BY REQUEST- MY FG SWB (the 20 cent tour)

[blackduck]

As requested by John of ATW fame (yes I take requests) this is the tour of my 07 649 extra SWB
The Truck
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the concept behind the design of the body was to carry all my wordly possesions and have a "ready in a minute" sleeping area
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the top half is a no clutter accomodation area that we use when we dont have the van in tow, you just pull out the weaco and roll out the bed, presto all weather accomodation in seconds
As we are on the road full time we carry everything
Under the floor I keep all my tools (welder etc) diving, fishing, camping and boat gear, it all fits (just)
The truck is fitted out with lighting, sound, 12 & 240 volt power, 100L of water and on board air
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the starting batteries have been moved into the forward locker along with a 150aH AGM deep cycle battery, air compressor that feeds a 25Lt reciever, switch gear for the domestic services and high amp breaker for the winch. I also keep my ready use tools in there just in case.
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The cab has been refitted with bucket seats and custom built floor and roof consoles. The keen eye among you may notice the Eaton Fuller "road ranger" gear shift. no it doesnt have a 12 speed box just the knob although it could do with some more gears past 5th for highway use
Theres also a small platform for the bird, he likes to see whats going on, but after hours of "jingle bells" being whistled in your ear he should ride in the back.
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My latest additions are a set of lightforce 240's, LED day running lights(just in case you dont see it), and a 16500lb Mako winch

The Boat Loader
On top I carry 2 boats, a 3.5M tinnie set up for fishing and a 4M inflatable for diving
to get them on and off I use a "RHINO" boat loader customised to roll forward for travel
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At the moment its all handraulic but im working on a starter motor set up to automate it

[SkiFreak]

Nice setup.

[vince666]

Very nice Stu

[blackduck]

my apologies
im currently in a spot with poor internet
The Outboard
I keep my little 15hp motor between the cab and body on a fold away trolley
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the idea is it holds keeps the motor well out of the way and can act as a service stand when required
the best part is by attaching the wheels you dont have to carry the motor
Behind the motor in the gap I keep the boat fuel tank,dieso and bike fuel jerry cans and a locker for recovery equipment

The Bike Loader
Under the heading of you just cant have enough toys I also carry a Suzuki V Strom 1000 on the back
its a decent sized bike cause im a decent sized bloke (no 250's here)
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It uses "C" sectin channel as rails with a winch driven carrige that holds the front wheel
Its a one man operation, takes about 3 minutes to set up and packs away neatly into itself
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Operation is simple. you place the front wheel on the carrige and strap it down to the front axle, then using the winch haul the lot up the ramp onto the truck, Removal is the reverse
For safety i have a video monitor that looks down onto the bike while im moving
I have a video of the bike loader in use and when i figure out how to post it ill put it on

New Bits
Im planning on a set of parabolic springs when I finally get back round to Queensland and maybe some super singles. Short of that im running out of room to put bits

If theres anything here that may be of use to your set up and you want more detailed info drop me a line
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[Overland Hadley]

At the moment its all handraulic....

:)

[PKDreamers]

Stu,
Sweet looking very well thought out.

[blackduck]

just a quick shot of our rig at the wind farm in Geraldton WA

[mab]

Hi Stu,

I would like to know where you had your custom consoles made.

Thanks,
MAB

[blackduck]

MAB
unfortunatley I made them myself
the timber work was the easy part I had to beg to the wife to do the covering.
I searched for someone who makes consoles for the canter but not much luck

I think ATW do a centre consoles for thier trucks, it might be worth giving john a yell

[SkiFreak]

MAB
unfortunatley I made them myself
Why is that unfortunate?
Anyone can pop down to the local 4x4 shop and hand over money for some mass produced stuff. When you build things yourself you make your vehicle unique. :)

[blackduck]

true
but not everyone has the abilty or resources to make thier own gear
mind you being able to self customise is handy with the amount of off the shelf gear for canters

my advise to MAB is have a bash
if you screw it up try again
eventually youll get it just the way you want it
also if you can do the woodwork get a trimmer to do the covering

[blackduck]

The latest edition is a set of LED work lights mounted in front to act as "daytime running lights"
they come in handy for those long straight streches of desert road when oncoming traffic just doesnt seem to see you
being 3.5 meters high and 2.1 wide im not sure how thats possible but it happens
I was so impressed with them I also put one on each side mirror facing rearwards to use as camping / work lights perfect for night time tyre changes (touch wood)

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[SkiFreak]

Going to share the brand and provide a link Stu?

[blackduck]

http://www.brightlightautoparts.com/NEW_LED_WORK_LAMPS.html

OOPS
im bad
link attached model BL0118
Ive also got the BL111 on my bike to ward off evil blind car drivers
impressed with both

[fg4oz]

Whats the spring under the bull bar? (im sure its common knowledge and ive just exposed how poor my mechanical knowledge is)


The latest edition is a set of LED work lights mounted in front to act as "daytime running lights"
they come in handy for those long straight streches of desert road when oncoming traffic just doesnt seem to see you
being 3.5 meters high and 2.1 wide im not sure how thats possible but it happens
I was so impressed with them I also put one on each side mirror facing rearwards to use as camping / work lights perfect for night time tyre changes (touch wood)

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[SkiFreak]

I can answer that for you... it's a steering damper.
I have exactly the same one on my truck. :)

[fg4oz]

Why would my fg649 not have one?

[SkiFreak]

I'm sorry... I probably should have been a little more specific in my reply.
My FG84D has had a coil suspension conversion done by ATW. Part of that modification included the addition of a steering damper.
I do not believe that a steering damper is an OEM component on a Canter, which probably explains why your truck does not have one.

[bptp7270]

That's correct, the steering damper is not standard fare on the Canter although I reckon it should be. I caught the side of a log while doing a creek crossing in my previous 649 and the steering wheel spun so hard that I near broke my hand. I'm sure a decent steering damper would have slowed down the kickback a little. Perhaps this is why Blackduck has fitted one even though he is still on leaves?

[blackduck]

Sorry for the late response Ben but weve been out at Lake Argyle sucking up the serenity.
Its an after market return to centre steering damper as has already been said
its been great at taking the wobbles out of the steering wheel and reduces the whip round effect on rough ground
ATW fit them on thier conversions
I manufactured a solid mount from 10mm m/s bolted to a crossmember and then to the steering rod
its a good investment

[blackduck]

Whats the spring under the bull bar? (im sure its common knowledge and ive just exposed how poor my mechanical knowledge is)

http://www.4wd1.com/steering-dampers.htm

Ben
its the XHD
second one from the bottom
if your going to get one give me a yell ill send you some pics of my install for inspiration