skippythedog
Observer
Howdy Y'all!.... New member in Seattle (please let me know if I'm doing this right)...Just bought me a 2007 Jupiter Green Fuso FG140 w/ 59k miles, short (109") wheelbase.
This rig saw very light duty in the area and is equipped w/ a straight steel bed w/ a dump cylinder.
I'm not a rich guy building an adventure camper. I'm a poor guy replacing a Toyota Tundra. After discovering that a new starter or a new water pump for my Tundra runs about $1500 each, I decided I could keep a commercial rig running for that kind of money. I vacillated between a Unimog and an FG and decided on the FG as 95% of my driving will be on road and relatively close to home.
Needless to say, the ride was unbearable so I perused the sites and decided to try the cheap route first.... I installed Rancho 9000 series shocks all around (999117 front and 999113 rear) with a set of new Timbren bump stops up front. I'm very happy with the results. It's made the ride much more tolerable.
I'm running the adjustable Ranchos on click number 2 (of 9) and it provides just enough damping to keep the springs tamed (my truck weighs 8600#). I tried running them at midpoint (too stiff) and at the softest setting, which still let the springs try to catapult you through the roof. The shocks have also reduced the tendency to start an oscillation, though that may just be my imagination as I simply haven't encountered this situation since the new parts were installed. I found only one other instance of the Rancho installation on a 2003. I cross referenced the stock part numbers on the 03 and 07 and deduced that these 2 sets would fit.
I deemed that the front bump stops had the greatest effect on my comfort. The rear sets are twice the price @ about $400.....wonder if anyone deems those worth the expense?
I also tinted all the windows including the windshield with ceramic window film.....made a huge difference in reduction of solar gain...not so much like a greenhouse anymore
I'd like to explore the idea of set of single wheels but the guys at Stockton wheels are not very helpful. Are there specs.drawings (copies of the Aussie wheels) available? Someone suggested having them cut the centers out of my wheels to build off of....Is the expense of single wheels worth it on a road truck....? Expected fuel mileage gain @ 60 mph?
Another thing sorely lacking is interior nooks and storage in the cab. I have mounted single stud RAM mount balls on all of my grab handle screws to mount GPS, Phone, drink holders etc. Another idea I have is to mount an aluminum bar between the grab handles, about 3" above the dash (the full width of the cab) to mount some goodies, maybe even build a nice console on that.....Sure would be nice if someone built an overhead console...seems like there is plenty of room for that.
The ultimate goal is to simply make the truck as versatile as possible. So, with the dump cylinder and flat deck, I am adding a set of stakes and bows to the short, wood sides so I can run a custom made tarp/canopy (like an army truck). The bows will be strong and incorporate a few sets of pins that can be dropped in to help secure a canoe, pipe, lumber etc (with the tarp off)...A small, galvanized 2000lb capacity hand winch crane will be mounted in the rear corner. A 24x24 tool box will be installed on the frame and I will either install a wide, truck tool box on the front of the headache rack a few feet off the deck or simply chain down a jobsite style tool box so that I can relocate it to the rear when the camper is sitting on the deck.*
*I do have a Gichner S-280 military shelter that will sit nicely on the deck as it's a few inches narrower than my 82" wide deck. My goal of making it self loading isn't really achievable unless I mount a much taller crane. I'm not willing to give up my tarp nor add the weight. I still do most of my camping outdoors. The S-280 is essentially a truck camper w/ no overhang for the bunks. It's just big enough to provide a warm, dry place to sleep or curl up in a squall to read a book. An alcohol stove does double duty for making hot drinks and pre-heating the cabin in the morning so you can put on warm, dry clothes (damp clothes...the single thing I hated most about tent camping...grr).
I like my driving lights. There is a decided lack of off-the-shelf bumpers, brushguards and bullbars in the States. I'm getting mixed messages from the Aussie builders about fitment of their bullbars....Unless I can get a straight answer, it looks like I will be building a steel bumper w/ a folding brush guard/light mount. I'm just smart enough to know that these FGs aren't tough enough to trash off-road regularly. I will omit the winch in favor of a couple of big tow hooks and occasionally carrying a farm jack/hand winch.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me how much usable fuel is in the 33 gallon tank? I suspect 28 usable is about right.
Combined mileage so far is about 15.5 mpg. I suspect that my 62 mph (indicated) freeway speeds @ 2250-ish rpms is what's keeping me from getting better mileage.
Anyone have any tire psi recommendations? I'm running 80psi now.
Anyone have any input on a good torque multiplier for the lug nuts?
Interchangeability of the stock wheels? Can I swap an outer dual to the front to limp somewhere in a pinch?
I just started using Stanadyne diesel additive because of previous experience and recommendation by a well known Seattle based diesel injector/pump repair facility. I used to run a mobile tool truck w/ the 6.2 diesel. My tank range was 132 miles (all city, idling all day). My range w/ the Stanadyne additive increased by about 20 miles to 152, easily paying for the additive. I expect similar results in the FG.
That's about it. I'm enjoying my FG immensely despite the rougher ride. My Tundra now feels strangely cumbersome with that big 'ol hood and thick steering wheel. My FG is more nimble in city traffic and much more fun to drive....corners good too.
I'm hoping that the relatively light use and simplicity of design will mean that my FG will greatly outlast any large pickup on the market today. Time will tell.
This rig saw very light duty in the area and is equipped w/ a straight steel bed w/ a dump cylinder.
I'm not a rich guy building an adventure camper. I'm a poor guy replacing a Toyota Tundra. After discovering that a new starter or a new water pump for my Tundra runs about $1500 each, I decided I could keep a commercial rig running for that kind of money. I vacillated between a Unimog and an FG and decided on the FG as 95% of my driving will be on road and relatively close to home.
Needless to say, the ride was unbearable so I perused the sites and decided to try the cheap route first.... I installed Rancho 9000 series shocks all around (999117 front and 999113 rear) with a set of new Timbren bump stops up front. I'm very happy with the results. It's made the ride much more tolerable.
I'm running the adjustable Ranchos on click number 2 (of 9) and it provides just enough damping to keep the springs tamed (my truck weighs 8600#). I tried running them at midpoint (too stiff) and at the softest setting, which still let the springs try to catapult you through the roof. The shocks have also reduced the tendency to start an oscillation, though that may just be my imagination as I simply haven't encountered this situation since the new parts were installed. I found only one other instance of the Rancho installation on a 2003. I cross referenced the stock part numbers on the 03 and 07 and deduced that these 2 sets would fit.
I deemed that the front bump stops had the greatest effect on my comfort. The rear sets are twice the price @ about $400.....wonder if anyone deems those worth the expense?
I also tinted all the windows including the windshield with ceramic window film.....made a huge difference in reduction of solar gain...not so much like a greenhouse anymore
I'd like to explore the idea of set of single wheels but the guys at Stockton wheels are not very helpful. Are there specs.drawings (copies of the Aussie wheels) available? Someone suggested having them cut the centers out of my wheels to build off of....Is the expense of single wheels worth it on a road truck....? Expected fuel mileage gain @ 60 mph?
Another thing sorely lacking is interior nooks and storage in the cab. I have mounted single stud RAM mount balls on all of my grab handle screws to mount GPS, Phone, drink holders etc. Another idea I have is to mount an aluminum bar between the grab handles, about 3" above the dash (the full width of the cab) to mount some goodies, maybe even build a nice console on that.....Sure would be nice if someone built an overhead console...seems like there is plenty of room for that.
The ultimate goal is to simply make the truck as versatile as possible. So, with the dump cylinder and flat deck, I am adding a set of stakes and bows to the short, wood sides so I can run a custom made tarp/canopy (like an army truck). The bows will be strong and incorporate a few sets of pins that can be dropped in to help secure a canoe, pipe, lumber etc (with the tarp off)...A small, galvanized 2000lb capacity hand winch crane will be mounted in the rear corner. A 24x24 tool box will be installed on the frame and I will either install a wide, truck tool box on the front of the headache rack a few feet off the deck or simply chain down a jobsite style tool box so that I can relocate it to the rear when the camper is sitting on the deck.*
*I do have a Gichner S-280 military shelter that will sit nicely on the deck as it's a few inches narrower than my 82" wide deck. My goal of making it self loading isn't really achievable unless I mount a much taller crane. I'm not willing to give up my tarp nor add the weight. I still do most of my camping outdoors. The S-280 is essentially a truck camper w/ no overhang for the bunks. It's just big enough to provide a warm, dry place to sleep or curl up in a squall to read a book. An alcohol stove does double duty for making hot drinks and pre-heating the cabin in the morning so you can put on warm, dry clothes (damp clothes...the single thing I hated most about tent camping...grr).
I like my driving lights. There is a decided lack of off-the-shelf bumpers, brushguards and bullbars in the States. I'm getting mixed messages from the Aussie builders about fitment of their bullbars....Unless I can get a straight answer, it looks like I will be building a steel bumper w/ a folding brush guard/light mount. I'm just smart enough to know that these FGs aren't tough enough to trash off-road regularly. I will omit the winch in favor of a couple of big tow hooks and occasionally carrying a farm jack/hand winch.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me how much usable fuel is in the 33 gallon tank? I suspect 28 usable is about right.
Combined mileage so far is about 15.5 mpg. I suspect that my 62 mph (indicated) freeway speeds @ 2250-ish rpms is what's keeping me from getting better mileage.
Anyone have any tire psi recommendations? I'm running 80psi now.
Anyone have any input on a good torque multiplier for the lug nuts?
Interchangeability of the stock wheels? Can I swap an outer dual to the front to limp somewhere in a pinch?
I just started using Stanadyne diesel additive because of previous experience and recommendation by a well known Seattle based diesel injector/pump repair facility. I used to run a mobile tool truck w/ the 6.2 diesel. My tank range was 132 miles (all city, idling all day). My range w/ the Stanadyne additive increased by about 20 miles to 152, easily paying for the additive. I expect similar results in the FG.
That's about it. I'm enjoying my FG immensely despite the rougher ride. My Tundra now feels strangely cumbersome with that big 'ol hood and thick steering wheel. My FG is more nimble in city traffic and much more fun to drive....corners good too.
I'm hoping that the relatively light use and simplicity of design will mean that my FG will greatly outlast any large pickup on the market today. Time will tell.
