Getting There

[Globatrol]

I've no excuse other than I've been really busy and side tracked so find myself a little behind on our vehicle set up. Anyway I thought I would post a couple of quick pics on my camper build but it's not going to be anywhere near the standard of earthromer's post whch I have just read and decided there is no way I can keep up with that level of dedication, full points for that post - interesting reading other people's take on travel in general. It's allways nice reading about the plethera of idea's and set up's out there! Anyway enough rambling, here's a couple of quick pic's

First is just fitting an ARB winch bar and a dual battery set up no detail in the photo, I can add some detail if anyone is interested but hey I figure everyone has there favoured set up!
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Camper shell sitting on the chasis, nothing is fixed at this stage. Everything comes appart for the interiour fit out, I'm only workning on the shell and chasis at the moment!
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Assorted pics, chasis is galvanised steel while the body is 2.5mm aluminium. The interiour fit out, roof and so on will be composote products for the obvious weight saving and the range of finishes that are available, makes all the difference in getting the cosy feel! well that's the plan anyway!
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A little tig welding here and there but the shell is almost completely glued and rivetted, I'm hoping to gain enough flex so as not to crack anything on undulating or corrugated terrain. Should work OK as the shell is only 2300mm long and bolted to the tray support rails on the ute and therefore relying on them to cushion the ride (hopefully!)

We have seen a couple of German Cruisers around our area lately and managed to have a chat with them, they are just finishing a 12month sojurn around OZ and had a great time - goes without saying! Anyway it keeps the juices flowing, great to gain some info on areas you'll be travelling from like minded people!, allways nice reading posts of others out and about on this forum too I might add! anyway more pics of my build as it takes shape. Any input appreciated cheers for now!!

[Wainiha]

any updates on that custom shell? It is very nice.

[Globatrol]

Yep the first one is finally finished and started a slightly different model to suit a Landcruiser tray. Just thought I'd post some pics for anyone doing the same or just interested. I still have to organise some solar panels for the roof and water filtration along with a few other adjustments to get things the way I'd like but it's working really well so far!!
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Tappering the body has been woth the effort for the type of travelling we like to do, it hasn't been a problem with overgrown tracks so far but I'm sure I'll get caught somewhere.

The overall height works out roughly the same as a wagon with a rooftop tent attached but I have very little weight up high so I think it'll work OK!

Thanks for looking and suggestions allways appreciated!!

[DennisJ]

Very nice simple professional build. Is that Duralite you have used on your internal furniture. if it is, how was it to work with. did you have any trouble with the glue together method of holding it together. if it isn't Duralite what is it. Thanks Im really keen on Duralite but havent seen it used all that often.

[Globatrol]

Nope it's not dualite!

It's Ayres Composite Panel. It is 20mm thick and has an aluminium honeycomb construction. Comes in a range of thicknesses and differen't colours and is also available with a cardboard honeycomb centre and a good range of anodized ally extrusions to suit along with corners and end stops.

I've'e glued everything with 252 sika which works well.

All the cutting is done with a router , these panels are used more in the marine industry such as ferry interiors and the like and it does get expensive quite quickly but the strength and weight savings are outstanding.

It doesn't come with the range of edgings that are available with duralite but as all the extrusions are anodized aluminium it's pretty robust!

Good luck with whatever you choose!!

Cheers Justin.

[Scott Brady]

Those cab/chassis Patrols are sweet. What a great vehicle.

[Globatrol]

Thanks for looking! I've always had land cruisers in the past but the coil cab patrols are fairly sought after here in Aus, quite an ergonomic and modern cab for a design thats been around a long time with a solid drive line, lacks the power of the v8 cruiser but it's not common rail and I'm stuck in the past some might say, I like vehicles I can keep running without a laptop! The choice is pretty well over as far as simple mechanics and vehicle selection goes now! so I guess the next vehicle will be fly by wire......

[p1michaud]

Mad skills! Nice rig.

[Brodyagi]

Awesome! What's the engine? What is weight Patrol now?

[zeroland]

Awesome. Very neat job.

How long did it take you to build?

[Globatrol]

It's a 2006 4.2 tdi, almost the last of 4.2 engines sold here, not sure if they were available for a longer period in other countries! I'm keeping it pretty standard only a 3 inch exhaust and I will upgrade to a different turbo before heading off. An easy choice for me as I'm not overly keen on the common rail engines, don't get me wrong I love the power and comfort they provide but I can keep the old td 42 going with a torch battery and a drum of any diesel I can get so it works well for me. Once it's time to upgrade I'll have to move into the 21st century I guess!! I haven't had it over the weigh bridge with the camper loaded up yet but I'll let you know what it comes in at. The camperbody is around 400 kg's (or a bit more I think) as it's mostly 2.5mm aluminium for the main shell and composite panel for the roof and internals so it's not too bad, as usual it's all the gear you load in that adds up!! As for how long, it's been a mission - a couple of years thinking about it and trying to find something on the market that suited my needs and then around 12 months to put it together. The second one took 6 months roughly and I guess if I do another one it would be quicker but it's really time consuming, just about need a holiday to get over it!! I'll post a couple of photos of the other one on a v8 cruiser, slightly differn't profile to suit the differn't body shape but I'm really happy with it. As usual there are some changes I would make in the future if I did it again but but they are only minor so overall it's worked out well, anyway thanks for the interest!! 16275516275616275716275816275916276016276116276216 2763