FG637 "Drag Up"

[Tonkatuff]

Hi Guys

I wanted to start a thread to document my adventures in the Tonka truck and my attempts to make it more capable on a tight budget and i didn't think "build up" was appropriate.

First about me I'm a 34 year old Industrial Sparky and i run my own business prior to this i have been involved in Electronics and IT. I have a young family and i enjoy getting out there in the truck.

Now the truck.

A 1996 FG637 Dual Cab canter tipper ex mutdapilly research station Purchased in jan 2012 in Nambour and brought back to SA. The truck's main issue is that it had been sitting not doing much for about 6 years but it had only done 130K. Ive replaced the bed of the tray with steel as it was timber and generally tidied it up. Its my daily driver and ive now got 180K on it.

So far Ive done a couple of small trips in it.


When I bought it


Big Desert State Forest Vic (note very soft sand and bar tread rag tyres, not a good mix but we made it)


Car Park Testing

So we are off to Big desert again this weekend (running Radials this time) hopefully get some pics of how far you can (or can't) get on duals

cheers

Shannon

 

[Adventure Copan]

That is very cool, especially that its your DD. Forgive my ignorance, but is it 4WD?

-Daniel Kent

 

[Tonkatuff]

Hi Daniel

Yeah its 4wd it could do with a lift.

Cheers

Shannon

 

[Adventure Copan]

Hi Daniel

Yeah its 4wd it could do with a lift.

Cheers

Shannon

Nice! Everything's better with a lift.

-Daniel Kent

 

[Overland Hadley]

It is great that you are using it as your DD. I have often wondered if I (with my driving needs) could do the same.

 

[Tonkatuff]

I find it great to drive, heaps of room and people get out of you way.
Sent from my RM-821_apac_australia_new_zealand_218 using Board Express

 

[Tonkatuff]

Ok new fuel tank shoe horned in. Put 200l of fuel in which hurt but im ok. Managed to get 6 fixings per bracket 4 on chassis and 2 on Tipper subframe

Sits flush with the side had to cut small section from tray for filler

and it sits higher that the original tank

The tank is from a dennis eagle rubbish truck, hopefully another will come up and ill mirror on the other side.

 

[PKDreamers]

Hi,
Your truck came from near where we live .
Our kids love our truck cos they can fit sooo much stuff in it.
Keep the updates coming , Kel and I will start a build page too soon.

Main thing is get out to enjoy camping with the family and use the truck.


And where did you change the exhaust pipe to after fitting the tank?

 

[Tonkatuff]

Cheers PK its great to hear from some family "truckers"

The exhaust is being extended today to drivers side of spare wheel

Thought I'd add a little party trick my truck has:

This is a Erisin ES777A Android/DVD/TV/Radio/ other stuff

And tada removeable WIFI android tablet

I run oziexplorer and some business apps, very handy.

 

[d67u57]

very nice. whats mpg like,since its your dd?

 

[Tonkatuff]

16-17l/100km I keep a pretty good eye on it. And that it on mostly windy roads ,not much cruising
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[d67u57]

not too bad at all! comparable to most suv's

 

[Tonkatuff]

Also note this is naturally aspirated but it is alot for oz the most popular suv here is the hilux and it gets around 8-9 l/100km
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[Tonkatuff]

Hi again

Got the exhaust relocated yesterday, not sure if i like it yet it dumps very close to the rear mudflap

I may put a tip on it just to redirect it a fraction

and i couldn't resist..

 

[Adventure Copan]

You need to slap a exhaust stack on that Tonka truck!

-Daniel Kent