What do you have in your cab?

[ben2go]

Has anyone tried these Master Craft seats?All the off road guys in the US love them.They're not to absurdly priced,I guess shipping would kill it for you guys down under.

[dhackney]

We started with acoustical mat, which makes a HUGE difference in the noise level of the cab. We lined the entire cab with it, and it made a very significant difference in day-to-day life with the truck.

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We also added security film to the side windows. We used this same film on all the windows in the camper. Strong enough to stop a hammer (or so their marketing materials claim - fortunately, never had to test that).

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Air seats are a must. We used National seats.

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Swapped the stock radio for a Pioneer and modified the dash box to hold a Garmin GPS. The primary function of the Pioneer display is for the backup camera mounted on the rear of the camper. We used the Garmin 276C as our primary GPS.

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Both are reasonably stealthy when stowed.

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Level gauge for the GPS compartment door. Anything over 5 degrees and my wife starts to pucker. The actual roll angle of our FG is more than 30 degrees (based on calculations), but in a forward control/cab over truck you are so far up in the air vertically off the ground that from the seat of the pants perspective even 10 degrees feels like 40.

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Custom center console. We designed it to hold all the electronics and to be removable for shipping.

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The cup holders are a part from a 2003 GMC Sierra Denali pickup center console. We used two of them and designed the console around those cup holders.

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[dhackney]

Console with false bottom installed.

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12VDC power and iPOd inside console.

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Power amp mounted in console.

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Sat phone antenna connection on console.

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12VDC cab power.

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Mounts for fire extinguisher and mag light (mag light not installed in this photo).

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[dhackney]

Tuffy overhead console - modified for extra dome light and map lights. Spanish - English phrase book is optional.

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ICOM radio (we also carry a couple of handhelds that are frequency matched to this cab mount unit; frequencies are pre-set to Baja 1000 support)

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Dome light. It's a two bulb light with individually switched white and red LED bulbs. The red preserves your night vision.

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Map light and level gauge.

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[dhackney]

CB radio mounted in console.

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CB radio speaker.

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Alpine cab speakers. We also used Alpine speakers in the doors and for the sub-woofer in the console.

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Over-the-shoulder map light. We don't use these as much as the ones on the overhead console. These are best for passenger reading. The light is very focused and can be pointed directly at the reading material without bothering the driver.

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[dhackney]

Seat heater switch. My wife says this is the 2nd most important switch in the cab.

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This is her most important switch: air seat inflation.

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Relocated oil level check switch. The panel dim switch operates normally. The Light On/Off switch is not used (it's the stock payload/box light switch).

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Additional engine heat switch. Top switch is normal fast warm-up. 2nd from top is fuel filter heater switch.

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Additional lighting switches. Top is HID pencil beams, 2nd is HID driving lights (aligned with stock high beam focus point), 3rd is fog/turning lights, bottom is aux reverse lights (HIDs mounted on mirrors and rear of chassis) and back-up audible signal (this is switched because there are times and places overseas when you don't want the back-up audible signal beeping when you're moving the truck).

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Warning and indicator LEDs and railroad air horns on/off switch.

LEDs are:

• low fuel pressure (red, blinks)
• fuel filter array heater on (yellow)
• fuel filter array pump on (blue)
• house bank alternator over/under voltage (red)

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Not illustrated: 12VDC relay delay timer I installed in a vain attempt to fool the Pioneer stereo's emergency brake sensing circuit. Didn't work but I didn't remove it.

You can find the details of all of these items in our build thread here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...229-FG-buildup and on our build site here: http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/

Cab Fuso dash switch photos are here: http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/photos..._21/index8.htm and pinouts are here: http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/docs/f...h-MK420436.pdf

Sources/vendors for items are here: http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/index-resources.htm

The stereo was overkill for us. It was specified by a friend of a friend and we didn't really see it until it was already in the queue for installation. We didn't need a big boom-boom stereo for our purposes.

We didn't really use the CB much. We didn't have occasion to use it with friends (most of our friends also had 2 meter radios on our frequencies). It did help us out in traffic situations in the US a couple of times.

We didn't use the ICOM radios much while we were overseas. We thought we'd use them in markets, between the truck and one of the motorcycles, etc., but we never used it in those scenarios. It was perfect while providing support for a friend who soloed the Baja 1000 and is perfect for that race and with others who have radios on those frequencies.

Everything else provided real value for us while living in the truck for two years and exploring the western US and South America.

Especially the air seats.

[Witchdoctor Oz]

Fantastic cab setup, very useful, neat & tidy.

Well done.

[blackduck]

great set up - neat and tidy, the thing i like it covers all the bases but still gives the appearance of lots of space
although you could do with just a couple more switches
WRT the inclinometers and your wifes muscle control - I find its best not to give them a gauge with which to measure
the phrase trust me! always works for me
its akin to leaving 12 empty beer cans side by side
she knows youve drunk them regardless of what you say
all the same great work
would be interested in seeing the rest of the truck

[whatcharterboat]

would be interested in seeing the rest of the truck

Hey Stu,

IMO this is the best built, most well equipped and deeply researched FG built by a privateer on the planet with one of the most comprehensive step-by-step build report to go along with it.....you'll find it all on Doug's website in his Sig Line. Doug was also one of the main poster's in this Section of the Forum when it began and is responsible for a wealth of information if you do some digging....including ultra professional pics, tech advice and trip reports that will make you green with envy.

Now all we've got to do is talk him into coming out here for a holiday

Regards John.

[blackduck]

Hey John
thanks for the heads up
had a quick look as internet reception allowed
I must say, that is one impressive set up
Ditto on a visit down under
maybe ATW could work out a sponsorship deal - maybe a BBQ at Yandina if Doug brings his truck out, that should get him on the boat
BTW hows the rain
sorry to say we are slowly seeing the end of summer - I mean its going to be 29 and sunny tomorrow (BRRRRR)