim trip.

Bajaroad

03-16-2010, 01:01 AM

I came across this truck a few months ago, it was parked outside a stoneworks company, no clue what they use it for.

Hey MotoDave. You're another Venturan. Thom and I live (separately) on Howard St (around the corner).

PKDreamers

03-16-2010, 11:50 AM

Hey its not a camper but it could be

whatcharterboat

04-26-2010, 06:32 AM

I know there is a few pics of this SWB FG649 bus around already in this thread (and others) but just came across these today and thought they were worthy.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/4553957340_c95c70fdc5.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/4553319979_32c906d355.jpg

whatcharterboat

04-30-2010, 12:30 PM

I hate him.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4564866729_9000d286ab_o.jpg

ntsqd

04-30-2010, 04:18 PM

I don't hate him, I just want his job. :)

whatcharterboat

04-30-2010, 10:23 PM

Yeah. I didn't really mean that Thom, but it certinly looks like thy're getting into the whole retirement thing in a big way. I can tell you they both worked very hard for the last 35 years to be able to sit on that bluff at Lesotho.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4564866627_e9c6e0d361_o.jpg

PKDreamers

05-21-2010, 12:44 PM

Look at what we found on the weekend at Coffs Harbour.

Ford Prefect

05-21-2010, 05:25 PM

^^^ That is really cool. I think I would ditch that bed, and just extend the cab all the way back. What a cool truck... Wonder how many it seats...

whatcharterboat

05-21-2010, 09:27 PM

Hi Pete,

Have you got any more pics of it? Did you see the other side? Was the door on the driver's side in the same position or was it right at the back?

Thank's for posting....talk about perfect timing....we're just looking at building one at the moment but the new FG 84 DEW doesn't look as easy to cut as the old model . Don't know about that much overhang on the tray either. Looks like they should have sacrificed some length.

Ford Prefect,

That could seat up to 11 but it looks like only 9.

Amesz00

05-22-2010, 06:36 AM

huh. while back in perth there was a company (mainly did D/C conversions on cruisers i think) that was making quad-cab versions, each row with its own doors. havent seen one in ages but.

PKDreamers

05-22-2010, 06:55 AM

We got another pic (quality of pic is not too good, sorry) but the truck was up the back of the yard. It is a railway maintenance hire place the truck is at.Fuel tank was on the left hand side of the truck.

engineer

05-22-2010, 07:58 AM

huh. while back in perth there was a company (mainly did D/C conversions on cruisers i think) that was making quad-cab versions, each row with its own doors. havent seen one in ages but.
That wasn't the old Arkana mob?

PKDreamers

05-24-2010, 11:00 AM

This is one we found as was looking at buying but it sold. Great truck low ks, gone to WA now,we will keep on looking.

Amesz00

05-24-2010, 10:45 PM

That wasn't the old Arkana mob?

um nah pretty sure they went bust years ago. this was another mob IIRC (will have to ask dad, he'll know...)

oka boy

05-30-2010, 12:48 PM

It was a guy around East Fremantle doing photographic nature tours with exactly the same mod and it was done by Laingley coachbuilders in Bibra Lake,only the tray was a bit shorter,good looking truck with superb workmanship,they also do 100 series and Nissan conversions to dual cab with a small tray
Joe

Amesz00

05-30-2010, 10:43 PM

redthies

05-31-2010, 04:40 AM

whatcharterboat

06-20-2010, 11:27 AM

Trying out some new parabolic springs. I love my job.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4715965621_9abcfa29e6.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4716610458_abdec02375.jpg

Lynn

06-20-2010, 02:23 PM

I guess since there are about 9,000,000 Aussies on this thread, it might be a good place to ask if anyone is running the Oka's for expo travel? I looked at shipping one over to Canada about ten years ago. Are they a good rig or a bit finicky? What are the options for power and gear boxes etc? Spares availiable?

There is some info around regarding OKA trucks. I recommend you do a topical search for posts that have the word 'OKA' or a 'posts by username' advanced search for users OKA_Boy and Peter_n_Margaret. I believe they both use OKAs.

You will probably get better results to your question if you start a thread in the Other Expedition Camper (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=74) forum, rather than burying it in this thread. It would also keep this thread cleaner.

Lynn

06-20-2010, 02:28 PM

Trying out some new parabolic springs. I love my job.

And many of us envy you your job...

That's some insane suspension work you guys are doing.

iandraz

06-27-2010, 10:58 PM

Saw this interesting older FG up by Lake Tahoe. The main bed was bolted and welded to the flat section of the frame.

alan

06-28-2010, 10:45 AM

whatcharterboat

07-03-2010, 10:47 AM

Bumped in to Garrie at the Brisbane Camping show recently and he asked me to post these pics up on ExPo to show you guys. Taken out at the Simpson and also a trip to SalvadoreRosa National Park behind Canarvon.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4757213396_23fa7fa673.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4756578287_22c4be009d.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4756582897_cd34dab828.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4756697733_6fefa20569.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4756699253_101d42abb7.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4757337820_d88710d1b2.jpg

JRhetts

07-05-2010, 04:39 AM

Some pic's I found on file, the owner has 2 Oka's and run the ABS brake business just down the road from us.

So, Weebles wobble but they DO FALL DOWN?... What the hell is that vehicle doing on its side?

Amesz00

07-05-2010, 08:53 AM

So, Weebles wobble but they DO FALL DOWN?... What the hell is that vehicle doing on its side?

oka's are not known for their great stability. long, soft leaves gives a beautiful ride, but lack of swaybars makes for arse over turkey if your not careful...

alan

07-05-2010, 09:15 AM

Yes they have a habit of turning turtle!

alan

07-05-2010, 09:16 AM

No damage was done, pulled it back on it's wheels and of they went.

oka boy

07-05-2010, 10:35 AM

I guess since there are about 9,000,000 Aussies on this thread, it might be a good place to ask if anyone is running the Oka's for expo travel? I looked at shipping one over to Canada about ten years ago. Are they a good rig or a bit finicky? What are the options for power and gear boxes etc? Spares availiable?

Redthies,you have a couple of issues to consider,all Aussie OKA's are RHD,there is a couple LHD in Chile and Germany,easy enough to convert as the LHD panels are available,drivetrain is quite common in the U.S,Dana 60 front Dana 70 rear,Spicer transmission,NP 205 transfer case most gear available off the shelf specially in the U.S,cab panels are available but all these are easy to reproduce by any decent sheetmetal shop,the vehicle is very reliable if you mantained properly,just about all the issues that cause concern been iron out and there is plenty of gear out there to upgrade if you want a bullet proof vehicle and finally I will tell you that most of the people that criticise the OKA never owned one.
Hope this is of some help
Cheers Joe

engineer

07-05-2010, 09:37 PM

Nice Dualcab set up at Daintree river ferry crossing
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/P1010177.jpg

PKDreamers

08-07-2010, 10:58 AM

Our fg649 2003 on the Bedourie to Birdsville Road. 01/08/2010

PKDreamers

08-19-2010, 12:24 PM

Night Life @ Old Cork Station

PKDreamers

08-29-2010, 04:05 AM

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/THnJmjnhAeI/AAAAAAAAAZA/YUZ0Ftx5aSk/s512/Trip%20July%202010%20week%201%20cannon%20450.JPG

Blackdown National Park QLD 4X4 track very steep 1st low range and exhaust brake on. It was our first 4X4 test for the canter , did very well .

PKDreamers

09-04-2010, 10:29 AM

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TIId9-Zp1WI/AAAAAAAAAsw/JxBT0DrC1N0/s640/1007300007%5B1%5D.JPG

engineer

09-24-2010, 07:37 AM

The besser block as Paul likes to call it.....
We made this at Noosa Coach, but it had a bullbar mounted spare when we delivered it.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/sc014095de.jpg

PKDreamers

10-17-2010, 02:12 AM

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TLpalVcW0AI/AAAAAAAAA28/-ttXuEkzIpg/s640/Trip%20July%202010%20Wk%203-4%20Fuji%20179.JPG

MUD!!!!! on the road to Birdsville.

gait

10-30-2010, 06:15 AM

Near Shillinghurst Regulator on the Murray a few weeks ago. Ranger had a bit of trouble but reckoned "you'll be ok in that".

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/epicycler/003Escape.jpg

Exiting Palm Valley last week. Nice to see the chassis twist without breaking the box (I think)!

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/epicycler/015Tardis.jpg

PKDreamers

11-14-2010, 02:02 AM

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TN9JWM9BrMI/AAAAAAAAA7c/yecwD2Pv_Qg/s720/Peter%20Bday%20week%202010%20121.JPG

Station Creek Yuragir National Park NSW

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TN9Jy2pd3RI/AAAAAAAAA7k/5fzP_gTuH14/s720/Peter%20Bday%20week%202010%20129.JPG

Climbing out of Staion Creek.
Second attempt it was steeper than it looks.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TN9KHgRK9cI/AAAAAAAAA7s/W2jhauKeTHg/s512/Peter%20Bday%20week%202010%20174.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TN9KPu56XCI/AAAAAAAAA7w/JoSIff2YbcU/s720/Peter%20Bday%20week%202010%20179.JPG

On the way out.

lehel1

12-08-2010, 01:30 AM

hello

here are some action pics from the october's overland rally in holister, california where we had great fun learning and putting our rig thru its paces.
the instructers and event were great, highly recomended.

cheers lehel and laura

whopps, pics got loaded under the camper examples tread

daniel ruops

12-14-2010, 04:29 PM

Australian Fuso interfaces with RUF/ATTRAC Fuso accompanied by Chinese Guards.

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee377/danielruops/IMG_2012.jpg

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee377/danielruops/IMG_2009.jpg

kerry

12-19-2010, 10:01 PM

YouTube - 4x4 RV camper on the trail

whatcharterboat

12-24-2010, 01:30 PM

Another FG video if anyone's interested. A bus though. Not a camper.

YouTube - TransSpec Corporate Video

Amesz00

12-26-2010, 03:08 PM

bloody clown of a mate decided to upload this to youtube then send it to me, so may as well stick it up here. only 2nd gear, woulda hooked 3rd...

YouTube - SKIDS

lehel1

02-16-2011, 03:01 AM

hello all

a few pics from my latest trip to death valley, heading down there again this thursday thru next week. i'll try and do a trip report soon

cheers lehel and laura

lehel1

02-16-2011, 03:02 AM

a few more

justduck

02-18-2011, 02:50 PM

westyss

02-18-2011, 04:34 PM

VicHanson

02-18-2011, 07:45 PM

Lehel, Wow, that middle pic above looks a bit scary! Had you scouted out the road ahead of time or did you just go for it? I'm always afraid of getting to an impassable spot and having to back out somehow!
Vic

MPatchen

02-20-2011, 10:11 PM

Hello, this is my first post/reply so I'm not sure if I've attached my pictures correctly..?

If I did these were taken in the Catavina area of Baja. In the third picture, instead of where's Waldo you should be able to find a Polar Bear. The last picture is my kind of my action shot, just before pulling the trailer back on it's wheels and just after having to exit the highway at speed, luckly in one of the few places without a major drop off after the Gringo managed to loose control of his trailer right in front of me, very scary!

kerry

02-21-2011, 12:19 AM

Great pictures. Can you give us some history on the truck? Doesn't look like it is a recent conversion?

MPatchen

02-21-2011, 01:58 AM

I just started a tread called Fuso 4x4 What is it worth? asking for help determining what I should set as a selling price? In the tread I included a specification sheet, but I guess it really doesn’t tell you a lot about it’s history besides that my father designed and had the Callen camper built. It was built around 1990/1991 and during my parents ownership it, it has navigated most of Baja and unfortunately only a little bit by me. It looks as though it might be a forerunner to some of the other Fusos that I’ve seen pictured on the site. Otherwise there isn’t much to tell beside what an amazing vehicle it is with it’s tractor like, stump pulling engine that just chugs along on and off the road.

daniel ruops

02-22-2011, 03:55 AM

Hello M. Patchen
By luck, I had the good fortune of picking up a copy of "Trailer Life" 30 years ago. Your parents (Marvin and Althea) were featured. It was reported that if there was a dirt road or path in Baja then your parents most likely had driven, explored and camped there. Of great interest to me was the fact that they very clearly addressed the limitations and shortcomings of cab-over campers, trailers and RV's when traveling in remote areas and on dirt roads.

Their discription of the advantages of the Fuso FG truck with a "camper" on the back made more sense than anything that I had ever previously seen or read about.

As I was driving to work on Highway 67 in Ramona, Ca. several months later I was stunned to see them oncoming in the opposite direction. I made an illegal U turn and followed them to a grocery store.

What your parents saw as they were getting out of the cab was a "goofy looking slack jawed person who was so enchanted by what he was seeing that his feet were barely touching the ground" as he approached them.

Your father had a delighted smile as he observed me approaching....you mother said "I guess this means that I will be doing the grocery shopping myself..........

I am grateful for having met your remarkable parents and the information that they provided. They were the catalyst for seeking out the "mechanical genius" Darrin Fink of RUF and now owning Darrin's ATTREC FM-204

lehel1

02-27-2011, 11:07 PM

Hi Lehil,
Great pics. What dates will you be there? We're going to DV spring break - don't know the date. Maybe we can meet. Fuso build not far enough along yet, so we'll be bringing the Alaskan.

Earl

hello earl

great to hear from you. give me a call, we'd enjoy catching up and seeing how your rig is coming along. we just got back from dv thur.
our next trip will be the overland expo. we plan to leave around the 26th or 27th.

cheers lehel and laura

p.s. how did your wheel order do ??

lehel1

02-27-2011, 11:19 PM

Yup, great pics, I was trying to make it down to Expo but cant leave BC until the Thursday prior and it would be over by the time I got there, so my wife , dog and I are going to do a week in Death valley and have been studying the trails a little. Lehel, it looks like you went 'up' Lippincott trail, is that right? and if so. how did the fuso perform? We will be getting to DV probably April 2 and I am trying to plan a good route to maybe include the race track, Ubehehe and Saline valley area, and feedback on those areas would be great.
Good to see you using that rig too.

hello westyss

i hope to do somekind of writeup of our recent trips soon.

but to answer some of your questions, yes that was the lippicott trail and the truck performed flawlessly. we did the overland rally in oct and learned alot about the limits of our camper, and that sure helped with the comfort level to take our camper thru moer difficult terrain.

i did take the motor bike up to the race track first (sort of a reconasince vehical) witht he super singles the track width was just right for the narrow/washed out road. i don't think the stock duallys would have made it as easily thru some of the narrow spots.

i went to saline valley thru the south pass, stayed a few days, then thru the lippincott road, explored the race track area, down thru ubehebe, into the central dv for a few days, the southwest end of dv exploring the many canyons and of course butt valley/ballarat, then back over hunter mountain to saline again, before heading out the south pass and home.
our lastest trip was last week, took laura down to the hot springs and didn't do to much drivng around while there, just relaxing with friends.

anyhow, i'll do a separate treat on both trips.

cheers lehel and laura

Witchdoctor Oz

02-28-2011, 09:11 AM

These two trucks were on the beach at Moreton Island when we landed on Friday morning.
Both the backs were ATW's one was build 001 the other was 007. They were also on the Barge this arvo on the trip home, had a good look over them as no one was looking after them & the doors were left open. Those trucks cop a hiding in all that sand & salt.

Cheers
David

whatcharterboat

03-01-2011, 10:57 AM

Hi David. Man , both of those bodies would be over 10 years old now. Not sure about the age of the chassis as they may have been replaced. Some of the beach bus chassis only last about 3 years. Sometimes 4 if they are really religous on their corrosion proofing.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=53914&d=1298887736

Amesz00

03-01-2011, 10:21 PM

hold up. in the second pic, i assume they are 255/100s on the left and old 9.00 XZLs on the right, not 255s and 11.00s...

Witchdoctor Oz

03-02-2011, 08:29 AM

Amesz00,
You are onto it........ but they where runing a combination, ie one size on one side of the truck & the other size on the other side :Wow1:.
Is this a good thing?

Cheers
David

Amesz00

03-02-2011, 09:02 AM

well if the tyres on the driver side are 9.00s, then (in theory) they are identically sized to the 255s, if they are 11.00s, then they're considerably bigger. running 900s and 255s shouldnt be a major issue, but i would have the difference front/rear not side/side.

Lynn

03-02-2011, 01:58 PM

Amesz00,
You are onto it........ but they where runing a combination, ie one size on one side of the truck & the other size on the other side :Wow1:.
Is this a good thing?

Cheers
David

They're compensating for the slope of the beach, right? :wings:

DzlToy

03-02-2011, 08:43 PM

why dont they just powdercoat or galvanise everything in heavy/thick layers to prevent the corrosion? Seems to be much better alternative to replacing chassis every 2-3 years.

whatcharterboat

03-03-2011, 12:49 AM

why dont they just powdercoat or galvanise everything in heavy/thick layers to prevent the corrosion? Seems to be much better alternative to replacing chassis every 2-3 years.

3 to 4 years.......Its not just the chassis that goes. Even the gearboxes used to corrode through from salt sitting on top of them. You would almost have to completely pull the chassis apart and galvanize everything seperately to be effective. It's in between the plates, cross member connectios etc where they really suffer. I've seen a trial where they completely painted a chassis in tar epoxy....really top quality commercial corrosion protection.....they reckon it was useless. This is severe use....much worse than you can imagine. Basically , the chassis driven on a wet salty beach all day then they hose them down every night. They are almost constantly wet from the first day they use them. Only the salinity changes. And because everything is flexing it only takes a crack in the paint or powder coat for the corrosion to get under and you can't detect it until it's too late. Believe me, they've tried everything and now the operators have settled on thier own corrosion proofing methods that work best for them......and don't think I haven't tried to find out what they use....it's like Kentucky Fried Chicken Secret 13 Herbs and Spices.

BTW The Fuso chassis is assembled completely before it's painted.....so if you remove a spring hanger or cross member as an example , there is no chassis paint under it. Some of the operators used to try running around all the plates with Sika-Flex in an attempt to stop the salt from creeping in between the plates.

After 4 years , it just isn't viable to keep them running . After 3 , they can still get a set trade in price and are often sold to farmers out west for watering trucks , etc. It's a financial decision in the end.

whatcharterboat

04-25-2011, 02:54 AM

What else could be a more fitting post for ANZAC Day.....Robert's Canter at ANZAC Cove Memorial, Gallipoli. Sorry the pic isn't clearer.

http://www.doubledutchworldsafari.com/photos/pictures/p7/Anzac%20Cove%20Memorial%20Site%201%20(5).jpg

http://www.doubledutchworldsafari.com/photos/thumbnails/p7/Anzac%20Cove%20Memorial%20Site%201%20(4).jpg

EarthCruiser

04-27-2011, 03:24 PM

Gary shot this at the OverLand Expo, shame about the wally in the hat.

YouTube - FUSO FG at Overland EXPO 2011

DzlToy

05-08-2011, 03:08 AM

^^ no audio..

Ford Prefect

05-22-2011, 03:43 AM

Found a couple videos I liked, so I thought I would share... :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUIx_hvA07g
(I wonder what the guy in the small truck coming at him thought of seeing this rig...)

This one is a fellow who was building it into a camper, and took it on white rim, but I never heard if it ever got finished. Still nifty none the less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7uqIgIzXks&feature=related

kerry

05-25-2011, 01:04 PM

That last video is Brent's truck I believe. He did finish it.

EarthCruiser

05-25-2011, 09:29 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X08wlZr2BHk

X08wlZr2BHk

EarthCruiser

03-30-2012, 05:48 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B4JnXaQQtyE&noredirect=1

westyss

04-01-2012, 02:11 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B4JnXaQQtyE&noredirect=1

OK,, what's going on in the second to last image on that video?? Looks like the back end is in the air but nobody driving??

Nice video though, good portrayal of the abilities and benefits of these vehicles!

SkiFreak

04-01-2012, 05:56 AM

OK,, what's going on in the second to last image on that video?? Looks like the back end is in the air but nobody driving??
94231

Surely they have enough shots of an EarthCruiser in the bush not to have to use "photo magic" to doctor one up. :Wow1:

Overland Hadley

04-02-2012, 11:31 AM

OK,, what's going on in the second to last image on that video?? Looks like the back end is in the air but nobody driving??

Maybe it is a new jacking system for changing tires, the invisible jack?

I think the rear tires are just hiding behind the fronts, and what we are seeing are mud flaps or something similar.

EarthCruiser

04-02-2012, 01:53 PM

Looks like the front mud flaps or the flaps we put in front of the fuel tank and batteries. No jumping EC`s.

Lance ;)

John E Davies

05-22-2012, 02:53 PM

This one is a fellow who was building it into a camper, and took it on white rim, but I never heard if it ever got finished. Still nifty none the less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7uqIgIzXks&feature=related

New guy here - I am researching an EarthCruiser and have been going through these threads. Two weeks ago my wife and I saw this truck on the White Rim in Canyonlands National Park, being used as a support/ transport truck for a mountain bike group near the half way point (Murphy's Hogback campground). I'm sorry I don't have any pics. We were in a Series 80 and that truck looked pretty big for those trails, but I guess it fits!

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

EarthCruiser

05-27-2012, 07:29 PM

102403
EC Owners week end outing

Ford Prefect

06-06-2012, 05:44 AM

Cool...but how many do you have to try before you figure out which one is yours on a trip like that?

:D

Nice looking trucks there.

blackduck

07-29-2012, 01:33 PM

113179

This is Ben's (fg4oz) swb FG
he sent me a pic to show off his new parabolics and singles
It just had to be posted

Nice Ben
Im green with envy

Aussie Iron

07-30-2012, 10:17 AM

Under power on climb 1st gear low range. From the front and the back.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q585/Aussie_Iron/297a.jpg http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q585/Aussie_Iron/DSCF0053a.jpg

whatcharterboat

08-17-2012, 10:12 AM

A couple of campsite pics from one of our clients.......he and a mate just hiked the Larapinta while his wife looped back in and out in the truck to the meet up with them on the hiking trail every couple of nights to resupply food and water. A couple of Fraser shots too.

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whatcharterboat

08-17-2012, 10:49 AM

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EarthCruiser

08-24-2012, 04:07 PM

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EarthCruiser

10-16-2012, 01:40 AM

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mog

10-16-2012, 06:02 PM

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So the world's biggest VW Bus, or the world's smallest EarthCruiser ?

westyss

10-19-2012, 06:40 PM

Here's a few action shots from a recent trip.

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It looks to me like the right rear tire is off the ground, this was the only place that this happened, every other mogul the truck managed to have all tires on the ground.
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This spot was tight with a tree in the wrong spot,I was about to drop into the hole, note the guy getting ready to push on the side of the camper to keep it off the tree. There were four guys doing that. Note also the cab to camper difference.

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and this just showed up and it wont go away??

Overland Hadley

10-20-2012, 12:14 AM

^ That my friend is some serious flex! ^

SkiFreak

10-20-2012, 03:53 AM

Makes you wonder why anyone considering mounting a camper on a Fuso would even consider fish plates or U bolts, doesn't it?
Westyss' camper is a perfect example of how much these chassis can flex.

lehel1

10-21-2012, 05:01 PM

Makes you wonder why anyone considering mounting a camper on a Fuso would even consider fish plates or U bolts, doesn't it?
Westyss' camper is a perfect example of how much these chassis can flex.

hey guys

just because the fuso frame can flex so much doesnt mean it was designed too over and over. my take, mount solid with alittle cushion between the camper frame and camper box and let the suspension (hopefully with simple leaf spring and shock upgrade) do the work. youll be gald you did. unless of course you plan to do the rubicon trail.

ive had my 08 fuso camper thru the best courses at the overland ralley events with great success the last couple of years with no truck or camper problems. after a year planning building the truck im now glad i went this simple route as it meets my uses. to date i have been able to go everywhere i have taken my previous unimog camper, of course with more care given to ground clearance.

hope your all enjoying cheers

alan

10-23-2012, 01:04 AM

I second that, this amount of constant flex will break the chassis, soft mounts are the answer as used by just about all, earthcruiser, ATW etc

EarthCruiser

10-23-2012, 03:20 AM

I got to agree with Alan.
Westy has done a great job with his camper.

Lance

adam88

10-23-2012, 10:58 PM

I noticed Host is building a non-popup version of the EarthCruiser. Any plans to bring the pop-up version to the US?

haven

10-24-2012, 03:33 AM

The pop-up version is available now. Contact Earthcruiser at its USA office in Oregon. sales@earthcruiserusa.com, Phone 503 688 3345.

whatcharterboat

10-25-2012, 08:02 AM

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shrub

11-04-2012, 09:26 PM

Does the Fuso come in a 6x6 chassis? How hard to modify a 4x4 to 6x6?

LukeH

11-07-2012, 08:50 AM

Of course it's possible; the straight ladder chassis lends itself to all sorts of mods. But the effort, stress and money you would have put into adding a third axle would be better spent on a bigger truck. A decent 10 tonne 4x4 would happily carry what you need a little 6x6 Mitsu for. And the bigger trucks also come in 6x6 without the hassle of registering a modification.
But that's only my opinion. Weight is the enemy, adding more weight to a powertrain that wasn't made for it is going to slow you horribly, even if it can cope fine it will still do so slower.

whatcharterboat

11-20-2012, 11:31 AM

I have mentioned Dave's truck before but here are some pics he asked me to post up from a recent Endeavor Rally where he drove sweep following the comp vehicles and recovering any stuck or broken down. As you can see they got into a bit of strife there once but all ended well.

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The proud parents!!
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westyss

11-21-2012, 10:07 PM

westyss

11-21-2012, 10:12 PM

WHOA! that looks to be a really stuck truck there, my worst nightmare is to be that deep in muck, and it looks to me like all they used to get outa there was a shovel and throwing whatever under the tires.......... how long did it take to get it out of there?

Hmmmm......... now I see the last picture showing the winch line etc. with the other truck, still must have taken a good pull to get it out.

HowardH

12-06-2012, 01:24 AM

just because the fuso frame can flex so much doesnt mean it was designed too over and over. my take, mount solid with alittle cushion between the camper frame and camper box and let the suspension (hopefully with simple leaf spring and shock upgrade) do the work.

I want to make sure I understand. You are suggesting mounting the box tighter to the frame which will limit frame flex (because of box rigidity) and force the suspension to do more of the work? Assuming the answer is yes at what point does the box become over stressed and what safeguards are in place to prevent this? Construction strength? Common sense? Experience?

I second that, this amount of constant flex will break the chassis, soft mounts are the answer as used by just about all, earthcruiser, ATW etc

I have seen pictures of box mounting "clips" that are bolts with springs that appear designed to isolate the box from frame movement as much as possible. Where can I learn more and see pictures of these "soft mounts"?

mog

12-06-2012, 03:50 PM

I want to make sure I understand. You are suggesting mounting the box tighter to the frame which will limit frame flex (because of box rigidity) and force the suspension to do more of the work? Assuming the answer is yes at what point does the box become over stressed and what safeguards are in place to prevent this? Construction strength? Common sense? Experience?
I have seen pictures of box mounting "clips" that are bolts with springs that appear designed to isolate the box from frame movement as much as possible. Where can I learn more and see pictures of these "soft mounts"?

A good starting point (31 pages of Discussion):
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/25494-pivoting-frames-and-mounting-campers

HowardH

12-09-2012, 11:46 PM

Thanks a lot Mog. Now I'm more confused then ever. :sombrero:

Basically the consensus is there is no consensus but lots of opinions. However all the truck manufacturers appear to have published their own mounting guides. Seems the best bet is to follow their recommendations.

Taemian

12-21-2012, 03:53 AM

There is a good explanation this. Well ....................
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/3542168284_a23196f01d_b.jpg

Now this is what I like to see! I knew someone else had to be crazy enough to try it. Gotta get more grunt for mine. Daily driven domestic diesel trucks are sporting 500hp at the wheels around here, 700hp at the wheels with minor mods. Quater miles of low 13s to mid 12s. Anyone know who this is in the photo?

whatcharterboat

12-21-2012, 07:39 AM

Hi Taemian,

It was me but unfortunately nothing so glamorous as your portrayal.......just doing some brake testing for our DoT compliance. Hence the 3 ton of concrete blocks and the fifth wheel. It's just that the drag strip is a good safe venue to do the testing and we also need a long, smooth and level straight.

Sorry to deflate your balloon.

Did have a very fun time at the track today though .......ATW and Fuso staff and a couple of mutual VIPs.

So technically these pics are not OT if some of the driver's work for FUSO, I guess. Hahaha :smiley_drive:
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alan

01-05-2013, 09:07 AM

I don't know if anyone has seen this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUJx-jFZVs0

nick disjunkt

01-24-2013, 09:02 AM

This photo probably belongs somewhere else but anyway:

http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/276511/slide_276511_2018939_free.jpg

This is what happens when a fuso gets covered in water during a firefighting operation in freezing Chicago

alan

01-24-2013, 09:06 AM

thats a great pic!

SkiFreak

01-24-2013, 12:05 PM

I think that my truck would be fine in this scenario... it has heated mirrors. :D

mab

01-28-2013, 09:52 AM

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Saw these pretty maids all in a row,this morning on my way home from the dump. Someone has had the big cheque book out! Can anyone enlighten me to the function of the yellow ring on the front wheels? An extra step up into the cab?

blackduck

01-28-2013, 10:36 AM

could be
on closer inspection the outer ring is made from chequer plate
and you know the mining fraternity - OH&S mad
it probably prevents the occupants from jumping out of the cab and hurting themselves.
which reminds me of a funny story
I pulled into Munduberra (central Qld) at about 3am in a 700 series Hino pulling a 46' taughtliner
this thing was 3 steps to the cab floor then the height of the seat a good 2.5 meters of the ground
a sobering drunk resting in the park asked me if i could give him a lift to eidsvold (the next town up the road) he looked harmless so why not
when we got there I was just about to say "mind how you get out" when he flung the door open, swung his legs out and launched himself (like he was getting out of a hilux)
"CRASH" he managed to break his leg, protruding bone and all
it was hilarious - tragic, but funny as, the look on his face as it disapeared over the edge was priceless, that "where has the ground gone" look
well i enjoyed it anyway.

whatcharterboat

01-28-2013, 11:03 AM

could be
on closer inspection the outer ring is made from chequer plate
and you know the mining fraternity - OH&S mad
it probably prevents the occupants from jumping out of the cab and hurting themselves..

Actually this has me a bit stumped..BMA mines here .....and they seem to be the main driver of mining safety in Australia have stated that no entry/egress point can be more than 400 mm from the ground so that's why they require modification BUT those rings were deemed dangerous nearly ten years back cause so many people slipped off them and twisted ankles......almost certain they are not ADR compliant anymore and I can't see any OHS officer ever giving them a tick of approval.......could be interesting when the customer takes delivery and tries to get them through the front gate. "Please explain"

ATW 's Minesite approved Isuzu cab entry >>>
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mog

01-28-2013, 08:24 PM

Can anyone enlighten me to the function of the yellow ring on the front wheels? An extra step up into the cab?
Yup, standard 'issue' type step on 404 Unimogs

EarthCruiser

01-28-2013, 08:34 PM

Looks like someone was having fun.....142143
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Itchy Feet

02-26-2013, 02:49 PM

wrap a strap around it and it is a winch

Itchy Feet

02-26-2013, 02:59 PM

"Designed specifically for self recovery, hub capstans bolt directly onto the wheel rims and with a cable attached, the capstan winds up the line and hauls the vehicle out as the wheels spin. To overcome the effect of the axle differential, two capstans must be used simultaneously. Hub capstans can pull a vehicle free in both directions, are lightweight, easy to operate, very effective and are inexpensive. Because only a portion of the wheel nuts secure the capstan, it is not necessary to jack up the vehicle to remove them and therefore a single set can be used by a number of common vehicles."

dont know much about it just remember them on landrover 101 forward controls when i was a kid growing up in kenya where where is really bad black cotton mud.