That's awesome!! A trip like that I'm sure brought about other ideas or upgrades. When you get a few more minutes let us know how nulla did and what you are planning now.
Builds building a landcruiser for overland expedition (3 Viewers)
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rideglobally
Nullacruiser
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it was a fabulous trip. Nulla performed smoothly start to finish. the heat did not bother her at all. in some places cars and trucks where parked on the side of the road over heating and we just kept on cruising. the great thing that we found amazing is the gas mileage, about 22 mpg plus. if this is hard to believe, no problem, even i am not totally believing it. we need to keep testing it. everyday we basically put $100 worth of gas in the tank which is about 22 gal depending on the gas price. we drove on that the whole day non-stop, some times 12 to 14 hours a day. we drove about 500 to 600 miles a day with gas to spare the following day. Nulla has 2 tanks that combined is 65 gallons. we never filled up cuz why carry all that weight around. also our mind set on where we stopped changed because it did not have to be a gas station. Nulla is not made to go fast but it kept up with the trucks at no more than 900 F EGT, 10-15 pound boost, 190 - 200 F water temp. average speed 55 to 60 mph. i could have easily push it at 17-19 pound boost, but there was no reason to we wanted to smell the cows and the flowers along the way. remember Nulla is a 8000 pound beast.
our next trip is to Baja in December 2012, destination can change.
here are modifications that we decided to make based on this trip: 1. we will raise the "camper" 8 inches by putting an 8 inch spacer between the lid and the camper and lower the opening of the "lid" pop top down to about 4 feet. the current configuration attracts too much attention at the campgrounds and we don't really need all that head room, almost 6 feet standing on the bed. Also to create more head room when the pop top is down. basically to simplify. 2. Nulla rides great on the hwy but kind of bouncy because of the rear air bags also i wish it did not handle like an 8000 pound beast off road. current suggestion to fix this is heavier shocks. if you have ideas let us know??? Nulla already have sway bars front, rear and pan hard bar in the front. i will post a thread on this in another forum. these are the major changes. other minor modifications we will post later.
promise more pictures when modifications begin which might be this weekend.
anyway thank you all ih8mud community. could not gotten this far on this build without all your help .... happy to share.
rideglobally
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weekend project
here is Nulla extended 8". this is as far as i got this weekend, next working on the pop top.
here is Nulla extended 8". this is as far as i got this weekend, next working on the pop top.
here is Nulla extended 8". this is as far as i got this weekend, next working on the pop top.
Glad it was a good trip and that Nulla performed so well!
Question: Your raising the rear cab 8" so you don't always have to raise the camper? That's what it looked like in the pic, just wanted to clarify.
-Daniel
rideglobally
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Glad it was a good trip and that Nulla performed so well!
Question: Your raising the rear cab 8" so you don't always have to raise the camper? That's what it looked like in the pic, just wanted to clarify.
-Daniel
no it will still pop up, but it will be lower probably 4' to 5' high not sure yet still designing. the 8" make the "camper" more comfortable when close for example, sitting up in the camper when close is possible also sometime we just pull over on a country road for one nite and leave early the following morning. in this situation we can sleep comfortably with out raising the pop top then start up and go early in the morning, get coffee on the next town. by the way even with 8" extension Nulla is only 8' height so it will still fit in a shipping container.
it is almost time to replace my tires, so i am checking on some option to improve maybe something more skinny and rated for Nulla's weight check out my link on another forum, let me know if you have suggestions https://forum.ih8mud.com/tire-wheel-tech/609591-what-tire-use.html
Right on...good idea!
-Daniel
-Daniel
Regarding your question about shocks: Not sure what you're currently running for shocks but based upon numerous experiments with my own shock set-up over the years I'd recommend contacting Glenn at Radflo (he's the owner) and having a discussion about your needs.
My 100 is right at 8,000lbs fully loaded and he built me shocks, tuned them to what he thought I needed based upon our phone discussion (he never saw nor drove the vehicle) and he hit the proverbial bullseye! I'm 100% happy with his shocks and tune. And they made a substantial difference in overall handling, suspension control and comfort.
My 100 is right at 8,000lbs fully loaded and he built me shocks, tuned them to what he thought I needed based upon our phone discussion (he never saw nor drove the vehicle) and he hit the proverbial bullseye! I'm 100% happy with his shocks and tune. And they made a substantial difference in overall handling, suspension control and comfort.
rideglobally
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thank spressomon, i check radfro website looks really good i will give Glenn a call when i am ready the shop is not that far from me.
Wow.. This has got to be one of the best thread I've seen on the internet. Was taking a break from my study and stumbled upon this. Just spent almost 3 hours reading through it. I have to say this is the most impressive LandCruiser I've seen so far. You have my utmost respect for putting in so much effort to rebuild it into such an awesome beast!!
rideglobally
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thanks
thanks for the inspiration we have had lot's fun building and taking it out on trips, we are now getting ready for our second trip to Baja this December. when i get time i will post up some pictures of the current update to the build. we have also meet many interesting people during the build and the trips.
thanks for the inspiration we have had lot's fun building and taking it out on trips, we are now getting ready for our second trip to Baja this December. when i get time i will post up some pictures of the current update to the build. we have also meet many interesting people during the build and the trips.
Love the buildup thread!
Love reading the thread, good to hear you cruiser performs well not just looks cool. Good Job Mate!!
Love reading the thread, good to hear you cruiser performs well not just looks cool. Good Job Mate!!
rideglobally
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pop up 3rd update
if you been following my thread you know that this is the 3rd and pretty sure final. one thing i have learned over and over on my build is to "keep it simple", less is more is true. those of you doing a build probably knows design ideas almost always start complicated, i have learned not to build it until i feel that it is simple enough for me.
this pop up now lifts up by itself with very little help and sets up in less than 10 minutes and put away in same time. those 1" aluminum post only need to be put up in high winds and they can be up up in a couple of minutes.
Sosa Upholstery 310 845 9487 did all the sewing using the 100% of the previous sunbrella canvas patiently piecing it together. this guy is great and reasonable so if you are in Los Angeles check him out
if you been following my thread you know that this is the 3rd and pretty sure final. one thing i have learned over and over on my build is to "keep it simple", less is more is true. those of you doing a build probably knows design ideas almost always start complicated, i have learned not to build it until i feel that it is simple enough for me.
this pop up now lifts up by itself with very little help and sets up in less than 10 minutes and put away in same time. those 1" aluminum post only need to be put up in high winds and they can be up up in a couple of minutes.
Sosa Upholstery 310 845 9487 did all the sewing using the 100% of the previous sunbrella canvas patiently piecing it together. this guy is great and reasonable so if you are in Los Angeles check him out
Max.Powerzz
Cruisers and Art!
Wow, this is my dream truck some day. Do you have more pics of the interior? What are your sleeping arrangements, does the bed slide over the interior space like a vanagon and you sleep above?
rideglobally
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thanks, we sleep above. no, it does not slide over but there is enough space for 2 people to sleep up there comfortably. there is also enough space for two on the floor of the camper, sometimes when we want to get out early the following morning that is where we sleep. we are insulating and putting walls on the inside now, as part of our prep for our baja, california trip this month. i will post pictures later.... thanks again
I've only seen (in person) a BJ Troopie with the pop-top roof. I love the design of the roof - seems like a smart way to go. Wider axles I'm sure were your best bet...though skeptical, I'm surprised how well it turned out. It looks awesome and definitely an impressive build.
Thanks so much for posting up your progress....it's inspired some awesome ideas!
Thanks so much for posting up your progress....it's inspired some awesome ideas!
rideglobally
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tool box and storage spaces
we decided to put a tool box instead of a winch. in the future i am thinking of a portable winch that hooks on the hitch receiver, but i am still not sure if we really need that. i also made storage spaces for extra parts, fluid, misc. see pictures enjoy and happy holidays.
i am now working on expanding our bed to queen size when expanded, picture will come later.
meanwhile we are planning to leave for Baja California this Saturday to usher in 2013. here is the the link to our thread on expedition portal. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/91735-Baja-2012-to-usher-in-the-New-Year-2013!!!!! pls post up any suggestions you may have on our trip to Baja. Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!!!
we decided to put a tool box instead of a winch. in the future i am thinking of a portable winch that hooks on the hitch receiver, but i am still not sure if we really need that. i also made storage spaces for extra parts, fluid, misc. see pictures enjoy and happy holidays.
i am now working on expanding our bed to queen size when expanded, picture will come later.
meanwhile we are planning to leave for Baja California this Saturday to usher in 2013. here is the the link to our thread on expedition portal. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/91735-Baja-2012-to-usher-in-the-New-Year-2013!!!!! pls post up any suggestions you may have on our trip to Baja. Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!!!
rideglobally
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more pictures - storage spaces
one on each side of the cab
one on each side of the cab
Just catching up on this great build! Awesome job.
My one comment is regarding your winch. I can't imagine building an expedition rig of this caliber and plan on exploring with it and not have a winch!! To me that is as important as spare tires and extra gas. However, i'm sure you have put plenty of thought into it so there must be some good reasons why you are not installing a winch.
My one comment is regarding your winch. I can't imagine building an expedition rig of this caliber and plan on exploring with it and not have a winch!! To me that is as important as spare tires and extra gas. However, i'm sure you have put plenty of thought into it so there must be some good reasons why you are not installing a winch.
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meanwhile we are planning to leave for Baja California this Saturday to usher in 2013. here is the the link to our thread on expedition portal. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/91735-Baja-2012-to-usher-in-the-New-Year-2013!!!!! pls post up any suggestions you may have on our trip to Baja. Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!!!
Sounds like you are leaving tomorrow. For two weeks in Dec-Jan I would suggest doing the Seven Sisters route. Pacific coast, south of El Rosario, north of Guerrero Negro. Enter at Punta Santa Rosalillita, then head north along the coast (carry lots of fuel and water).
Second choice would be San Igncacio Lagoon (they might have a few grey whales), then south to Scorpion Bay, then east to the east side of Bahia Concepcion to the north end of the peninsula.
Cheers, Jon
