New GXV appears at Overland Expo

[haven]

Photo courtesy of Expeditions West. Looks like an F350 XLT. I hope we can have more details soon.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208131_10150253344348275_640113274_9272830_990631_ n.jpg

[Ozarker]

Interior please....very nice!

[howell_jd]

It looks very much like the Tortuga Expedition Camper on the Turtle V. Weren't the Wescott's going to license the design out at one point for production? Maybe this is a first run? In any case, it definitely looks nice!

Jonathan

[greg mgm]

I like!
Is there a pass through? Can't tell from the pic.

[Larry - KB0HIB]

Here are some more photos of the Turtle taken before it left for Overland Expo. It does have cab-to-cabin access, however the interior is unfinished.

There will be better photos when everybody gets back from Expo. The scenery in the Southwest is much better for photos, at this point, that our "early spring" locations here in the Ozarks.

We'll work on keeping you posted.

[dtruzinski]

Specs, pics, price? This looks very intriguing!

[haven]

It makes sense for the Wescotts to license their Turtle V design, instead of starting construction themselves. The process would take too much time away from their other enterprises. Better for a company like GXV, whose only business is building vehicles, to sweat the details.

[ScottReb]

The interior was blank. Showing off what it starts out as. I think you can purchase empty.

[howell_jd]

I asked about the possibility of this being a licensed Tortuga only because I am curious...I remembered the Wescotts had indicated a "limited number" on their website (http://turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/turtle-v) from years ago and then there were several additional magazines that echoed that thought (http://offroad.automotive.com/74986/0507or-turtle-expedition-1967-land-rover-109-ford-f550-diesel/index.html).

I am at Fort Leonard Wood for the US Army's annual Engineer Regiment gathering so I hope to get the opportunity to drive over to GXV and explore!

Fantastic!

Jonathan

[suntinez]

The interior was blank. Showing off what it starts out as. I think you can purchase empty.

That's what I was told too.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/OX11%20Amado%20AZ/DSC_0084.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/OX11%20Amado%20AZ/DSC_0085.jpg

[OTR]

Here are some more photos of the Turtle taken before it left for Overland Expo. It does have cab-to-cabin access, however the interior is unfinished.

There will be better photos when everybody gets back from Expo. The scenery in the Southwest is much better for photos, at this point, that our "early spring" locations here in the Ozarks.

We'll work on keeping you posted.

I like how you have the spare tires mounted on the side. I would add on of these to fill the dead space inside the wheel.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/attachments/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/144454d1191413478t-anybody-ever-see-mb-spare-tire-tank.jpg

[Offroad Engineering]

There was mention of it being sold as a Tortuga Expedition Camper on the display in front of the vehicle. Obviously Wescotts had a hand in the design but it is a larger box than on the actual Turtle.

It's a strange mix of things. Hutchisons on stock size tires make no sense and the overhangs and closeness to the ground will severely limit it's ability offroad. Granted that could be rectified with a set of MPT81's and the appropriate suspension but as setup it looked pretty helpless.

The space afforded by the box was nice and the ability to dress it out as you see fit was a nice option.

[goodtimes]

The price tag wasn't as bad as I expected either. Starting somewhere in the $130's.

It's a whole lot more specialized than I would want - but cool to see options out there.

[OverlandRich]

Seems a shame to have a vehicle that height with a rack for cab over instead of a bed that is a lot of wasted space that could be utilized and they didn't save any real height or aerodynamics by doing it. For $130k I'd want that cab over space!

[Bob599]

My thoughts exactly. Since you are above the profile of the cab why not do a cab over bed? I bet they have a good reason but to my ignorant eyes it would seem to add a lot of space and not that much weight. Wonder what the cost would be? For 130,000 a cab over would make it much more dare I say practicle?

[ersatzknarf]

I like it without a cab over. Notice that the top is tapered inward to reduce the visual impact of the overall size ? It would likely need to be even taller to accommodate a cab over with enough height to not feel like a coffin. I like this kind of cabin design.

[charlieaarons]

There was mention of it being sold as a Tortuga Expedition Camper on the display in front of the vehicle. Obviously Wescotts had a hand in the design but it is a larger box than on the actual Turtle.

It's a strange mix of things. Hutchisons on stock size tires make no sense and the overhangs and closeness to the ground will severely limit it's ability offroad. Granted that could be rectified with a set of MPT81's and the appropriate suspension but as setup it looked pretty helpless.

The space afforded by the box was nice and the ability to dress it out as you see fit was a nice option.

Hutchinsons on stock tires?
The thing has 40.7 inch 335/80R20s on Hutchinson wheels. Not exactly stock tires. Although they could possibly be 35.5" 19.5s, looking at the pictures on p 1

Charlie

[JRhetts]

My thoughts exactly. Since you are above the profile of the cab why not do a cab over bed? I bet they have a good reason but to my ignorant eyes it would seem to add a lot of space and not that much weight. Wonder what the cost would be? For 130,000 a cab over would make it much more dare I say practicle?

re: cab over versus no cab over configuration

i do not know if it is one of the reasons for the no cab over design, but surely it could be one of the benefits:

to access much of the engine for repair, including ordinary parts like a water pump, one has to either: remove the cab (a 20 min. procedure by an experienced technician), or remove the engine through the radiator opening. The latter requires special hoists and is a very long procedure.

Thus the lack of a bed space over the cab may preserve the option to remove the cab to perform needed repairs. Cab over beds, as on the EarthRoamer, prohibit this, and force one to remove the engine to repair inaccessible parts.

[Joaquin Suave]

Thus the lack of a bed space over the cab may preserve the option to remove the cab to perform needed repairs. Cab over beds, as on the EarthRoamer, prohibit this, and force one to remove the engine to repair inaccessible parts.

Don't bring up a fault of one of the "ExPo Darlings" or you will more than likely be banned for bad behavior!!!!

[dzzz]

......

to access much of the engine for repair, including ordinary parts like a water pump, one has to either: remove the cab (a 20 min. procedure by an experienced technician), or remove the engine through the radiator opening. The latter requires special hoists and is a very long procedure.



Is that still true with the 2011 ford diesels? I was assuming some level of sanity returned with the new motor. I would want a cab over on a pickup.

If the layout of the interior is changed I don't see how this can be a "turtle". I expect one reason the turtle didn't have a cab-over was the engineering was complicated for a homebuilt.

[haven]

Since this is a Turtle replica, or course it lacks a cab-over bed. If you want a cab-over, GXV can provide it in a different model, such as the UXV-550.

[dzzz]

Since this is a Turtle replica, or course it lacks a cab-over bed. If you want a cab-over, GXV can provide it in a different model, such as the UXV-550.

I thought the turtle had cabinets across the front of the cabin. Don't see with the door placement how that can be possible.

[JRhetts]

Is that still true with the 2011 ford diesels? I was assuming some level of sanity returned with the new motor.

I believe so, tho I am not positive — I no longer visit the Ford dealerships so have not asked since 2010.

While they indeed have a new motor, it still fills the entire engine space, thus the probable need for cab removal to get at otherwise inaccessible parts. It's a volume thing, not a desired design specification.

[JRhetts]

Don't bring up a fault of one of the "ExPo Darlings" or you will more than likely be banned for bad behavior!!!!

Given that EVERYTHING is a compromise and therefore has faults in someone's eyes — I'll chance it. [Of course, my vehicle is perfect.]

[SuperCal]

Is that still true with the 2011 ford diesels? I was assuming some level of sanity returned with the new motor. I would want a cab over on a pickup.

If the layout of the interior is changed I don't see how this can be a "turtle". I expect one reason the turtle didn't have a cab-over was the engineering was complicated for a homebuilt.

taken from a ford press release about the new 6.7 powerstroke:

•The new engine architecture enables easier service work for all major engine components, potentially reducing downtime. On turbocharger service, for example, the body/cab no longer has to be removed from the frame to access the turbo; also, the high-pressure fuel pump, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) components and thermostats are directly accessible from the front of the vehicle.

[oonimog]

Unless GXV wants the Turtle name, why the need to license anything?

[Offroad Engineering]

Hutchinsons on stock tires?
The thing has 40.7 inch 335/80R20s on Hutchinson wheels. Not exactly stock tires. Although they could possibly be 35.5" 19.5s, looking at the pictures on p 1

Charlie

Give me a bit of credit Charlie.... They might have been 35.5 but they damn sure weren't 40.7.

[charlieaarons]

Give me a bit of credit Charlie.... They might have been 35.5 but they damn sure weren't 40.7.

If you look at all the pictures some are with the 335s (XZLs) and some others are with the smaller tires.

Charlie

[HMR]

Unless GXV wants the Turtle name, why the need to license anything?I was wondering the same thing.

PS- Does anyone know what shop or person actually built the Turtle for the Westcott's? Their website (http://turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/turtle-v/) mentions how unhappy they were with Safari Vehicles but they never mention who finished the project in California.

[Northern Explorer]

GXV Turtle (http://globalxvehicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/GXV-Turtle.pdf) pdf

[haven]

Thanks for the link.

I was way wrong in my guess that the prototype is a F350! The production vehicles will be built on the F550 cab/chassis with 6.7L diesel. Overall length of the camper section is 13 ft.

The camper has an optional slide out for the bed area. I'd like to learn more about this.