Budget Canter Build

mog

Kodiak Buckaroo
I'm familiar with the ATW and EC wheels; where does Alan sell his?
I believe that EarthCruiser sells them here in the US.
They are known as 'Bling' wheels since they are beautiful Aluminum wheels. A slightly lower weight rating so for 12,500 lb rated Fusos not 14,050 rated trucks (unless you want to down-rate).
They are thicker (centers) so you have to use Budd nuts on the front also (not a big deal, just an FYI)
-
Alan 'Bling' Wheels:
allen bling 1.jpg
allen bling 2.jpg
 
Last edited:

59DEN

New member
Nothing obvious. Use 12 mm high tensile bolts to replace the rivets with washers both sides and nylocs. you need to drill the rivet holes out slightly. Has your 2wd chassis got cast suspension hangers? If so use them.

Thank you for that, would a 13mm clearance hole be OK and could a good quality sikaflex type adhesive be used in this overlap join?
 

59DEN

New member
Hi and welcome to the forum!
Back to your question about the canter's sand dune-ability.. If I'm correct, your truck has the naturally aspirated 3.9L? If the vehicle is light enough (say under 4.5T), + with the XZLs let out to a good sand pressure (say 20-25) it should do ok on most desert dunes (beach dunes different story). As far as an upgrade (and depending on how you feel about the trucks power), I'd be saving for a turbo.. its a big outlay, but you will appreciate it every time you drive it.. it should also save you some fuel if tuned properly + driven sensibly.
Just my 2c, every man + his dog will have a different opinion..
Andrew.

Cheers for the info, I will see how it pans out when on the road, power wise, interesting to hear and also read of potential better fuel consumption figures with a turbo.
 

59DEN

New member
Body Mounting

I definitely need advice in the area of mounting the tray and any other tips or pitfalls to watch out for, I have just read the thread on body mounting for the second time, all 30 odd pages. Still fairly confused on which way to go, solid mount or give it a little movement and use some spring / bolt connections, attached are a couple of drawings of what we are aiming for tray wise.

The avan camper will probably only be on for about 25% of the time, the rest of the time, it will used for general camping and support vehicle for a few motorbikes, thanks in advance.
Dennis

12268338374_26dd580c47_b.jpg


12268361504_bd715943a9_b.jpg
 
Last edited:

selfy

Observer
Thank you for that, would a 13mm clearance hole be OK and could a good quality sikaflex type adhesive be used in this overlap join?
drill the holes 12mm, the existing rivets are a neat fit
frame mounting is your choice, the main reason campers are sprung mounted is to stop the body from cracking due to frame flex
if yours is going to be a tray back most of the time it doesn't apply to your set up most of the time
there are plenty of aluminium pantechs around that are solid mounted and have stood the test of time
 

SkiFreak

Crazy Person
there are plenty of aluminium pantechs around that are solid mounted and have stood the test of time
I agree with most of what you have said, but be mindful that the stresses on the chassis can be considerably different between a road going pantec and a 4x4 camper.
 

selfy

Observer
I agree with most of what you have said, but be mindful that the stresses on the chassis can be considerably different between a road going pantec and a 4x4 camper.
yep definitely right there Owen, but you could mount the avan on some rubber blocks to the tray to negate some of the stresses
 

SkiFreak

Crazy Person
I agree. Just pointing out that setups for road going vehicles do not necessarily transfer to off-road vehicles.
 

59DEN

New member
On the move

12536015765_39eb824649_b.jpg

The 2wd truck we bought in Perth arrived last week, so we removed the trays, tank and wiring from the chassis of the donor vehicle.

12536133693_d17597e130_b.jpg

The chassis rails where in very good condition, it was a case of measure 10 times and cut once.

12536502314_315938df5b_b.jpg

The Canter had been used to carry a 1500L water tank around tree plantations and the rear section of the chassis was not repairable.

12536011025_9a1df08440_b.jpg

Just wondering what this is, it is on the donor vehicle exhaust?
 

alan

Explorer
12536015765_39eb824649_b.jpg

The 2wd truck we bought in Perth arrived last week, so we removed the trays, tank and wiring from the chassis of the donor vehicle.

12536133693_d17597e130_b.jpg

The chassis rails where in very good condition, it was a case of measure 10 times and cut once.

12536502314_315938df5b_b.jpg

The Canter had been used to carry a 1500L water tank around tree plantations and the rear section of the chassis was not repairable.

12536011025_9a1df08440_b.jpg

Just wondering what this is, it is on the donor vehicle exhaust?

Thats the exhaust brake unit..
 

59DEN

New member
Trial Run

Attached are a few pictures of our budget build in action out at a local beach, I must admit to being surprised at how capable these small trucks are off road and in the sand, being reasonably narrow they can negotiate the 4wd coastal tracks really well.
My son's friend picked up an 89 dual cab, the body is rusty but chassis and mechanicals are good, the beach is Cheynes beach about 50km out of Albany.


14758539790_e65cde873c_z.jpg


14922211416_f0fd39ab13_z.jpg


14758523669_58bdbaf3b9_z.jpg


14945202965_b3fb4e1c2a_z.jpg


14758542650_ce5e60a1a6_z.jpg


14944858032_a470d0668e_z.jpg


14758591598_f0625e776f_z.jpg
 

kerry

Expedition Leader
I like budget builds because they're more similar to mine. I wouldn't call it budget but it was pretty simply, yet it works fine for us.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,539
Messages
2,875,661
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top