Mitsubishi FG 4wd cab over

[Scott Brady]

Mitsubishi FG

I have always been interested in the high GVW cab over expedition platforms. Mostly because I would have no limit (relatively) to the amount of gear I could take :p

http://www.mitfuso.com/images/FG.jpg

The one I find most appealing is the Mitsu FG, which has a dual speed transfer case, very reliable diesel motor (with 5 year, 175,000 mile warranty), and can be converted to SWR.

here is a nice example:
http://www.questconnect.org/images/awning_view1.jpg

A link to their website: (http://www.questconnect.org/)

A camper conversion company (http://www.ruf-inc.com/)

[ShottsCruisers]

What's the RTI on this rig Scott? :)

[The BN Guy]

There's a rig built in Oz that is used commonly with mining companies but can be outfitted for expeditions as well. Not a great RTI but is tough looking and is made to be repaired by local materials regardless of location. I'll try and dig up the info.

[Scott Brady]

Yeah, the FG is more of an uninproved "road" solution, than a trail solution. The greatest assets are high GVW, good economy (for the size), and reliability/durability.

If you wanted to build a motorhome for off-highway use, that would make for a great solution...

[VikingVince]

Does anyone know the approximate cost of the Mitsu FG 4x4? (just the cab and chassis) ...just spent an hour searching the web for the price on a new one and am frustrated...thanks

[Doin_It]

Try looking in, truckpaper.com from the main page at the bottom just do a search for a Mitsubishi Fuso, there were like 300 Fuso's listed, I didn't go through all 12 pages to see if any of them were 4x4, I'm sure there has got to be at least a couple since they are the only mid size 4x4 cab over in North America. I also searched for Unimog, and there are some brand new '03's that have never been titled. I guess we've not taken a liking to them here like the are in Europe. Wouldn't want to be that dealer, lot's of cash tied up in a truck thats rotting right on my lot from lack of use.

[gjackson]

Saw one of these in Moab at the Jeep Safari last weekend. Cool looking rig.

cheers

[Scott Brady]

Saw one of these in Moab at the Jeep Safari last weekend. Cool looking rig.

cheers

I have never seen the 4WD model in person. Was the Jeep Safari any better this year (i.e.- has the drunken, trail destroying masses subsided any?)

[gjackson]

I avoided the trails like the plague!! Actually I was in town to redeem a free stay at the Sorrel River Ranch that I won at a Land Rover event 'cause my truck was voted coolest rig. I honestly didn't think about Easter Jeep until we pulled into town and saw the banner over the road. Many, many cool rigs there though. Lots of FJ Cruisers and I counted 8 Sportsmobiles on Saturday alone. Earth Roamer was there as well.

But we opted to go to Arches instead of getting involved in the traffic jams on the trails. Sometimes it's cool to just be a tourist! :)

cheers

[calamaridog]

Came across these pictures and this site:

http://www.ruf-inc.com/intro.htm

Pretty cool stuff but $150,000:eek:

[hinoranger]

yeah, ruf seems to have done thier homework but it would be interesting to hear them justify the price tag; cab&chassis is probably under $40k with any kind of wholesale discount, so...?

who knows, though.

[Gold Boy]

Just spoke with a Vancouver dealership....

49,000Can + gst/pst for the 14' deck cab & chassis, fully loaded.

I think, its a good deal. How much is a new tundra these days?

:wavey:
:sunny:

http://www.mitfuso.com/pdf/InMotion/inMotion02.pdf

[OutbacKamper]

Pretty cool stuff but $150,000...

$150,000 is a lot of money, but consider that the earthroamer is $200,000-230,000 and a fully equiped 4x4 Sportsmobile is approx $95,000. The cost of the high quality hardware (electronics, diesel heaters, european spec windows and doors etc) adds up really fast. Factor in the amount of custom work and the extremely low volume production and I think it is a reasonable price.
Could you build one yourself for less? Maybe if you have the skills and tools required and if you have a few years to spare testing and refining it.

Compared to a Unicat or other high end European camper it is cheap!

Now for a cheaper option that has been proven over thousands of kilometers:


http://www.expeditioncampers.com/17d8e0a0.jpg


Carl Hunter from Vancouver, BC mounted a Bigfoot trailer on the back of his Fuso. See the following link for more info and photos:
http://www.expeditioncampers.com/bigfoot.html

Carl's "Bigfoot" is a great idea, although it has been done before:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/images/albums/userpics/10003/normal_IMG_0073.JPG

Cheers
Mark

[Gold Boy]

My wife and I are currently planning on doing the same - subject to funding! :)

[OutbacKamper]

My wife and I are currently planning on doing the same - subject to funding! :)
Hi Gold Boy;
Do you know Carl Hunter? He lives in West Vancouver, I can provide contact info if you need. If you are planning to go this route, it would really be great to have his input first. Are you thinking of towing the Landcruiser with the Mitsu? Is the Toyota a RHD import from Japan? - if so I would be interested in more details
Cheers
Mark

[Gold Boy]

Hi Mark

Wan't be towing the LC dure to the fact that its 5000lb's, but we are planning on towing a 21' trailer sailer boat.

I will say that we are allowing for two years of planning, so we are unfortuantly are not going today:coffee:

Sure, Carls contact phone# would be great.

Thankyou

GB

The 74 is an import... from

http://www.kktrading-aurora.com/top.html

[calamaridog]

Mark,

You are right, I'm sure. The $150k seems like a bunch of money to me, right now. Then again, I still sleep in a tent;)

I understand why it costs as much as it does and I'm sure they have put a bunch of thought and work into the project.

I can certainly dream!

[Gold Boy]

The thing is for me, how to diy out fit the FG.

I'm thinkin, to have a flat deck built and then use that as a platform, rarther than go direct FG frame to trailer frame.

The bigfoot f/g shell trailer is nice, but there maybe other options...


Kind of like the Alaskan camper concept as well.

I love thinkin about all this stuff.

:campfire:

GB

http://www.baumpub.com/publications/land/lgj_features/land_0509_f5.htm

[OutbacKamper]

Gold boy, I would like to discuss some ideas with you along these lines. I will pm you with my e-mail address and if you are interested, e-mail me back . I think we may be able to help each other.

Cheers
Mark

[Gold Boy]

http://www.aviationsupport.co.nz/littlecracker.htm
http://www.dickinsonmarine.com/shop5/shopdisplayproducts.asp?catalogid=30

Kind of like these products

:campfire:

GB

[hinoranger]

Interesting products.

I'm working on installing a a Force 10 cabin heater in my commercial-chassis based expedition camper. Nice little 6000btu kerosene/diesel burner which is externally vented and requires no electricity. Havn't tried it yet but probably has enough surface area to heat a small teapot.

[Gold Boy]

May be we have drawn the same conclusion that sailing boat equipment is very good for fitting out FG/Hino campers etc.

That force 10 should work well, I like the fact that these products are externally vented... good for safety.

GB

[kdgreene]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for using the photo of our Fuso camper on the beach in Tulum, Mexico.

Here's an update on our around the world trip. We have now driven 38,000 miles from Toronto, Canada to Ushuaia at the tip of Argentina and northward to Lima, Peru.

I want to say that we have given our Fuso an extreme off-road test at over 15,000 ft elevation in Southwestern Bolivia. The result is that it came through FANTASTIC. Other than blowing a bit more black exhaust smoke due to the fact that we were unable to get the engine properly adjusted, there were no problems. I'd like to post a new photo of our negotiating the boulders on the route but we were so involved that we forgot to take any!

If anyone has any questions about how the truck is handling or regarding how we built out the camper, feel free to email.:clapsmile

[Scott Brady]

You are in AZ? What area?

I would LOVE for you to make the trophy rally (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1109)this fall.

It would be great to see an FG in person. :clapsmile

[kdgreene]

Scott,

We'd love to show you our Fuso, but the truck is currently in Lima Peru. We have one more phase of our South America expeditions to complete, we will be driving through northern Peru, Ecuador and Colombia starting mid-September. From there we are planning to ship to New Zealand then Australia.

I've followed several of your trips as we have also explored the Copper Canyon, El Golfo and Baja. We still have our old Chevy Z-71 with our pop-up camper for trips closer to home.

Hope we do connect in the future.

[haven]

It's hard to argue with the success that Don Greene and Carl Hunter have had with their Fuso FG campers. The dual rear wheels add payload, and permit running a smaller, less expensive, more readily available tire. That said, I like the advantages of single rear wheels, which makes the Fuso more trail-ready.

OutbacKamper found a company in western Australia that converts Fusos to SRW, and took this photo:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/840000-840999/840825_26_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/840000-840999/840825_26_full.jpg

The company is Amesz Design. The tires are Michelin XZL 255/100R16, which add 2 inches of ground clearance over the stock tires.

Their website is here. (http://www.amesz.com.au/view/)

Chip Haven

ps. check out www.expeditioncampers.com

[Scott Brady]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for using the photo of our Fuso camper on the beach in Tulum, Mexico.

I have just now pieced together who you guys are and you expedition. :D

Welcome to the portal.

I have the greatest respect for your teaching foundation and education efforts. Bravo :bowdown:

Here is their website: Quest Connect (http://www.questconnect.org/)

[Mit Fuso]

It's hard to argue with the success that Don Greene and Carl Hunter have had with their Fuso FG campers. The dual rear wheels add payload, and permit running a smaller, less expensive, more readily available tire. That said, I like the advantages of single rear wheels, which makes the Fuso more trail-ready.

OutbacKamper found a company in western Australia that converts Fusos to SRW, and took this photo:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/840000-840999/840825_26_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/840000-840999/840825_26_full.jpg

The company is Amesz Design. The tires are Michelin XZL 255/100R16, which add 2 inches of ground clearance over the stock tires.

Their website is here. (http://www.amesz.com.au/view/)

Chip Haven

ps. check out www.expeditioncampers.com


I had heard that conversion to SRW was "impossible." Does anyone in the USA do this conversion? I'm in San Diego CA.

[Mit Fuso]

Chip, what do you see as the pros and cons of the dual and SRW on the FG?

[FG Surfari]

Hi
I got my SRW set up from Earth Cruisers AU.
They have a shop now in Oregon.
Hope that helps.