Builds 70 series Landcruiser Troopy expedition build - Frame off. (5 Viewers)

[ofer bruhis]

I welded 8 M10x1.25 nuts on the back of the protection plates of the rear bumper. This allows me later to mount a ladder or a folding table or anything else without drilling the body. Also added a photo of the current state of the grill.

 

[ofer bruhis]

Just spent $110 on 1/2" square steel tubing (140') to build the frames of the cabinets in the back of the troopy. I am a fan of this material. It's cheap, light and easy to work with. Finishing can be with 1/4" plyboo or sheet metal powder coated. I've done similar in our 80 6 years ago and it is like new after 100K miles of travel. Photos of the 80 attached.

 

[Broski]

Nice work

 

[renago]

Nice , strong and not expencive.
I have gone with simple alluminium panels folded and welded for the cabinets.
Very very light .
Also no problems after many African trips.

 

[ofer bruhis]

Been trying to 'update' the VIN plate. Stainless, laser engraving... The one on the right is a 'sample'.

 

[JLawson]

What's the wall thickness on the square tube?

 

[ofer bruhis]

What's the wall thickness on the square tube?

1.6mm -> 1/16". All you need is a 90 degree tube vice, a MIG welder and a grinder to erase your mistakes. And... a friend that owns a powder coating shop so he could do it for free. This is much cheaper then 8020 aluminum, lighter and 'occupies' less of the expensive real estate in the rig.

 

[prwillard2]

1.6mm -> 1/16". All you need is a 90 degree tube vice, a MIG welder and a grinder to erase your mistakes. And... a friend that owns a powder coating shop so he could do it for free. This is much cheaper then 8020 aluminum, lighter and 'occupies' less of the expensive real estate in the rig.

Excited to see what you design. I don't have the welding or fab skills to do what you're doing.

The 8020 in my build was cheap; the connectors are expensive parts.

Maybe we can compare notes of where you're hiding drawers!

 

[ofer bruhis]

Excited to see what you design. I don't have the welding or fab skills to do what you're doing.

The 8020 in my build was cheap; the connectors are expensive parts.

Maybe we can compare notes of where you're hiding drawers!

The bench is storage. It opens to a bed. There are 3 drawers (small) in the galley that came from airlines trolley.
Most people design storage’. This is ‘living space’

 

[ofer bruhis]

started the engine in the car. It drove into the lift. Terrain Tamer suspension to be mounted this coming week.

 

[JLawson]

Looks like you have the OME springs? And you are switching to the TT? Why is that?

 

[ofer bruhis]

Looks like you have the OME springs? And you are switching to the TT? Why is that?

They are way too stiff and they want to display it in the Terrain Tamer overland expo in Flagstaff.

 

[prwillard2]

They are way too stiff and they want to display it in the Terrain Tamer overland expo in Flagstaff.

I'll see you in Flagstaff brother!

 

[ofer bruhis]

since the rig is in Stockton, i started to collect all the bits for the interior dash and prepare the hood. The holes for the jets of the windshield washers was too small so I had to 'modify' it.

 

[ofer bruhis]

Started building the cabinets for the HDJ75/78. Hardest part is the rear fender location. I do cuts on the square tubings and then bend and weld the cuts. Use a low tech cardboard jig.

 

[ofer bruhis]

3.5”!stainless snorkel material. Will be cut on a jig, TIG welded and maybe powder coat black BK208.

 

[sjpitts]

They are way too stiff and they want to display it in the Terrain Tamer overland expo in Flagstaff.

This May? So is your goal to have the 70 done by then?

I may need to make a trip to Flagstaff . . . .

Jared

 

[ofer bruhis]

This May? So is your goal to have the 70 done by then?

I may need to make a trip to Flagstaff . . . .

Jared

7 weeks and 10 days away so maybe 5 weeks. I will have it driving but not sure finish the camper side.

 

[ofer bruhis]

@orangefj45 has been using his magic wand. They are finishing welding the rear bumper and reinforcing the rear frame as well. Also installed Terrain Tamer shocks and rear springs. I hope Thursday to try to drive it a bit in the parking lot in Stockton.

If you look carefully you can see the aluminum coolant tank behind (in front) of the left rear shock for the hydronic diesel heater.

 

[ofer bruhis]

Finally troopy is moving by its own power. Picked up from @orangefj45. The crew there is fantastic. Towed it to my shop (we actually build very high end joysticks for the military drones) and spent the day today modifying the prototype grill that @kelly saad so it will fit with the intercooler. I’ll change the front screen to the small hexagons like my 80. I still need to adjust the hood and then take it all apart and install the new fenders that are being painted. Bumpers curtesy of Luke 4x4labs.