Tiger Build up

[DiploStrat]

... While parked I was lying under the truck just staring at details. Ah yes details, there are many things I don't like about the mounts of the black and grey water tanks. The tanks hang to low and the plumbing creates a loop that is susceptible to getting hooked on things. Another thing, the tank level sensor wire hangs ridiculously close to the tire, it seems like it is just waiting to get caught on a stick or branch. I hope I am not biting off more than I can chew but I am going to drop the tanks and look at a redesign of them. I wanted to cut in a fernco coupler anyways so it gives me an excuse. With the tanks down I can also remove the spare tire winch and clean up some odds and sods.

You may want to look at a "composting" toilet as an alternative. I am considering the Nature's Head and I know that the Nature's Head rep recently visited Provan - their product easily fits the current production. Would probably fit yours.

why do vehicle manufacturers hang the spring shackle bolts and shock mounts so low? Is it to help stop the diff from rotating/twisting or something? I would think the best design would be to keep it as flat as possible, I know the ifs is way flatter but I like the solid axles.

Couldn't agree more. My old '77 Blazer was a model of underbody cleanliness; all of the shackle bolts pointed up, shocks mounted mid axle, etc. Modern vehicles are a mess.

[ed604]

Hello Gents,

thanks for the encouragement Esmi, I am getting so much closer now to my departure date it starts to make me nervous about being prepared. I have been having so much fun with the tiger, my son had me set it up in our driveway to sleep in during the week, and I have actually been able to drag the wife out camping! She will not tent period, end of story.

Hello Diplo, nice to hear from you, I had a good look at the natures head toilet. I am curious, there is a sales rep down in bellingham maybe I'll make a trip down to take a look first hand. I couldn't agree more about the dingle dangles on the modern trucks. I am going to do something about that on my tiger.

I have researched what appears to be a really good mod for my brakes on the Dodge. I read that you take the wheel cylinder out of a 80's Chevy dually and bolt it straight in to the Dana 70 for greatly improved breaking. They gave the part number and everything. The poster did caution empty pickups on winter roads, but I'll never have to worry about that, I am always loaded so to speak. Drove over the scales again 9200 lbs gear and all.

I'm trying to make my mind up to start demolition this weekend, or do one more trip. ha It'll always be just one more..... I got to start the "build" part of this build thread sometime!

I will post up my drawing of the bumper.

cheers,
Ed

[ed604]

Well my one more trip turned into 4 more trips and I have to admit that I am having a hard time not taking the tiger out on any free week end!

One good thing about my slacking on the work part is that my various trips have pointed out more areas of needed repair.

I have a short somewhere causing my cabin battery fuse to melt on the rear 30amp fuse. the fresh water tank has a leak but only if it is totally full, it doesn't leak when 3/4 full.
the laminate counter and the little storage cabinet to the right of the fridge sucked up water (like that when i bought it) and has swelled the particle board. the grey water tank leaks by the drain pipe. The side sliding window has a broken latch, but the most annoying thing that I have to fix is the seal around the cabin side access door. When on a dusty gravel road it leaks dust into the camper. That will not do, especially on my northern leg up to the Yukon and Alaska!

I have a fast approaching date of Aug 20th looming over me.

So I am going to pick up a rv storage tent that I can work on the tiger under ( it rains a lot here)

I have been trying really hard to find some good used parts that I need for the tiger like a good condition winch and bumper and maybe a locker for the Dana 70. I have been like a hawk on craigslist Vancouver, Seattle and a bunch of others.. but nothing yet.

I hope to have some work done on the tiger soon!....... but it just stopped raining after a couple weeks and maybe time for one more........LOL!

take care

Ed

[ed604]

Hello all I thought that I would post up a quick shot of a used bumper that I found. It is for a 2008 super duty but I think with some minor mods it may fit nicely for me. the pic is just the bumper in front so i could size it up.

Bumper shot.jpgbumper angle.jpg

This particular one comes with a warn 15000 lb winch and the lights. I like the look of it but the mounts don't fit and the clearance to the trans cooler is not great.

I am going to take my bumper off and go back and have a test fitting to really see in more detail.

Ed

[ed604]

Hello all, I would like to mount a second fuel tank where the spare tire used to be. I am wondering what the best method to do that might be? I was thinking of a dual draw, or a small transfer pump, it would be nice to have a switch and draw each tank down separately.

Not too sure of all that is involved has anyone done this?

Thanks,
Ed

[Anton2k3]

I'd say have a transfer pump from new tank to original on a switch. That way your can 'refill' original tank when it's getting low, and won't have to run additional suction and return/leak off lines to new tank. I've not done it, but plan to in the future.

[ed604]

Yes, I was thinking that this would be the most simple to achieve. I guess it is essentially an on board Jerry can. I could use a switch that had a light on it, so I didn't forget and run the pump dry.

I think I saw that there was a seperate fuel gage that you can use, that will tell you when the aux tank is empty too.

Hmmm still thinking.....

thanks for the input Anton
Ed

[Anton2k3]

That's a good point klahanie. I think i'd be inclined to fit a level switch to the original tank, connected to transfer pump circuit which would kill the pump 12v feed in event of tank overfill. It would be relatively simple to install and cheap. In terms of redundancy, carrying spare pumps is always a good idea, but not always affordable. Maybe a tap (with a lock on it) on the new tank, and a small 5l jerry can would suffice to transfer the fuel in the event of pump failure/emergency....a cheapo option for tight people like me!

[ed604]

I had a great score yesterday, I have been designing my back bumper and I wanted a swing out tire carrier. I found the perfect one, it is from the Hummer H2 it comes complete with recovery points as well. I think it will be perfect for my plans. I am hoping to get the bumper done in the next couple of days and will share pics!

It is nice to make your Aquantince David and thanks for the input. I'm going to take a trip to princess auto to see if I can find anything.

Ed

[ed604]

Hello all,

I thought that I would give some updates to the work that I am doing on the tiger. Here are some shots of the leveling springs that I have installed some before and after pics. These are 2 levels thicker gauge of steel than stock.

because I have mounted a heavy bumper and a big old winch I thought some anti sag springs were in order. of course that being done my existing shocks weren't cutting it so I had to pick up some fox shocks originally was going to go bilstien but I was offered the fox for a decent price and pulled the trigger.

Before and after the springs.

Abbotsford-20120825-00269.jpgBurnaby-20120825-00270.jpg
Ed