80 series 1HDFT diesel conversion and Expedition build (1 Viewer)

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I’ve been wanting to implement an onboard shower for my overland rig since I first saw your setup on Michael’s Overland Bound YouTube channel. I’m getting closer to finalizing my setup but I wanted to get your thought on a couple of things.

I only plan to use the setup for a shower So I’m wondering if two tanks are necessary. I know you use yours for a sink as well so having a choice between hot and cold tanks makes sense. Is there some added functionality that I’m not taking into account? Do you use the cold water tank to mix with the hot water to regulate the temperature or is it an either/or situation? I was thinking that I could use the heater controls to regulate temperatures somewhat.

I’ll have an onboard air system with a tank so I can use that to pressurize the tank but I was considering using an electric pump instead. Any thoughts on that approach?

Thanks for your feedback.
 
69 Pigboy said:
I’ve been wanting to implement an onboard shower for my overland rig since I first saw your setup on Michael’s Overland Bound YouTube channel. I’m getting closer to finalizing my setup but I wanted to get your thought on a couple of things.

I only plan to use the setup for a shower So I’m wondering if two tanks are necessary. I know you use yours for a sink as well so having a choice between hot and cold tanks makes sense. Is there some added functionality that I’m not taking into account? Do you use the cold water tank to mix with the hot water to regulate the temperature or is it an either/or situation? I was thinking that I could use the heater controls to regulate temperatures somewhat.

I’ll have an onboard air system with a tank so I can use that to pressurize the tank but I was considering using an electric pump instead. Any thoughts on that approach?

Thanks for your feedback.
Click to expand...
The reason for two water tanks is that we can heat the water to a high temperature, so we can have showers long after the engine is shot down (it takes longer to cool down). So we set up the temperature originally to 140F because of the PVC limit, but now we may set it hotter with the stainless tanks. I've used this thermostat, and extended the sensor wires to the copper pipe coming out of the tank to the circulating pump. It is nice to have a mixer so you regulate for a fixed temperature as the hot water cools down in time - say an hour after you get to camp. Besides my wife and I use different temperatures... :)

The reason we used the compressed air, is because it's there. I'm for keeping systems to minimal, and adding another pump with all the wiring did not make sense. The compressed air only required 1/4" tube to run along the frame to the rear with a quick disconnect.

Have you seen my detailed blog?
 
I wanted to add some details on the structure in the back. Cabinets frames were welded 1/2" steel square tubing. They were covered with 18 gage steel plates on the fixed panes and .1" 6061T6 aluminum panels on all the doors/drawers panels. Drawers were aluminum trays used at the fight attendant cart with soft close glides. The fridge is built in with a detached compressor tucked in the wheel well. The cabinets are GR01 navy gray powder coated, and bolted to the floor where the seats were attached. The galley on the passenger side is the heaviest with the fridge, but I can still lift it myself.

Since real estate is so expensive in the truck, I chose 1/2" tubing. Using 8020 amount to loosing 2" of space if you have 4 bars going front to back. Here are a few photos of the process...

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Last edited:
ofer bruhis said:
The reason for two water tanks is that we can heat the water to a high temperature, so we can have showers long after the engine is shot down (it takes longer to cool down). So we set up the temperature originally to 140F because of the PVC limit, but now we may set it hotter with the stainless tanks. I've used this thermostat, and extended the sensor wires to the copper pipe coming out of the tank to the circulating pump. It is nice to have a mixer so you regulate for a fixed temperature as the hot water cools down in time - say an hour after you get to camp. Besides my wife and I use different temperatures... :)

The reason we used the compressed air, is because it's there. I'm for keeping systems to minimal, and adding another pump with all the wiring did not make sense. The compressed air only required 1/4" tube to run along the frame to the rear with a quick disconnect.

Have you seen my detailed blog?
Click to expand...
What are the dimensions of the Bullfinch shower cover when closed?
 
Just spent the weekend in Death Valley. We cut from Trona Pinnacles To Goler wash and Mengel Pass. Effort of Overland Bound to block the Racetrack from people to drive over it.

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Another work day with NPS and Overland Bound in Death Valley.

We also rescued a 30 years old tortoise from the highway before being run over. They are in danger and the proper way to remove them, is slowly lift them and walk slowly in the direction they were heading and put them back on the ground carefully a few yards from the road. We saved a life!!!

Love the sunsets and sunrises in the Desert.

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I’ll be working on my bed design this summer. Your build along with Eric enjoys Earth from YouTube serve as my main inspiration.

Now that you’ve lived with the layout for awhile, how has it been working out?

Is there anything you’d change?
 
Albatross80 said:
I’ll be working on my bed design this summer. Your build along with Eric enjoys Earth from YouTube serve as my main inspiration.

Now that you’ve lived with the layout for awhile, how has it been working out?

Is there anything you’d change?
Click to expand...
Hey,
After finishing the diesel conversion we did 5k miles to make sure the mechanics are working. Then built the habitat. We did not want to build a ‘storage’ unit like most builds. The day I finished it we drove to AK. Lived in the rig for 30 days (9000 miles) with an active ׳upgrade ‘ list. It took about a year to figure out what we like to improve and a bit more to do it. It is PERFECT for us as 2 people traveling.

A more detailed blog on the build was posted here and a video.

My current build is the troopy. Blog on this forum.
 
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